Check out this video of Porter and Gail Storey’s hike of the Pacific Crest Trail–2,663 miles from the border of Mexico to the border of Canada, over the mountains of California, Oregon, and Washington.
For future videos of our PCT adventures (!) fording raging rivers, crossing the Mojave, climbing frozen peaks, how-we-did-it tips, and the “meaning of it all,” sign up for updates under To Stay on the List.
We love comments. ;-D (If you’re a subscriber receiving this as a single post, just click on the post title to get to Gail’s blog and the Comment feature.)
What an amazing journey! We’d like to hike the Pacific Crest Trail one day, too. How long exactly did it take? Did you fly or drive out? Thanks for sharing!
It took five and a half months. We flew out, got a ride to the trailhead, and started the trail that night. I tell all–starting with why we did it and our preparations–in my travel memoir. Will keep you posted as the book hikes the publishing trail. ;-D
Gail,
I love this video! After hearing about this life changing trip, it’s good to see some video on it!
Melanie
If you love the video, wait ’til you read the book!
XO
You did a great job on this video, Gail! What a story! Did you carry all your gear for the entire trip? How did you get supplies? I am on my knees in awe at what you and Porter accomplished and can’t wait to read the REST OF THE STORY–
One of the quirkiest dimensions of the story is that Porter made most of our gear himself–ultra-light and pared down so we could carry it, since we’re, like, twice the age of most PCT thru-hikers. ;-D The book also tells how we resupplied–a logistical challenge, to say the least!
Love it! How brave.
When did you do this? Why did you do this? How long did it take you to do this and when can I get the book that answers all my burning questions?
xo,
Marylee Z
We hiked the PCT a few years ago, and it took me the entire writing of the book to really understand why. Stay tuned….
Very much looking forward to the book, Gail. Wow! Very inspiring.
Wow!… I mean wow. This is snappy and fun. Great promo for your book.
Thanks, Julene and Debbie–that means a lot coming from adventurers like you!
I loved seeing all the images–and in such gorgeous settings! It brings your adventures to life. Best of luck with your book publishing journey!
Thanks, Jody!
Beautiful. wish it were me. Who is the skinny girl in the pictures?
LOL, Alan. Actually, the skinny girl is me after losing 22 lbs. climbing snow in the High Sierra!
Gail, you are such an inspiration to me. Thanks so much for making this video and being such a vivaciously adventurous WRITING! soul. Look forward to reading about it!
Like you, Amy, I’m having a blast combining writing and video. I keep up with your own videos–marvelous!
Jeez, you guys aren’t just a pair of pretty faces. I love the way you approach life, what a gift you both are,
Marian
Marian, I’ve been reading your blog today, and love the way you approach life too, with authentic listening.
I love it Gail! Way to go you two!
Thanks, Philip–we’re in awe of your own hiking adventures!
Great video! Great sound! I laughed aloud twice. At the picture of the rattler after you wrote ‘We were almost alone.” And when Porter had shaved half his face. What a joy for your friends to share this journey.
Loved that you caught the humor–lots of that in the book too!
Wonderful video. Almost made me want to hike the trail. NOT!
You and Porter are amazing.
You and Jon could hike sections of the Pacific Crest Trail, you’d love it. Lots of great info on the Pacific Crest Trail Association’s site, http://www.pcta.org.
We could but I understand camping and outdoor cooking is involved. The Alps are civilized. You arrive at a hut to a real bed and warm dinner with wine and truffle oil.
I hear ya, Jerrie. I earned my tiara!
Woo-hoo! Nice video! Definitely catchy and fun to watch. I laughed at Porter’s half-shaved face. Good one!
GREAT Job! terrific photos, great music, cool transitions, and just enough to whet our appetite for more!
But it does make my knees hurt to think about all those miles…
Beth, it was so worth it! You forget about aches and pains when each round of a switchback makes you gasp from the view–limitless sky, high peaks, deep green valleys, deserts, plains.
