People always ask me...Why do you do crazy things?  Because I can!  When I first started talking to people about doing the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT),  they thought I was crazy.  Heck,  I thought I was crazy.  Then I made a plan, I set a goal,  I decided to do it!  So I researched,  and read, and marked it on my calendar and told everybody I knew so I wouldn't back down.  I was determined to go.

Some people will understand,  some won't,  family members will question my age, sanity, health etc.  If you are a camper or a hiker, then you will know that "The mountains are calling and you must go".  It's not really a choice if you love the outdoors.  Sometimes you have to feel free,  you have to get outside, you have to see "Green".  It's something so strong that tugs inside of you.  It's like fishing, or hunting, or anything that you love,  you would spend your last dime doing it.  Yes,  it is extreme,  it sounds crazy,  will it be worth it,  let's find out.

Here are the most asked questions...

What are you doing, this hiking thing?

I am going to hike the Pacific Crest Trail

What is the PCT?

The PCT is a national scenic trail.  It starts at the border of Mexico and then winds its way through 3 states, California, Oregon and Washington up to the Canadian Border.  It's a long way about 2,650 miles.

How long will it take you?

5 months

Wait, you are going to walk from Mexico to Canada?  No way!

Yes way,  I am going to backpack from Mexico to Canada.

Why would you even want to do that?

Well, because I can,  why not?  I'm healthy,  I can do it,  and besides, there is a reason.  I wanted to hike for a purpose besides just me wanting to go and then I found not one but two very good reasons, Read under Sponsorship below.

How many miles do you have to walk a day?

I will probably average around 20  or so.  Some days will be zero days (means no walking).  Those are the days I will be in town stocking up food (re-supply) and saying hi to friends.

Aren't you afraid of bears?

No, not really,  well yea, kind of, if they are chasing me.  Don't worry mom,  I will have bear spray with me.  I am careful,  I know what to do.

Are you bringing your gun?  

No,  but I am a smart girl and I do have my concealed weapons permit.  Enough said.

What do you do about food?

Well, you eat.  Lol.  No, really,  you pack enough food till you hit a town and then you eat a really big meal in town and then you get back on the trail.  You eat dried food, tons of snacks and lots of water.  The average is about 6,000 calories a day.  Yep,  you burn that amount up walking.

Equipment?

I am an ultra-lite backpacker so that means I have done the research and found out the lightest weight items to pack.  Less weight in the pack means less weight on your feet and that means "Happy Feet".

The goods:

What happens if you have to go to the bathroom?

You grab your trowel, tent stake or whatever, you make a cat hole, you poo, you cover it up,  you pack out your trash (Leave no trace principles) until you find a trash can to throw it away.  When you pee, you do it off trail, away from water etc.  It's like when you were a kid.  You get the idea.  

But where are the showers?

Silly goose, there aren't any except in town.  You can swim in a lake.  Save your water for drinking.  You can deal with the dirt and sweat,  you also have baby wipes to use if you get really bad.

You are bringing boots...Right?

Maybe in the mountains with a heavy snow but really you just wear "trail running shoes".  You have to think lite, really lite.  Remember about your feet?

Are you going with somebody?

I am planning on going alone, however, I think I found a friend who may want to go with me.  You meet a ton of people on the trail so you are never really alone.  If I end up going alone, no worries,  I have planned it that way from the beginning,  Be Prepared!  Thats the Boy Scout Motto.

How do you train for something like that?

You walk a lot,  you hike with people, you stop eating junk.  You surround yourself with positive things, you opt outside, you sleep in your tent every chance you can, even in the living room, you sleep in your sleeping bag.  You pretend!  You think...PCT...PCT...PCT... You do not let anyone tell you that you can't do this,  you let no discouragement come your way,  you block that (negative) stuff out.  Read my lips  I AM HIKING THE PCT!

How can I sponsor you? 

I am fundraising for two different women's organizations.

1.  Mazie Morrison Foundation ( part of the "Sisters on the fly Organization").

This is a wonderful organization that helps kids get camping scholarships.  What better way to help kids get outside.  It also helps women with outdoor activities  "Sisters on the Fly".  Please take a look at maziemorrisonfoundation.org

2.  Casting for Recovery

This is a wonderful organization that enriches the live's of women who have breast cancer by offering free fly-fishing retreats.  

Think about making a contribution.  You can even sponsor me by the mile or by the day.  Anything and everything helps.  Let's make a difference in this world.

https://www.gofundme.com/migs-pct-hike-2017

You can read about my PCT Hike at.... happycampergirls.blogspot.com

People always ask me...Why do you do crazy things?  Because I can!  When I first started talking to people about doing the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT),  they thought I was crazy.  Heck,  I thought I was crazy.  Then I made a plan, I set a goal,  I decided to do it!  So I researched,  and read, and marked it on my calendar and told everybody I knew so I wouldn't back down.  I was determined to go.

Some people will understand,  some won't,  family members will question my age, sanity, health etc.  If you are a camper or a hiker, then you will know that "The mountains are calling and you must go".  It's not really a choice if you love the outdoors.  Sometimes you have to feel free,  you have to get outside, you have to see "Green".  It's something so strong that tugs inside of you.  It's like fishing, or hunting, or anything that you love,  you would spend your last dime doing it.  Yes,  it is extreme,  it sounds crazy,  will it be worth it,  let's find out.

