Awwww, I adore your soapbox today about shame and fear and listening to your own inner voice. It hits home, not just for PCT through hikers, but for all of us hiking through life. Such a beautiful message! Thanks for sharing. See you tomorrow.
If I had to guess about 70% of your vlog commentary has been on the subject of tramily. It has obviously weighed heavily on your mind. From the outside, it seems the trail has provided a tramily when you needed it most, completing your first thru hike on the AT and hiking through the Sierra. Providing and accepting the support from and to others is a good thing, a healthy thing. You have now become a very seasoned and experienced hiker and I expect there will be another thru hike in your future. I don't think there is a right or wrong answer in regards to tramily, just accept things as they unfold might be my advice. Thanks so much for sharing your thru hike will all of us.
One of the most important lessons of thru hiking is the letting-go of ‘goals’. There’s no choice but to HYOH, and no choice but to go with the flow. You aren’t going to force a tramily to stick with you, or force your way on a ‘continuous footpath’, or through a fire, or across a raging river. People come and go, weather does what it will, and you are left at the mercy of life itself. And that’s a good thing, with the right attitude. And you’ve had a great attitude about it all.
It doesn't have to be the end. Put in your earbuds, throw on some Hasseloff, and start a "SOBO" hike back to Mexico after you reach the monument. I'll make some popcorn 🍿.
Beautiful scenery. To have stayed with some members of your tramilies, you would’ve had to walk slower, walk faster, veered off to an unplanned LA, gone to a wedding, stayed a couple of days with a family, what else? That is too much sacrifice to HYOK. You’ve made the best of all circumstances, including dealing with fires, all of which were not under your control. (It’s a “shame” anyone is feeling any “shame” for not being able to control Mother Nature.) It’s been wonderful following you on PCT and maybe you should keep going to Alaska 🤣.
Condensation occurred because tent had an unobstructed view of the night-sky at altitude and there was a humid layer near the surface. Most don't know it, but the night-sky is -269°C super-cold. Three heat/(cold) transfer mechanisms are 1) Conduction, 2) Convection and 3) Radiant. Condensation's affected by a combination of all three. So while Conduction and Convection are completely normal, night-sky shines -269°C cold upon solid objects upon the earth. This drastic cold cools your tent's surface a tiny fraction (since Conduction and Convection dominate), but it's enough that when the dew-point is close to ambient, dew condenses on that slightly colder tent surface. (more...) Set tent up under foliage to eliminate the effect. Look at a tree in a field of grass on a dewy morning to see the effect. Grass will have dew everywhere, except under the tree. Under the tree will have no dew (although water might drip from the night sky-shined leafs above). At least that water is outside your tent. The sky-shine dew effect is much less in the East due to atmosphere's higher moisture content, which both blocks sky-shine from space and radiates its own temperature down to earth. That's why dry Western sky, specially at altitude, has a larger effect on condensation than in the East.
The Cascades are magnificent - thanks for taking us along. A couple of quotes: 1). "Life begins at the end of your comfort zone."(Neale Donald Walsch); 2). "Solitude expresses the joy of being alone, while loneliness expresses the pain."(Henry David Thoreau). Be well, stay safe. 🥾
Shame? More like intelligence! So proud of everyone who saved their lives and lives of potential rescuers by doing the the smart and safe thing. Kudos to you all.
Not sure what you learned but I learned you are very adaptable and are able to go with whatever faces you. I’ve learned you have a lot of depth and speak and film in a stunning way.
I think every one of your subscribers loves you dearly. I would like to suggest a new trail name: GT3. As in the Porsche GT3. You are both fast and beautiful!
I really appreciate your sharing all these wonderings. It is nice to know that I am not the only one who is confused by how things play out in life. I think whatever comes after all this is over will be just as wonderful! Good things and good people always find each other, even if it takes a while! Enjoy these next miles, RR.
