I wish I had a photo of my first backpacking trip, where I had a full breakdown on our way to the campground. I was a kid and it was only 4 or so miles. I’ve come a long way since then, from carrying a vintage pack up mt. Whitney, to hiking my first 20mi and 30mi days. In the next week I will both turn 30, and begin the 2,650 mile pacific crest trail. It’s an undertaking that feels incredibly overdue and yet I still feel underprepared. I’m sure I’ll have another breakdown at some point in the next 5 months, but I’m hoping I can be reminded of the little kid that pushed through the exhaustion (after having a good cry) and was able to experience the beauty of nature on the other side.