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Three Bullet Thursday: June 10th, 2021

Hi friends! Inspired by Tim Ferriss’ Five Bullet Friday, every Thursday I will be sharing three things I’ve been exploring during the week. Welcome to Three Bullet Thursday!

Concept I’m Pondering: Familiarity is an addiction
- YouTube must know I’ve been feeling philosophical lately, because a video called Jordan Peterson on Alcohol popped up as a suggested video. Don’t scroll past just yet, as the conversation quickly shifts from alcohol to addiction in general, and I soon learned that we are addicted to more than just substances.
- When asked why people are so addicted to familiarity, Jordan Peterson had a painfully insightful answer. He said that even if we don’t like our current situation, we know we can survive it. If we make a change we are faced with all these unknown risks that turns out to be really scary. However, he warns us that the risks of staying in a situation we don’t actually want are far more dangerous. “Where are you going to be in five years? You are going to be just like you are now, except a lot more of what’s good about you will be gone, and a lot more of what’s terrible is going to be amplified.”
- The lesson here is that EVERYTHING HAS RISK. Staying in a cushy job has risk. Starting your own business has risk. Living in the United States has risk. Moving to another country has risk. Now that’s not meant to be discouraging, in fact he suggests we find some relief in it. How’s that? Well #1 You can pick your risk and #2 You are a lot tougher than you think… So even though there is risk everywhere, if you confront it forthrightly, what you’ll find is that you can actually handle the risk, and that’s where you’ll find the security.

What I’m Watching: Last Chance U: Basketball
- While we are on the topic of choosing a lifepath in the face of risk, let’s talk about Last Chance U: Basketball. It’s a docuseries that brings us into the complex world of junior college athletes – from the classroom to the court and everything in between.
- None of these athletes have it easy. They are up against incredible odds. Anyone trying to play professional basketball is. But these guys have an additional handicap, they have an extra step – finding success at the junior college level before even being considered by a D1 school.
- The reason I love this show is the dedication the athletes, and let’s not forget the coaches, have to their craft. Sure, these guys make mistakes, that’s why they are where they are, but the point is that they haven’t given up. And that means they still have a chance.

What I’m Enjoying: Farming
- Yesterday, a friend of mine who works at a local farm, Ekar Farm, invited a group of us to come and help plant some veggies. We dug trenches, prepared the soil for the plants, prepared the plants for the soil, planted, watered, added some Florida Weave to give those little ones something to grab on, threw on a reemay cloth to protect ‘em, and finally dropped some sandbags in just the right spots to keep everything in place.
- Things I loved about the experience:
  - Getting my hands dirty
    - There is something so lovely and refreshing about literally being in the dirt and interacting with the earth on such an intimate level
  - Actually participating in the growing of food
    - Like how cool is it that one day, someone is going to eat the cucumbers we planted?
  - Community
    - We came together, worked as a team, and accomplished something – while having so much fun along the way. I think there is an inherent satisfaction in working as a team in a physical endeavor like farming, at least for me.
- If you’re in Denver and want to volunteer, you should reach out! https://www.ekarfarm.org/

Hope you enjoyed this week’s Three Bullet Thursday! Please share your thoughts feedback in the comments below, especially if you have any recommendations for me!

See you next week!

Three Bullet Thursday: June 3rd, 2021

Hi friends! Inspired by Tim Ferriss’ Five Bullet Friday, every Thursday I will be sharing three things I’ve been exploring during the week. Welcome to Three Bullet Thursday!

Quote I’m Pondering: “When did the future, Ellis once wrote on the back of a postcard, switch from being a promise to a threat?”
- This line, from one of the last chapters in Invisible Monsters by Chuck Palahniuk, was so impactful that I had to put the book down for a few minutes… because its true – at least for me.
- As a kid, I was so excited for the future and all the imagined potential – getting a car, having some money, exploring the world. But as an adult, the excitement is often replaced with anxiety – I’m worried about my financial future, what I should do to be happier, how not to mess up the relationships in my life.
- And I don’t think I’m the only one (or one of the only one’s if we count Chuck). So where does this scarcity mindset come from? How do we learn it? And is it helpful?
  - To be fair, I want to note that as a younger person, my headspace wasn’t always wise or healthy, however, I do remember believing that the future would bring the relief.
  - So back to the question. First off, yes, as a function of age – having more robust responsibilities and specific desires has something to do with it – but that still doesn’t explain where the deep seeded fear comes from. Because the fear is generally baseless – we are worried about circumstances in a future we have never been to. We have the same capacity to imagine a scenario where we succeed as one where we fail. So why do we, or at least I, often imagine the latter? When did the future switch from being a promise to a threat?

