Trip planning
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Gear in Review: everything I carried on my 2025 Pacific Crest Trail thru-hike
In 2025, I thru-hiked the Pacific Crest Trail. Before starting, I wrote a post about everything I planned to pack to get me through 4 months of walking through deserts, mountains, snow, lava fields, and forests. In this post, I’m… Continue reading
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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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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 exciting plans for 2025
This week, I have an exciting announcement to share: I’m planning to thru-hike the Pacific Crest Trail this year! I’ve been dying to share my plans but held off while I waited to get my permit figured out. Now with… Continue reading
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Best Short Backpacking Trips on the Colorado Trail
It’s December. So if you’re like me, you’re already scheming up backpacking trips for next summer. If you need a little inspiration, I’ve put together this list of 5 amazing segments of the Colorado Trail that would make incredible 1… Continue reading
Adventures with Val 