Biggi near Cutthroat Pass in Washington
The best piece of trail advice I’ve received was from my friend Biggi who I met just south of San Jacinto Mountain. She lives in British Columbia. Last year she hiked every part of the PCT except for the southern section, including solo trekking up several Sierra passes. In other words, Biggi is a bad ass.
As a rookie to the PCT, I was looking for some pro tips, so I asked Biggi what was the most important recommendation she had for a successful PCT trek. Her answer surprised me. It wasn’t about gear, or fitness or technique. It was this: Be willing to be vulnerable. Be open to the unexpected. Say Yes when people invite you to their homes or to do something. She went on to describe many of her best adventures on the trail. For example, she met Kathy on the trail near Fish Lake in Oregon who invited her to call if she needed anything. When Biggi hit deep snow around Crater Lake, she called Kathy who picked her up. and invited her to stay at her house. Biggi said, “Yes.” Kathy is now one of her best friends, and they talk weekly.
In the southern California desert, Biggi hiked much faster than me….because she’s a bad ass…. and I’m just not. We kept in touch via text and she gave me the names of the many Trail Angels she stayed with. I was reluctant to do so at first, wanting to have a little privacy during rest days at a motel rather than engaging with a stranger. But gradually I opened up. I began to say yes to people. When I needed help, I began to ask for it. And the many Trail Angels I met have really been a great part of the adventure so far.
So be careful if you ask me to dinner or to stay over or to travel to Africa with you because you know what my answer will be.
Canti,
Pak Dave