On the AT it was your first hike and you hiked it at more of an. “Average” pace so it was easier to find and stay with the same hikers. On the PCT, you are much quicker than average. Which means less people can keep that pace and there is a higher chance of injury and I think a higher likely hood of finding people that want to walk alone so they don’t get slowed down. I think your pace is the biggest change in the type of relationships you formed. Time will tell if that means deeper or just different.
I think in life in general if you go into something with expectations, Sometimes its impossible to live upto those. Enjoy it for what it is and the people for what they are. They have all had an impact on you and thats the best possible outcome.
Nice talk today. It's good you can gather comments, then process and determine your next steps that for your needs. I agree with you and Somewhere that you both made the right decision in breaking the continuous footpath at that point, but maybe for a different reason: your decision meant firefighters and land managers could concentrate on the fire and not be concerned with finding/reaching/rescuing hikers too close to fire danger. Yeah, that's selfish of me, but it's the best course of action to follow safety considerations first in this instance. Your trail views are outstanding in Washington, I really enjoy hiking here.
Morning, Juliane. I've figured out that thinking while you're hiking can help you answer your own questions. For me, voicing questions out loud - to the camera or just to the environment I'm in - helps me think more clearly and to answer that question in my mind. You're doing great. You're making decisions based on reality, and there is no place for shame at all for those decisions. Glad you were able to get enough miles in today that your trip to town will be short. You're closer to your breakfast or to your burger. Lol. Love following you and watching you hike down the trail. Love listening to you think. Love your humor. Take care, Juliane. Stay safe. See you tomorrow.
Such geat dialogue and introspect. I figured out a long time ago.... If you want to hear God laugh... just tell Him your plans." A good friend of mine said that "coincidence" and "Happenstance" are not Kosher words. Everything happens for a reason and every opportunity has brought you to where you are today. Never feel guilty or second guess your decisions. Stay safe, stay smart and thank you for all you do!
RR, I have a friend from the Czech republic that I met doing a spring JMT hike. (It was super epic - I think there's still some images floating around the interwebs.) Every year since he comes back for a month long LASH somewhere on/around the PCT. This year he's doing the northern Cascades in Sept. (He stays super flexible so if the closures aren't lifted he can switch anywhere he wants.) Some years we're still able to meet up. When he first started doing a deeper Sierra dive, I turned him on to the SHR and many other off-trail x- country trips. If you have the time, I *highly* recommend hanging around the Sierra, either as a complete/stitched together JMT, or series of 3-4-5 night in/out trips (as opposed to loops). By that, I mean going in one trailhead and out another. You were probably concentrating on just getting through (understandable - been there, done that), but there are many entry/exit points that open up all kinds of new places. Some use parts of the JMT, while others cross over just 1-2 steps. If you've got the time and aren't ready to stop, many Sierra aficionados claim Sept is the best month. You'd have so much fun checking out what I and many others think is most outrageously beautiful range.
Hello, our little granola girl! So proud of you as always ( never a disappointment). I'm glad you are being introspective at this point in your journey. You are so powerful. We miss you and can't wait to celebrate your return after another successful journey! ❤
If you're in the open and not under a tree, that can cause condensation, especially if there was no wind overnight to move through the tent. Congratulations on getting so close!!
Enjoyed your perspectives on AT and PCT goals. Sorry your hike is coming to an end and that you are hiking alone but you are a strong and independent woman and have so much to be proud of. Incredible journey and beauty along the way. Thanks for sharing.
Hallo Juliane, dein Vater war so lieb mir zu sagen das Du unterwegs bist..Deine Schwester wird dir sicherlich den Grund erklären.. Hab eine schöne Zeit. Und pass gut auf dich auf
I appreciate your journal entries each day, were you to go to a job location each day could you make a similar entry of events and locations? I’m guessing you have 1000-2000 that you have had some contact and have an enormous number of experiences. Only those on the trek have made some indelible memories, and when you conclude this memorable objective you will have added so many more that fill your memory bucket. Your journey concludes on the PCT you’ll continue a different routine. Don’t t you dare become melancholy or regretful you’ve accomplished so much more than most of us. In fact we have lived your trek vicariously so we say thank you! I’m better for your journey, your perspectives, your meals, your disappointments, your ruminations and your friends. I’m full of gratitude for your sharing. “You fill up my senses…” John Denver. God bless….