What I’m Watching: MasterChef Season 11 Episode 1
- My guilty pleasure is reality TV competition shows, so naturally I was excited for the season premiere of MasterChef, as show where a few talented home cooks compete for prize money and more importantly, opportunities to make cooking their career.
- In this first episode, dozens of home cooks present their signature dish to the judges in hopes of earning the coveted “white apron”- the official invitation to the competition. So I’m watching the show, and as some of these aprons were given out, I found myself getting emotional – feeling such admiration and joy for the folks that were making their dreams come true. And this my friends, is why I love these shows. Whether the person is singing, blowing glass, or cooking food, for the duration of the competition, they are dedicating every cell in their being to this dream – and it’s the most beautiful thing to witness. Feeling inspired!

What I’m Listening To: Gregory Alan Isakov
- Gregory Alan Isakov makes music that is simultaneously calming and thought provoking. I have literally played one of his albums while I lie in the grass and watch the clouds pass above. Or while I journal. Or while I drive. Or any other time I want to contemplate my life.
- For instance, as I am writing this sentence, I am listening to If I Go, I’m Goin from the album This Empty Northern Hemisphere. One of my favorites!

Hope you enjoyed this week’s Three Bullet Thursday! Please share your thoughts feedback in the comments below, especially if you have any recommendations for me!

See you next week!

Three Bullet Friday: May 28th, 2021

What I’m Working On: The Two Day Rule
- Being goal-oriented, I will on occasion make public commitments to help keep myself accountable. Let’s just pick a random example, something like publishing a weekly blog every Thursday. And that’s great, just I’m also ambitious, and I sometimes overextend myself and miss a deadline. Let’s say allowing a Thursday to come and go without a post. Which makes me feel bad… like I failed myself and I failed you, my dear readers. So finally, in an effort to be more open and transparent, when such failures happen, I can share my experience and hopefully we can grow from them together!
- There’s this video on Matt D’Avella’s YouTube channel called the Two Day Rule where he explains a sustainable, hold yourself accountable strategy. In short, its “Consistency is the point – but sometimes you’ll miss a deadline, just don’t let two days go by where you don’t work on your goal.” So here I am, writing my Three Bullet Thursday on Friday!

What I’m doing: Peak Bagging
- At 4:30am on Wednesday, May 26^th, my friend Eli and I began hiking on a path that leads to the tallest point in the contiguous 48 states. The summit of Mount Whitney reaches 14,508 feet above sea level and since it sits at the junction of Inyo and Sequoia National Forests; the location is absolutely beautiful!
- This was an especially meaningful hike for me because back in 2016, while hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, I walked right past Mount Whitney and made the very tough but necessary decision to forgo the climb. So with much joy and gratitude, I am happy to say that this week I made good on my promise to return and summit Mount Whitney!

Quote I’m pondering: “Do or do not. There is no try.” – Yoda, Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
- Might as well go full meta with this post. While I was writing the first bullet, Microsoft word suggested I change the phrasing of “in an effort to be more open and transparent” and instead say “to be more open and transparent.” When I saw this, I laughed out loud. This app was calling me out on my BS. “Stop trying to be a certain way and just start being that way.” It’s a simple lesson, and a good one.

Three Bullet Thursday: May 20th, 2021

Hi friends! Inspired by Tim Ferriss’ Five Bullet Friday, every Thursday I will be sharing three things I’ve been exploring during the week. Welcome to Three Bullet Thursday!

