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Update – I have finished the PCT

Posted on By : Restless Kiwi

Yesterday I reached the end of the PCT completing a continuous journey from the Mexican Border to the Canadian Border, walking every step of open and visible PCT trail.

I am happy to be finished and also sad to be finished. I will take a few days to reflect on what I have achieved before saying more about it.

For now I will do a bit of recovery, and some serious eating, in Seattle before flying home to New Zealand.

I will try get the videos finished this week then start catching up on the blogs when I am home and have a proper keyboard to type on.

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98 thoughts on “Update – I have finished the PCT”

  2. I watched you all along your walk thru the mountains and really enjoyed it. I followed in your footsteps from Mammoth Lakes to South Lake Tahoe about a month after you passed thru and am still in awe of you moving thru all the snow. Even with the little left over a month later I found it challenging……you are an inspiration and I admire you for the way you live life and take it on! Looking forward to your next adventure.

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    1. Thanks for your lovely comments Ed. It was probably harder when you went through as the snow would have been in that horrible melting stage

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  3. Woohoo! I will miss your “woohoos” as you reached each pass in the Sierra. I said this before, but I loved the way you really focused on the details of the trail and the geography, weather, plants and animals. Many of the younger through hikers videos feel like reality TV dramas and they seem so focused on “making the miles” or getting to the next town to meet up with friends rather than appreciating the spectacular beauty and challenge. I’ve learned so much from you these last few months and have already applied some of your tips on my short section hikes. I think I am about your age, and you have given me hope and inspiration to take on great physical challenges like this. You are truly a BADASS!
    Have you thought about doing a Q&A video?

    Deborah
    Scottsdale, AZ

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    1. Thanks for your lovely comments. I love hearing about people that have used some of the info in my videos for their own adventures. Q&A session coming up soon, just runnung a survey on YouTube to determine the best time. Likely to be next week

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  4. Congrats. What an adventurer. I have followed since the beginning and loved your spirit. You are an inspiration for me for 2020. Safe flight home.

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  5. Hello, What an accomplishment, to add to your other achievements. You are a great motivator, narrator, while keeping it real. I enjoyed all of your youtube playbacks. You would make a great guide for outdoors if that ever comes to mind. When you lost your money bag, I was really praying some kind, honest person would find it, and it happened, as such. 😊
    I wish I had kept up with your videos early on, as I would have offered my services to you when you were going through Lake Hughes/Green Valley area. I know many hikers prefer to skip the partying that goes on in Green Valley. I would too.
    I wish you all the best in your future endeavors, and I hope your plans for creating a new tent is received well too. I will watch your other videos from previous outings.
    Take care, and I’m sure your mom is glad to have you home for a spell.

    Best regards,

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  6. I have loved and am still enjoying your journey. You have been so up beat. Made me happy and smiled a lot while watching your journey. Rest and enjoy.

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  7. Congratulations, We enjoyed meeting you in Oregon & have really enjoyed watching the videos. You do a great job showing the trail & explaining all the skills needed to do this. Hope you loved hiking in Washington as much as we do, we spent every free weekend hiking in the Alpine Lakes wilderness when we lived there.

    Jess & Renee

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    1. Hi Jess and Renee. I am glad you have found the videos entertaining. Yes I loved Washington, it was stunning. I call it the Wow state as I was constantly saying wow

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  8. You have given me many hours of pleasure watching your videos. How can I return the favor and donate money toward your next adventure?

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    1. Hi James. I am glad you have enjoyed the videos. I do them for my own pleasure as a personal journey and for my friends and family to understand my journey. It has been a nice bonus that other people have enjoyed it. Thank you for your generous offer but it is not necessary.

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  9. Congratulations!! We will miss your videos – what an achievement. Thanks for giving us so much pleasure over the months. Cannot wait to see the end of the adventure and look forward to seeing you tackle another one in the near future. All the best.

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  11. Congratulations! You are amazing. I appreciate your great example of perseverance. 😊 Looking forward to the new videos and to reading about/watching your next adventures!

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  12. Restlesskiwi:
    Mission accomplished. Big congratulations! I enjoyed watching many of your PCT videos as I have missed some. I liked your energy in narrating your journey while you were hiking. It must be tough to do so while you were huffing and puffing at times. I envy your resilience when you were going through the Sierra Nevada in such a high snow year. I know how tough it must be as I did a four-day snowshoeing trip in the Ansel Adams Wilderness over the Memorial Day weekend while it was snowing non-stop on one day from about 6:30 am to about 4:30 pm.
    I knew you would be one of the first and one of the not-so-many (relative to other years) to complete the PCT this year from watching your videos early on. Again, Big congratulations! Looking forward to watching your future adventure videos.

