Hiking
Five Days on Oregon’s Pacific Crest Trail
The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) in central Oregon is often criticized for its repetitive, wooded scenery and mosquitoes. However, a five-day hike on the trail proved to be a unique experience, with moments of silence and beauty, and the chance to observe wildlife. The author, who hiked a 65-mile section of the trail with her father, found that the trail provided a sense of freedom and detachment from the real world. The author also discovered the “hiker trash” lifestyle, which includes eating strange meals, wearing the same outfit every day, and collecting a layer of Deet and dirt on the skin.