Reflections on the first 250 miles: thru hiking the pct as a family
“Hey dad, got any Lego ideas?”
The sun was just cresting the canyon walls as we splashed across Mission Creek in the San Gorgonio Wilderness. This ice breaker is common in the early hours. Also after lunch and after breaks and anytime there is a lull in conversation. Our son, trail name Bedtime, likes to tell other hikers that he enjoys the views and the beauty of nature, and I think he does, but he is not a fan of silent contemplation.
We are often asked by other hikers what it is like to take on a long distance hike like the PCT with a young child. As is common place with most trail talk, many want to know about gear and miles per day and training (and we’ll cover that in later posts) but this one is meant to simply be a reflection on the first 250 or so miles of our hike as a family.
I can hear the coyote call from across the draw; ow-ow-owww. I smile. It was a long day and I had hiked ahead to make camp. I respond in kind; ow-owww. I can see his red shirt darting in and out of the trees. We adopted the coyote call as a way of checking in with each other when not hiking in lock step. He hears my response. He breaks into a sprint for the last few hundred yards into camp and gives me a huge hug.
It’s moments like these that make this all worth while. Many have said that the act of hiking mirrors the emotions felt by the hiker. We are constantly climbing mountains and descending to valleys both physically and emotionally. Parenting is often the same. And being a parent on trail has amplified the highs and the lows. We have already made phone calls to grandparents making plans to give Bedtime a break from trail and then rescinded those requests less than twelve hours later. Never quit on your worst day. The ups and downs make you stronger.
The wind was gusting over 40 miles an hour over the ridge, pushing clouds into tree line, wrenching out small amounts of precipitation. We left Idyllwild that morning in the sun. It was going to be a big day to make it off San Jacinto and we knew the last few miles of Fuller Ridge were still snow covered. Dark was coming quickly and we needed to get through those last few miles of snow safely. As parents we were stressed and showing it. Suddenly out of nowhere a joyous and fearless Bedtime began chanting: “we can do this guys, we can do this as a family!” This positivity lit a fire under me and I knew he was right. The confidence he has shown over these 3-4 weeks on trail is astounding and contagious. I have been floored again and again with these moments of maturity.
“Hey dad (or Hey mom) I’m curious…” is usually followed by “are we going to eat those snickers now or later” or “why are we walking to Canada”. But occasionally that refrain is followed by something more profound such as “why do the stars move” or “how do volcanoes work” or “how do snakes make babies.”
I think most hikers have moments when they ask themselves why they are out here. When I ask myself why we are out here with our young son I return to this refrain: Hey dad (or hey mom) I’m curious. It’s the curiosity for life, for the natural world, for new friends and for love that continues to keep us moving down the trail. And damn is Bedtime curious.
If you are curious about our hike or have questions specific to backpacking with children please feel free to comment and I will try and answer specifics in future posts. See you all down the trail.
