Thru hikers often are given a trail name. Trail names come from other hikers, and they refer to an event, personality, or observation. Although I have not yet started the trail, I have had another hiker give me a trail name. It is based off an introduction post I did on a PCT Facebook group. In that introduction post I used the following paragraph: (which I also posted here on my January 28 entry)
“This section of trail is where my PCT plan began. I hiked a lot as a kid in scouts, but then life... 30 years later, in March 2022, I started back up with a hiking group some friends invited me to. I first learned about the PCT when I encountered thru hikers on a summer hike at this same Echo lake in July. I usually jump all in, this is no exception. I went home and looked up the PCT, a month later decided I was going to do it and started buying gear. I start in Campo on March 17th and if I am blessed (as I have been) I will finish at the Northern terminus 4-5 months later“.
The first comment I received on my introduction post was “way to go all in”.
The second comment was “I opt for the trail name 'All in'. “
The third comment on my post was ”I second the trail name suggestion, "All in" is fitting!”
The name “All In” does bring a smile to my face, and I agree it is a fitting description for how I have lived my life. My love for Jesus, my commitment to relationships, the pursuit and advancement of my career, building our own home, passion for mission trips, degree with which I approach tasks, and this latest adventure of the PCT. All of these I have jumped “All In”.
One of the things I look forward to experiencing on my hike is Trail magic. Trail magic is a random act of generosity, given by a stranger to a thru hiker. A hiker named “Slim Jim” is paying forward trail magic he has received through a free patch giveaway. He provides a free PCT patch with your hiking year.
Slim Jim also held a contest in which he made matching, custom, trail name patches. I am blessed enough to be the recipient of one of these patches, and I am thrilled to be able to attach it to my pack for my start day. From this point forward, on the trail, I will officially be known as……
