Gretchen Hikes

Exploring the world, one step at a time

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Author: Gretchen

I'm a plant-based animal loving outdoor enthusiast who is quitting her job to hike a whole bunch. I love to explore far from the beaten path and can often be found tromping around with my Doberman Ember, who happens to be the world's craziest hiking partner. I've spent up to ten days at a time on the trail and have hiked in many places including Scotland, Ecuador, and Colorado, and have completed the entire Pennsylvania section of the NCT. That being said, this PCT thru-hike will be by far my biggest adventure yet!

September 4, 2019September 4, 2019 Gretchen

Desert Overview!

September 1, 2019September 1, 2019 Gretchen

Day 57- The last of the desert

September 1, 2019September 1, 2019 Gretchen

Day 56- Highest mileage yet

September 1, 2019September 1, 2019 Gretchen

Day 55- Just keep hiking

September 1, 2019September 1, 2019 Gretchen

Day 54- VIEWS!

August 15, 2019August 15, 2019 Gretchen

Day 53- Trail magic

August 15, 2019August 15, 2019 Gretchen

Day 52- Reptiles and remarkable views

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This blog is chronicling my preparation for and experience of thru-hiking the Pacific Crest Trail. I’m writing mostly to share my stories with family, friends and colleagues (and to occasionally let them know I’m still alive), but will also have gear reviews and trail information for any aspiring thru-hikers out there! Please leave comments and message me with any questions :)

Countdown to the PCT!!

My Grand Adventure BeginsMay 4th, 2019

I'm finally on the PCT!

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We had just conquered Forester Pass, the highest point of the trail at 13,200', in the snow. I had zero snow trekking experience and was terrified. I scrambled, had an anxiety attack, cried, put myself back together and pushed myself over that pass with some of the most incredible people I've ever met. The view on the other side was breathtaking and we pushed across a large snowfield to get to this rocky outcropping for a short break. I could have sat there forever, staring off at the mountains, the snow-covered peaks, the many passes I still had to traverse. I had no idea that in less than 2 weeks, my journey would abruptly end. In this moment, I was totally raw and part of the trail, and was so eager to see what it would teach me next. #pct2019 #pacificcresttrail #foresterpass #backpacking #sierras #womenwhohike #thruhiking 📸: Pretty sure this was taken by the wonderful @pct_bandaid who reminded me every day that I was brave and strong and could do this. He also put up with a lot of my shit when I was cranky and/or having major snow anxiety... The elusive Tunda Scribe WILL conquer the Sierras, eventually!

Sometimes a girl just needs her horse... . It has been a couple of months since I had to get off of the trail and I am still struggling with it. I am seeing pictures here of so many of my fellow hikers enduring deep snow and winter storms to reach the northern terminus, but they are making it. I am so happy for them, but still feel like a failure in some ways. I know I couldn't have kept going on my broken foot, nor could I have completed the trail this season after healing, but it doesn't change that feeling of not achieving my goal. . Returning to society is so much more difficult than I anticipated, and although it IS getting better, there are still things that are even more triggering than they were pre-trail. Wastefulness, consumerism, sensationalism in the media, some aspects of technology, politics, crowds, a general carelessness toward nature and our wild and remote places. . Yesterday, I spent some time indulging in what was my escape and safe place for many years- horses. I haven't spent nearly as much time with my boys as I should have in recent years when "life got in the way", but what is life if it "gets in the way" of the things we love? I am learning to prioritize and structure my life around the things and people that I love rather than around the things I have been conditioned to think I need. . #priorities #horses #agirlandherhorse #posttraildepression #failure #societyfeelings #findyourhappyplace ace #saddlebred #greenerpastures

We had planned to do a much longer trip to see Ramona Falls and some other nearby sights, but lost all motivation when it downpoured on us. We stopped for lunch and ended up stringing up our tarps and just hanging out for the rest of the day. The next morning brought sunshine and a short but lovely hike to these amazing falls. Part of this hike was on the PCT and it was a little bittersweet to be back. I am still struggling internally with not being able to finish the trail this year and with the nuances that come with reintegrating into society, but being back out here with my trail family was an experience I wouldn't trade for anything. #ramonafalls #oregon #exploreoregon #optoutside #backpacking #hiking #trailfamily #mushrooms #waterfall #nature #fungi #rainyhike #tarplife #hikingintherain #hikeoregon

I have never thought of myself as a beach person, but today's excursion to Haystack Rock and its surrounding tidepools may have changed my mind. #haystackrock #oregon #exploreoregon #beach #ocean #pacificocean #sandcastle #beauty #sandybeach #oregoncoast #dontwanttogohome

I finally finished uploading all of my desert-section posts from the PCT to the blog, including an overview with stats from the whole 702 miles! I still have close to 200 miles of the Sierra section to write about, so stay tuned! I never expected to have to end my hike so early, but I am so glad to have this record of memories and so many great photos. Enjoy! #pct #pct2019 #pacificcresttrail #soimslow #adventure #thruhiking #socal #southerncalifornia #highdesert #mountains #hiking #backpacking #hikersofinstagram #hikertrash #hikelikeawoman #naturephotography #nature #vista #whataview #wishiwasthere #cantwaittogoback

I may not be hiking anymore, but I am still exploring! @carona457 and I spent the last two weekends kayaking on Leesville Lake and even tried to get Ember in on the fun. She was not thrilled about our expedition but was tolerant 🤣 #kayaking #lake #leesvillelake #exploreohio #womenwhoexplore #dogsonadventures #dogsonkayaks #dogsofinstagram #optoutside #naturalohio #greatblueheron #greenheron #adventureisoutthere #muskingumwatershed #mwcd #lakesunset #lakeadventure #icandothis #evenwithabrokenfoot

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