Planes, Trains and Automobiles... or Feet?

The Pacific Crest Trail. Those words mean so much more than, that. It is more than a trail, it is more than just walking, and it is more than long. It is a life. It is a people. A life I can't believe I was blessed to be a part of and people I dearly have come to love. When a Thru-Hiker is asked what stands out most about the trip to them it is ALWAYS the people, the fellow hikers, the trail angels, the strangers in town who take you in, and the people at home making it all possible. Yes we are out in the middle of remote wildernesses, places most will never get to see, far removed from the "world", but... never are we mistaken for who we are, and that is relational. After hiking by yourself for over a hundred miles in some of the most rugged terrains, seeing glacier covered volcanoes and endless wildernesses spectacles you can't help but be awed by it all so much so that for those moments nothing else can seem as real, but truth be as you walk along the tidal longing to be with others and share, be, and laugh makes you realize that what is real, real close to our hearts are those we share it with and that my friends is what it is ALL about. We have been challenged, tried and pushed to our limits fighting fatigue physically and emotionally, hunger, pain, and the veiled elements awaiting us at every turn but what I have learned the most out here is how MUCH people mean to me and what I would do to protect that. To all my peeps from the trail, I LOVE YOU ALL!

2,663 miles across the Western US, 5 National parks, 25 National and state wildernesses, the longest continuous mountain range in North America the Sierras, part of the ring of fire along the Cascades, the barren desert of the Anzo-Berrego and the Mojave, and most recently and most remote the snow covered Northern Cascades. Triple digits, waterless desert, to frozen alpine, glacier covered granite peaks soaring 14,000 feet high and everything in between we have seen it. It has been a journey of monstrous proportions, a true Epic. We have learned to deal with harsh weather, little food, no water, long miles and endless climbs, but we stuck to our commitment and didn't give up, and I am proud of everyone and honored to have been a part of it all! My life well NEVER be the same. Thank you GOD.

Randy

Vancouver, BC

And like that, my hike of the Pacific Crest Trail is over. I reached the northern terminus on October 9th in the afternoon. Right now i'm in Vancouver, and the reality of being done with my hike and reentering society has sadly set in. As I sit here in an internet cafe in a large sprawling city with the sounds of traffic, congested streets and sidewalks, the smells of exhaust pipes, cigarettes, fried food, and garbage, waiting in lines, having to use the restroom and being denied because i'm not a customer, bright lights, hip people, potted plants, and so on and so on, I can't help but dearly miss the life that i'll be leaving behind. It's difficult for me to describe what this hike has been and how it has changed me. The challenges that it has presented both physical and mental have been the greatest that i've had to overcome in my life and by far the most rewarding. The simplicity of life in the backcountry must be experienced by all. The country that i've seen the last 5 months has been nothing short of breathtaking and the people that i've met along the way have been amazing. There are a lot of people that need to be thanked and i'll try to get them all. My mom, my sister, and the rest of my family, Sherry Fitch, Sue Hernberg and family, Anita (Renees mom), Annie and everyone at G&H office, Andy Thomas, Niki Palmer, Sam Alvaray, Shawn Ross, Paul Wagner, Chris Gaus, Dolores Steinman and family, the Saufleys, Quart Keyes, the Andersons, Lloyd Gust, the Dinsmores, all the trail angels that maintain water and food caches along the trail, anyone that ever gave me a ride into town or back to the trail, anyone that ever randomly gave me food either in town or on the trail, all the hikers that shared a part of this journey with me, Dozer, Crow, Dundee, Medic, Flyboy, Ace, Two Step, Walker Texas Ranger, Wreckless, Spartan, Terrapin Flyer, Granite, Happy Feet, Pockets, B-Cat, the Pro from Dover, Flanel, the Lone Ginger, Brains, Cash, Moonshadow, GI Joe, Scorpion, Bluefeather, and countless others that I met along the way, thru hikers, section hikers, day hikers, we all share a common bond, and that is our love of the backcountry and all that it has to offer. It was with the help and encouragement from all of you and so many others that this dream of hiking the pacific crest trail became a reality. Thank you!!!! And so i'm off now. Back to my hostel here in the city where i'll get my stuff organized and slowly work my way back into society. I look forward to seeing all of my family and friends soon. Until the next adventure...... J

Bend, OR - mile 2,000

A short update.

We are in Bend, OR pretty much on trail mile 2,000 and heading out in the morning to finish off the state and into Washington! It is starting to hit me that this is going to be over sooner than I think and that is bitter sweet. The nights under the stars, the comfort of the wilderness and the friendships you gain while on such a journey is going to be hard to leave. The trail has become my home and it feels weird being in a town for more than two days, I wonder what it's going to be like when I return to reside in such a setting... As much as it is hard sometimes out here because of the demand of mileage, it is still where I have become to love being, just me and my pack with an ever suprising wilderness around every corner. I am now hiking with a great group of hikers and reunited with two of my favorites, Fred (Crow) and Renee (Dundee), also in our group is Walker, Pajamas, JC, and Uncle Gary and it has made such a change in the hike being with them! With less than 700 miles to go every few days another 100 goes down and the end is beginning to encroach itself on us and I feel almost a resistance to it. A part of me will forever remain on this 18 inch wide piece of dirt that streches 2,663 miles across the West.

Well I dont really know what to say right now, but that I am returning to the trail and heading North. I will be seeing many of you quite soon and I dearly look forward to that, until then keep us in your prayers and to the guys ahead... Much Love, Miss you All! J, I'll be seeing you in FL!! Good luck if I dont see you before then! Much Love to ALL.
-Randy

Ashland, OR Mile 1,730

Hello all!! I'm no longer in Cali!! Crossed the border about a day or so ago. It was pretty amazing moving across and entering a new state. I WALKED the entire state of California!!! How ridiculous does that sound? Haaa!! I gotta say i'm glad to be in Oregon now, but i'm gonna miss California and thank it for all the wonderful memories it gave me. A truly beautiful state for hiking. Since my last post i've hiked through some great country. In particular the Marble Mountain Wilderness stands out as some of the best hiking i've done so far. Just gorgeous. Saw a total of four bears in just 2 days in this area. It supposedly has the highest concentration of bears in all of California. Really wild place. Still feeling good right now after getting some rest and will be back on the trail shortly. As Randy mentioned we haven't seen each other in about a month, but I do hope to see him before we reach the border. If you're reading this brother, congratulations on hiking the state of California. Unfortunately my camera broke and I wasn't able to take any photos this last section, but i'm sure Randy is taking some great photos that will be up soon. I did just get a new camera here in Ashland thanks to the efforts of my mom and my sister. Thanks guys!! Love ya!! So i'm really looking forward to hiking Oregon. I've only been in the state for about 30 miles but I can already tell the difference. Something in the air. I'll be hiking in Oregon for about 2-3 weeks. The terrain seems to be a bit easier compared to some of the drastic elevation changes experienced in California, but i'm sure it will offer just as much beauty. Once again i'm off into the woods. Until next time. J