What I’m watching: 42 – The True Story of An American Legend
- Talk about a movie that gives you perspective. 42 is a story about Jackie Robinson, a man with tremendous talent who just wanted to play a game he loved. But there were people, both within and outside of baseball who were vehemently against Jackie playing ball, well, because of the color of his skin. Sounds silly just writing it… sometimes reality is stranger than fiction. But this was the reality, and despite all the opposition, Robinson persisted and overcame, literally changing the sport and, moreover, the country.
  The more I think about his story, the more I admire Robinson. In the face of a shameful situation, where the rules were anything but fair, he focused on what he could do. Robinson took advantage of each opportunity, as sparse as they were. He realized that while the circumstances were certainly not his fault, it was his responsibility to make the most of each moment. He was in the driver’s seat of his own life. He was, literally, on the field of life playing offense. I absolutely love that, and aspire to emulate his attitude as I face the challenges in my own life.
- Oh, and if you’re still not sure how I felt about the movie, I highly recommend it

What I tried: Windsurfing
- I was in Florida over the weekend and decided to try something new, windsurfing! If you’re having trouble picturing it, imagine surfing and sailing had a baby – there’s a board with a sail coming right out of the middle.
- My friend Eitan was gracious enough to be my teacher (and provider of gear). Taking me step by step, he went through the anatomy of assembly of the equipment and then we hopped in the water. I was able to balance on the board without issue, but had a really hard time figuring out how to raise the sail while staying upright. Amidst the struggle, there were brief moments of success when I was actually sailing, and it felt great. Regardless of the results, I was happy to be outside, under the sun, in the water, learning a new skill, spending quality time with my buddy. Definitely will try again!

What I’m doing: Donating Blood
- This afternoon I’m going to Presbyterian/St. Luke’s Medical Center here in Denver to donate blood, a habit originally inspired by Tim Ferriss’ book The Four Hour Body – in which he explains that this modern form of blood letting has immune system boosting effects, plus it may save some lives. Either way, I see it as a low risk/low effort way to give back, so I’m happy to do it.

Hope you enjoyed this week’s Three Bullet Thursday! Please share your thoughts feedback in the comments below, especially if you have any recommendations for me!

See you next week!

Three Bullet Thursday: May 13th, 2021

Hi friends! Inspired by Tim Ferriss’ Five Bullet Friday, every Thursday I will be sharing three things I’ve been exploring during the week. Welcome to Three Bullet Thursday!

What I’m listening to
- The Genius Life Episode 133: How to Stop Limiting Beliefs with Peter Crone
  - What’s a three bullet Thursday without some Peter Crone, am I right? Clearly, there is a wealth of wisdom here, so I’m in no rush to move on.
  - This week’s insight came as a tremendous surprise – don’t try and find solutions to your problems. I’m paraphrasing of course, so give me a chance to explain through an example. Let’s say someone expresses a concern about being lonely, we usually suggest ways to combat it like “sign up for a kickball league, get a dog, join a book club.” We imagine these will help; however they are just compensating for the loneliness, not resolving it. They are just external factors that relieve the burden and make it seem like the problem is gone. But the problem isn’t gone, and until you sit with whatever you are struggling with, your concern will always be waiting there to prove itself right.
  - So, just because someone has “healthy habits,” EVEN if those habits have a positive affect on their life, it may come from a place of inadequacy and unresolved issues. I’ll have to keep that in mind next time I envy an Instagram model’s six pack.

What I’m watching
- Masterclass: Brandon McMillan Teaches Dog Training
  - Now don’t get too excited, I don’t have a dog of my own. However, when I browsed the Masterclass course list, I was immediately drawn to this one on dog training (maybe it’s a sign??)
  - I really enjoy Brandon’s no nonsense approach. Clear on the principles and objectives, he begins with a simple ask and slowly adds difficulty through distance and distractions. He also is quite creative in his use of tools to help both the human and the canine make the best decisions available. Things like multiple leashes, picnic tables, cones, and strings are utilized in his training. Most of all, I appreciate Brandon’s attention to each dog’s natural tendencies, history, and personality.
  - To be clear, this isn’t a comprehensive course on everything there is to know about dog training. Instead, it focuses on a handful of commands you are likely to use on the daily. I imagine it’s a fantastic place to start. Hopefully one day I’ll get to find out!

