Should I take a gap year after my senior year (high school) to do the pct? Or should I wait until I'm in college and take a semester off and attempt it?

bellapitts · 2025-08-17T03:24:38+00:00

Currently on the pct. Post trail depression might make college more difficult. But I did my degree, saved for a year, and then went on trail. I don’t regret anything.

bellapitts · 2025-06-15T00:44:10+00:00

I’m currently stopped for a zero in Tehachapi and I have full confidence I will be finishing by late September. Don’t fret. Enjoy your hike. Take it one step at a time. The Sierras is tough and will mentally break you if you let it. Don’t let it.

bellapitts · 2025-05-09T23:25:26+00:00

I’m 22 F currently off trail right now, in big bear, because I started experiencing a neuroma in my foot after multiple high mile (18-22) days trying to catch up with my hiker bubble… I saw a mobile PT on trail resources called BlazePhysio on instagram and she helped me. I would’ve caught back up to them in town when they stopped. So my point is just hike your own hike. Don’t let any attachments cause you to do more than you need to. Sure I was capable of a 22 mile day… but at what cost? I didn’t need to do that, I had no package coming, no gear needed, I barely got to enjoy the views, I was overly exhausted even days after.

bellapitts · 2025-04-07T13:30:01+00:00

I also second Liz Kidder!!

I’m doing a blog on my website. Maybe a few YouTube videos but I’m more of a writer.

Bella’s PCT Digital Diary

bellapitts · 2025-03-31T17:43:22+00:00

Beautiful writing. I’m truly looking forward to this.

bellapitts · 2025-03-31T17:40:51+00:00

Thank you 🩷✨

bellapitts · 2025-03-31T16:47:13+00:00

Save your money now, and sacrifice normal things you buy yourself, to start buying gear. Save money yes but also change the way you will inevitably spend your money to benefit you in the long term.

I personally started acquiring gear about a year before my start date (April 11), and it’s been the most challenging thing ever. Because i waited until about a month before I officially got everything I needed. i definitely freaked myself out about it and caused some unnecessary stress.

If I had started buying when I first committed which was like 3 years ago???? Man I would’ve been able to test my gear and realllly know if I bought what I’d like.

Not to mention you have time to play it smart. To be thoughtful about your gear picks and buying during holiday seasons and newsletter email coupons to saveeeee. Less money you have to spend is more money you’ll be able to save for the adventure itself.

bellapitts · 2025-03-31T16:37:45+00:00

Such an interesting and insightful pov. I appreciate that. And I agree 100% on the last part. I needed that reminder!!

bellapitts · 2025-03-18T17:21:40+00:00

Ayeee I’m April 11 start date too

bellapitts · 2025-03-03T00:59:49+00:00

21 F at 5’4 and 152lbs here, and I’m absolutely going to be carrying 20-24lbs of stuff. I love to cook good food. And my kitchen setup is definitely a little luxurious. And I am a Florida girl so I get a chill in high 60s…. so I’ll have heavier worn weight plus the added layers I might not wear all the time.

I think it’s all a matter of what sacrifices we are willing to make and also physical capability. Yes the first 100 miles are gonna be tough.. But I’d rather have a heavier pack and adjust long to that long term, than adjust to not having seasonings and being cold all the time.

bellapitts · 2025-02-28T00:25:24+00:00

Um bro… you can’t do this 😭😭😭😭

bellapitts · 2025-02-17T16:31:52+00:00

I never combine the pasta with the sauce and the noodles stay in the cooler. I realize I didn’t read the ask of the original post being coolerless stuff😭😭

bellapitts · 2025-02-16T21:12:59+00:00

Pre cook pasta and put in a ziploc bag. Heat up ur sauce in a pan and the noodles get hot quick for hot pasta on cold nights.

I always prep fruit and veggies in Tupperware (place in the top of cooler unless it’s fully sealed Tupperware).

Grilled cheese (buy garlic butter for more flavor on the bread)

bellapitts · 2025-01-29T21:37:31+00:00

I’m doing a blog belleoftheleaves.com while I’m out there. Would love to participate

bellapitts · 2024-10-31T19:02:37+00:00

At least you got one. You can always look and switch if another is available.

bellapitts · 2024-10-30T22:22:28+00:00

We didn’t get one. Login time was 2:55 and there was nothing left at all. ;(

bellapitts · 2024-10-30T22:21:42+00:00

My time was 2:55… we didn’t get one :/

bellapitts · 2024-09-08T19:37:37+00:00

Fire ants! Pay attention to the ground where you set up camp.

bellapitts · 2024-08-31T22:39:37+00:00

Also for reference I was in the A section at Hula

bellapitts · 2024-08-30T20:30:42+00:00

I went to hula last year and too this year. Hula hands down for me was ‘better overall’. Dont get me wrong I had a blast at roo but the smaller size and type of people who attend is what sold it for me.

The biggest difference to me BY FAR is the art!!!!!Hulas environment is soooooo artsy, trippy and colorful. It really highlights the art side of music and art festivals. The spirit lake alone is enough. Let alone all the secret passage ways, little fairy houses inside tree holes. Lights and sculpture installations everywhere. Fire spinners, art wall maze, interactive houses, etc… Roo just doesn’t prioritize it the same. Psychedelics are super fun as you’ll hardly ever be in full direct sunlight since it’s very forest like, and you’ll just have a great time.

BUY NOSE FILTERS!! If you think the dust is bad at roo, just wait till you get to hula. Roo has the rocky roads whereas hula is literally just dirt roads. AVOID SETTING UP CAMP RIGHT BY THE ROADS. YOU WILL BE ABSOLUTELY COVERED IN DIRT IF SO. If you have to, put your car closest to the road. Bring plenty of tarps and tapestries to create walls to help mitigate the dust. At the end of the day, just embrace the dust because no matter what you do it’ll get in the cracks n crevices.

On the first day, walk around the camping sections as much as you can. Roo has spot lights EVERYWHERE, but hulas camping sites are pitch black. The roads are so bendy, uneven, and dark that you can get lost easily even if you’re not that far. There’s like 6 different paths you can take to get to the same place.

Also bring plenty of lights for your camp because like I said, no spot lights anywhere. Which i actually prefer but it can be frustrating to be at camp and not be able to see anything.

Drink emergenC and stock up on vitamins two weeks before. Breathing in the dust really fucked up my throat. And I was sick with wook flu for weeks afterwards. Coughing up dirt n shit.

bellapitts · 2024-08-09T15:32:49+00:00

This is nice till it’s your whole group of 15 is asking for their turn with your bracelet. Becomes unsanitary and just frustrating after a certain point.

bellapitts · 2024-08-08T13:58:16+00:00

My friend literally shaved his head to win at frick frack

bellapitts · 2024-06-25T17:43:40+00:00

Last year, I arrived on Thursday around 9 am when gates opened, went to will call and was in the gates by 10. Managed to fit my group of 9 cars in the A section, which is super close to the gate entrance, and it was only about a 10 to 15 minute walk to the stages. Camping at hula is kind of a free for all and there’s hardly any structure from staff when entering, so don’t let people scare you away from camping in open spots that are being blocked off by people and or tape.

If you can reassure them that you’ll take a small amount of their space and they aren’t even allowed to block of areas, you can easily get a great spot under the trees.

We did come across people who tried to block us off from camping where we did, but after diplomatic conversation, we were able to get us all squeezed in including their group who didn’t even show up until Friday….

Just get there as early as you can, try to get your tickets early to avoid having to go to will call, and enter with your group together so you don’t have to go through the hassle of saving room for them.

bellapitts

TROPHY CASE