#Halfwayanywhere
Text
More of the 2023 PCT Hiker Survey
In the current Halfwayanywhere's PCT survey there have been inquiries about ageism, homophobia/transphobia, racism, and sexism on the PCT. The data is notable in that even on the PCT these features of the greater society still appear significant. The PCT culture can appear to be utopian or maybe just the best one's imagined world has to offer. People seemingly get along, the surroundings are awe inspiring, and the experiences are hard to surpass.
In the latest Halfway generated 2023 hiker survey the results are extensive. In this post I would like to shine a little light on the results related to age, sexual identity, and race. When I reflect on my experiences on the PCT as the years have gone by I have felt more and more like my hiking partners and I are the 'geezers' based on the other hikers we have encountered on the trail. We have even referred to ourselves as 'Team Geezer' with our tongues firmly planted in our cheeks. We can't really say we have been victims of ageism. We could say we have surprised a few people when we share more of our trail story that ultimately leads to our ages. Age for us doesn't matter all that much.
'Team Geezer' September 2023
Halfway's 2023 PCT hiker survey includes these comments and data.
Social Issues on the PCT
The Pacific Crest Trail is, for the most part, an amazing place filled with incredible people.
However, just as the trail itself can be not so amazing at times – thunderstorms, fires, horrific weather events – the people, too, can occasionally be awful on the PCT.
Ageism
Overall, 12.5% of hikers experienced ageism on the Pacific Crest Trail. 8.7% experienced ageism from other hikers, 1.0% from people in town, and 2.8% from both their fellow hikers and people in town.
*As ageism was reported by hikers with a wide variety of ages, these percentages encompass all hikers.
Homophobia/Transphobia
Overall, 42.4% of LGBTQIA+ hikers experienced homophobia or transphobia on the Pacific Crest Trail. 9.6% experienced homophobia or transphobia from other hikers, 22.4% from people in town, and 10.4% from both their fellow hikers and people in town.
Racism
Overall, 22.5% of BIPOC hikers experienced racism on the Pacific Crest Trail. 1.3% experienced racism from other hikers, 17.5% from people in town, and 3.8% from both their fellow hikers and people in town.
Sexism
Overall, 53.1% of women experienced sexism or sexual harassment on the Pacific Crest Trail. 12.8% experienced sexism or sexual harassment from other hikers, 15.4% from people in town, and 2.94% from both their fellow hikers and people in town.
These data points are intriguing to me. For one thing this data suggests that the PCT is a kind of microcosm of the larger world. Ageism, Homo and Transphobia, Racism not to ignore sexism lurk even on the trail and the towns hikers pass through. At the beginning I described this data as intriguing but I should also mention that it feels disappointing too. The PCT is a place where one likes to think a certain immunity exists from these threats, attitudes, and general misgivings. Nevertheless some of societies uglier features, based on the data, still weasel their way into people's hiking experiences
Ageism faired better than homophobia and transphobias where when the data is taken together 42.4% of LGBTQIA+ hikers noted some form of negativity about their identity/preferences. BIPOC hikers felt they experienced the most (17.5%) racism from townspeople. As more people of color get on the trail it may dampen another ugly societal feature. Sadly just over half the women who submitted their survey said they experienced sexism or sexual harassment on the PCT. Some of the sexism and/or harassment came not just from townspeople but fellow hikers too. The percentages are nearly even.
The PCT hiker surveys are valuable in so many ways. It seems that in looking over this particular data surrounding ageism, racism, sexism, and homophobia/transphobia, we can use it as a call to action. As members of the PCT community we must be reminded through the survey responses that the PCT is as susceptible to some of the same social shortcomings of the world found off the trail. If we can take that understanding and apply it toward actively working to change such attitudes then the trail can be a welcoming place for more individuals than the survey results currently suggest. We may have to wait for the next survey and the one after that before we will really know if greater acceptance and a willingness to understand others is taking place. How we measure our collective progress is yet another product of Halfway's valuable surveys. Stealing a little from Woody Guthrie...we cannot forget that 'this trail is your trail and this trail is my trail, it belongs to you and me...' In reality we don't own it but we are responsible for what happens both on and off of the PCT and that can be a real source of pride.