What I’m revisiting
- Self Defense Training
  - Back in 2015, after 6 months of consistent training, I earned my yellow belt in Krav Maga, testing into Level 2. But I was burnt out – so I hung up my gloves, promising myself I’ll get back into it when the time was right.
  - Well, it just may be that time. Yesterday, I tried out Evolve Martial Arts in Denver and it was awesome! It had the three things I look for in any gym – quality instructors, quality curriculum, and quality community. I loved the intensity and pace of the classes – and to my surprise, I felt relatively comfortable with the fundamentals. When we were drilling the basic combatives (jab, cross, hook, uppercut), the instructor I was working with even asked “have you done this before? I thought this was your first day” After my happy dance, we proceeded with the class.
  - Most importantly, I loved how I felt when I got home. Usually, and I’m the first to admit this, my operating energy level is fairly low. However, when I do get excited about something, I flip the switch and things can get pretty intense (if you’ve seen it, you know). Yesterday, I was in such a good mood – energized, playful, and motivated. Any activity that generates those feelings is one I want to try again.

Hope you enjoyed this week’s Three Bullet Thursday! Please share your thoughts feedback in the comments below, especially if you have any recommendations for me!

See you next week!

Three Bullet Thursday: May 6th, 2021

Hi friends! Inspired by Tim Ferriss’ Five Bullet Friday, every Thursday I will be sharing three things I’ve been exploring during the week. Welcome to Three Bullet Thursday!

What I’m reading
- Invisible Monsters by Chuck Palahniuk
  - Chuck’s perspective is an absolute masterpiece. His work pulls the curtain back on the taboos of our society, both experienced and imagined. Usually violent or sexual (sometimes both), his seemingly objective style resembles a reporter – simply describing a series of events as they are without attaching any explicit meaning to them… that’s up to the reader I suppose.
  - This book in in particular, Invisible Monsters, is the story of a fashion model who, via a bizarre accident, becomes physically disfigured and unable to speak. Let’s just say, it only gets weirder from there.
  - This is the fourth Palahniuk book I’ve read, and I recommend them all highly (if you like that sort of thing)
    - Fight Club
    - Choke
    - Survivor
    - Invisible Monsters (~100 pages in so far)

~~Quote~~ Passage I’m pondering
- “When you understand,” Brandy says, “that what you’re telling is just a story. It isn’t happening anymore. When you realize the story you’re telling is just words, when you can just crumble it up and throw your past in the trashcan,” Brandy says, “then we’ll figure out who you’re going to be.” -Brandy Alexander, Invisible Monsters by Chuck Palahniuk
  - Yes, I know, I was just talking about this book and its weirdness and you’re ready to move on, but this passage really deserves a minute in the spotlight. Its one of those profound moments that come from the most unlikely of characters (which can happen in real life too y’know). AND WHAT SHE SAYS IS SO TRUE. We humans become so attached to our perceptions, our labels, our past, that our identities become entangled with these things that happened. We instinctively interpret the life around us, what people tell us, and how people treat us into what that means about our value, our worth, and our essence. But its simply not true. Those are just stories. And we have the ability to let those stories go. While of course, this is easier said than done, I still want to thank Brandy (or rather Chuck) for reminding me that it is possible.

What I’m listening to
- Aubrey Marcus Podcast Episode 240: Peter Crone can free your mind
- Aubrey Marcus Podcast Episode 267: Free from your self with Peter Crone
- Aubrey Marcus Podcast Episode 291: Reprogram your mind with Peter Crone
  - Maybe I should have opened with this, because I am now OBSESSED with Peter Crone. In all seriousness, I feel incredibly blessed that I encountered his work – my life is noticeably better for it.
    - One insight that I’ve literally thought about every day since I heard it is the idea that the emotional turmoil we experience (fear, anger, despair, etc) is simply a reflection of the concerns we have about who we are and what we are. For example, if I lost tons of money in the stock market based on a trade I recently made – I may feel depressed about my now fragile financial situation and angry at myself for making such a trade. “How could I be so stupid? What am I going to do now? That was supposed to help me retire!” HOWEVER, this freak-out doesn’t actually come from the numbers on my screen going down, they come from personal, and often unacknowledged, concerns I have about myself, like 1) having to work unfulfilling jobs my whole life and 2) being a failure. The incident simply revealed this to me. The next step is to acknowledge that these labels I am trying to disprove were never true in the first place. Maybe along the way people or experiences told me they were, but inherently, in my essence, I am not someone who is either of those things. AND here’s the fun part – everyone else is in the same boat, so when someone behaves in a way that I would normally call an overreaction, I can recognize that whatever I did or didn’t do really struck a cord with one of their personal concerns, and this severe reaction is not a direct result of whatever it is that actually happened. There is so much more below the surface. With this in mind, I can now encounter conflict and challenge with more kindness and compassion towards myself and others.
  - I also give an immense amount of credit to Aubrey Marcus for cultivating the space that is his podcast and being the other half of these three incredible conversations.

