My Change of Mindset for the Pacific Crest Trail Thru Hike

[@luisahirsch5654]

Looking forward to following your PCT journey. I am an introvert as well and could totally relate to having to fake it because I am a teacher. Sort of off topic, but I had professional development the other day at a high school and one of their freshman requirements at that school is a 5 day backpacking trip of hiking the AT! I thought that was incredible! They are taught wilderness survival skills, gear, cooking in the woods for about 6 weeks prior to the trip. They want the kids to use problem solving strategies on the trail and carry those skills into adulthood so they are able to face anything type of challenge that comes their way!

[@wildeone1636]

I'm glad you're willing to be more flexible. You are a dancer after all🙂

[@hikingdancer]

lol nice one ☺️

[@ronandy8681]

Hey hiking dancer !!! Ron the builder "AT 22' also" I met you at a shelter and taped a short clip of you and another lady sitting on the couch at a hostel singing beautifully "no video ,just audio"I was amazed at how beautiful you sang while she played guitar. Anyhow, so glad to hear you finished the trail !!! Good job !!! I felt your introverted personality right off the bat but I am the same way, so it didn't bother me. I was trying to reach out and meet more people and be friendlier and I gained a lot out of it and made a lot of friends so I'm glad I chose that. Stay safe out there ,you got this !

[@chipmunk6097]

Juliane, a complete commitment to the official PCT track means missing Crater Lake, and the Eagle Creek trail. For other purists, these are considered alternate routes, and are where virtually everyone except equine hikers and dog hikers go. Don't worry, and don't miss these!

[@joesoutdoorplaces]

I am so looking forward to following you on this journey.

[@hikingdancer]

Yay! Thank you!

[@yonderplace314]

Great video! I believe we become more extroverted as we age in the surroundings where we are most comfortable. Hiking is your comfort zone!

[@hikingdancer]

Yes! Thank you!

[@wildflowersadventures]

I agree!

[@robbrandtBSA]

I also am an introvert, and one of the reasons I enjoy the sierras so much is because it's not crowded. I have followed AT hikers and read about it and the AT has no appeal to me because it's so crowded and close to civilization. But the Sierra is so remote, that encountering other hikers actually draws me out of myself. I enjoy stopping to chat with the occasional hiker because there just aren't that many of them. Don't be surprised if this happens to you as well.

[@trexinvert]

Yes, I get the sense that the AT is a bit claustrophobic in everything from quantity of hikers, rest shelters and old culture. In the wild west PCT your constant companions will always be the weather and the geography, but your total focus is self-reliance and daily survival. Then the once a week or so townstops seem much more enjoyable to look forwards. Roadrunner(or whatever her new name will be on the PCT) will be stepping into a whole new world.

[@hikingdancer]

Perfect

[@royferrissugarbear5306]

Good luck to you. I start my AT this March 1st. I pray that you and your hike partner make it all the way to the end.

[@susietopspin]

I’m totally with you about groups on trail. I tend to an avoid long talks. The exception to this is when I ran into your crew in MA 😂😂. As for the blue, pink, yellow, orange purists blazing, lol, I don’t give it too much thought. It only matters to the individual concerned. I can’t wait for you to start and to follow along. Happy trails.🤘🏻🥾⛰️

[@hikingdancer]

Well said!

[@ThanatosWings]

What if the goal was to try to get every colour of blazing? Lol. What would we call that? Rainbow Blazing? Ha Ha.

[@PatTownsend]

It will be nice to see you open up. You have a lot to offer so let loose and enjoy the relationship building.

[@gaylewalker4239]

You'll do amazing. Good luck. Keep trekking. 😊 you have to get all your miles in one consecutive year to be in a continuous year to be a through hike. Remeber continuous foot path just mean you've walked every available open mile. The miles do not have to be all inclusive. If you have to jump around its okay. The goal will be to get every open mile. Keep trekking. 😊

[@somerandomguy4149]

Definitely looking forward to watching your hike and then @frozensadventures aka (Frozen) you 2 are my favorites and your both hikeing the PCT this year. And im looking forward to comparing what you both do. And how you tackle the PTC should be very interesting cant wait. ❤😁

[@hikingdancer]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@OldPackMule]

Ha! "Riagght dare". A southern drawl mixed with a German accent 😂.

