Call me Kat! I am going to hike the Pacific Crest Trail this year, 2023. This journey is something I’ve longed to do - to dive into some of the most wild, untamed, and primal places in myself. I am also seeking the refuge and sacred powers of Mother Nature for deep healing. This winter reflected back to me the large pools of water (emotion) and flooding within and without. I came face to face with many of my demons in my sometimes turbulent inner world. This evolution of healing continues to progress even when I’m not ready - just like how things continue to end and begin often before I am ready - in the impermanence of life. I feel my life prepared me for and has led me to this sacred pilgrimage. Solitude and nature have offered solace in the darkest times of my life and I’m ready to return. This is also a pursuit of healing for my body, mind, soul, and spirit on the deepest of levels - that I’ve dared to venture yet.

From this journey I hope to produce and publish a book - many books in fact. Health, spirituality, wellness, cooking, nature, and nutrition are just a few of my areas of interest and topics I would like to write about. I write poetry from the heart and have shared many of my poems on my Instagram as I have found my authentic voice. If you choose to donate to my PCT journey, I would like to send you a free copy of the first book I publish as a thank you gift.

I have been living in my camper van since November of 2021. Rising rent prices in Salt Lake City was a large part of my decision to live in a van. I am a traveling healer, licensed massage therapist, reiki practitioner, yoga teacher, and sound healer. My entrepreneurial spirit is brimming with ideas for new ventures, encouraged and guided by my mentors (*cough cough* JVB, you’re one of ‘em!) and my own past experience of operating my own massage therapy business. I have always had a passion for natural resources. Summer seasonal work with the Forest Service for five seasons allowed me to work outside every day in the summers that followed high school and college. My Bachelors degree in Wildlife Biology and Management was a result of my endless curiosity and dedication to nature. I spent one summer doing wildlife surveys alone in Idaho forests, sometimes backpacking up to four nights a week for bighorn sheep surveys. Even now I spend as much time outside as possible. Van living is very much seasonal living and has been a major adjustment from dwelling in a structure.

This journey is upon me and I am learning to be gentle with myself. The Pacific Crest Trail spans from Mexico to Canada and is 2,650 miles of hiking through mountains and deserts. Nothing I can do will really prepare me for the mental challenges of the trail - but, I am kindly preparing my body with healing exercise and nourishing food. This is the start of easing into the physical demands the trail will require. I will have support on the trail from Joseph, my renegade adventure partner, in my van to resupply me with food and resources. Our hilarious and adorable pets, Miss Kitty and Star, will be along for the ride too.

I invite you to come along with me on this pilgrimage of the soul - whether you are able to make a donation or not. Find record of my journey, as well as photography and poetry on Instagram as @kat_hikes_PCT2023. Thanks for reading.

Funding Break Down

Logistics

$1,000 - Food

$1,250 - Gas

Gear

Equipment

$400 - Ultralight tent

$300 - Ultralight sleeping bag

$70 - Ultralight sleeping bag liner

$60 - Sleeping pad

$40 - Sawyer water filter

$250 - 45 L backpack

Safety Equipment

$600 - GPS/emergency communication device

$215 - InReach subscription for GPS

$40 - Compass

$100 - Maps for long sections as back up

$100 - Ice axe

$40 - Snow spikes

$50 - Headlamp

$70 - Bear spray and holster

Clothing

$80 - Windbreaker

$275 - Puffy Jacket

$312 - Merino wool socks (x12!)

$900 - Altra trail shoes (x5!)

$300 - headwear, long sleeved sundresses, etc.

Etc.

$360 - Gym membership

$70 - Rite in the Rain outdoor journals

$15 - Pencils

$1,099 - iPhone 14 Pro Max (for the camera, pretty please?)

$2,000 - Production and publishing of my first book when all is said and done