3 notes
·
View notes
Photo
I've spent a lot of time in Yosemite, but a few months back I realized that I had never spent any time there during the winter. So I booked myself a campsite in the Valley (another thing I've never done as I typically stay at the backpackers' camp or Camp 4) and hoped for snow. I was not disappointed. If you get the chance, I highly recommend just hanging in the Valley for a few days in winter sometime to decompress and chill. Whether that means reading a book by the campfire in freezing temperatures, driving around (slowly and carefully ) to take in the sights, or playing cribbage in Degnan's. #YosemiteNationalPark #SierraNevada #California
8 notes
·
View notes
Photo
Hyperlite Mountain Gear featured on Halfway Anywhere
0 notes
Photo
Mac the Wizard @halfwayanywhere wished for a dinosaur in his illustration. Well I thought a trex might fulfill his idea? 😁
If you also want a terminus illustration check out my website (link in my bio) and go to “PCT/AT illustrations” - you find all information about how to order there 😃 - don’t hesitate if you are a southbounder or if you hiked the CDT or AT- I also draw these!
0 notes
Photo
(See Next Post) #CAsAdventure | @HalfwayAnywhere: There are plenty of things to know before hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, but no matter how much PCT research you do, you still won't be prepared. Link at HalfwayAnywhere.com | #california #sanfrancisco #centralcalifornia #southerncalifornia #losangeles #southbay #orangecounty #newportbeach #sandiego #newyork #london #paris #rome #tokyo #barcelona #madrid #riodejaneiro #photography #lostarrowspire #explorer #hiking #climbing #yosemite #pacificcresttrail #TheCalifornias #AltaCalifornia #GoAltaCA #GoCalifornias #go (at Pacific Crest Trail)
#photography#centralcalifornia#casadventure#southerncalifornia#explorer#go#losangeles#sanfrancisco#sandiego#hiking#orangecounty#pacificcresttrail#altacalifornia#california#gocalifornias#thecalifornias#goaltaca#riodejaneiro#tokyo#london#southbay#newyork#climbing#rome#newportbeach#paris#madrid#barcelona#yosemite#lostarrowspire
0 notes
Photo
The Rio de Janeiro Marathon, my first official marathon (i.e. a marathon distance ran instead of hiked as part of an event) is officially behind me. TL;DR: went about as well as I expected it would. 🏁 Finished, which was the primary objective (also didn't end up in medical tent at the finish which I suppose was a side quest) 🏃♂️ Managed to run the entire time which was secondary objective (the word run here used liberally to describe anything greater than a walk) 🌧 It rained literally the entire time (and around mile 17 / km 27 it started POURING for around 30 minutes) 🇧🇷 Ran with one friend made the day before the race and one made within the first 20 minutes of the start for the first 18.6 mi / 30 km (then my legs decided they had had enough of their pace) 👟 My chip time has yet to come through and despite having emailed support, I haven't heard anything back, but my time was 4:05:17 according to my watch (which also reported a distance of 26.52 mi / 42.68 km) 😖 The race overall was not well organized - particularly at the start and end (which were at the same place). Paying for a "VIP" entry was a complete waste of money (fortunately, not much) 🌚 The race started at 5 in the morning with little supplemental lighting through some pitch black stretches (particularly near the Museu do Amanhã) - sunrise was ~6:30 Overall? Was fantastic, would do again. Now just need to figure out how to run 73.8 mi / 118.8 km further in September. #riodejaneiro #maratonadorio
2 notes
·
View notes
Photo
Serious question: anyone else feel like you actually feel colder when you're actively trying to stay warm? Maybe it's just the hypothermia talking 🤷♂️ #YosemiteNationalPark #SierraNevada #California
0 notes
Photo
The Pacific Crest Trail was my first overnight backing trip. Crossing the Australian Outback from Melbourne to Darwin was my first bicycle tour. Rowing the Grand Canyon was my first rafting trip (minus a five-day training I did just prior). The Arizona Trail was my first bikepacking trip (and near first time on a mountain bike). And last year was my first marathon and ultramarathon. When I decide to do something I typically fully commit to the activity which is why climbing the Nose on El Capitan is high on my list of things to do. I've yet to fully commit myself to climbing and this year won't be the year, but it's the Nose is a seed that's been planted in the back of my mind. At every point in all of these journeys there have been people who have told me that I won't be able to do whatever it is I am planning on doing. The more I hear this, the more inspired I am. I have already been told that I won't be able to climb the Nose which is a great start to the adventure. The fire is lit. For now, I'm content to gaze upon it in all its glory from the snowy valley below. What's on the agenda for this year instead? Three things. Unfortunately, I've run out of room in this caption to discuss any further. #YosemiteNationalPark #SierraNevada #California
1 note
·
View note
Photo
I was lucky enough to pop by the Southern Terminus of the Pacific Crest Trail just as (who were presumably) the final thru-hikers of the season were finishing up. The Southern Terminus has changed a lot since I first visited in 2013 (its orientation, the now-different border wall, the fence next to the terminus that's not the border fence, the network of dirt roads, and the monument itself), but the excitement felt at the end (or the start) of a thru-hike is still the same. Maybe one day I'll depart from (or arrive at?) this monument on foot again. But probably not. Too many other trails to hike, ride, raft, ski, climb, and/or stumble down. Congratulations to this crew and to everyone who hiked the PCT this year! And extra props to @prof_carl on his Calendar Year Triple Crown and to @knyoro on finishing up his Triple Crown! #Campo #PacificCrestTrail #California
1 note
·
View note
Photo
HAPPY FINAL WEEK OF 2022! And farewell (and sorry?) to all the newcomers here who aren't into butts. There's always next year 😘 📸 @paulinadao #PanchosKitchen #ColoradoRiver
1 note
·
View note
Photo
My final backpacking trip of the season took @simajohnr @charliewgt and me over Gould Pass in the Eastern Sierra. Gould Pass is just north of Kearsarge Pass and is accessed via Onion Valley Trailhead. I've been over Kearsarge more times than I can count, so it's awesome to be exploring a new route into the Sierra. After a slow morning, we make it up to the pass later than we had hoped and are then met with an incredibly loose and sketchy route down the west side to the lake below. It is literally freezing and the wind does its best to destroy our spirits and the circulation in our hands as we picd our way through the steep scree field that is the west side of Gould Pass. There is rockfall, there are tears, there is cursing, but we make it down (mostly) unscathed. Honestly, would probably not recommend Gould. Dragon Pass and North Dragon Pass are both north of Gould and are on my list for the next time I want an off-trail scramble into the Sierra from Onion Valley. Anyone been over either of these? Actually, North Dragon may be accessed from elsewhere (not 🧅🏞️) - didn't look too closely. #EXTREMEWALKING #sierranevada
1 note
·
View note
Photo
New York City Marathon ✅ The race kicked my ass. I didn't train for this race and was hoping the fitness from my 100 would carry me through it. The plan kinda worked. I started off feeling great and made the mistake of crushing the first nine miles leaving myself unprepared for the long and gradual uphills later in the course. And starting too fast wasn't the only cardinal rule I broke. This was also my first time using bone conduction headphones. I wasn't completely sold and my music was drowned out by the crowds for the majority of the run. Should have just stuck to noise cancelling earbuds. Unpopular opinion, but the crowd bothered me now than it inspired me. It was also the hottest NY Marathon on record (or so I'm told) and the heart and humidity was not the least but welcomed. Chafe worse than expected and I literally saw dozens of runners drop That all said, I didn't die and I finished which were the primary objectives for the day. I'm also feeling excellent today (the day after). It was a fantastic experience overall and despite my misgivings about the crowds it was awesome to see seemingly the entire city turn up for the event. Congratulations to all the runners 🎉 #nycmarathon #nymarathon
0 notes
Photo
I got into the New York City Marathon somewhat accidentally. I applied via the lottery without thinking much of it, forgot about it, and then months later got an email I was not expecting - informing me that I had been accepted to the NYC Marathon. Apparently, the chances of getting in this way are somewhere around 1% so I couldn't just decide to turn it down. Marathons haven't been there focus of my training (although I've run many -slowly - while training for my ultra), so it'll be interesting to see how my training to run many miles slowly translates to running fewer miles more quickly. Regardless, Sunday's race should be quite the production if everything I've heard thus far is any indication. The weather will be warmer than I had hoped for November in New York, and I've developed some issues with my shins in the previous two weeks, but those are all the excuses I'll make. Mostly going to focus on just having a good time alongside the other 49,999 runners #newyorkmarathon #newyorkcity
1 note
·
View note
Photo
The Keyhole, along with Alpine Col, is a suggested alternate to Snow Tongue Pass on the Sierra High Route. When I first hiked the Sierra High Route, I opted to cross Snow Tongue (not the sketchiest pass I've done in the Sierra but certainly worthy of a disclaimer), but was interested in what exactly "The Keyhole" was. Fast-forward a few years and I am back to investigate The Keyhole. The Keyhole is an off-trail pass accessible via the North Lake trailhead in the Eastern Sierra . I crossed the pass from east to west. The hike up the east side wasn't too tricky and was fairly straightforward as far as off-trail Sierra passes go. The pass gets its name from the rock tunnel(?), chute(?), hole(?) you find at the top of the pass. It's pretty cool and the first time I've seen something like this in the Sierra. It reminded me of a similar - very neato - feature I came across in Tasmania's Western Arthurs. On the west side of The Keyhole, there's a short traverse along a ledge and then a brief Class II/III downclimb required to continue down the western slope. I found it to be relatively chill whereas my hiking partner - his first time off trail and first time going over a Sierra pass - found it to be outside of his comfort zone. Remember to always pay attention to who's providing your beta and how your experience stacks up to theirs. Snow Tongue referenced above, for example, may be described as others as a horrible nightmare of loose rock and scree. The Keyhole was a bit less obvious from the west and I feel that route finding going the opposite direction would be more difficult than in the east-west direction we approached. Always fun checking places off the list of "places I need to go back to and check out". Keyhole ✅ 📸 @jimmythewolffff #EXTREMEWALKING #sierranevada
0 notes
Photo
First (and probably not last) 100-mile ultramarathon was a success! I've got a lot more to say about the experience but for now I'll report the following: 😩 It was more difficult than I imagined. I thought running 100 mi / 160 km would be difficult, but not as difficult as it was. 🦶 The biggest challenge for me was overcoming the excruciating pain resulting from repeatedly bashing my big toenails into rocks and roots - both toenails have now been removed (I can post some graphic photos if there's interest). 🦵 Miles 35 to 45 (kms 56 to 72) were tough - I had gone so far and still had EVEN FURTHER to go. Things improved after mile 50. 🌝 Running at night was not as spooky as hiking at night - don't know if it was because I was so tired or because there were other runners out there, but the spooky forest wasn't so spooky. 🚑 The aid stations were amazing and a huge morale boost every time I made it to one. Huge thank you to all the volunteers who made these stops some of my favorite moments of the race. 🌇 The community of runners, crews, volunteers, pacers, and spectators was absolutely incredible. So much support for everyone running and not a drop of negativity to be found. 🤮 I didn't throw up. Does that mean I was doing things right or that I wasn't trying hard enough? 🔥 Chafe was managed well and not much of an issue at all. Again, the toenails were my biggest challenge. ❤️ 🧡 💛 💚 💙 💜 🖤 🤍 🤎 HUGE THANK YOU TO @paulina.dao @endlesspsummer @ckahmann @ariane_21 @estherbmerino and @andreanaraville for making sure I was taken care of and supported throughout the race. You guys are amazeballs. And congratulations to @simajohnr @jeff.leeson and @kevinlandtheperson for their awesome efforts our on the course. 📸 @paulinadao #mountainlakes100 #gobeyondrunning
1 note
·
View note
Photo
Tomorrow I continue what's become somewhat of a tradition of me doing things I said I would never do as I attempt to complete a 100-mile (160 km) ultramarathon. Thank you to everyone who's supported me this year and especially to my crew, @paulinadao @endlesspsummer and @ckahmann - sorry for yelling at you in advance. It's not you, it's (most likely) the chafe #mountainlakes100 #oregon
1 note
·
View note
Last Seen Blogs
countless-potr
King of the Fools
undertheseawitch
Kisarra
foulpolicerunaway
Untitled
kaitoleen
Aleatório
