It’s 2:15 AM when I finally land in Oakland. The flight was delayed, and it lands two hours late. When the wheels hit the tarmac, I wake with a start. California! I’m in California again! I get my bag at the baggage claim and call a Lyft. I think I’m going to pass right out …
Hikers love talking about gear. I think the only thing we might love more than talking about gear is buying new gear. Believe me, I understand the impulse to purchase a whole new kit before another thru-hike. It's exciting to look back on past hikes and to tinker with the setup, upgrade items to newer …
Continue reading Why I’m Not Buying a Ton of New Gear for the PCT
I’m in Minnesota! And it’s cold. Extremely cold. I wouldn’t be visiting this place this time of year if it weren’t for KG, one of my two original tramily members from the Appalachian Trail, living here. But there’s also something magical about this kind of snowy fridigness. People just deal with it, and no one …
Continue reading Minnesota, Day 1: Thursday, February 24, 2022
There's a saying in the thru-hiker community: Either you do one of the Triple Crown trails, or you do all three. I hiked the Appalachian Trail in 2019, nearly three years ago. This year, I am embarking on the second trail of my eventual Triple Crown. I am officially thru-hiking the Pacific Crest Trail in …
Continue reading I’m Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail in 2022!
10ish miles? - Windy Pass to Ramshorn Lake Although my GPS said it was about 8 miles to Ramshorn Lake from Windy Pass, I remembered reading a trip report that had today's mileage around 13. Classic Gallatin Crest. Nothing for certain, everything guesswork. 13 miles would be a long haul at this elevation, especially without …
Continue reading Gallatin Crest Trail Day 3: Thursday, July 15
11ish miles - Hyalite Creek Trailhead to Crater Lake I woke up as it began to get light, around 6. It took me a while to get moving, because as usual for my first night of any backpacking trip, I didn’t sleep well. It was a beautiful morning, and I enjoyed a relaxed breakfast and …
Continue reading Gallatin Crest Trail Day 1: Tuesday, July 13
Sarahmarie Specht-Bird 