I spent four very long days on the trail confusing people, no doubt by my birth name, Crystal Gail. I’d introduce myself as such, and of course, I would be asked any of the following: “What song did I sing to get that name, “Was this before you shaved your head,” or my favorite, “Please…
Author: Crystal Gail Welcome
After a lengthy battle with a rare brain disease, Crystal Gail Welcome came to recognize the healing power of nature. She now uses her experience to break down barriers so more people can access the outdoors. Crystal is an experiential educator, author, storyteller, activist, backpacker, and Black outdoor leader. She chooses to speak out against racial injustice in the United States by hiking and giving voice to her experiences.
Gear List
gear ɡir/ noun noun: gear; plural noun: gears 2. informal equipment that is used for a particular purpose. If you are following this blog or reading it for the first time (thank you and welcome) I am preparing to hike the Pacific Crest Trail. Currently, I am seven days away from the start of what…
Doubt
It’s not a terrible thing that we feel fear when faced with the unknown. It is part of being alive, something we all share. – Pema Chodron doubt dout/ noun noun: doubt; plural noun: doubts a feeling of uncertainty or lack of conviction. Thirty days until . . . Those ellipses that linger after the countdown speak…
No Excuse
The opening of this post may seem odd, but I’m pretty sure it will become clear if you read it in its entirety. I’ve had many setbacks throughout my lifetime: depression, obesity, and rare brain disease, to list a few. I am also a childhood survivor of sexual abuse. The impact of abuse is long-lasting….
Budget Minded Gear
When planning a thru-hike, there are many things to consider; gear is the first. Hiking gear is expensive, but I have learned it doesn’t have to be. I have successfully obtained my essentials for under $600. Here’s how I did it. I made a wish list and humbly asked for outside support. (*Thank…
Please stay tuned
This blog was presented as a “hiking blog,” and there haven’t been a lot of hiking posts. I don’t start the Pacific Crest Trail until April of 2016, but also, I am much much more than a hiker. That said, I recently joined a group of hiking bloggers, and until the Pacific Crest Trail, if…