In about 5 days I will take an Amtrak from Chicago to East Glacier National Park and begin my journey to the Pacific Ocean. I try not to plan too much. I have all the requisite gear and maps, beyond that I like to leave room for sponteneity.
There are a couple signifigant “forks in the road” which could lead to much different adventures. First of all, when I get to Glacier, I could, if the mood struck me, hike south on the Continental Divide Trail instead, in six months, I could be in New Mexico, after hiking through Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado and could settle in there and get a job and a place to stay.
If I stick with the Pacific Northwest trail, however, it crosses the Pacific Crest Trail in WA state. So I could hike that this season also, and spend the winter in southern California, after hiking south through Washington and Oregon.
If I choose not to take a right turn onto the PCT, but instead continue west on the PNT, I could take a ferry to Juneau, AK, and maybe hike around Alaska.
Lots of options. Probably, though, I will hike west on the PNT and see if I feel like taking a ferry to Alaska, or continuing west and spending the fall and winter in WA. Whatever, I decide, the next three months or so are going to be an adventure! So stay tuned.
FREE RANGE ORGANIC HUMAN 