#Halfwayanywhere

[pcttrailsidereader]

More of the 2023 PCT Hiker Survey

In the current Halfwayanywhere's PCT survey there have been inquiries about ageism, homophobia/transphobia, racism, and sexism on the PCT. The data is notable in that even on the PCT these features of the greater society still appear significant. The PCT culture can appear to be utopian or maybe just the best one's imagined world has to offer. People seemingly get along, the surroundings are awe inspiring, and the experiences are hard to surpass.

In the latest Halfway generated 2023 hiker survey the results are extensive. In this post I would like to shine a little light on the results related to age, sexual identity, and race. When I reflect on my experiences on the PCT as the years have gone by I have felt more and more like my hiking partners and I are the 'geezers' based on the other hikers we have encountered on the trail. We have even referred to ourselves as 'Team Geezer' with our tongues firmly planted in our cheeks. We can't really say we have been victims of ageism. We could say we have surprised a few people when we share more of our trail story that ultimately leads to our ages. Age for us doesn't matter all that much.

'Team Geezer' September 2023

Halfway's 2023 PCT hiker survey includes these comments and data.

Social Issues on the PCT

The Pacific Crest Trail is, for the most part, an amazing place filled with incredible people.

However, just as the trail itself can be not so amazing at times – thunderstorms, fires, horrific weather events – the people, too, can occasionally be awful on the PCT.

Ageism

Overall, 12.5% of hikers experienced ageism on the Pacific Crest Trail. 8.7% experienced ageism from other hikers, 1.0% from people in town, and 2.8% from both their fellow hikers and people in town.

*As ageism was reported by hikers with a wide variety of ages, these percentages encompass all hikers.

Homophobia/Transphobia

Overall, 42.4% of LGBTQIA+ hikers experienced homophobia or transphobia on the Pacific Crest Trail. 9.6% experienced homophobia or transphobia from other hikers, 22.4% from people in town, and 10.4% from both their fellow hikers and people in town.

Racism

Overall, 22.5% of BIPOC hikers experienced racism on the Pacific Crest Trail. 1.3% experienced racism from other hikers, 17.5% from people in town, and 3.8% from both their fellow hikers and people in town.

Sexism

Overall, 53.1% of women experienced sexism or sexual harassment on the Pacific Crest Trail. 12.8% experienced sexism or sexual harassment from other hikers, 15.4% from people in town, and 2.94% from both their fellow hikers and people in town.

These data points are intriguing to me. For one thing this data suggests that the PCT is a kind of microcosm of the larger world. Ageism, Homo and Transphobia, Racism not to ignore sexism lurk even on the trail and the towns hikers pass through. At the beginning I described this data as intriguing but I should also mention that it feels disappointing too. The PCT is a place where one likes to think a certain immunity exists from these threats, attitudes, and general misgivings. Nevertheless some of societies uglier features, based on the data, still weasel their way into people's hiking experiences

Ageism faired better than homophobia and transphobias where when the data is taken together 42.4% of LGBTQIA+ hikers noted some form of negativity about their identity/preferences. BIPOC hikers felt they experienced the most (17.5%) racism from townspeople. As more people of color get on the trail it may dampen another ugly societal feature. Sadly just over half the women who submitted their survey said they experienced sexism or sexual harassment on the PCT. Some of the sexism and/or harassment came not just from townspeople but fellow hikers too. The percentages are nearly even.

The PCT hiker surveys are valuable in so many ways. It seems that in looking over this particular data surrounding ageism, racism, sexism, and homophobia/transphobia, we can use it as a call to action. As members of the PCT community we must be reminded through the survey responses that the PCT is as susceptible to some of the same social shortcomings of the world found off the trail. If we can take that understanding and apply it toward actively working to change such attitudes then the trail can be a welcoming place for more individuals than the survey results currently suggest. We may have to wait for the next survey and the one after that before we will really know if greater acceptance and a willingness to understand others is taking place. How we measure our collective progress is yet another product of Halfway's valuable surveys. Stealing a little from Woody Guthrie...we cannot forget that 'this trail is your trail and this trail is my trail, it belongs to you and me...' In reality we don't own it but we are responsible for what happens both on and off of the PCT and that can be a real source of pride.