Hope you enjoyed this week’s Three Bullet Thursday! Please share your thoughts feedback in the comments below, especially if you have any recommendations for me!

See you next week!

Episode 74: Day 188-189 (END OF 2017 HIKE – PCT COMPLETE)

Day 188:

Started hiking at 7:40am and it was beautiful. This section of trail is so scenic, and I am loving it!

Met a couple around my age, the guy started at campo and the girl joined him at Snoqualmie. We leapfrogged each other at water sources, and eventually sat down to have lunch together – tuna all around!

Also met an older couple hiking, WITH LLAMAS! I was told all about how although one is spooked easily, he is an energetic hiker, so thats acceptable. However, the other llama was too lazy, and if he didn’t shape up, he would end up in the freezer as a llama burger! She was not joking.

Later I ran into two hikers I met who were hiking with Wild Child, they were on their way back to Hart’s pass after tagging the Canadian border. AMAZING – THEY MADE IT! After exchanging congratulations and handshakes, we hiked on.

I am almost there, and I am savoring every moment of this. Every step. Every view. Every campsite. And being that tonight is my last night on trail, I was on the lookout for the perfect campsite. Thankfully, I most certainly found it. I had a 360 degree view of the such pristine mountains. I sat there for a long time watching the sunset.

For the last time, goodnight PCT.

21 miles.

Told you it was scenic:

Lamma burger?

This Trail:

This Day:

Last Camp:

—

Day 189:

I woke up early today, but stayed around camp to watch the sunrise and play ukulele. Hiked out just before 8am.

There is a lot of tree coverage, so many of the views are obscured, but gosh are they beautiful.

At some point I decide to stop looking at my map. I could see the trail clearly and I was just using it as a countdown for the final miles. I want to just be here and experience this and get to the end and see what that feels like.

And then I was there, at the Northern Terminus. It actually was a bit of a surprise, since it was not where I expected it. The trail faces the border, which simply has a sign that says “Welcome To Canada'” the terminus is to the left, on the side of the trail.

My reaction surprised me as well. I got really quite and just stood there staring at the monument. I walked up to it and touched it, and then pressed my forehead to it. This is how people must feel at the Western Wall in Jerusalem.

I looked up at the monument and I spoke to the trail. I had a lot to say – how excited I was to be there, the memories of the journey – the highs and the lows, the “what happens now?” feeling. It was an important moment.

And then… PICTURE TIME! In classic hiker style, I balance my phone on a log and rock and used the timer to take a photo of me standing on the monument in all its glory. Of course the next logical step was a selfie, which I took cheesing from ear to ear.

I hope to be here again one day. I trust that I will.

But enough of this sentimental stuff, I still have 8 miles to hike! I have to get to Manning Park.

Those miles were surreal. Hard to put into works how I felt, but I definitely felt good.

I got to the resort and took my free shower before booking a room in the hostel.

Wild Child is here! We congratulated each other on finishing the PCT and shared stories. Good times.

I eventually connected to the internet and I saw MANY text messages from my dad warning me about protecting my eyes during the solar eclipse. I was outside 100% of the time today and didn’t event notice. Oops.

Sleeping in a bed tonight, and getting on a bus tomorrow.

18 miles today.

Thats all for now – Max out.

Morning Music:

What a Day:

I MADE IT:

Feeling Great:

—

Video:

—

Post Hike Reflections:

People often ask me what I learned through the experience of hiking the Pacific Crest Trail. Like most questions about a 6 month chunk of life, its a hard one to answer. The truth is, the things I learned are too complicated and too long to list here. But I’ll can give you my top 3:

1) There is a tremendous difference between being alone and being lonely.

