Day 150
Day 150. September 25, 2017, 10:30am.
My name is Happy Feet, I am a thru hiker. I achieved my goal of exploring nature by foot by walking from the Southern Terminus at the Mexican Border all the way to the Northern Terminus and to Canada. This has been an amazing journey, the challenge of all challenges.
I hiked as much of the trail as I could. Doing a continuous thru-hike from border to border was impossible. Some have called this year as the "Year of Fire and Ice."
Despite the record snow in the Sierra, with patience and safety always in mind, I hiked the entire state of California. Oregon was a different story, and no one could have every predicted, as the entire state was on fire. Fire closures and tremendous amount of smoke added to the physical and mental challenge to the journey. Someday I'll have to come back and do the PCT section in Oregon, as I've missed the best parts, including the Jefferson National Forest and Tunnel Falls. I also missed 100 miles in Washington, which included a section in Mt. Rainier National Park, my second favorite national park in the country.
The trail is magical. It brings out the best in people. I received simple human kindness and generosity from total strangers, in the form of free rides when we needed them, free food and drinks when we least expected, and trail angels allowing us stinky hikers stay in their lovely homes. As they say, "The trail provides." I'm deeply thankful for strangers, trail angels, my PCT families and friends, and my friends and families who supported my journey.
The Pacific Crest Trail was more than just walking 2,650 miles for five months. This was the journey of testing limits, meeting new friends, reconnecting with nature and living a simple life. The trail was challenging in every way: physically, emotionally, psychologically, spiritually and mentally. Getting to the finish was mostly mental. Just like life, a thru-hike has its ups and downs. Some days I had no choice but to wake up, get up and start walking, even when every muscle in my body begs to rest, or my mind was just simply tired. I learned to push myself, even at my lowest moment. I feel now that I can do almost anything.
The trail attracts all kinds of people, and friendship forms regardless of age, sex, and status. There are so many amazing people I met on the trail that I will never forget. We formed a common bond, as we shared the same hardships and joys. We became family instantly, and it extends beyond the trail.
I love being in nature, and the trail is amazingly beautiful. It was perhaps the constant motivator why I got up before sunrise and walk all day till sunset. The trail reminded me that I am happy living a simple life. I enjoyed the simplicity of having everything I needed in a pack, on my back, day after day.
The Pacific Crest Trail was a journey I will never forget. It was the best five months of my life. At the beginning of the journey I said that I will not be the same person at the end, and that the trail will ruin me. Well it was not so much that it ruined me, it gave me a different perspective in life, thus created a better me. I hope my journey inspire people to get out, explore and protect the beautiful nature around us. Here's to the trail. May we continue to explore nature by foot.
Congratulations to the PCT Class of 2017!
Sincerely,
Shermin "Happy Feet"
...The End