The only path forward is forward,

Start mileage: 0

End mileage: 15.4

Non PCT miles: 0.6

Total: 16 miles / 25.75 kms

Today at 08:20 hrs I started my 2026 PCT thru-hike.

As expected I did not sleep well last night but remarkably managed to get about 5 ish hours before my alarm went off. Has my last shower for an unknown number of days and did my best to ensure every thing I intended to pack was indeed packed. I had a list, it was checked many more times than twice.

It took about 1 hour from our hotel to arrive at the PCT souther terminus. Here we were greated by two woman who work for the Pacific Crest Trail Association. They checked my permit (Mel had to get it out of my wallet as I was too stressed), provide some last minute trail information and provided a gentle leave no trace reminder. Maybe not surprisingly they said only 12 people had started today (50 permits a day are issued) and overall numbers on the trail have been down this year. I suppose the additional challenges of traveling to the US and the current state of the global economy likely have something to do with it.

I took the customary photos with the terminus monument and the Mexican border wall (much larger and omnibus than last time I was hear) and said see you in 5 months to my fiancée. There were absolutely no tears involved. Then began my first steps on the PCT as my fiancée returned to the car to also start her journey back to Canada. Albeit the more conventional car-plane method. The parting was brief as the trail intersects the road ahead and I was there waiting for her when she drove past for a second good bye.

The first steps turned into the first mile and slowly I could feel the stress start to fade away. Or maybe it was being burned away by the sun as it baptized me most of the day in punishing fashion. As I was consuming my limited water at an alarming rate I decided to take my first break during the peak of the heat. I found a spot with one of the only two hikers I saw until arriving at Hauser and chatted for a while. Fortunately during the afternoon a light breeze picked up making it much more pleasant.

I was optimistic that I would be able to replenish my water at mile 14 at a new water cache that a trail angel has been maintaining. You should never rely on water caches and I thought my 5 liters would be enough for the day plus dry camping and into town tomorrow but I was likely wrong. I was very appreciative when I arrived and found many tens of gallons of water.

From here it was a short downhill hike to camp. Here only the sounds of insects are present and I hope this leads to a better sleep than last night.

Tomorrow brings a 4 mile walk with significant elevation gain into Lake Moreno where a breakfast burrito has my name on it.