My husband and I ❤watch your videos every night after dinner. We are so going to miss your hike on the PCT. You have done amazing and your attitude towards things you can’t change is wonderful. Watching from NH ❤❤
I doubt anything has changed. It looks like you still want to be by yourself. You are just getting more self-confidence in being by yourself. You had plenty of trail family, but you left them all behind to be by yourself. Trail families are for support. Once you don't need them anymore, they are gone. Friendships on the other hand last past the hike. 👍
Everyone has to make their own decisions as to what they do at fire closures. Don't create fear by talking from a point of ignorance. You were correct to block out the crap circulated by others.
I admire you I just did a 7 mile overnight hike up and back down a small mountain in Ohio with my granddaughter and two daughters kicked our butts and here You are walking from Mexico to Canada you Rock 🫶
If you are not ready to end your adventures, you could consider taking the train back to the east coast. Jay from Jay Wanders Out did this and it was a great way to see the United States and to extend one’s adventure. Train travel is definitely an adventure and a great way to sightsee as long as you have time as there usually are delays. I have really enjoyed watching your PCT videos and look forward to your future videos. Thank you for sharing!
I think it's just an observation on your comment. Trail provides. On the AT you said you're ready to be done. And now on the PCT you are the savior every last moment because you don't want. it to end. Maybe God is providing not what you want but what you need. You needed at the time the people to be that support in order to get over the hill...and now you are stronger and seasoned you don't require that support and what you need is time to reflect and solitude might provide that thing you need.
Love your videos I love hiking tho nvr have done something like this. I have been on a small piece of the PCT in mount Rainer what a beautiful hike it was
Absence makes the heart grow fonder is a true statement as you are finding out. LOL @ your philosophical talks. Your plans are insignificant in Mother Nature’s grander scheme of things. Fire closures and associated detours are there for your safety so deal with it, no need to get upset. Adapt, Overcome and Drive on! I think we had this conversation about personal risk before when you were crossing the snow in the Sierra. You should know where your limit is, and I believe you do. Let others do their thing, you’ll both get there in due time. That’s all part of the HYOH. I’m hoping we see the “glad it happened not sad it’s over” Roadrunner at the terminus of the PCT. By the time we are seeing this you are finished or very close to finished.
I t is chance that rules our lives. You never know what will happen due to chance. You just have to hope for the best and take the chance when it comes.
I think that BECAUSE you were looking for relationships on this hike you gravitated to others who valued authenticity. On the AT, casual friendships were convenient because you didn’t need that at that time.
You should really be careful on those river crossings. They could be a little dangerous! ;) ;) Yeah, no shame in making the right decisions while out on trail. It is 100% all about the journey and the special lifelong memories made in that time.
Our Hotshot Crew had to escape into the black, while an Arizona prison fire crew had 6 crew and a guard killed by a tidal wave of fire. Cutting direct line so no big deal for us, whereas the Arizona prison crew was cutting indirect line. Dude Fire, June 26 1990. Fire engine crewman on the Powerline Fire, July 1988, told the engine foreman, “Dave, I’m scared! I’m really scared.” Engine Foreman Dave, with a laugh, told him, “Don’t worry, you’re insured!” Back at the fire station he said it was the most dangerous situation he had ever been in, in 30 years of fire. Hotshot Superintendent on the Kitchen Fire, Heber City Utah, August 1991, said after the fire that we were in the most dangerous situation he had ever been in, cutting fireline downhill in impenetrable small trees with fire below. All 3 situations, noone was scared, except for the one “insured” engine crewman.
God often gives us what we NEED which is sometimes very different from what we WANT. On the AT, you may have needed community while you learned that you CAN do this. This time, you needed to solidify that deep understand that you are ENOUGH. Just you and God on the trail.