Here are the most asked questions...

What are you doing, this hiking thing?

I am going to hike the Pacific Crest Trail

What is the PCT?

The PCT is a national scenic trail.  It starts at the border of Mexico and then winds its way through 3 states, California, Oregon and Washington up to the Canadian Border.  It's a long way about 2,650 miles.

How long will it take you?

5 months

Wait, you are going to walk from Mexico to Canada?  No way!

Yes way,  I am going to backpack from Mexico to Canada.

Why would you even want to do that?

Well, because I can,  why not?  I'm healthy,  I can do it,  and besides, there is a reason.  I wanted to hike for a purpose besides just me wanting to go and then I found not one but two very good reasons, Read under Sponsorship below.

How many miles do you have to walk a day?

I will probably average around 20  or so.  Some days will be zero days (means no walking).  Those are the days I will be in town stocking up food (re-supply) and saying hi to friends.

Aren't you afraid of bears?

No, not really,  well yea, kind of, if they are chasing me.  Don't worry mom,  I will have bear spray with me.  I am careful,  I know what to do.

Are you bringing your gun?  

No,  but I am a smart girl and I do have my concealed weapons permit.  Enough said.

What do you do about food?

Well, you eat.  Lol.  No, really,  you pack enough food till you hit a town and then you eat a really big meal in town and then you get back on the trail.  You eat dried food, tons of snacks and lots of water.  The average is about 6,000 calories a day.  Yep,  you burn that amount up walking.

Equipment?

I am an ultra-lite backpacker so that means I have done the research and found out the lightest weight items to pack.  Less weight in the pack means less weight on your feet and that means "Happy Feet".

The goods:

What happens if you have to go to the bathroom?

You grab your trowel, tent stake or whatever, you make a cat hole, you poo, you cover it up,  you pack out your trash (Leave no trace principles) until you find a trash can to throw it away.  When you pee, you do it off trail, away from water etc.  It's like when you were a kid.  You get the idea.  

But where are the showers?

Silly goose, there aren't any except in town.  You can swim in a lake.  Save your water for drinking.  You can deal with the dirt and sweat,  you also have baby wipes to use if you get really bad.

You are bringing boots...Right?

Maybe in the mountains with a heavy snow but really you just wear "trail running shoes".  You have to think lite, really lite.  Remember about your feet?

Are you going with somebody?

I am planning on going alone, however, I think I found a friend who may want to go with me.  You meet a ton of people on the trail so you are never really alone.  If I end up going alone, no worries,  I have planned it that way from the beginning,  Be Prepared!  Thats the Boy Scout Motto.

How do you train for something like that?

You walk a lot,  you hike with people, you stop eating junk.  You surround yourself with positive things, you opt outside, you sleep in your tent every chance you can, even in the living room, you sleep in your sleeping bag.  You pretend!  You think...PCT...PCT...PCT... You do not let anyone tell you that you can't do this,  you let no discouragement come your way,  you block that (negative) stuff out.  Read my lips  I AM HIKING THE PCT!

How can I sponsor you? 

I am fundraising for two different women's organizations.

1.  Mazie Morrison Foundation ( part of the "Sisters on the fly Organization").

This is a wonderful organization that helps kids get camping scholarships.  What better way to help kids get outside.  It also helps women with outdoor activities  "Sisters on the Fly".  Please take a look at maziemorrisonfoundation.org

2.  Casting for Recovery

This is a wonderful organization that enriches the live's of women who have breast cancer by offering free fly-fishing retreats.  

Think about making a contribution.  You can even sponsor me by the mile or by the day.  Anything and everything helps.  Let's make a difference in this world.

https://www.gofundme.com/migs-pct-hike-2017

You can read about my PCT Hike at.... happycampergirls.blogspot.com

Training before a big hike!

You have to train which means you have to set your tent up outside in the worst of conditions, the rain, the wind, and this winter even the snow.   You have to want to wake up at 5am every single day, you have to want to hike every single day.  You have to get your feet ready, you have to get your body ready.  It is not easy.  Some days are tough,  sometimes there are injuries.  You have to prepare, you have to think,  you have to have the right equipment.  You really have to be an ultra-lite hiker to accomplish this if you want less weight on your feet.   There will be days I will want to stop.....be brave, keep going.  You have to research and research, you have to read and re-read books.  You have to talk to a million people and then there are Sponsors and classes and agendas.  You find a way to put all of this in, and of course, you have to sleep sometimes.  If you know me,  you know a creative mind never ever sleeps.   I have been inspired by nature and this trip of a lifetime.  I have many supporters and people who will follow me,  I am especially grateful to "Sisters on the Fly" for planting this travel seed in my heart and also to "Casting for Recovery" for the brave women who are going through Breast Cancer.  I am walking for a reason,  to Send kids to camp through the Mazie fund and also to help women with breast cancer through Casting for Recovery.  You will hear more about this later.  Thank you to all of my sponsors.  I will be documenting my trip through my artwork and blogging along the way.  Please follow along with me as I travel along 2,650 miles from Mexico to Canada.  What a wonderful world we live in!