[halfwayanywhere]

I've spent a lot of time in Yosemite, but a few months back I realized that I had never spent any time there during the winter. So I booked myself a campsite in the Valley (another thing I've never done as I typically stay at the backpackers' camp or Camp 4) and hoped for snow. I was not disappointed. If you get the chance, I highly recommend just hanging in the Valley for a few days in winter sometime to decompress and chill. Whether that means reading a book by the campfire in freezing temperatures, driving around (slowly and carefully ) to take in the sights, or playing cribbage in Degnan's. #YosemiteNationalPark #SierraNevada #California

[hyperlitemountaingearpr]

Hyperlite Mountain Gear featured on Halfway Anywhere

[sanna-wandtke]

Mac the Wizard @halfwayanywhere wished for a dinosaur in his illustration. Well I thought a trex might fulfill his idea? 😁 If you also want a terminus illustration check out my website (link in my bio) and go to “PCT/AT illustrations” - you find all information about how to order there 😃 - don’t hesitate if you are a southbounder or if you hiked the CDT or AT- I also draw these! 

[halfwayanywhere]

Serious question: anyone else feel like you actually feel colder when you're actively trying to stay warm? Maybe it's just the hypothermia talking 🤷‍♂️ #YosemiteNationalPark #SierraNevada #California

[halfwayanywhere]

The Pacific Crest Trail was my first overnight backing trip. Crossing the Australian Outback from Melbourne to Darwin was my first bicycle tour. Rowing the Grand Canyon was my first rafting trip (minus a five-day training I did just prior). The Arizona Trail was my first bikepacking trip (and near first time on a mountain bike). And last year was my first marathon and ultramarathon. When I decide to do something I typically fully commit to the activity which is why climbing the Nose on El Capitan is high on my list of things to do. I've yet to fully commit myself to climbing and this year won't be the year, but it's the Nose is a seed that's been planted in the back of my mind. At every point in all of these journeys there have been people who have told me that I won't be able to do whatever it is I am planning on doing. The more I hear this, the more inspired I am. I have already been told that I won't be able to climb the Nose which is a great start to the adventure. The fire is lit. For now, I'm content to gaze upon it in all its glory from the snowy valley below. What's on the agenda for this year instead? Three things. Unfortunately, I've run out of room in this caption to discuss any further. #YosemiteNationalPark #SierraNevada #California

[halfwayanywhere]

I was lucky enough to pop by the Southern Terminus of the Pacific Crest Trail just as (who were presumably) the final thru-hikers of the season were finishing up. The Southern Terminus has changed a lot since I first visited in 2013 (its orientation, the now-different border wall, the fence next to the terminus that's not the border fence, the network of dirt roads, and the monument itself), but the excitement felt at the end (or the start) of a thru-hike is still the same. Maybe one day I'll depart from (or arrive at?) this monument on foot again. But probably not. Too many other trails to hike, ride, raft, ski, climb, and/or stumble down. Congratulations to this crew and to everyone who hiked the PCT this year! And extra props to @prof_carl on his Calendar Year Triple Crown and to @knyoro on finishing up his Triple Crown! #Campo #PacificCrestTrail #California

[halfwayanywhere]

HAPPY FINAL WEEK OF 2022! And farewell (and sorry?) to all the newcomers here who aren't into butts. There's always next year 😘 📸 @paulinadao #PanchosKitchen #ColoradoRiver

[halfwayanywhere]

My final backpacking trip of the season took @simajohnr @charliewgt and me over Gould Pass in the Eastern Sierra. Gould Pass is just north of Kearsarge Pass and is accessed via Onion Valley Trailhead. I've been over Kearsarge more times than I can count, so it's awesome to be exploring a new route into the Sierra. After a slow morning, we make it up to the pass later than we had hoped and are then met with an incredibly loose and sketchy route down the west side to the lake below. It is literally freezing and the wind does its best to destroy our spirits and the circulation in our hands as we picd our way through the steep scree field that is the west side of Gould Pass. There is rockfall, there are tears, there is cursing, but we make it down (mostly) unscathed. Honestly, would probably not recommend Gould. Dragon Pass and North Dragon Pass are both north of Gould and are on my list for the next time I want an off-trail scramble into the Sierra from Onion Valley. Anyone been over either of these? Actually, North Dragon may be accessed from elsewhere (not 🧅🏞️) - didn't look too closely. #EXTREMEWALKING #sierranevada

[halfwayanywhere]

GIVEAWAY | While doing trail magic on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) last year, what may be the filthiest thru-hiker I've ever seen wandered out of the woods and sat with us briefly while we fed him pizza and Capri Suns. Little did we know that this man, @nick.fowler.says.hi, would go on to set the self-supported PCT Fastest Known Time (FKT)—probably because of the Capri Suns we blessed him with. Nick has recently released a book, Itch: A Pacific Northwest Trail Story, chronicling his 2021 Pacific Northwest Trail FKT across Montana, Idaho, and Washington. I’ve got a copy to give away, so if you want a free copy, do the following: -Be following @halfwayanywhere and @nick.fowler.says.hi -Tag a friend in the comments who you would want to support you on an FKT attempt (supported, obviously) Winner will be selected at 22:00 Pacific Time on Friday, March 29, 2024. Open to anyone with a US shipping address. #pacificnorthwesttrail #fkt

