Day 85

We left South Lake Tahoe refreshed. We finally had a zero where we actually felt rested... mind, body and soul. The Pacific Crest Trail brings hikers together. Trail families or Tramilies are formed, some evolves, and some dissolves. I guess nothing is permanent because everyone has their own reasons for being on this once in a lifetime journey.

In the desert, I was mainly hiking solo, as I loved the flexibility of doing things when I want, such as when I wanna wake up, when to eat, and hike til my body says it had enough. The Sierra Nevada section necessitated forming a group for safety reasons. My trail family has evolved since it was formed in Bishop. Hiking everyday together, we got to know each other fairly well, sharing stories of our lives before the trail, getting to know each other's quirks... the positives, the negatives, the annoyances. Sometimes personal sacrifices had to be made, but there has to be a balance in order for everyone to be happy.

Trail family is important, but doing the PCT, as everyone decided to do even before setting a foot on the trail, was and is an individual's journey. When a person overwhelms the group, then it feels like one's tagging along in that person's journey.

As of now, Caitlin, Indigo, Blis and I, remains. There is nothing definite on the trail, but I do sure hope we stay together all the way to the Northern Terminus in Canada.