Michael and I are only one short week away from starting the PCT! I’m excited, nervous, and everything in between.
What Led Me To The PCT
I first learned about the PCT in 2013 when I read Wild. While I didn’t immediately start dreaming about the PCT, I did start thinking about mountains, hiking, and backpacking. These thoughts led me to hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu and also to move to Denver, both in 2015.
In January of 2017 I read through the thru-hiker issue of either Outside of Backpacker (I can’t remember which one) and was inspired to start seriously thinking about planning for a PCT thru-hike. Later that week I told my parents that I was going to hiking the PCT in 2018. Ironically, my first date with Michael was the next day. I asked him an annoying amount of questions about his 2015 PCT thru-hike. I didn’t know if there was going to be a 2nd date, so I had to get all the information I could out of him! Fortunately, there was a 2nd date, and a 3rd, and a 4th, and many more after that.
Later that year in June after a quick backpacking trip, Michael and I were high on endorphins and sunshine and decided we were going to hike the PCT the next summer, in 2018. As it happens, life got in the way. I spent the rest of the summer, fall, and winter having and recovering from various heart complications and procedures (cardiac arrest, receiving an internal defibrillator, having open heart surgery, and a blood clot). In January 2018 we made the call to delay the PCT by one year. I was heartbroken, literally and figuratively.
Fortunately, I received some happy heart news that spring – my blood clot was gone, I got a cardiac ablation, and I passed my stress test. We still couldn’t do the PCT, but we spent that summer backpacking in National Parks and thru-hiking the Superior Hiking Trail. When we got back to Denver in September there was not doubt in either of our minds that we would be hiking the PCT in 2019.
Now Only 1 Week To Go
So, now here I am with only one week before starting the PCT. I’ve bought my gear, trained, and have been mentally preparing. Am I ready? Yes, probably.
Gear
I have all my gear, or at least I hope I do. Michael and I are going to go through our packs this weekend and make sure we have everything we need. I’m planning on doing a gear post, so you can see what I’m bringing. As it stands now my base weight (everything aside from food and water) is 9-10 pounds. Not bad!
Physical Fitness
Physically, I had a little bit of a setback this week and was sick from Thursday to Wednesday. I had a fever and whenever I took a breath in my chest and shoulders would hurt. It felt like there was so much pressure in my chest, kind of like I still had my post-surgery chest drainage tubes stuck in there. This same thing happened back in December and it passed, so I wasn’t too worried about it, but I did go to the doctor to get it checked out. Based on my symptoms I probably had pericarditis, which is inflammation of the pericardium, which is the tissue lining the heart. It’s a virus and is treated with ibuprofen (or any NSAID). My doctor said I’m probably more susceptible to it, due to my heart surgeries. Now that I know what it is I can start fighting it right away in case it happens again. Hopefully it doesn’t, but I’m sure it will.
Being sick so close to leaving for the trail was annoying. I’m thankful that it wasn’t any later, but I had zero energy to do anything. I forced myself to do the things I needed to do (ie work) and spent the rest of the time taking naps and reading. Coincidentally my sickness timed perfectly with the most beautiful weather window we’ve had in Denver so far this year – 70’s and sunny. So of course when I started feeling better yesterday there was a blizzard. I was able to get out for a walk on Sunday and spent some time sitting outside reading, so it wasn’t a complete waste.
Leading up to being sick I have felt great physically! Michael and I did a 17.8-mile hike last week and it was awesome. I definitely could have knocked out a few more miles if I needed to. However, being sick always kicks me down a little bit, so we’ll see what my last few workouts look like before flying out to San Diego on Tuesday. Hopefully, I didn’t lose all of my fitness!
Heart Health
Considering all the backpacking I did last summer and all the strength and cardio training I’ve been doing this year I’m really not worried about anything happening with my heart. Although at points along the PCT I’m sure I’ll think that I’m about to have some sort of episode. I don’t know why I still allow my mind to go to these negative places, but I haven’t fully mastered the ability to banish these thoughts. Hopefully, as my body gets stronger the farther I hike my mind will strengthen with it.
I just had a download of all the activity on my internal defibrillator from the last three months and everything looked normal and great! Knowing this helps a lot. There were a few times I was out running in early March and I thought I felt something weird going on, but nope, all in my heard.
And in case you’re wondering my cardiologist at Mayo and my primary care doctor in Denver both know that I’m about to get on the PCT and they are totally onboard with it and are excited for me.
Getting To The Trail
Michael and I fly out to San Diego on Tuesday morning. I feel like we’re both going to be a big ball of anxious nerves and energy. Michael’s sister is giving us a ride to the airport (thanks Jenn!) and I already warned her/apologized for us being a disaster.
To help our backpacks get safely through the airport and the flight I ordered a couple of cheap duffel bags from Amazon. We can store our packs and trekking poles in the duffel bags and check them on the flight. We’ll be walking through the airport in our hiking clothes and fanny packs like all the cool kids.
Once we land in San Diego we’ll explore around the city and hopefully catch some ocean views. We’re staying with some family (thanks Greg & Kirsten!) that night, so we’ll spend the evening hanging out with them and catching up.
The next day we’ll be headed to Scout and Frodo’s house. Scout and Frodo are trail angels that take in PCT hikers before they start the trail. They invite hikers into their home to stay the night, offer dinner and breakfast, and give rides to the trailhead. They are generous people who have been hosting hikers since 2006. We’re excited to stay with them and to meet other hikers who will be starting with us.
Then on April 18, I’ll turn 32 and start walking from Mexico to Canada with the love of my life.
Cheering for you! Best of luck!