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  15. Big Congratulations Homemade!👏👏👏
    Enjoy Seattle and have a safe flight home to New Zealand!!!

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  16. Hi Kirstine – congratulations on reaching the finish. What an amazing achievement. Thanks for so generously sharing your adventure via You Tube and your blog. Enjoy the serious eating as you sure have earned it. -Karen

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  17. Fantastic news!! Congratulations. What an amazing accomplishment. We have eagerly been awaiting your finish.

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  18. Congratulations on completing the PCT! What a huge accomplishment. I am so thrilled for you. We met at the coffee shop during your 1st meet & greet at Trail Days. I was last to arrive and had to leave 1st. 🤨 If you are need transport to Seattle, let me know. I am traveling that direction from Vancouver, BC.

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    1. Thanks Sandra, it was great to meet you. Too late as I am in Seattle but thanks for the offer.

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  19. My husband and I have been following your adventure from day 1. Our son, “Lefty” was a few weeks behind you through the Sierra, so it was great to have first hand Intel about what he might expect. In fact, he got tired of us constantly telling him what you were doing to manage the conditions – from the plastic plate “shovel” to the snow berm to keep wind from your tent. You can imagine our joy when he showed us his terminus picture with you, our hero! Thank you for all the great information and for giving us hope that our son could actually survive this journey! We are fans forever and will continue to follow you adventures. I’m not techy enough to upload the terminus picture here, but will put it on the Class of 2019 PCT FB page. Happy travels!

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    1. Hi Sue. Yes it was great to meet your son. He was very polite and did not mention getting tired of hearing about me 🙂 I am glad my blog was able to help you understand your sons journey and put your mind at ease

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  20. Congratulations on your completion of the PCT time for some R&R thanks for taking me along with all the others on your hike I really enjoyed your videos all this summer I wish you a safe flight home hopefully you will do a gear video after you’ve had time to rest I would really like to see a little more on the gear you have made also the gear that got you through some of those minus 4 degree nights take care and thanks again for taking me along on your thru hike. Glenn Miller Evansville Indiana just an old hiker

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  21. Congratulations on completing the PCT. What a journey you have had. Thanks so much for letting us travel along with you via your videos. I hope to continue to be able to follow you along your other treks. too. My daughter will finish Washington in about 10 days, but she did not go thru the Sierra. She is still deciding if that is possible for this year. You have enjoyed and helped us enjoy the daily hike. From the animals, birds, flowers (oh so many.) This was a great year to go through the desert section because of all the rain and snow that created a carpet of flowers. But that snow in the Sierra! Just WOW! Safe Hiking and blessings!!

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  22. I have enjoyed your videos so much and hate for them to end! I have watched you from day one, I laughed with you and felt so bad when you lost your wallet and passport. I think you are living a charmed life and have the right idea on how to see the world. As I sit here at my desk I get a terrible itch to get out there and complete the PCT too however I have to wait until I retire in 2023 then start the trail in 2024.

    What are you planning on doing next? Are you going to hike in Asia like you mentioned in one of your blogs? I can’t wait to see what you decide to do next so I can follow along and enjoy the beautiful sites you share along the way.

    Val

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    1. Thanks for your comments Valerie. I am glad you have planned to do the trail as it is an amazing experience. I have a few ideas for next adventures such as biking somewhere in aisa and thry hiking japan. Next is taking my mum for her first multiday hike in a really long time

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      1. Love that you and your mum will be sharing a hiking adventure. As someone who ‘discovered’ backpacking late in life (I was 65) I always appreciate the mature folks who get out on the trails. 😊

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  23. CONGRATULATIONS!!!

    And thank you for your trail insights and thoughts. Hope to put them to use in 2020.

    Look forward to your videos and blog updates!

    Dennis

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  24. CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!. I look forward to your last videos and I will miss you. Happy healing. Be safe☺️💜🐝

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  26. WOW — a great accomplishment, happy you where able to completed the entire trail, it was fun to follow along as you hiked and re-live some of the trail with you. . Thank you for all the wonderful videos.

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  27. Congratulations, Kirstine! It was such a pleasure to virtually meet with you and my Girl Scouts — you are an inspiration and such a great example of what can be accomplished with strength & endurance, mentally and physically.
    Have fun eating heartily!!

