Where does your mind go when there is no one around to chat with (Even no electronics)? Have you ever spent days without even your music? It was a quiet few days on the trail…..

When I have hiked other long trails, I’d often see other hikers or camp with them . At this time of year on the CDT, there are not many people around.

More Angels and Connections!

I enjoyed my trail angels, Denny and Stacy so much! We met them two days before when three folks on horses surprised us on the trail. We chatted for a few moments only to find out that the third horse rider was someone from Chattanooga! We had never met before but have many mutual friends. I then asked Stacy and Denny if they could perhaps give me a ride back to the trail on Saturday. Instant friends. Turns out one of my favorite angels of the CT, Sheriff Phil Leggitt from Creede, was a good friend of theirs too. Full Circle.

Solo

When I got back on the trail, I saw lots of day hikers. Arrived at Rock Lake with just enough time to set up a shelter before a huge storm hit: rain, lightning, hail, and the biggest graupel I’ve ever seen. These marble sized snowballs started hitting my tent and I thought they would go right through! Good old Durston X Mid protected me from another storm!

I wanted to get a few more miles in so I continued hiking after the storm and met a very curious deer at my next campsite. For the next five days, I only saw one couple early Sunday morning. I did see a beautiful herd of elk, just mamas and babies who were talking to e each other through many different vocalizations . Simply beautiful. I also had a hilarious encounter with a whistle pig (marmot) who decided to come investigate this intruder (me) very closely. I didn’t think he’d like my chicken curry so I scared him away when he got within arm’s reach. Their run seems more of a waddle to me. He made me laugh! However, I wasn’t so sure he wasn’t going for reinforcements, so I prepared my camp for a marmot coup that night. It never materialized, whew!

As a naturalist, my brain also asks questions about rocks, especially as I walked in and out of volcanic rocks as well as the adaptations of wildflowers. The bluebells look like streams coming down the hillside, usually leading to water!

Slow and Solo

When you hike as slowly as I do, distance between water sources and long exposed alpine areas become even more important considerations. My trail angel Darrow asked what I do about storms above treeline. Some suggestions:

Learn your clouds and watch their movement and formation.

Pay attention to the wind and when it starts hitting you in the face, some kind of storm is coming.

Always have a bailout plan to get off the ridge and be willing to use it!

Oh it is so frustrating to get almost to the top of the ridge and start hearing thunder and watch a storm head your way.

Water sources: don’t pass up a good source when your next option is over five miles away. I once passed a source for a solid one a mile up the trail. It was dry. Luckily, some snow banks were still accessible and my Very Cold CNOC bag full of snow felt great on my head!

Besides, so many wildflowers love the water, so enjoy them!

As Bob Gnarly, the wise, also said, “That’s what I love about long distance hikers. They just deal with what arises and figure it out.” We just deal with it and go on enjoying trail time!

Gear Update

Oboz Sawtooth II : I need more support for my old feet and I absolutely love the fit of these Oboz boots. I credit my friends at Rock/Creek Outfitters in Chattanooga for introducing me to this brand. I wear the non waterproof version so they will dry faster. They are doing great over this varied terrain! I use Injinji liners and Darn Tough wool socks….. great foot care team!

Durston XMID tent: I love the option of its quick set up during an approaching storm with enough room under the tarp for two! The big vestibules are very handy for preparing for impending marmot invasions! Love this tent!

PS I still haven’t seen a moose! Maybe soon? But in the meantime, I managed to upload the funny video Katie and I did!

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We hit the midpoint of the Pacific Crest Trail a few days ago—woohoo! That means we’ve got roughly 1,300 miles left to go. This post is a reflection on the journey so far: what we’ve learned, what’s surprised us, and what we’re expecting as we (hopefully!) make it to Canada.

Food

Food is everything on a thru-hike—it’s our fuel, our reward, and often our main motivation. One of my biggest fears before starting the trail was not being able to find gluten-free food in town. I only sent one resupply box ahead, and I’m so glad I didn’t send more. I’ve consistently been able to find safe food, even in smaller towns.

In bigger towns, places like Grocery Outlet and Walmart have been amazing for gluten-free resupply options. In smaller towns, I’ve had to get a little more creative, but I’ve always managed to piece something together.

Some of my favorite gluten-free trail foods so far:

• Walking Tamales

• Instant refried beans

• Ready-to-eat rice packets

• Thai Kitchen noodle soups

I’ll occasionally splurge on a dehydrated meal, but they’re pricey, so I try to keep that to a minimum. I’m optimistic that I’ll be able to keep finding good options as we continue north.

I’ve also learned a lot about how much I need to eat. I haven’t lost too much weight, and I’d like to keep it that way—eating enough calories every day can definitely be a challenge. Protein is a big priority for me, so I eat a lot of protein bars. When I’m in town, I try to eat whole foods—salads, fruit, and anything fresh. That said, if there’s gluten-free pizza, I’m getting it.

Gear

Overall, I’ve been really happy with my gear and haven’t had to make too many changes. (You can check out my original gear list if you’re curious!) We had some issues with our tent zippers, but the manufacturer sent us a refurbished tent and it’s working great now.

My favorite piece of gear? Definitely my Big Agnes Rapide SL sleeping pad. It’s not ultralight, but it’s so comfortable compared to other pads I’ve used in the past. I also still love my ULA Circuit pack—it’s been super durable. I might try a different pack after the trail just to experiment, but I’ve been really happy with this one.

Lessons Learned

• Most people are kind.

In regular life, I tend to keep my guard up around strangers. But out here, I’ve been reminded again and again that most people really do want to help. Whether it’s hitchhiking, meeting trail angels, or connecting with fellow hikers, the kindness of strangers is a huge part of the trail experience. That said, I still trust my gut—if something feels off, I listen.

• I’m strong.

I never really thought of myself as athletic… but I think I am now? I’m in the best shape of my life—hiking 20+ miles a day is normal. More than just physical strength, I’ve also grown mentally stronger. Sure, I’ve cried probably 50 times out here, but I’ve made it through some seriously tough situations (like that lightning storm in the Sierras). My go-to mantra during hard moments: “This is only temporary.”

• Listen to your body.

Everyone hikes their own hike. Just because someone’s going faster doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong. I’ve learned to find balance—sometimes you need to take a break, and sometimes it feels good to push yourself.

What’s Next

California is huge, but we’re so close to crossing into Oregon! Chowder and I have decided to try picking up the pace—we’re aiming to avoid taking zeros until we hit Oregon, and we’re working on increasing our daily mileage.

I’ll continue to blog as we go, and I just want to say thank you to everyone following along and cheering us on. Your support means the world to us!

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To learn more, please visit the About This Site page.

Sunday, July 20, 2025