I have been getting this question a lot. It indeed is unsettling to say the least, especially when looking through online comments in the PCT groups. Many people are canceling their permits others are planning to “flip-flop“, which is jumping from one section of the trail to another and then returning to the skipped section later. Some are planning to just skip sections as a whole. Posts showing the amount of snowfall and expert opinions of danger abound.
Every year has its challenges, and by no means is this supposed to be an easy hike. So what is my plan?
It is unchanged. I will hike one day at a time. I will evaluate the trail from my current location to my next planned stopping point. I will repeat this process each day, if I get to an area that I think is beyond my ability I will turn around and return to the last comfortable stop and reevaluate. It is important to remember there is still at least two months before I will reach the Sierras. A lot of weather changes can happen between now and then.
My faith in God is a big part of this trip. My last few days have been filled with looking at online posts and having friends ask me about the snow. I thought I would share the devotion that I did today. My devotions are preplanned for the year and not something where I select a daily topic. As I read the plans and scriptures things jump out to me, which is how I believe, God speaks to us. The following is what I have noted today:
“ God, when I feel you speak to me in your scriptures, I just smile! When I am asked about snow and my hike I can confidently say I’ll go one day at a time, but I am concerned that I may not enjoy too much snow or may encounter trip altering conditions. Again today you speak. ‘Luke 12:7 indeed the very hairs of your head are numbered. Don’t be afraid you are worth more than many sparrows’. Romans 8:31 ‘what then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us who can be against us?’ Numbers 6:20 ‘for the Lord bless you and keep you.’ ”
Another relevant topic today in the devotionals was loving people and spreading God’s word. When thinking of the opportunity for this on the trail the following thought came into my head….
“As I prepare for my long-distance hike, one of the important questions is my whys. Number one on my list is “finding humanity“. I made my career out of helping people at their lowest some thankful, some just abusing systems. It’s easy to become dark or jaded, unfeeling and uncaring. As I hike, I look forward to being surrounded by God’s awesome creation being reminded of His greatness. I know I am going to meet many people from different walks of life, but we will all be sharing a single common goal. Many will have different lifestyles, beliefs, and morality’s than I do. I hope God will use me to reach them with his love and truth; but, to do that, I need to get over my self-righteous judgmental mindset! Love. The ability to love is the prayer I humbly request you all lift up for me regularly.”
After writing this, the final devotional I read for the day listed acts 1:8 ‘ you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you you will be my witness telling people about me everywhere to the ends of the Earth’.
It just so happened last night I attended a dinner for leaders from the Bayside adventure, sports group, through which I was re-introduced to Hiking. The dinner was introducing a possible new pastor to oversee the group. The groups, history and purpose was reiterated multiple times as a way to use hiking and other adventure sports to reach the unsaved for Christ. This “coincidently“ fit into my devotions today.
Does god talk to me yes, is it in an audible voice no, but nonetheless I do feel his spirit with me on this trip.
For those who share my faith, I ask for and welcome you to include me in your daily prayer, for as for now, I remain “All In“
