I can. I must. I will. As an advocate for a better planet led by love and compassion, we can equip ourselves with a powerful tool of understanding through conversation. I hope sharing my experiences will educate those with little to no idea of the challenges of being a hiker living with a disability. In…
Tag: Pacific Crest Trail
PCTA: Building relationships with Earth—and one another
Recent awareness of the lack of diversity in the outdoors suggests to many that it is a new issue or was never a problem in the past. Many white Americans have been enjoying the outdoors since the trails we know today were established—even before that. <script async src=”https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-6139803315441080″crossorigin=”anonymous”></script> For those who have been blissfully unaware,…
PCTA: Through hiking
Crystal Gail Welcome on the PCT in the Sierra Nevada this summer. Photo by Crystal Gail Welcome. Fires are ablaze throughout California, wreaking havoc on homes, businesses and wild landscapes. Folks from all walks of life are working endlessly to extinguish the devastating effects of the wildfires amidst a drought and scourging heatwave. I can’t…
PCTA: Collaborative Reciprocity
Nature has gifted me so much during our time together: astonishing sunrises, breathtaking peaks, and magnificent sunsets. Nature has removed all elements of self-doubt, shame, and most of the chaos life brings. I love this about Nature, for this is something she alone can provide. During my weeks on the PCT, I have encountered folks…
Some other beginning’s end . . .
I started the Pacific Crest Trail earlier in the season to account for my slowness. To my surprise, it turns out I am fleet-footed when it comes to hiking. For the sake of slowing down my hiking pace a bit in an attempt to outsmart mother nature (impossible), I took the train from Tehachapi, CA…
I’m not a scientist, I’m a science project
After my Intracranial Hypertension (IH) was in remission, and I had the last shunt removed, I found that I was still having headaches. My neurosurgeon, Dr. Boulis, offered a trial of a different medical device: a neuromodulator to help with the headaches. Admittedly, I was a bit apprehensive, but I trusted Dr. B; he…
Steps
I think of Lao Tzu’s quote, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” As I hike the Pacific Crest Trail, I know that my journey did not begin with one step. Instead, it started as a battle many years ago. Of course, I am taking the Tzu quote literally. The journey of 374 miles…
The Giver
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…
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…