Nicole and I spent an awesome weekend just outside Campo, CA. Campo is located just a few miles north of the Mexico border. We were there for the 11th annual ADZPCTKO...that is, the Annual Day Zero Pacific Crest Trail Kick Off. Basically this is a gathering of cool people who have hiked the PCT, are thru-hiker wannabies, or are setting off to hike the trail this year.
The Pacific Crest Trail is a 2650 mile footpath extending from Mexico to Canada. The trail travels through California, Oregon, and Washington state covering everything from desert terrain to 13,000 ft snow covered mountain passes. Each year around 300 people attempt to make the journey, with about half succeeding. Fun fact: fewer people have thru-hiked the PCT than have climbed Mt. Everest.
It was great to reconnect with the trail community. We met up with Figgy and Stitch who I knew from the 2007 hike of the Appalachian Trail. Other AT friends Clearwater, Chuck Norris, and Tigger were also in attendance and hiked the PCT in 2008.
Pictured below in front of the PCT XPRS with Nicole and I are Walt, Pat, Stitch, and Figgy. Walt and Pat are amazing AT trail angels from Waynesboro, VA who drove across the country to attend the kickoff before flying to Hawaii for more adventures. Walt hiked the PCT in 2003 and Pat drove the PCT XPRS meeting Walt at road crossings and supporting his journey.
Below is a close up shot showing part of the trail marker indicating...well as it says...the southern terminus of the PCT. The wall that you see behind it is the US/Mexico border. Another trail marker similar to this one marks the northern terminus of the PCT in Manning Park on the US/Canada border.
That way to Canada...
Parting shot - Saturday morning our crew went for a nice hike southbound on the PCT.
If anyone is interested I can post a follow up about ADZPCTKO with more pictures, thoughts about some of the events/films that occurred, a description of the worst campsite ever, weather report, etc. Let me know in the comments, and pose questions if you feel so inclined. Thanks.
Bye for now.
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