I spent a lot of time by myself on trail. At first it was uncomfortable, because I didn’t know what to do. I started by keeping busy with the logistical things – cooking, filtering water, organizing my pack. Next were games -juggling rocks, balancing sticks, and the like. Then I began to observe the world around me – I would sit outside my tent and notice patters in the flora and subtle differences in the terrain or weather. After that I started talking to myself, about anything and everything really. And at some point, I no longer felt like I was alone – I was keeping myself company, the trees were keeping me company, the wind was keeping me company.

I bring this lesson with me into “normal life.” I don’t spend time with people out of compulsion for company because I am very content on my own – this empowers me to be much more intentional about who I hang out with. And of course, now I love me some alone time.

2) Don’t carry the things that don’t serve you. They are too heavy.

Unfortunately, this one took me a very long time to learn. I was irrationally attached to gear that I thought I needed to “be okay” on the trail . Many experienced hiker offered to give me a “shakedown” – which means looking over my gear and pointing out opportunities to get lighter, but I was too proud to ask for help. Throughout my time on trail, in many small learning moments, I did learn to let go of the things that didn’t serve me and I sent much of my gear home, and guess what? I was still okay – even better actually. I also realized that it didn’t only apply to physical things, but emotional things as well. For example, my irrational “pride” was not serving me and I carried it for far too long.

And now, even though I don’t carry the entirety of my belongings on my back, I still try to live by this lesson. If I own fewer physical things, I am more mobile and need less space to live comfortably. If I let go of thoughts and emotions, it allows me to live in the present moment.

The two lessons above fall into the category of things I kind of expected to learn – things about myself. But there was one thing I didn’t expect to learn – things about others … and it just might be the most important lesson of all.

3) When you strip it all away, people are good. People really are good.

When you are on trail, all the things are stripped away – the careers, the status symbols, the emphasis on appearance: and that makes “success” look so different. Unlike at home, where if you get the promotion at work, I don’t – on trail success isn’t mutually exclusive: We can all make it to Canada. Plus, its really really hard to hike this trail, so people want to help you, and you want to help others. Its a complete and total paradigm shift, and its amazing.

I was on the receiving end of incredible acts of kindness again and again. Or at least I thought they were incredible. Someone giving me a granola bar as I was running out of food, or a ride into town in the rain, or drawing my name and a smiley face in the sand on a really tough day. Soon I noticed myself helping other hikers in simple ways that made a big difference to them.

Overall, many of the things in life complicate our behavior and relationships. Ultimately, people are good.

—

Thats all I have for the PCT.

Thank you so much for following my journey along the Pacific Crest Trail!

Stay tuned for whatever is next.

Episode 73: Day 184-187

Day 184:

After waking up and packing up I have my priorities

Get quarters and do laundry
Get my box
Chill out until the shuttle back to trail

While I was waiting for my clothes, I charged my electronics. Eventually, all the other long distance hikers flocked to the laundry as well and we got into some great conversations. I met a group of NOBOs – Mama Bear, Festivus, and Patches. I also had a long talk with Giant, who was finishing what was left of his 2015 hike.

Took the 2pm shuttle back to trail, and started hiking.

Got to North Fork Campground just after 7pm and set up my tent right next to the “WARNING: Recent Bear Activity” sign.

Met two people who were on a 3-day trip.

Dinner and sleep.

8 miles today.

Birthday card from Gramma:

Stehekin:

Reflecting:

—

Day 185:

Woke up at 6:20am per my alarm, turned it off for some extra snooze… I actually got up an hour later.

The two hikers were still packing up when I left, we spoke and they said they had trouble sleeping… I didn’t mention that I had trouble waking up.

Then came the steady climb up to Rainy Pass (Highway 20). When I crossed and passed some day hikers, one person said to me “Wow. You are starting in the heat of the day.” Instead of telling him I was already 11 miles in, I just said “Oh. I don’t mind it.”

Then I climbed up to Cutthroat Pass – which is so beautiful. PEOPLE, this place is very accessible to day hikers and weekend warriors: go check it out. You won’t regret it.

Hiked into the dark and eventually came to a pretty populated campsite. Found a flat spot as far as I could from the other tents and set up.

Ooh. It’s cold tonight! Putting up the rainfly.

21 miles today.

