Behind the Title

I realized that it would probably be a good idea to explain my blog title, "Tails of a Triple Crown Try." Obviously, I am not riding in the horse races that fall under the Triple Crown, which is the one that everyone knows. Hikers have their own Triple Crown. Three epic trails, crossing the country, that test the meddle of any person willing to take them on. These trails are the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), the Continental Divide Trail (CDT), and the Appalachian Trail (AT).  

please note, this isn't my picture. I got it from the Orange County Register.

Our plan has been to hike the PCT first, as it is where we have the most support via family and friends. My family lives in Oregon and Damon's family lives in both Washington and Oregon. We also have many friends throughout the West Coast. This makes it much easier for having friends become trail angels (people who are willing to help out, either known or unknown, hikers along the trail) by picking us up and letting us shower at their homes, bringing us mail drops or food, or coming and joining us along the trail for some hiking.

We decided to do the CDT next, as it is the longest of the three and is the least defined when it comes to prepared trails. Many times on this trail you have to do serious navigation, while the other two trails are well established. There are groups working to remedy this, but laying trail, especially this far in the backcountry, is difficult and time consuming. Each year, though, it gets a little bit better.

We chose to put the AT last, as it is the shortest and most well supported trail. It goes though many towns and there are many shelters along the way. This trail has been sucessfuly completed by many hikers who are beyond their 40s and 50s, which means that we could delay this trail in case we needed to put off the Triple Crown. With politics as they are, we have considered moving this trail up and completing it second, just so that we would be able to see it before any pipelines would be installed. 

There is only one organization that officially recognizes the Triple Crown of Hiking, the American Long Distance Hiking Association - West (ALDHA-West). They not only sponsor this award, but they do wonderful things bringing hikers together and celebrating our successes. They have been recognizing finishers since 1994. They do not award a plaque and poster to every finisher, only those who report (using the honor system) that they completed all three trails. These awards are handed out each year at a big gathering, aptly titled "The Gathering." As of the 2016 Gathering, 289 recognized hikers who have been awarded the Triple Crown Award from ALDHA-West, with 2014 and 2011 having the highest number of recognized hikers at 34. 

So, that is the Triple Crown portion. We are trying this. We may not succeed, but we are trying. It's a goal. Additionally, my blog is "Tails" since I have an emotional service animal, a mixed breed dog named Lucky, who will be hiking with us. He loves being outdoors, so he will be joining us. Also, just as much as I am dependent upon him, he is somewhat dependent upon me, with a moderate case of separation anxiety. We both do better when we are together. 

And that is the story behind "Tails of a Triple Crown Try" Happy Hiking.