Halfway points can be challenging. Whether it be a project at home or saving for something you really want, being halfway is more of a psychological challenge than a physical one. In the way of the world, most people try to avoid the feeling of being halfway. Instant gratification does just that. And how do we get that? Using credit when we don't have the money, buying things pre-built or take the big risk of winning/losing it all in a gamble. Some choose to go the other direction, by not starting at all so to never see the midway point.
I am guilty of utilizing both of these methods a lot of the time... but thru-hiking the PCT does not allow a hiker to just simply saying you did it, or that you could do that in the future if you wanted. You must start the trail, walk the trail, pass the midpoint and continue on for the same distance you just traveled. Mentally it can be very tough and I was sure struggling with it.
Being at the midway point doesn't need to be so heavy. I was also feeling elated about the accomplishment. It is a day a dreamed of when planning and starting the trail. With half the trails till to go, I took my pictures, enjoyed the moment, then kept moving.
A few miles later I stopped for lunch at a small stream. Having cell service, I call my Mom and got the rundown on how it was going at home. Strapless and Vertigo where there as well. I also met a section hiker, M&M. She was hiking with her dog, and both of their names started with M... hence her trail name. It was impressive hearing about her and her dog walking 20+ miles per day. I was happy knowing, with proper care and training, a dog is capable of hiking that distance in a day.
The trail crosses a very busy highway which leads to Chester, a larger town that many people hitched into for resupply. At this point, there were some mostly empty boxes that contained trail magic. I believe I grabbed an apple, signed the trail register and was on the move again.
After hiking 5 miles beyond said trail magic, I was pooped and found a nice pond to refill water and contemplate my options for camp. There was a very nice campsite at the pond, or I could walk an additional 5 miles to a large creek. If I continued on, I would have less than 10 miles to walk tomorrow to Drakesbad Guestranch, my next resupply point. I sat and rested for a little longer than the 15 minute time limit I had been using the past few days.
Really enjoying the idea of a short day tomorrow, so I gathered my things and pushed on. I remember getting into the zone with some good music and making it to camp with rather good spirits, though in lots of pain. My feet were still getting use to the my new shoes which means more blisters! These were small, nothing compared to the monster one I had in Sierra City.
Taking some time this evening to wash the dirt off my legs, I had the river to myself, as everyone else had already cooked, cleaned and were comfortably relaxing in their tents. I did the same and found myself asleep before I knew it after a long day of walking. From here on out, I will have walked further than I had left to go on the trail. That brought a smile to me on this day.