[@hikingdancer]

lol it’s there

[@cherokeesurvival8340]

PERFECT VIDEO

[@hikingdancer]

Thank you so much

[@vshybeej8756]

Love this video! It's just like what Dixie of Homemade Waunderlust did!

[@hikingdancer]

Thank you

[@mars4697]

I an excited for you!!!

[@hikingdancer]

Thank you

[@kristymoore7052]

Appreciate you, ok I’ll subscribe. 60 yr old backpacker here trying to keep on.

[@hikingdancer]

Welcome aboard

[@jimmyjohnstone5878]

Interesting stuff. You have a lot of knowledge of what you need from the hike. Having your priorities is fine; you have things which you need to stick to. You don't need to give a lot of compromising to people other than your hiking partner. Other hikers won't need to be close company. Just pick the select few. Your hiking partner needs to be introduced to us soon !

[@hikingdancer]

I agree. I’m just waiting for them to be ready to be revealed.

[@judithpearson3968]

Hi Julianne, looking forward to following you on the PCT. I like the fact that you are a purist. Also like that you have a hiking partner this time. That increases yours and your partner's safety on this trail. Take care, stay safe. See you in the next video.

[@hikingdancer]

Thank you so much!

[@robertbarnes4]

Should be proud that you see the weakness and willing to work them. Looking forward in seeing you get on the trail. Best of luck.❤

[@hikingdancer]

Thank you

[@musingwithreba9667]

Every year gets more difficult to complete the PCT, for all the reasons you said. Just be safe, hike what's open, and have some fun 😁

[@hikingdancer]

Thank you

[@gregmortonoutdoors]

Don't worry about being a purist. I took a few blue blazes (one due to a friend's injury and two because they were the original AT) and got to see some great sights that most AT hikers didn't get to experience. One blue blaze led to a collapsed bridge and a campsite near a waterfall that was absolutely wonderful. Oh, you didn't miss anything at the zoo. it sucked. I think the PCT and CDT are more "choose your own adventure" than the AT. You might have to yellow blaze due to wildfires or snow. That's ok, just don't slack pack. It isn't selfish to have your own goals or hiking preferences. This is your journey, your life, and your money. "I'm a rule girl"...now THAT is very German. Viel Glück

[@rightsideupvt]

Wow you've got a lot more subscribers now compared to your AT journey, congratulations!

[@hikingdancer]

Thanks!

[@sargeoutdoors]

i can relate to the introvert frame of mind for sure.. lol. I have often regrettably missed a lot of potentially great events in my life just for the same reason.

[@hikingdancer]

So true!

[@tomellis3218]

I am so excited to watch your pacific Trail adventure. I will be following. 😊

[@hikingdancer]

Yay

[@cjengland2365]

Not a big fan of crowds either, sometimes it makes me feel claustrophobic. Sounds like you have a good plan.

[@hikingdancer]

Thank you

[@roberttrough6439]

No worries I don’t like groups either. You enjoy the PCT I’ll follow along. I’ll be interested in resupply and water carry’s maybe money you spend. I’m going to do AT trail this year.

[@hikingdancer]

Have a really amazing time out there

[@roberttrough6439]

@@hikingdancer have you thought about the CDT another year ? Pray you have a safe and wonderful time.

[@Get_Some_Nature]

I connected my steps all the way in 2022 also. That zoo in New York was closed the day I was there also. I consider it a huge blow down. There is no other part of the A T that locks white blazes behind gates. My thoughts are the zoo should be a blue blaze and not part of the A T! The rest of the entire trail is open 24/7 365. I was very frustrated that the zoo was closed for habitat restoration. It was so lame.

[@hikingdancer]

I totally agree with you on the zoo thing

[@michaelbutler4961]

It's good to stretch one's comfort zone. Looking forward to your hike. Enjoy :)

[@hikingdancer]

Can't wait!

[@1024Pete]

Bravo to your mindset. May it help you to stay strong and not get lost too. Wishing you peace and good fortune. Happy Trails!

