Travel to the US and a day at a trail angel’s house

On April 19th the PCT experience started right at the airport Frankfurt.

We were 5 German PCT hikers checking in for the same flight via Seattle to San Diego. We have different start dates though… With me heading out on April 21st, the others starting on April 22nd or 23rd. But starting within a few days means that we will run into each other again and again.

I was actually sitting in the plane right next to Veronika from Munich – so we had no trouble getting through the long flight with chatting about the upcoming adventure.

After arriving at San Diego, we took an Uber to the famous Scout & Frodo trail angel house.

It is difficult to explain and understand what this experienced hiker couple is doing for PCT hikers. They are truly trail angels: for several months per year, they open up their beautiful house and host up to 30(!!!) hikers per day. They feed us hikers with three meals a day, let us sleep in their house or in several tents in their lawn… Share lots of experience from long distance hiking… And create such a nice and friendly atmosphere for us just before we face the adventure of a lifetime.

Scout & Frodo – thank you so much for doing this!

Such an amazing hospitality right at the beginning of the trip is a really good start!

In the morning of April 20th, I was still sleeping on the sofa in the living room when the shuttle left with the hikers of the day to the Southern terminus.

I spent the day chatting with other hikers, watching a shakedown, eating and shopping at a nearby grocery store.

1 day to trail. Tomorrow at 6am I will be on the shuttle to the terminus. Can’t wait.

And my journey is starting…

Since about two months ago – end of January to be exact – my decision was clear. This is the year I will fullfil my dream and hike the PCT.

I had played with that idea since my John Muir Trail hike in 2016. I met many PCT hikers in that summer… And nearly all of them were amazing… Had inspiring stories to tell. I ended up hiking for several weeks with the nicest ones EightKnots, Waffle and SixStrings – and we still keep contact. EightKnots truly fell in love with the trail, so did SixStrings… They met by accident (!!!) again on the PCT in 2017 in an effort to complete their hike. Waffle fell in love not only with the trail but on the trail… Congratulations once again Waffle to the beautiful PCT baby!

I contemplated to hike the PCT in 2017 – at the end I was not brave enough to quit my job at that time. That was good. The trail conditions in 2017 were very difficult – lots of snow and wild fires… The PCT class of 2017 is the class of fire and ice.

So… 2018 is my year. I wish for an amazing experience like I had on the JMT… Just longer, more intense… Meeting nice people, having friendly chats, breathtaking views of the nature and wilderness, solitude once in a while…

In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks – John Muir

Today I fly out. 2 days to trail.

Last day in the office – Biggest hurdle taken

March 26th was my last day in the office. After working for a corporate for 12 years in various IT leadership positions, a lot of good memories and friendships made it not easy to leave. But I felt it is time to move on and fulfill a dream of a lifetime – to hike the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) from Mexico to Canada.

A few days before, I sent a good bye mail to the colleagues I had been working with. I received an overwhelming number of positive responses – felt like it was the right thing to do. Thank you to all those colleagues who sent me so kind words – both for the work together as well as respect and encouragement for the journey ahead!

I feel like I have already taken the biggest hurdle on my way to Canada – overcoming the fear to quit a good and well paying job just to fulfill a dream.

Now I am getting more excited every day… April 19th I fly out, on April 21st I will start the trail in Campo, CA at the Southern Terminus of the PCT.

After completing the trail in maximum 6 months (due to weather and visa restrictions), I am looking forward to new professional challenges.