Last month, I “marched” 1,000 miles to benefit the Black Mammas Matter Alliance from Canada to California along the scenic Pacific Crest Trail.
The trail was not new to me, was close enough that I wouldn’t have to fly during the pandemic, and is isolated enough for social distancing and some necessary wilderness therapy.
The cause was equally appropriate to these times and my heart callings: I am a nurse and social justice activist and feel I must bring attention to the health disparities in maternal outcomes for black mom’s: more preterm birth, lower birthweight babies, higher infant and maternal mortality than their white counterparts. How can we truly make changes towards equity for people of color if the injustice begins in utero?
Enter Black Mammas Matter Alliance, whose mission is to advance black maternal health and justice. They fund various research, health care programs and birthing initiatives and their leadership includes some of my professors at UCSF. I am inspired by the collaborative vision and action of this organization- and fund raising for them pushed me forward on the trail.
Of course, my love of the mountains and exploration pushed me forward as well. Once I crossed the border into Oregon, I took a risk and tried for a speed record of the Oregon state portion of the PCT. My goal: 455 miles in 9 days. This was my fourth time on the Oregon section, and it has been a dream for me to try for a “Fastest Known Time” on a long trail, so I thought I would give it a go!
The FKT through Oregon was beautiful, gratifying and challenging. I completed the 455 mile and 65,000 foot elevation trek (plus about 7 miles off trail for resupply stops) in 9 days 6 hours, and arrived at the border of California grateful, exhausted and pretty dirty!
Although it has been two weeks since finishing, I am still reflecting and processing the experience: looking at photos, re-reading journal entries, and recalling the scenery and memorable moments of the trail.
My second home is the mountains, a trail, a quiet stream, a field of wildflowers. How can I readjust to this modern, asphalt and building dominated society?
Slowly, I suppose.
Flights of a hummingbird 