[halfwayanywhere]

The Rio de Janeiro Marathon, my first official marathon (i.e. a marathon distance ran instead of hiked as part of an event) is officially behind me. TL;DR: went about as well as I expected it would. 🏁 Finished, which was the primary objective (also didn't end up in medical tent at the finish which I suppose was a side quest) 🏃‍♂️ Managed to run the entire time which was secondary objective (the word run here used liberally to describe anything greater than a walk) 🌧 It rained literally the entire time (and around mile 17 / km 27 it started POURING for around 30 minutes) 🇧🇷 Ran with one friend made the day before the race and one made within the first 20 minutes of the start for the first 18.6 mi / 30 km (then my legs decided they had had enough of their pace) 👟 My chip time has yet to come through and despite having emailed support, I haven't heard anything back, but my time was 4:05:17 according to my watch (which also reported a distance of 26.52 mi / 42.68 km) 😖 The race overall was not well organized - particularly at the start and end (which were at the same place). Paying for a "VIP" entry was a complete waste of money (fortunately, not much) 🌚 The race started at 5 in the morning with little supplemental lighting through some pitch black stretches (particularly near the Museu do Amanhã) - sunrise was ~6:30 Overall? Was fantastic, would do again. Now just need to figure out how to run 73.8 mi / 118.8 km further in September. #riodejaneiro #maratonadorio

[halfwayanywhere]

Rim to Rim to Rim in the Grand Canyon - I can't say I'm a huge fan of day hikes, but I am a fan of day-long endurance challenges. Traversing the Grand Canyon twice in a single day? Sounds pretty fun. I think? After parking my car at Bright Angel Trailhead (where I plan to finish), I walk 2.3 mi / 3.7 km to the shuttle stop in Grand Canyon Village where I catch the first shuttle to South Kaibab Trailhead - where I'm beginning my hike. It's dark (and freezing) when I reach the trailhead. I run all the way down to the river and make it to the flushing toilets in Bright Angel Campground just in time (to poop). I'm feeling good, and that's good, because that was the easy part. It's only 6 mi / 9.7 km and change down to the river from South Kaibab Trailhead. It's almost 15 mi / 24 km more to reach the North Rim via the North Kaibab Trail. I'm still feeling good as I begin to climb, but the amount of time I'm spending running, or even jogging, is slowly drawing to a close. It's a slog up to the North Rim, but I make it. I should definitely be eating more. But now it's all downhill again - huzzah! I try to stay inspired and maintain a pace that falls somewhere above my quickest hiking speed and my slowest running speed. Back at Phantom Ranch (at the river), I psyche myself up on some snacks and prepare for the day's final challenge - the climb up the Bright Angel Trail to Bright Angel Trailhead. I climb as the sun slowly, then quickly, dips below the rim. Intent on making it back to the car before it's big dark (not just little dark), I try my hand (legs) at running instead taking it slow. Bad idea; I bonk hard. The final couple thousand feet of climbing take far longer than I had hoped, but eventually (and in the darkness) I make it back to where I began this adventure this morning. I'm now incredibly pleased with my decision to have parked my car and walked the extra miles this morning. Day: South Kaibab Trailhead to North Kaibab Trailhead to Bright Angel Trailhead Distance: 44.19 mi / 71.12 km Elevation gain: 11,234 ft / 3,424 m #GrandCanyonNationalPark #Arizona

[halfwayanywhere]

