Description

“It’s like blowing up your life, but in the best possible way.” Thru-hiking the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) takes time, sacrifice, and grit. But it is also a backcountry adventure of a lifetime. If you love wild places, dream of thru-hiking, or want to learn more about life on trail, bring your questions, experiences, and excitement to a discussion led by recent PCT finishers Matt Vasilogambros and Lauren Anneberg.

Check out their gear, hear about resources that can help you plan your trip, and get tips on staying healthy — both physically and mentally — during a five-to-six-month hike from Mexico to Canada. Join us at Filson (1631 14th St NW) from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, October 23rd for a taste of what the trail provides.

Speaker bios:

Matt “Granddaddy Long Legs” Vasilogambros is from the Chicago area and has lived in the District since 2011, working as a journalist. In 2017, he completed a thru-hike of the PCT, through extreme desert heat, a record snow year in the Sierra, and countless wildfires. It was later called “The Year of Fire and Ice” in the hiker community. Today, he lives in Mount Pleasant, maintains a plot in Wangari Gardens, and volunteers for the Rock Creek Conservancy.

Lauren “Good Cop” Anneberg is from Denver, Colorado and has lived in NW DC since 2012, working in global public health. An enthusiastic supporter of all things Mappy, she also trains with the Capital Y-Tri Triathlon Team and is a passionate bike advocate. She just returned from completing a “flip-flop” of the PCT, finishing just before snow began to fall again in the Sierra.