Hello Mexico, Next Stop Canada

9:40 AM

This is it: finally heading to the border. I'm outside the closed REI shop, waiting for the shuttle to pick me up and drop me at CLEEF campground. One last night, about 1.2 km from the starting point. Well, I can just about manage that distance 😂. Imagine twisting your ankle here 🤪 — talk about tempting fate.

The car park is completely deserted, and the staff slowly start trickling in. Morning, morning, morning 🤪.

There are two other hikers; they're popping in for some last-minute shopping. I've spoken to the driver, and she says a lot of hikers are dropping out because of the dry conditions. Oh dear 🥹. Lots of inexperienced hikers in particular. We'll see.

So it's extremely dry. The average water carry is around 6 litres… and that's really the last thing I need.

12:04 PM

And suddenly, you're there. We're standing at the Southern Terminus, on the Mexican border. It does make you stop and think how lucky we are to be free to go out and experience all these good things.

It's hot… well, how do I put this politely? Every step already feels like one too many, and you might as well ask for a discount on your cremation. It's bloody hot. I am definitely not hiking during the day.

12:14 PM

You're not supposed to, but I'm doing it anyway: I walk through the fence and stick my hand through the wall. It wasn't allowed in Berlin either, and I took a piece of the wall home back then. Sadly, that won't work here 😂.

Hello Mexico, goodbye Mexico. See you another time — properly, next time. For now, the goal is Canada.

7:54 PM

The group keeps growing, and I've already lost track of everyone's names.

It's too hot to pitch the tent, so that can wait until sunset. And then, of course, there was a talk lasting more than two hours…

Signs of overheating, hypothermia and altitude sickness. The three big things to watch for on the PCT. Ignore your body's first warning signs and you might as well get ready to press the SOS button, because it won't get any better.

Then a bit more about hitchhiking and river crossings. Keep your phone on you and make sure it's secured.

Breakfast is at 5:30. Good luck with your thru-hike 🤔

And now I can finally pitch my tent in the dark. Trying to do it by feel again: methodically, steadily and calmly. Last time I somehow lost tent pegs. Let's not do that again.

It's getting chilly already, and they advise against pitching on the grass because of the condensation.

See you tomorrow.