Majestic Mountains:

Cutthroat Pass:

This Trail:

—

Day 186:

Hiked out just after 8am in the cold and misty morning.

Started with a bit of a climb, but after Matthow Pass, it was smooth ailing for several miles until the climb up to Glacier Pass. Then I made it to Hart’s Pass (the last road crossing in the US)! Only trail between me and Canada now.

Seriously amazing views today. Plus I got up close and personal with a Marmot!

Met a NOBO who planned on getting to the border TOMORROW. 40 miles today and 27 tomorrow. Hoodini, all I have is respect for you.

Spent the night at the stock camp near Hart’s Pass.

22 miles.

Rocky:

Green:

Friend:

Vast:

Me:

—

Day 187:

Rest Day.

Woke up to the lovely sound of rifle shots. There must be some hunters around here.

Read a book called The Fire Pony by Rodman Philbrick – great story about boyhood, horses, and human nature. I really enjoyed it.

—

Video:

—

Bonus Footage:

Episode 72: Day 179-183

Day 179:

Started at 7:40am and finished the climb I started last night.

Small ups and downs for a while with AMAZING scenery. Everything is so picturesque in this section of trail, and i’m loving it.

Had lunch at reflection pond and during the hour I was sitting there, I saw chipmunks and field mice and marmots scurrying around – its like i’m in a fairytale.

A steep 5 mile descent into a very welcomed flatter section. But its not all fun and games. The thing about this flat section is that it is so muddy! I have been ankle deep several times – shoes are soaked.

After a couple of hours of hiking in wet shoes, my feet were too uncomfortable to continue, so I set up camp. Hope they are dry by the morning.

Still a great day!

20 miles.

Hazy yet beautiful:

The right path:

One of my best days:

Dirt pants:

—

Day 180:

Rest day.

Eating, sleeping, and reading.

The book was A Star in the Storm byJoan Hiatt Harlow, and was about a very heroic dog.

Later, I fell asleep to the pitter patter of raindrops.

—

Day 181:

Well, since it rained all night, its a cold and wet morning.

Hiked out at 7:45am and was pretty sure I could stay dry since it wasn’t actively raining anymore.

How wrong I was. The bushes surrounding the trail are really overgrown, so it was impossible to squeeze past them without major contact. The second I touch a bush, all the water cascades onto me, and what isn’t absorbed by my clothes drips down into my shoes. This may be worse than actual rain.

Finished the milder miles of the day and crossed a very broken bridge before the first of many climbs. They were all steep and were probably 4 or 5 miles each.

The good news is that its too cold to stop, so i’m making great time. In all seriousness, I’m pretty sure my lunch break was a total of 45 seconds.

But i’m not the only crazy one out hiking- I met a 7 other people today!

My morale was pretty low by the late afternoon, so I called it a day 3.5 miles before I had planned, but I desperately wanted to be dry again.

Not my favorite day on trail, but its over. Tomorrow is a new day.

21 miles today

Enjoying the experience:

A broken bridge is better than no bridge:

Today’s view:

—

Day 182:

Happy 27th birthday to me! And I have been given the best present , THE SUN IS SHINING TODAY!

I laid out all my gear and waiting about 30 minutes for it to dry, so I didn’t end up hiking until 8:40am, but it was definitely worth it.

Got to the Suattle River and decided to forgo the 5 miles shortcut on the old PCT because it would have required me to cross a really strong river by myself, and I didn’t feel like that was a good idea. Instead I followed the new PCT down the river for a few miles to a proper bridge which I gladly used.

And then came the berries. Tons of Blueberries which I enjoyed, but Salmonberries were the highlight, since I had never had them before. YUM!

At one point, I ate something that I thought was a blueberry, but it was so bitter I immediately spit it out. There is another berry in town, The Oregon Grape. And while it is edible, it is not very tasty.

Then came the real climb, 8 miles of up until the next campsite. And it was a pretty one.

22 miles today.

Still snow up there:

Salmon Berries!

Massive:

Looks like a good place to camp:

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183:

Today is going to be a good day. My map shows that its mostly downhill to Stehekin and there are tons of water sources along the way.

And I’m quite happy to be heading to town tonight since i’m pretty low on food. All I have left is a cliff bar, peanut butter, tuna and, of course, whatever berries I can find.