[@hikingdancer]

Thank you

[@frstesiste7670]

I also did the AT first, then the PCT. Wasn't a super purist on the AT (took the offer of slackpacking a couple of times). One of my goals for the PCT was to be less purist, not like yellowblazing, but not worry too much if I was exactly on the PCT all the time. Couldn't really do it and with the exception of shortcutting a couple of switchbacks and taking a shortcut to a water source once I pretty much stuck to the trail. Didn't even do the Eagle Creek trail, but I've done it later and it's a much nicer route. IMO it's worth some compromises to hike with someone you really like, but there have to be a limits. Don't wait too long if you feel the compromises might prevent you from finishing.

[@hikingdancer]

Thanks 😊

[@yoseflaurent3376]

Dear friend, Roadrunner, hiking dancer, Julie-Ann or Julie-Anne or Julianne, anyway you like, I have always fun listening and watching your videos and today I made an interesting observation, that is the way you pronounce the word ''route'', like row - te or rawwwte, while other people would rather pronounce it roote. Take no offense, a lot of people also pronounce it like you and it is not connected to their German origin nor to them being new in the USA. I am myself a true Canadien of French, German, Italian and English origins and like all authentic Canadiens, my first and main language is French, so I prefer the prononciation sounding like roote, similar to the French prononciation for the very same word, but I nevertheless agree 🙂 no problem that you stick with your own way as regards that word and i will keep listening and watching your videos ! Thank you so much for your generosity, understanding and patience with all the fans. !

[@hikingdancer]

Thank you

[@robertligas250]

I am very excited for you and whoever is hiking with you to be hiking the PCT this year I hope you don’t mind, but I will be picking your brain about certain things I realize my hike will not be until 2027, but I’ll be looking forward to your experience. Take care my friend, God bless

[@hikingdancer]

Absolutely Padre

[@memathews]

Your organization and problem-solving skills will carry you through the PCT. You'll also be rewarded with some solitude after the first week or so of hiking as many hikers drop their quest for various reasons. The PCT will be fun for you, especially with the backpacking skills you built on the AT. I'm excited to hear who your partner is and anticipate the variety they'll inject on the journey.

[@hikingdancer]

Soon I’ll be able to announce my hiking partner

[@SeniorHiker77]

Great informative video. Hope you make the whole PCT. I suspect you'll end up making your journey by yourself. Good luck and I'll be watching. Lol

[@hikingdancer]

Really? You think I’ll end up alone?

[@SeniorHiker77]

I have a buddy who analyzes everything, and he's usually right. That makes him hard to live with and a bad partner. It's not always about you. Sounds like you are going to make a great effort. 👍

[@pughmecdoc]

Hi that was me on FB..lol

[@hikingdancer]

Hiiiii

[@stevenvarner9806]

I think the PCTA is going to have to be more flexible into the future. They only consider one PCT alignment, but with climactic changes bringing more snow, more heat, and more fires, they may need to work with agencies to create alternates like the CDT has. That way a fire closure in one area may be avoided by taking a trail farther away but parallel to the first. In southern California, weather can change so that a trail closed by snow will be accessible again in a few days. By the way, though southern California is often called The Desert, very little of it except the Mojave section is actually desert. Most is chaparral, California's most common habitat. The rest tends to be mixed conifer woodland. You'll love the chaparral, it's amazing.

[@hikingdancer]

I’m looking forward to it

[@richholtzman9754]

How do you plan to handle some of the popular alternates that most PCT hikers take such as around Crater Lake, Ramona Falls and Eagle Creek/Tunnel falls?

[@hikingdancer]

I will need to discuss that with my partner, but thank you for bringing this up

[@richardross7219]

There have been some bad water crossings on the PCT. You and your partner should have a 100'+ length of paracord for a safety line when crossing streams. Budget extra money because the PCT has had a lot of weather problems lately. Good Luck, Rick

[@hikingdancer]

Thanks Rick

[@TheChantybb]

Oh nooo… those are my fears materialized 😩 I’m a purist follower lol not a fan of flip flopers, blue blazes, skipping sections etc… this is going to be challenging, I can tell 😭 But I totally understand that we all need to be open to other options . Sending love ❤

[@hikingdancer]

I’ll keep it organized still

[@RoxaneSchaubhut]

You got this

[@hikingdancer]

Thank you

[@paavoviuhko7250]

I don't like groups either. I tend to avoid group activities most of the time but sometimes groups become necessary. I need the silence and solitude as an essential requirement for my foresting life. But I am dependent on friends sometimes for transportation issues and they are always willing to help. Best wishes to you on the PCT.

