August 6th, 2016
Miles Hiked: 24
Start Location: Mile 1688
End Location: Mile 1712
End Location GPS: 42.07616, -122.65172
Well, today was the day we said goodbye to California and hello to Oregon. Crossing the border as the sun rose it was unceremonious as all milestones in hiking tend to be. We signed the register and took a quick picture and continued hiking northward, privately reminiscing about California and the adventures that were had there, while at the same time thinking that we still have over 900 miles of hiking left, a daunting number after spending already 107 days and 1700 miles on the trail.
The mental game has now begun. Thru hiking is not a physical challenge but a mental one. How much monotony can you cope with? How much can you keep putting one leg in front of the other? How long can you allow yourself to feel tired and smelly and hungry?
These questions cannot be answered if you want to go all the way. You need to silence these demons and focus on the day at hand. If you feed your doubts they will grow.
We both are fully ignoring these demons. Now in a new state, we feel the Canadian border pulling us closer, realing us in. There is no stopping now- just relentless forward progression- one day at a time.
A BIG Congratulations to the two of you for hiking California and moving onto Oregon!! You two are amazing! Thanks for posting all about your trek. I ready every post and anxiously await them!