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  28. Oh congratulations Christine! I knew you would finish! Please keep my phone number if ever back in the SW USA. I am here to help or offer a bed or a ride. Cheryl Casdorph tehachapi 661 301-7966. If you decide to do cdt or Arizona trail or anything. I’m retired I can do whatever I want to help. I love your videos. They taught me a lot and I got to enjoy the scenery.

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  29. One last whoohoo!! I will miss following your adventure. Well done!! Thanks for the amazing day by day account of your trek.
    Darlene

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  30. Congratulations! i’d been thinking you couldn’t be far from the end, and decided to check your blog. I look forward to seeing the rest of your videos and in due course reading your blog posts. Time now for well-deserved rest, recovery and much good food!

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  32. Yesterday I had a feeling you might have 🙂 Congratulations!!!! Whoot! Whoot! Thank you for sharing your journey, experiences, and thoughts with us. The way you filmed your footage it was like we were right there with you, thanks for such detailed commentary too. I look forward to following you on your next adventure! Until then, eat, rest and enjoy your time here before your departure home.

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  34. Congratulations!! That doesn’t seem sufficient to mark the end of your adventure on the PCT. I am looking forward to your thoughts as you process what you went through. What a grand accomplishment. Thank you so much for sharing your journey. You are a wonderful role model and there are so many things you should be proud of. Can’t say enough how much I have enjoyed what you have shared with us.

    Enjoy some great meals now, get some great sleep. I hope adjusting to life off the PCT isn’t too bad.

    Hike on Homemade, travel safe.

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  35. Welcome to Canada Homemade
    We love Kiwi’s
    Congratulations big time on your finish of the PCT
    Hadn’t seen any new videos and was sure a marmot must have taken you hostage!
    Good to hear you’re safe and sound.
    What a huge accomplishment Homemade and what a big world you were living in for all those months.
    Here’s a huge pat on the back and I’m proud for you
    Hugs all around
    Sheila
    Vancouver BC

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  36. So lovely to hear!!
    And I’m also really glad that you just put yourself first and did what was right for you… though I did miss your blog, but that’s me being selfish.
    Just love the way you have shared your journey.
    Cath. XXX

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  37. Kristine, I am so happy for you! Like many others, I have followed you from the beginning (or maybe a couple of days later). Such an incredible adventure you have had. Not sure if you will have some post-Trail blues, but I know I am going to have some ‘lack of restless Kiwi’ blues myself. I so appreciate the time and effort you have put into your blog and videos. Your mother must be so proud of you. I hope you enjoy your days in Seattle. Take care! Jane

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  39. Congratulations!! You’re an amazing woman and such an inspiration. These last few weeks I became a bit worried something happened to you. So glad to hear you finally finished. Rest, relax, recover and safe journey home. I look forward to reading your blog on the last weeks of your PCT adventure!

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  41. Congratulations Homemade. I can’t really imagine the conflicting emotions you PTC finishers are going through after what has become a different way of life over the months. The emotional and physical warm down process will take while and I hope the crowds and the change in pace don’t drive you nuts! Happy eating.

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  42. Great job. You must be super proud of yourself. I have immensely enjoyed following you on YouTube and look forward to seeing tbe completion of your journey, when you are ready to post. You have given me a lot of inspiration to possibly try this one day, plus o enjoyed the lessons you offered also. I can’t say Thank You enough!!!!

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  43. Congratulations!! I saw your mum’s post on Facebook, but I’m glad to see you back on your blog! Take your time. It’s a huge experience to digest. Nonetheless, I can’t wait to read your blogs again when you get around to posting them. You have a gift for it and I was sad when you “disappeared”. Happy Trails, Mate!

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  44. Congrats!!!! Super exciting and glad to hear you made it safe and sound. Have a safe trip back home and enjoy your remaining time in the states. I have enjoyed your journey and look forward to seeing the next! Glad I was able to meet you in person in Cascade Locks. You are a true inspiration to all hikers and female solo hikers in particular.

    Happy Trails!
    AND…..May The Forest Be With You

    Hiker Jedi Kiwi!

    Best Regards,

    Megan Villarreal
    Oregon City, Oregon

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  46. Congratulations. I hope you loved Washington my home state, but I have a feeling you may have had some lousy weather. I live in Arizona now, but heading to Washington for 5 days on Thursday. I’ll be taking some warmer clothes and a rain coat. I look forward to watching your videos. Again, congratulations. You certainly picked an epic year!

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  47. Congratulations on a job well done. Anyone who hiked from the Mexican border to the Canadian over the snow-filled Sierra has my total respect. You are an amazing woman, and should be very proud of yourself and your accomplishment. I certainly am!

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