February 2026 M T W T F S S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Archives
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Tag Archives: pct
Back on the PCT (North from Big Bear)
I have been back on the trail for about a week, starting slow and getting back up there in miles, then slowing down again and resting for a full day. I tested my still tender achilles by cautiously hiking 5 … Continue reading
Becoming “Free Spirit”
It is time for a long overdue introduction. Hello! Nice to meet you. I am “Free Spirit.” This is what I’m known as on the trail, this is what my trail family calls me, this is what my hiking partner … Continue reading
Posted in On Foot, pacific crest trail
Tagged adventure, backpacking, female solo hiker, hiker trash, hiking, journey, long distance backpacking, long distance hiking, new name, pacific crest trail, pct, pct hiker, pilgrimage, thru-hike, thru-hiking, thruhike, trail life, Trail names, travel, traveling
9 Comments
Grand Prize Winner!
This year, when I decided to thru-hike the PCT, I mostly borrowed gear or obtained hand-me-downs, and some of it didn’t fit me well, caused me pain, was too heavy, didn’t work as well as it should, etc. I knew … Continue reading
Posted in On Foot, pacific crest trail
Tagged adventure, award, backpacking, female solo hiker, gearrat, gearrat outdoors, gift, hiking, journey, long distance backpacking, long distance hiking, loving life, pacific crest trail, pct, pct hiker, pilgrimage, Prize, simple living, simplicity, thru-hike, thru-hiking, thruhike, travel, traveling
10 Comments
Off the Trail – My Wilderness Home Awaits!
[Written a few days ago:] I’ve been off the trail for 4 days, and it’s been driving me insane, but it’s also been wonderful. Staying with my loving mama was the best thing ever. I’ve been fed soup and sandwiches … Continue reading
Posted in On Foot, pacific crest trail
Tagged adventure, backpacking, Backpacking injury, female solo hiker, healing, hiking, hiking injury, Injury, journey, long distance backpacking, long distance hiking, loving life, outdoor, outdoor injury, outdoors, pacific crest trail, pct, pct hiker, pct injury, pilgrimage, simple living, simplicity, thru-hike, thru-hiking, thruhike, travel, traveling
2 Comments
Walking & Talking: Windy Desert, Hunger, Injuries
Hi All! I haven’t been blogging much lately, and I find it extremely difficult to do so with no cell service in the middle of the desert, but in my absence, I made you all a video of me hiking … Continue reading
Pampered in the Wilderness
Before leaving Julian, I stopped by the bookstore where Don, the owner, had picked out several books for me to read while I hike. He chose “The Yearling” by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, which was one of the first movies I … Continue reading
Falling in Love with the World
This is day 5. I have not hiked yet today. My left ankle was swollen for the past three days, and now that the swelling went down (after two ice-cold soaks in a creek), my right achilles is acting up. … Continue reading
Posted in On Foot, pacific crest trail
Tagged adventure, backpacking, female backpacker, female pct hiker, female solo backpacker, female solo hiker, female solo travel, hike, hiking, hiking the pacific coast trail, hiking the pacific crest trail, long distance backpacker, pacific crest trail, pct, pct hiker, section hiking the pacific crest trail, through-hiker, thru-hiker, thruhike, travel
12 Comments
In search of home.
“So this is home,” he says as he spreads his arms and looks around him. “Yeah. For the next 6 months,” I say and then fall silent to let it really sink in. It didn’t sink in. It still … Continue reading
Posted in On Foot, pacific crest trail
Tagged adventure, backpacking, female backpacker, female pct hiker, female solo backpacker, female solo hiker, female solo travel, hike, hiking, hiking the pacific coast trail, hiking the pacific crest trail, long distance backpacker, pacific crest trail, pct, pct hiker, section hiking the pacific crest trail, through-hiker, thru-hiker, thruhike, travel
14 Comments
This is the beginning.
Saturday’s obligatory terminus photo. Pure happiness is embodied in this. This is the beginning. Of my hike. Of an adventure. Of the rest of my life. Of everything. Can you feel my joy???
This is real, and it’s happening!
I’m on my way to Campo to begin my thru-hike. We didn’t get there in the morning due to my sweet mama treating us to a buffet. By “us,” I mean me, my desert night hiking buddy, and this amazing long-haired … Continue reading
Posted in On Foot, pacific crest trail
Tagged adventure, backpacking, long distance backpacking, pacific crest trail, pct, thru-hike, thru-hiking, thruhike
Comments Off on This is real, and it’s happening!
Elina Travels 