Beyond my normal journal entry, I wanted to make note of two people we met on the trail today. Just as I was starting to struggle physically and mentally, desperately in need of my first day off, I would meet two extraordinary fellow hikers.
The first was Signe. It was about 10am and she was heading towards us, going south, with a full pack. I jokingly said, “you’re going the wrong way” as a way of saying hello. She laughed and explained she was finishing her SOBO (southbound) hike from 2017.
SOBO’s start at the Canadian border, typically around July 1st, and hike to the Mexican border. Only 10% of thru hikers go south. The weather window for completion is smaller and there is less support along the way.
In 2017, Signe had made it to within 3 weeks of the Mexican border. She had to get off the trail on Oct 18 due to a broken hip. Think about that. She was 55, a cancer survivor – in fact she was hiking to raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society- and she hiked to the point her hip broke. A month later, on Nov 18th, she had a full hip replacement. And here she was, less than 6 months later, continuing her hike. Solo. She was incredibly upbeat and positive. She said life is hard, but you can’t let that hold you back. I could’ve listened to her for hours and asked countless questions, but we all had miles to make. She was beyond inspiring. As she walked away, Slim noted the next time i thought I was having a tough day, I needed to think of Signe.
Signe
https://www.gofundme.com/a-hike-for-healing
A few hours later, we crossed paths with a young man with Down’s Syndrome named Ian. He was day hiking with his mother today, but had section hiked the PCT over 12 seasons, completing it in 2017. I’d read about him on the Pacific Crest Trail Association’s magazine. It was amazing to meet him in person and to see him out on the trail doing what he loves.
Ian and his Mom
I tried but was unable to find the link to the article about Ian and his thru hike. If anyone finds it, please post it in the comments and I will add it here. It is truly an inspiring story.
I was humbled to meet these individuals. Everyone on the trail has faced challenges and sacrificed something in order to be out there. These three people, Signe, Ian and Ian’s Mother, are in a class by themselves.