Kings Canyon High Basin Route Day 8: Our last morning on the route begins early and without many bugs - I guess they're all down feasting further west on Pacific Crest Trail and John Muir Trail hikers. I've already hiked this section of the route, but in the opposite direction; it's the same between camp (State Lakes) and Road's End (where we'll finish and, hopefully, find the car @simajohnr and I left there a week ago). It's another cold morning and we're hiking in our jackets and gloves until we begin the final climb up to Goat Crest Saddle at around 4.5 mi / 7.2 km in. From this vantage point (and our high point of the day), we can see our next destination, and final pass on the route, Grouse Lake Pass. The hiking is easy over to the pass, and after a short descent and a little more cross-country travel, we're on the Copper Creek Trail. This trail leads us all the way down, another 5,000+ / 1,524+ m, to Road's End. The hike up this trail was a beast, and I'm expecting it to take a while to get down. However, the time flies and we make excellent time down to the car. We made the mistake of not leaving ourselves any rewards at the trailhead (we don't even have water in the car) and it's over an hour drive back to my car at Lodgepole. Fortunately, when we make it there, Lodgepole has a small store open with everything we're looking for (mostly beer and Cheetos). Overall, Kings Canyon High Basin Route, great success. Now it's time to go rehab my lips. Day: State Lakes to Road's End Distance: 16.01 mi / 25.77 km Elevation Gain: 1,872 ft / 571 m #kingscanyonhighbasinroute #kchbr #kingscanyonnationalpark

[halfwayanywhere]

[𝗠𝗮𝗰'𝘀 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 - 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗫𝗩] At the end of 2018 I was bumming around Europe from friend's couch to friend's couch. Most of the mountains I would have liked to explore were covered in snow and I needed to walk somewhere so I decided to walk the Camino de Santiago from Porto, Portugal to Santiago de Compostella in Spain. I did this walk during the low season and met just four other people walking the Camino during my seven-day journey. It definitely wasn't your typical pilgrim experience.⁣ ⁣ I enjoyed practicing my Portuguese and it was fun seeing the small villages dotting the Portuguese and Spanish countryside. I also enjoyed staying (usually alone) in the albergues and monasteries along the way, but the trip was 90% road walking and it rained nearly every day. I can't say I would recommend it (at least not doing it the way I did). I didn't have any opportunities to camp which was sad, but I also didn't have to carry any food or water for the entirety of the trip since I was constantly passing through towns and villages.⁣ ⁣ There are a lot of different routes available to those wanting to hike the Camino de Santiago, but I don't know if I will be embarking upon another one. Right now, the European route that I'm most interested in is the Pyrenees High Route (Pyrenean Haute Route) and some yet undiscovered trail in Eastern Europe somewhere (and possibly the GR20).⁣ ⁣ But to really get into what Europe has to offer, I'm probably going to need to get more into mountaineering. Friends?

[halfwayanywhere]

I'm not a big fan of holidays (and today, in the United States, for all those unaware, is Valentine's Day - a D-list "holiday" if there ever was one), but I am a huge fan of this girl.⁣ ⁣ Thanks, @paulinadao for pushing me outside my comfort zone, baking me all the breads, showing me how to grow as a person (and a climber), reminding me that worth can't always be measured in miles, and giving me a reason to call somewhere home.⁣ ⁣ And now back to your regularly scheduled programming.⁣ ⁣ ❤

[halfwayanywhere]

Lowest to Highest Day 2: I had a terrible night’s sleep last night; it turns out there are still plenty of insects active at night this low in the desert (I didn’t set up my shelter). . I begin the morning in the dark with already-warm temperatures. I’m not using trekking poles and so with my free hands I’ve decided to carry my water (instead of carrying it in my pack). I quickly discover that carrying a water bottle with an attached plastic handle is superior to carrying one with a paper handle attached via stickiness (I hope this description makes sense). The attached-plactic-handle bottle is also more structurally sound (this becomes important later in the day as I’m falling on my water bottle attempting to scramble up scree). . I follow a jeep road up Hanaupah Canyon until I find Hanaupah Spring. There’s a ton of water here and it’s more like a stream than a spring, but I’ll take it. There are signs warning that the water here might be contaminated from runoff from illegal cannabis grows in the area, but I’ve yet to hear from any hikers becoming sick from it. Regardless of the water’s status, I still have plenty of water from my first cache. Still, I fill up a gallon (this turns ou to be way too much) in a bottle just in case I need it. . From the spring the route cuts steeply up to a ridge as it climbs toward Telescope Peak. The climb is steep and I can’t find much in the way of use trails and so most of the climb involves trying to find the least-bad way up the mountain. Many hours of scrambling later, the sun is setting and I’ve yet to reach the top. I can still see where I began my hike last night which is a little sad, but eventually I make it to the ridge below Telescope Peak and collapse in the first sheltered campsite I find (it’s very windy). A full day hiking and just 16.72 mi / 26.91 km to show for it - this route is certainly a challenge (that said, there was 10,548 ft / 3,215 m of mostly off-trail elevation gain). . Day: West Side Road to ridge below Telescope Peak Day’s distance: 16.72 mi / 26.91 km Day’s elevation gain: 10,548 ft / 3,215 m . #LowToHighRoute #DeathValleyNationalPark