Thoughts of the PCT hiker

The PCT hikers will soon be passing through Sisters for respite and refueling. They rely on the kindness of locals for rides from the trailhead to town and back. Occasionally, a generous friend of mine will go to the Santiam Pass and offer a hiker a ride. He’s the guy you see driving the Batmobile in town and has Superman in a phone booth on his driveway that is visible from Route 126. He recently installed a spaceship complete with aliens near Superman. I suggested that the next time he picks up a PCT hiker, he should ask them if they want to see a UFO or Superman. He didn’t think that was a good idea.

I often see PCT hikers at Sisters Saloon, ordering a hearty meal. Engaging them in conversation is easy, and I’ve learned a few things. They drink olive oil mixed with honey when they need an energy boost. They all have trail names given to them by other hikers. The views of Three Fingered Jack from the trail are spectacular. I like to ask PCT hikers what they think about when they walk. Logistics of water, food, safety, and rest are always paramount, but I’m interested in learning their thoughts when they walk such a long distance.

A German woman in her mid-30s took time off from her profession to walk the PCT from Mexico to Canada. NOBOs they call themselves since they are Northbound. She told me that for the first week of her walk, she had pined about the breakup with her boyfriend, realized it was a burden too heavy to carry, and let it go. Then she experienced the spectacular beauty around her.

A gentleman in his early 40s said he was designing his house. He owned a plot of land and built everything from the foundation to the roof in his mind.

Last year, I met a young German man who called himself “The Hike Junkie.” He was chowing down on a big meal, and told me he was camping at the Creekside Campground. I had to leave early, and the next afternoon, I biked over to the campground with a six-pack of beer, and we had a conversation at the picnic table.

“What do you think about when you are walking?” I asked.

“Very good question,”  he said. “I like that. You have gone on long hikes also, ya?”

“Yes, but nothing like the PCT. I went on several five-day treks in the rainforest of Northern Thailand,” I replied.

“I have been to many places but back to the question and what I think about. I always bring books with me. When I stop, I read, When I walk, I think about the book. Sometimes, I read about religions, which gives me much to think about. There is a prose from Gautama Buddha, which is very relevant to your question. Would you like to hear it?”

“Sure,” I replied.

“I repeat this mantra often as I hike, and it guides my thoughts:

“We are what we think, having become what we thought

Like a wheel that follows the cart pulling ox

Sorrow follows an evil thought

And joy follows a pure thought

Like a shadow faithfully tailing a man

We are what we think, having become what we thought.”

I had places to go, and we shook hands, grateful for meeting each other.