I read Zach Davis’ book Pacific Crest Trials and he advises people to list out why they want to do a long hike, what they think it will do for them, and what they think the repercussions would be if they get off trail. This is just my little jump at that.
Why am I hiking the Pacific Crest Trail?
• I’ve spent 39 years living for others and it’s time to live for myself.
• I’ve been proving to myself I can take on bigger and bigger challenges. This will be the biggest.
• I want to not fear snow camping.
• Spending time outside gets me in touch with my favorite aspects of myself.
• I like how I feel when I’m walking.
• I want to find out how my body will change with that trip.
• I want the photos. All the photos.
• I want to take booty shots in the wildest of places.
• After spending years hearing about Hike Naked Day, it’s time to be remote enough to participate.
When I successfully finish the Pacific Crest Trail, I will…
• Maintain work boundaries better.
• Be more discriminatory with what assignments or jobs I take.
• Have let go of many past traumas, especially those concerning limitations my mother convinced me I had.
• Be confident in snow camping.
• Have more faith in myself.
• Be deeply proud of myself and my abilities.
If I give up on the Pacific Crest Trail I will…
• Waste my last three assignments’ energy, time, and money.
• Lose pride in myself.
• Let myself, and others, down.
• Have let fear conquer me.
• Have proven my mother correct.
• Be sadder in the future.