Sunday, July 8th 2018
My time on the Pacific Crest Trail has been nothing short of an experience. I set out to change life, even if it was just for a few months. I wanted to walk miles like I’d never walked before and see things most people will never set their eyes upon. I just wanted to do something different. I wanted to be free of the social norm. I wanted to be away from the day to day grind… from work, the phone, appointments and schedules. So for even just a few short months, I think I accomplished what I wanted. Even though I have not finished the entire 2650 miles, I have completed 1087 and as far as I am concerned, thats pretty damn good.
By now some of you have heard that I will not be returning to the trail. My decision to not return was made solely on my own and how I have been feeling in my own skin. The reality is in a few short days I’ll be turning 40. When I started the PCT in March, I knew that my knees and hips would take a beating and that any injury would cause me to head home under even worse circumstances. I am thankful that through every fall I always bounced back up. No slip went unnoticed though and there were always a few minutes when I would do inventory of bumps and bruises and possible locations of pain to come later. This almost 40 year old body is tired though. It pains me more than ever to go downstairs and that feeling over time could go away or potentially get worse. I know when to throw in the towel and that time is now–and I’m okay with it.
Even though I will not be finishing the trail this year and I don’t know If I will return to it next year (or the year after that)…. what I do know is that I may get an opportunity to hike the High Sierra section in September possibly–if timing works out. I also know, as I’ve always heard, the trail will always be there. I can come back whenever I so choose.
If you’re wondering if I didn’t like hiking by myself, the answer is no. The few short days that I hiked solo went fast. What I did learn was that being on the PCT and mixing in with the social interaction of it all really is what created the best memories and stories for me. I loved our little “Three’s Company” that worked out so well. I loved the constant jokes about Tyler being the “BubbleBuster”. I loved sharing the end of a day with someone even if it was the worst day ever. The community out there cannot be recreated anywhere else. It simply is unique. Theres a part of me, though, that didn’t feel like I was “Hiker Trash.” I wasn’t out there to try and fit in. I was out there to walk miles and I did just that. I made my own little bit of history and honestly, thats all that matters.
Since Betsi picked me up in Belden on the 28th of June, I’ve spent a day and a half at home…. 6 days with a group of friends traveling to Boise, then Stanley, ID. I stayed in Nampa, ID with my Pops through yesterday and have been home in Las Vegas as of today. My wanderer lifestyle is what it is and will continue as its all that I really know. I love my days at home–the comfort of my bed. I love my days at work–theres always a cozy hotel to finish up the day at. And I loved sleeping in my tent every night–wondering what the next day would hold. I really wouldn’t change any bit of it.
It has taken me a few days to get this finished as I have been searching for the right words to bring this whole journey to an end, but then I realized that this is just another chapter in my journey and really, there is no way to caption the past 3 months in one quick little post. From here I will continue to edit photos. I’ll post them here periodically. I really enjoyed doing the blog. I cannot wait until I’ve gone through all of the photos and blog post (for alllll the typos) and am able to compile it into a coffee table book.
And last but not least…. I cannot tell each and every one of you how much the support has meant to me. The cards, the comments, the packages, the visits, the conversations, the text messages and the phone calls… every one of them made me feel super special. I never in a million years thought this would be as big of a deal to everyone else as it was to me. So many people told me they were living “vicariously” though me as I took every step. So many others told how they could never do anything like it, although they’ve thought about it. Thinking about it is what made me want it and going after it is what made it real. Do what you want and make everyday real. Love you all, Karen
KLubs on a Long Dusty Walk 
Karen, Great job ! Loved reading your journey, actually looked forward to it each night as it calmed my heart after a crazy day. Connected to your story thru Kelly B….it’s your story and it’s your finish, the journey has been amazing and I envy your dedication on following a dream. Until our paths cross…. at the airport (I’m the LAS Station Mgr)… thanks for sharing this amazing experience with us all.
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Thanks Cheryl for your lovely words. And congrats on your award as well!!!! Freaking stellar!
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Thanks for taking us along on your adventure – what a journey!
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You’re welcome! I was happy to share… who knows what I will do next 🙂
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It was truly a pleasure to follow your blog. I am happy that you have the high Sierra to look forward to. It is really special. You did good! Even if you didn’t earn “hiker-trash” status. 😂
Keep Oregon and Washington in your sites, they are both amazing.
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I freakin love you and am SO proud of every single step you took!!! I’m thankful you shared this journey with us all! It’s been a great 3 months!!! Xoxo
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Karen- I’ve enjoyed your blog so much! You should be(and I know you are) really proud of what you accomplished. Not just the actual miles walked, but the memories you’ve made, and the connections you’ve made with all those different people including my amazing son Justin! I’m sorry that you won’t be sharing those experiences anymore but it has been great thus far. The best of luck to you and thank you so much for being Justin’s trail buddy.
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Oh Karen…. I am so proud of you for going out and getting after your dreams. You did it! Your dedication to research gear, meals, snacks,campgrounds, hotels, post offices, water sources,satellite communication, eye wear, and socks,sunscreen and so much more makes me believe you can put an M.H ( Master Hiker) after your name! 🙂
It still amazes me that you slept on a tiny blow up pad in a sleeping bag for that many days in a row and didn’t complain about back issues…
Thanks for allowing us to be a part of this journey!
(Now get to work)
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What a true adventure and I’ve loved following your journey. Thanks for sharing your highs and lows and for bringing us all along. I think you should just blog your daily life now. There has to be some good work stories 😁 Looking forward to catching up soon!! Big hugs!
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Great Job Karen! I really enjoyed reading your blogs, seeing your pictures and hearing about the people you met along the way. Really happy that we got to catch up with you for a few days and meet Justin and hear about your adventures. You’ve hiked a lot of miles and made a lot of memories.
Love,
Aunt Carrie
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Thank you for sharing your journey on the trail. I was so hoping you would make it to the “easy” Oregon PCT so I could meet you. But like you said you never know if or when you will be back out there again. I hope our paths cross someday and we can venture out on a trail together. Loved your blog, loved your courage, loved following each step you made on this journey.
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I too did enjoy your (almost) daily blog. I would get to work after my 2 hour commute and log on to see if you had posted and if you did, I would relish every word of your journey and then get back to my own reality of “being a slave to the clock” GOOD FOR YOU! I would be interested if you could update us on occasion as to the progress or demise of your friends who are still on the trail, I feel as though I know some of them even though I have only met Justin.
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I absolutely loved reading the entire blog and looking at all of your amazing photos! You accomplished a lot, learned a lot, and experienced a lot!! Since you are back in Vegas (for who knows how long!) let’s get together…brunch, happy hour, dinner or whatever! Cheers to you 🍻
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you hiked over 1000 miles over some insanely gorgeous,sometimes treacherous, and largely untouched (to 99% of us anyway) stretches of Cali and every day i thought about you i realized “she’s still hiking”. i’d just smile and say to myself “holy shit”.
the dedication necessary to even attempt what you did goes far beyond anything most of us could ever imagine, let alone put to action. you have amazed me. i did live vicariously through you, and will continue to brag about you and what you accomplished whenever i get the chance.
thank you for sharing this journey with me. through your words and pictures, i learned more about the hiking world than i ever thought possible and once that coffee table book is done, you bet your sweet ass i’m coming over to watch and listen as you re-live it for me. 😁👍
again… holy shit.
you’re a rock star karen and i’m super proud of you.
😎✌️
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