PCT 2013

Hey all, 

I created this blog during my junior year of college to keep my friends and family up to date while I studied abroad at the University of Jordan. I have recently decided to brush off the dust and resurrect michaelissafe.blogspot for my upcoming attempt to thru-hike the 2,600+ mile long Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). Hiking the PCT is something that my friends and I have talked about since at least the summer of 2009. Now after years of discussion, months of preparation including a string of seasonal jobs and tremendous amounts of food packing, I am almost ready to go. On April 15th I plan to start at the US-Mexico Border and walk North to Canada.

This expedition is a true team effort. My sister Erin and I have always planned to hike the PCT together. For employment reasons, Erin cannot get off work until the middle of June. However, she will be hiking the majority of the PCT with me. My good friend John Henry will join me for the first 400 to 500 miles and help me tackle the desert section of the journey. In the high Sierra Mountains, my good buddies Tom Glass and Max Henkels plan to jump on the trail and hike until they have to leave for their respective summer employment opportunities. Tom's hike will probably cover more than 600 miles. 

On the home front, my parents will manage the complicated postal service subsidy program that is my resupply system. Thanks to them I will not go hungry on the trail. Lastly while I hike, this blog will be managed by my oldest and wisest sister, Megan Hanley, who shall serve in the prestigious and recently created post of Social Media Liason. While on the trail I plan to send her letters, and she will update the blog accordingly.