Telling My PCT Story on Stage

. Photo: Theo aka "Blis" on stage telling his PCT story. Click here to watch video of my performance I was honored to be invited to the Intertwined "Choices" storytelling event to share my story I had about my 2017 thru-hike adventure on the Pacific Crest Trail and the difficult decision I had to make …

To the Finish Line: Stehekin to Canada, Day 145-149

With only a mile to go to the Canadian border and finish line, the immensity of what I was about to accomplish set in. Tears welled up in my eyes. I'd been through so, so, so much to get here. I began to finally realize it, and it rang out like the loudest church bell, …

Enchanting Washington: Snoqualmie to Stehekin, Day 132-144

We've been racing against the forest fires having flown through sections before they erupted in flames. As we wipe the sweat from our foreheads the weather abruptly changes and now we must donn our warmest clothing for the incoming below-freezing temperatures, wet snow and blustery fall rain. We are 80 miles from the finish line …

Land of Fires, Miles & Smiles : Crater Lake to Seattle, Day 117-131

The bottom of my feet were aflamed in pain but I continued to hike the final miles of my the day-long challenge. It was getting very dark and the deadfallen trees began to take on shapes that my imagination turned into dwarves, sorcerors and other wondrous and monstrous beings. I donned my bright headlamp returning …

Goodbye California, Hello Oregon: Burney to Ashland, Day 98-111

If lightning struck and ignited a wall of flames 30 feet high in front of me I would find a way through it.   If an angry grizzly bear stood on its hind legs on the trail before me I would leap over it.  If Elvis in his white jumpersuit came out of the woods …

Trail Junction with the Past: Mammoth to Lake Tahoe, Day 70 to 83

If you are hiking high up on a mountain trail, walking at a pace neither too slow nor too fast, and you can hear the breeze whistling through the leaves and needles of the tallest Sequioa trees, whilst you inhale the sweet fragrance of an unknown wildflower, then you might come upon a junction in the …

Limping into La La Land; Day 26-33: Wrightwood to Agua Dulce

I thought I was doomed and my trip was over.  With every step my right ankle screamed like it had been shattered by a sledgehammer.  It had finally had enough sprains and rolls.  It was telling me to shut her down.  It was quite obvious by now.  In Wrightwood I had been barely able to …