I’m Elina, and this is where I plan to share stories and photos of my latest adventures. But before I do that, I wanted to begin with a disclaimer. Yes, I now have a travel blog. No, that does not mean that I am vain, that I feel like my accomplishments are more significant than yours, or that I want to be famous for anything I’ve done. I just want a place where I can share stories, show photos, and give my friends and family updates on what I’ve been up to lately. Okay, now we can move past that and discuss where I’ll be going next–I’m nearly bursting from excitement!
This past year, I have done a good amount of road-tripping, flying, backpacking, etc., but none of that matters much in comparison to what I’m doing next. In a week, I leave on a journey that I know will be the most epic, life-altering, insane thing I’d done thus far.
I’m going to hike the Pacific Crest Trail.
Now, again, this doesn’t make me spectacular, fearless, or better than anyone else. Hundreds of people attempt to hike the PCT each year and half of them succeed. Many men and women have gone before me. This isn’t new. I didn’t come up with the idea. But I am so glad someone else did and paved the way for so many restless, wandering souls like me.
I’m extremely excited about it and can’t stop talking about it (after all, this is going to be my life for the next half a year!), and am flattered that so many of you would like to follow along my journey and have urged me to start a blog.
For those of you who aren’t too familiar with the concept, the PCT is a 2,650 mile-long trail that goes from the border of Mexico and California to the border of Canada and Washington. Some people travel southbound, but most opt to go northbound. I chose the latter, as I live in Southern California and it’s more convenient for me to begin here. It takes about 5 months to complete, a person who completes the trail is called a thru-hiker, hikers call each other by trail names (a nickname that someone else has dubbed you which is somehow related to who you are, where you’re from, or how you hike), it is expensive and exhausting, it’s difficult to explain why anyone ever feels the need to do this, but, hello, I am Elina, also known as Mermaid on the trail (I’ve chosen to keep my trail name from last year when I section-hiked for a month), and I am an aspiring Class of 2016 PCT thru-hiker.
Thanks for joining me from afar!
Elina Travels 
Heloooo:) I don’t really know you, but we met on backpacking page on FB, and I’ve been somehow following your adventures on there:) this is a big and awesome decision! Can’t wait to read more! I might do a lil AT over here on the east coast, cheers from the trail!
Lena
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Thank you! It is big, and I’m so scared and excited all at once! I know it’s going to be amazing though. Thank you for following my journey!
I really hope you get to hike a portion of the AT this year! You could’ve run into Vanilla, who works at a couple hostels along the AT, but I’m kidnapping him so that he can hike the desert section of the PCT with me. 🙂
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All the best to you! I’m going to try to follow your blog. Maybe I will do part of it close to Canada. Good for you!
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Awesome! I hope you do!
Thank you. Likewise. 🙂
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Awesome! Good Luck! From all the videos and photos I’ve seen it’s going to be an experience of a lifetime! -Alicia @ http://www.girlonahike.com
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Oh, I know it will be! I hiked parts of CA sections L through O last year and absolutely loved it.. I already got a little glimpse of what it’s going to be like already 🙂
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Looking forward to following your journey. I did section J last summer and would so love to do the whole trail. I will live vicariously through you for now😊.
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I hiked parts of CA sections L through O last year, and had such an amazing time…that’s why I’m going back! I hope you get to through hike one day!
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I may see you out there this year, but I will not tentatively start my hike until sometime in July depending on snow in the Cascades. I will of course be hiking south bound. Plan to be at Mex border by November. Have a great journey! It will change your life in amazing ways!
Mike Continental Drifter Jurasius
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We might bump into each other at some point! That would be fun!
Thanks! You too!
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Hello Elina! I may intersect you on the PCT this year. I plan to start in July sometime, depending on snow reports in the Cascades. I typically move a lightning pace covering big miles/day so should finishish by early Nov at the MEX border. We’ll just have to see what the conditions bring. You be safe and soak it all in. The desert is one of my favorite places. The sierras will be a treat. Hopefully you wont struggle too much navigating through the heavier than normal snow this year!
I need to get home from Australia first!
See you out there
Mike Continental Drifter Jurasius
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I hope the snow won’t be too bad by the time I get there. That would put a slight damper on things…but I can always go back and finish the parts I had to skip (if I have to skip any), so it’s not a really big deal. I hope you have an amazing time out there! Enjoy your travels.
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Good luck on your PCT hike. I will be looking forward to following your journal. David Odell AT71 PCT72 CDT77
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Wow! You’ve done all three! Congrats!
I feel honored to be followed by you. 🙂
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