[@hikingdancer]

Thank you so much

[@Bosko57]

I am happy for you! I've done a bit of the PCT/John Muer trail and it is beautiful. Have a blast and make lots of new friends :)

[@hikingdancer]

That is awesome!

[@wildflowersadventures]

I’m so glad you’re putting your needs first on this hike. You deserve it. I’m not big on groups either, so I get that. Can’t wait to follow you on the PCT! You’re going to do well! 💙

[@hikingdancer]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@robertblack1373]

Another good video

[@hikingdancer]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@ElPiedro80]

HYOH might be good "goal" on the AT but isn´t so smart or even dangerous on certain parts of the PCT. OTOH it all depends on what nature is having in play for you´re thru-hike.

[@mars_hikes967]

It really depends who you are hiking with. Unless it is a specialist ultra-hiker hired to pace you on trail, I hope that you are still calling the shots. Otherwise you risk to be too slow, loosing too much time and you will never see the monument on the Canadian border. Also, depending on if you have a personal connection to your partner, it can be them between you and a bloodthirsty grizz.

[@bigdog2024]

Wow, you had me fooled. Thought you were at least sort of an extrovert. You would be a great person to have as a friend I am sure of that as long as we had rules 😂. Anywho, you do a great job at faking an extrovert (you adapt but it takes lots of your energy). I hope your self reflection and practicing that on the PCT is life changing.

[@hikingdancer]

Wow, thank you

[@tvtoms]

Wait. I need to ask this now. If you took a blue blaze IN to a shelter, which also provided a different blue blaze OUT.. did you forgo the OUT trail, and backtrack on the IN trail so you could resume the AT where you got off? I want to know if "purist hiker" means you have to do that basically or would you also have to note that as an exception if you took the OUT path.

[@hikingdancer]

Yes, I would not take the other blue blaze, I would backtrack and not miss a white blaze.

[@tvtoms]

@@hikingdancer Oh wow, chalk me up as unobservant! I watched your whole hike video series and was oblivious! Chalk me up as oblivious too! haha In fact.. better just leave the chalk.

[@garrettcannon1732]

If you skip sections are you still considered a thru hiker?

[@hikingdancer]

If you skip, no. But the PCTA does not require it to be done within one year. That means you can go back and complete the sections one missed. Then you’ll be a thru hiker.

[@lewisleake9902]

Might you be hiking with lil'chap?

[@hikingdancer]

So far people have guessed Groceries,Lil Chap and Jay Wanders out 🤷🏼‍♀️

[@lewisleake9902]

@@hikingdancer 🤣

[@susanb4481]

It should be Mountain Laurel!

[@umreeh]

Regarding phone numbers, social media and Far Out can't help you reconnect with people? A little surprised about being an introvert. I would think the various dance competitions you've entered have a packed ballroom.

[@hikingdancer]

Yes my job requires me to be extroverted but it’s not who I am naturally

[@ottomatic8097]

I think Dixie did the whole trail with no problems, she even hiked to the summit of San Jacinto Mountain. On the 24 hour challenge she hiked over 60 miles. Or was it the CDT 24 hour challenge, maybe she did both for more than 60 miles. There was a lot of snow on San Jacinto mountain so she had to buy an ice axe and learn how to use it, since she was born in Alabama and moved to Florida she didn't have experience in snow and ice. You're from Germany so you know about snow and ice.

[@hikingdancer]

She did miss a section and redid it later

[@trexinvert]

By the way, you will have to give up that name, because there are actually many roadrunners on the trail and it will get confusing. Also, that's your AT trail name. It's time for a new name new trail. Don't worry the name will be born naturally from the dirt, the desert, the mountains and the people who wish to challenge the 2,652 miles of the PCT.

[@hikingdancer]

Oh no way! I’m keeping’ my trail name

[@hindsfeetonhighplaces]

I do not think that it is selfish to hike your own hike. The same way I don’t think it would be selfish to live your own life. I think that is probably a poor word choice, but I understand the point that you’re making and how as part of a team, you have to be more team focused than self focused.

[@hikingdancer]

I’m not always best at using the right words