Valerie
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From NoCo to NoBo: traveling to the PCT’s southern terminus
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… Continue reading
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Training to walk from Mexico to Canada
I’m about to embark on a 2,650-mile walk from Mexico to Canada, also known as thru-hiking the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). But this journey really began long before my start date. For the last few months, I’ve prepared resupply boxes,… Continue reading
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Preparing resupply boxes for the PCT
What does 200,000 calories of food look like? Recently, I found out, thanks to the project that temporarily took over my entire basement. As you may know, I am preparing to thru-hike the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). For me, this… Continue reading
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Packing for a 2,650-mile long backpacking trip
The countdown is on: in less than 3 weeks I’ll be thru-hiking the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), a ~2,650-mile footpath across California, Oregon, and Washington. I can’t wait to set foot on the trail and share this journey with you… Continue reading
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Practice Trip 2: walking in circles with 15 pounds of water, playing desert make-believe
One of the more daunting aspects of hiking the Pacific Crest Trail is the long water carries in the desert. The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) begins with ~700 miles through the desert in Southern California. Water is scarce. Sources may… Continue reading
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Trip Report: Pre-PCT Practice Hike
At 5:45 am Friday morning, I hit snooze on my alarm, cursing my past self for my excessive ambition. Twenty minutes later, I actually got up and started getting ready. Today, was the day I planned to do my first… Continue reading
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Part 2 – My recovery from a patella dislocation: returning to running and hiking (weeks 6-12)
I dislocated my kneecap at the end of 2024. Ouch! A patella dislocation is when the kneecap bone is fully forced out of the groove it normally sits in atop the femur (thigh bone). This type of injury sometimes causes… Continue reading
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10 Realities of preparing for a PCT thru-hike
“Are you nervous?” “How are preparations going?“ “What are you doing to train?” These are things I’m asked by friends and family as I prepare to thru-hike the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), a 2650-mile backpacking route, starting this spring! (Read… Continue reading
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5 reasons why YOU should hike the Colorado Trail this year
If you know me, then you likely know that the Colorado Trail holds a special place in my heart. The unmatched views, high elevations, (relatively) reasonable grade, and wonderful trail towns make the Colorado Trail unforgettable. This wonderful trail is… Continue reading
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My recovery from a patella dislocation: from crutches to jogging in 6 weeks
At the end of December, I slipped on some wet leaves while walking and dislocated my knee cap. Ouch! As someone who regularly puts my knees to the test backpacking, trail running, lifts weights, and downhill skiing, I was caught… Continue reading
Adventures with Val 