The Start of a New Chapter...

A lot has changed since we updated the blog last, and this is a difficult post to write. I have been putting it off for a bit while reflecting on the situation.

After researching what was ahead in central Oregon and seeing the numerous snowy areas coming our way, we made the difficult decision to leave the PCT for right now.

The snow was becoming too much for me mentally, and it was taking away some of the gratification that we were experiencing on this beautiful trail. My brain and heart were so torn on this decision. Part of me wanted to push through and complete what we set out to do, the other part of me knew that being anxious for what was ahead was taking away from the enjoyment of being out there. Before we began the PCT we knew that this year was going to be a difficult year to hike the trail due to the conditions, and we made a plan B just in case we decided to leave trail. Unfortunately, we are going to that plan B now.

I was struggling with the decisions that led us to this time and keep reminding myself that we are (hopefully) doing what is best for us this year. When we first made this resolution a sense of sadness and disappointment in myself flooded in. I am upset that I couldn't be strong enough to push through the challenging moments. I am sad that we aren't experiencing the beauty of the Pacific Northwest right now, hiking daily and being immersed in nature. I think that the frustration within myself will be imbedded in my brain and heart for a little bit of time. I know Orange and I made this decision together, but the reason we had to make it was because of me...The narrative in my head currently is "I am the reason we quit the PCT" and how disappointed I am in myself for not pushing through something uncomfortable to finish what we started.

I am working on adjusting the narrative to being proud of us for even starting the trail on the highest snow year in decades. Although we left due to the snow, we still travelled through a lot of snow, backpacked for 2.5 months and hiked almost 1000 miles. I am proud of what we have accomplished so far this summer, and the challenges that we did overcome.

We are very sad to be off the Pacific Crest Trail, but our plan B has been on our bucket list for a while. We have decided to backpack the Colorado Trail starting in a few days. The Colorado trail is a continuous trail that travels from Waterton Canyon in Denver all the way to Durango. We are excited to hike through our state and enjoy the beauty of our backyard.

The pain of leaving the PCT will still be there for a bit, but I cannot wait to be back on the trail, hiking all day while carrying all we need on our backs. My parents are graciously letting us stay with them while we get ready for this next trip. It has been so nice to spend time with my family, with all the luxurys of the "normal" life, but I am itching to get back out there and prove to myself that I can do hard things. Living out of a backpack and spending all day outside is truly amazing and I cannot wait to be doing it again soon.

I hope you all still follow along with our adventure, now hiking through Colorado.

Here are some pictures of our amazing time on the Pacific Crest Trail:

-No Sweat

P.S: we have a fire lit under us to complete the PCT in a different year when the conditions are more suitable for us.