Caught the second to last shuttle at High Bridge into town. And while Stehekin is hiker friendly, it didn’t feel like a hiker town since its kinda fancy and I was definitely on the receiving end of some stare downs from the tourists. I guess they didn’t know what to make of a dirt covered backpacker. BUT, I do have to qualify my statement and say that the people who worked there were really sweet!

I set up in one of the free campsites and proceeded to gorge myself on the snacks I bought at the general store.

Went to sleep with a full stomach.

18 miles into town.

Good Morning:

Today is perfect:

Truffula tree IN REAL LIFE:

Trail:

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Video:

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Bonus footage:

Episode 71: Day 175-178

Day 175:

I actually woke up before my alarm today, so I started hiking at about 7:30am. I was honestly pretty proud of myself until Trailblazer flew by… I guess he actually had an early start.

I finished the remaining 2 miles of climbing, and then the trail flattened out and even went downhill for a while. I can get used to this.

Then there were a bunch of river crossings with only the occasion bridge. Which means rock hopping. Which means there is only one barometer if today is a good day… keeping my feet dry.

Towards the evening, I caught up with Trailblazer, as he was already camped at a water source. He was waiting for his hiking partner Rose.

I filled up water to capacity, since there was a bit of a dry stretch ahead, and I climbed. Found a nice campsite at the top and called it.

Today was a good day.

20 miles.

And we’re walking:

Open space:

Rock bridge:

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Day 176:

Started the day going downhill, so I was feeling great.

Made it to a huge river crossing., and as I was strategizing, Trailblazer just jumped across! I’m confident I could do it without a backpack, but I don’t know if my ankles would approve with a pack on, so I switched into Crocs and walked across. IT WAS SO COLD.

Had lunch at Deception Lake which was actually amazingly scenic. Crystal clear water with mountains all around.

I met a German hiker called CaveMoney and took a snack break with him and Trailblazer.

Also met an older hiker called Driftwood who definitely wasn’t wearing underwear beneath his shorts, but was wearing two different shoes.

Found tons of berries along the trail which I ate as I hiked. Honestly, there is nothing more delicious.

Besides for the berries, I munched on a tortilla and some granola bars. The energy boost helped me made it to a lake and set up camp.

Goodnight.

19 miles.

Love this:

Lake Time:

Massive:

Berries:

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Day 177:

Good start at 7:45am followed by a relatively easy 7.5 miles to Stevens Pass.

And guess what, MY BOX IS HERE!

I hung out at the ski lodge for a while to charge my electronics and to eat. Chips, OJ, cereal and milk. This is what brings me joy.

Saw CaveMoney making a cardboard sign for a hitch since his box is in Skykomish, which is a drive away. Reminds me why I decided to resupply via boxes rather than grocery stores.

Met a couple who might have been in their late 40s or early 50s. They retired early and are traveling the world. BUT, this isn’t their first big trip. When their son was growing up, they pulled him out of school and left their jobs three separate times for a year of adventure. Seriously… this is my new life goal.

I went to buy some more snacks and my credit card got declined! Not sure why but calling the bank didn’t seem to help. I paid cash, but I wasn’t happy to part with the little I had.

Hiked out and went almost 6 miles before setting up camp. I think the pretty views helped.

13 miles today.

Back to trail:

Hazy view:

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Day 178:

Good start at 7:40am.

As I was walking along I see a wooden sign saying “Toilet” with an arrow… okay, I gotta se this. I follow the spur trail 20 yards or so when I come across a wooden box with a hole in it. I guess technically anything is a toilet….

Then came the climb up to Grizzly Peak, which was amazing. Fields, flowers, and mountains everywhere you turn. Absolutely gorgeous.

Had lunch at Pear Lake where I met an older SOBO hiker who told me about a small spring that flowing in 7 miles so it splits up the upcoming dry stretch, so I didn’t have to fill up too much at the lake.

Seriously, today is consistently beautiful – I want to come back here again.

After some downhill I started another climb at 7:30pm. Instead of pushing into the night I decided to set up camp an hour later. So glad I did since my headlamp wasn’t charged… oops.

21 miles.

Toilet:

Wildflowers:

Smokey:

Trail:

Enjoying the shade:

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Video: