The PCT journey begins. But first a day in San Diego.
After months of planning, packing, and obsessing over my gear lists, I finally made it. My PCT adventure is real now. Have finally got to San Diego with just one more day to get my last-minute errands done before heading to Campo, where the real journey begins.
I started the morning with a solid breakfast, something I normally don’t do. I usually skip breakfast but I need to savor every meal I can before a long stretch of bars, ramen, and gross instant potatoes. I really haven’t eaten the last few days due to stress. Also have been running a mild fever, and am praying I’m not getting sick… But I’ll shall stay positive and knowing San Diego has no shortage of great food, I needed to eat. I kept it simple, grabbing a breakfast burrito from a local spot.
Fuel for the errands
Then, it was time for the final final prep. I had a mental checklist:
✅ Pick up stove fuel (couldn’t bring one with me)
✅ Grab a few fresh snacks for the first few days
✅ Double-check my resupply strategy
✅ Make sure everything fits in my pack (spoiler: it barely did, sandals are a problem though)
Errands done, I had some time to enjoy the city I once tried so hard to move to. It felt strange knowing that the last four times I’ve been to SD I’ve stayed in the same hotel and that in less than 24 hours, I’d be walking into the desert with nothing but what I could carry, my hotel would be on my back.
I texted some friends in the area to catch up and I took a walk along the water, in my opinion the weather this week is miserable here for “sunny San Diego”.. I visited the beach I once accepted a job offer at in 2012, soaked in the last bit of coastal air and sat on a bench to enjoy some needed peace and quiet after a few hard mental days.
As the day wound down, I sat on the balcony overlooking the ocean watching the sunset through the rain . Once the sun set I made my way to my last comfortable night sleep for a while, a nice king sized bed all to my self. One last night in a real bed with real sheets, real blankets and real pillows. Knowing what weathers coming I’m happy I’m off trail tonight.
Set the AC to 66°F, pull the covers up and that’s that.
Tomorrow at sun up it begins. Assess the rain and figure out how to get to Campo.
The Pacific Crest Trail 