AWESOME! You’re one plucky lady! Can’t wait for your book to come out!
I figured you’d relate, after your hike across Italy!
Holy Moly…now that’s a hike! I love it, Gail. And look forward to the book.
(I’m very interested in the processing of the experience as you’ve created the book. Maybe we could talk about this sometime? I sense that the time after was almost as the valuable during–is that right?)
All good wishes,
Anne
What a perceptive question, Anne, thanks for bringing it up, and I’d love to talk about it sometime. Writing the book allowed me to reflect on and integrate the many dimensions of our hiking experience, especially the deeper ones. The wilderness is so powerful and immediate in its beauty and numinosity!
Wow, Gail, what an accomplishment! The video is way cool, just like you! I am excited to read your memoir.
Thanks, Lynn, will keep you posted!
Great job on the video! I loved the way you covered so much of the PCT and the trail experience in such a short amount of time. I think you really captured the spirit of a thru hike. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, Liz, that’s high praise coming from the Executive Director of the Pacific Crest Trail Association!
Note: I encourage everyone to visit http://www.pcta.org and see the great job Liz and her staff do for the Pacific Crest Trail.
Beautiful images. Charming captions. Makes me want to do something epic like this — sometime.
Claire, given your Nordic walking expertise, you could take an epic journey yourself! And would make a great series for your terrific blog.
Gail,
I loved the video and look forward to reading the book. I am amazed you and Porter made this challanging treck and still have a great marriage!
Congratulations on surviving the treck and putting together a great website.
Harry
Thanks, Harry. Will keep you posted on the book.
Okay, so I went along with you up to a point. Well, the first two or three steps, then I let the two of you go on without me 🙂 I understand that the outer journey is as hard as the inner journey and just as symbolic. They get all mixed up, don’t they?
I look forward to reading all about it. Your journey is just beginning.
Vicki, I love your comment! The inner and outer journeys are one–always beginning, in process, dissolving. As is the inner and outer journey of hiking the publishing trail. Nowhere to go, nothing to do, no one to be. ;-D
XO, Gail
Wow! What a cool video, Gail! We laughed out loud at Porter’s half-shaved face. You did a superb job putting this together, and I can’t wait until people get the chance to read your superb book too!
Thanks, Priscilla! And we look forward to your wonderful book on earth spirituality!
Wonderfully done! Thanks for sharing. I too am looking forward to your book. I recently read Dan White’s “Cactus Eaters” and No-Way Ray’s, “A Thru-Hikers Heart (in which Porter was mentioned many times in a most complimentary way) and I’m hungry for more to read…., and would I hike it again? You bet. In a heartbeat. Buzz
Buzz and Izzy, we loved hiking the PCT the same season you did–you were both a huge inspiration! Dan White’s book is great, and thanks for the heads-up about No-Way Ray’s. Will keep you posted on the book about our hike!
Gail, thanks so much for sharing this!!!!!! What a fabulous story. Can’t wait to read the book and see how you have made sense of it all. I’m sure the gifts continue!
Tamara G. Suttle
https://www:AllThingsPrivatePractice.com
https://www.TamaraSuttle.com
Thanks so much, Tamara. In this blog I’ll be exploring the deepening effects of our hike of the Pacific Crest Trail, and sharing our current expeditions. Right now Porter is inventing and sewing a new sleeping bag for our backpacking trip into the Indian Peaks Wilderness!
I know I’ll love the book because I’ve loved your readings and the video and you . . . what a winning combo.
Wow. I’m amazed you guys actually did that. What a magnificent creature the human being can be. I can’t wait to read the book!
One Love, One Cool Couple! And I know this memoir will be so more authentic than Eat, Love, Pray!
This feat was so remarkable, admirable and nuts, that even I cannot say anything sarcastic about it…or did I just do so. Regardless, I’m sure the love and respect of all your friends helped power your élan vital. If I were 50 years younger, I’d say, “Awesome.”
Ken
Awesome, lovely, amazing, inspiring, wondrous, big stuff!!!