Yesterday was insanity.
No amount of preparation, reading, or relaxation beforehand would’ve or could’ve prepared me for the process of applying for my PCT permit.
Here’s a little breakdown:
The permit is necessary for any thru-hiker (which is any hiker travelling 500 miles or more in a single continuous trip). It is our allowance to hike as well as camp on trail. It’s our entry into specific areas and trailheads. It’s mandatory.
With the shift by 2.5 months for permits, my entire class was scrambling to build itineraries, some of us needed travel VISA’s and in order to get that we needed a firm start and end date; give or take a week or so. So that was one extra headache no one really needs, but we were prepared that at 10:30 November 1, it was game time. There are only 50 permits issued for each date. The reason is to spread out the hikers therefore eliminating the affect on the ecology and easing the stress on the trail and resources, as well as the trail angels that assist. They release 35 of the 50 permits in the first batch, and the remaining 15 in January so essentially there were thousands of people trying at the same time to get April dates, which are the most popular. By the time people got through the process they had already timed out the system, meaning most people had to try again, myself included which resulted in my losing April 9th as a start date, i had to go with April 2.
After i submitted the permit, I received a confirmation screen, but no follow up email…which carries my permit ID and portal access to check on the status of my permit. That was when I started to question whether or not I had actually got the application in. After freaking out enough to call, i learned my application was received and I did indeed have a permit ID number…..HUGE sigh of relief.
Now, reality sets in.
I leave to begin my hike in less than 150 days.
Shit just became real!!!
Because of the one week adjustment to my itinerary, I’ll need to ensure before I leave i know how to properly utilize crampons and ice axes. before then i need to get my resupply boxes and address labels ready for the two rockstars who will be mailing my food. I also need to raise $6000. Therein lies the biggest challenge.
Once again, thank you all for being there with me through this whole process…..you’ve kept me sane, grounded and focused. i am eternally grateful to each and every one of my amazing supporters! Keep those waves and honks coming!