Well, this is it. My last pre-trail post about my preparations for thru-hiking the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) – a 2,650-mile long backpacking route in the western United States. Each year, many people thru-hike this entire trail. Tomorrow, I will begin attempting to be one of them… and finally have something a little more exciting to write about than practice trips, packages, and packing lists!

A thru-hike of the Pacific Crest Trail begins at one of its two terminus’s. As an aspiring northbound, or “NoBo”, thru-hiker, I’m starting my journey at the Southern terminus on the US-Mexican border near Campo, California. Traveling from my home in northern Colorado (“NoCo”) to the PCT’s southern terminus took me two days, two shuttles, a flight, a trolley, and a bit of walking.

Step 1: Colorado → San Diego Airport (SAN)

I booked a one-way direct flight to San Diego on Southwest Airlines. My shuttle arrived at the airport and I headed to the baggage check. A few years ago, on a trip to Arizona, I learned the hard way that trekking poles aren’t allowed in a carry-on. On that trip, I got turned back at security, and paid a sky-high fee for a last-minute checked bag on United – almost as expensive as buying new poles!

However, this time, since I flew Southwest, a checked bag was included! But obviously, I didn’t want to bring a suitcase, since it couldn’t come backpacking with me. So instead, I made a single-use suitcase from a cardboard box and duct tape. I put my poles, tent stakes, knife, and a few other items in the box before checking it at the Denver airport. Once in San Diego, I simply collapsed the “suitcase” and recycled it.

Conveniently, my frameless pack squished down enough to be my carry-on bag. The flight and collecting my checked box went as smoothly as possible.

Step 2: SAN → Old Town Transit Center

I arrived in San Diego in the evening, so I opted to spend the night in the city before journeying to Campo. I chose the ITH Adventure Hostel in Little Italy.

I decided to walk the two miles from the airport to the hostel. After some initial difficulties figuring out how to leave the airport on foot rather than in a vehicle (not as easy as you might think!), I made my way to the bay-front bike path and headed to the hostel.

Surprisingly, it was overcast and drizzling when I reached the hostel. Between the views of the Pacific Ocean and the rain, I almost felt like I was in Seattle – which coincidentally is the city I’ll fly out of months from now after I finish the PCT if all goes well. With the yucky weather, I was content to eat a quiet dinner in the communal kitchen and curl up in my cozy bunk, rather than go out and explore the city.

The next morning, I woke up to the same dreary weather and abundant nervous energy. I took my last shower for who-knows-how-long and checked out of the hostel. I spent some time walking around Balboa Park before taking the trolley to the Old Town Transit Center, where the shuttle picks up.

Step 3: Old Town Transit Center → Campo

This step couldn’t have been easier, thanks to the handy PCT Southern Terminus Shuttle (external link). The PCT Southern Terminus Shuttle is a private shuttle service run by former thru-hikers. During the PCT NoBo-starting season (March, April, and May), they run two shuttles a day, including weekends. For $75, they offer pick-up at the Old Town Transit Center in San Diego and transportation to Campo, with a few key pit-stops: REI, the grocery store, and the Post Office.

I rode the shuttle with a dozen or so other aspiring thru-hikers, who I suspect shared my same nervous energy. We loaded our packs and piled into the van. We were all bundled in our warm layers, thanks to the drizzling rain and temps in the high 40s.

Of all the times I envisioned starting the PCT in May, I never pictured it being cold and rainy… But I’m trying not to mind. I’m sure soon enough it’ll be so hot and dry that I’ll dream about a gray day like today.

Step 4: The Southern Terminus!

My shuttle to Campo dropped us off at Camp Lockett Event & Equestrian Facility or “CLEEF”. Many to-be thru-hikers spend the night before their start date at the CLEEF campground. This is what I decided to do since my permit start date is tomorrow. CLEEF is located just a short walk from the Southern Terminus Monument.

This place was great! It had a covered area with picnic tables, couches, a warm fire pit, and a kitchen area complete with a toaster and microwave! Best of all, it provides a great spot for to-be thru-hikers to congregate and socialize.

Before I arrived, I couldn’t help worrying about many mostly irrational things. Had I packed all the wrong gear? Brought too much stuff? Failed to do my research? Was I about to be the least prepared PCT hiker ever?

I sure was surprised (and honestly, relieved) when, right away, another hiker said to me, “I’m guessing this isn’t your first thru-hike – your pack is so tiny!”. Soon after, I found myself answering questions about my experiences on the Appalachian Trail and thru-hiking in general. I felt somewhat like the blind leading the blind. Just like everyone else arriving here today, I’ve hiked exactly 0.0 miles of the PCT, and all my thru-hiking knowledge is 9+ years outdated.

Fortunately, true wisdom was dispensed to all of us by the volunteer camp hosts at CLEEF. The hosts are experienced thru-hikers who completed the entire “triple crown” (the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, and Continental Divide Trail). Every night at CLEEF, the hosts do a fireside talk for all the aspiring thru-hikers, which included important advice and safety info. Their talk covered hitchhiking, pack weight, hydration, hypothermia, altitude sickness, and more – and ended with a much-appreciated pep talk.

Between the inspiring words of the camp hosts and the sense of camaraderie already building amongst our little group at CLEEF, my nervous energy started to dissipate. Finally, I felt it – the excitement! Tomorrow, I will be thru-hiking the PCT!

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Traveling to the Southern Terminus was the easy part! The challenging part starts now: getting to the PCT’s Northern Terminus – on foot! While my trip to get to Campo took me two days, my journey to the Canadian Border will take considerably longer. For the whole summer, I’ll be hiking across deserts and through mountains, fording rivers, and climbing passes. Surely many untold adventures are soon to follow. I can’t wait to begin this journey tomorrow and start sharing it with you!