In the beginning of October, my friend Jonathan and I traded our daily grind/coal-shoveling duties for the allure of hiking poles, gore-tex, neoprene and surf wax, and met in Portland to begin a multi-day traverse along the northern Oregon Coast. We went deep into a shared adventure navigating new terrain, sweating out miles in the forest and reached new depths in our longstanding brotherhood. It was everything we needed in the moment, and we came away from it ready to build on the momentum from such a positive experience.
The trip was something we began planning in April, and I relished in the responsibility of mapping the coastal route between Manzanita and Seaside, including point navigations, tide tables and our full pack list. Fortunately, there’s a great deal of information on HikingTheOCT.com so I was able to reference these notes when digitizing the entire route in GaiaGPS. That digital wayfinder guided us over a total of 39 miles and 7,000 feet of elevation gain, 13 creek crossings and the other-worldly terrains of sandy shorelines, rocky headlands and mist-enshrouded coastal forests.
For two full days, we plodded our way through the coastal environment, passing through soaking mist, underneath 100-foot tall evergreens and at times pausing to incorporate one of the most scenic sections of the entire Oregon coastline into the fabric of our soul. It was a long and surreal endeavor, one where we found ourselves talking about life, goals, history, failures and accomplishments. We also fell into a rhythm of saying nothing at all for stretches of trail. The terrain along the headlands was tricky, so we had to be present, because navigating the roots, stumps, deadfall, muck and mud required focus, patience and thoughtful placement of our steps. Being present enabled a real rhythm, one that we didn’t have to manufacture or motivate ourselves to begin. It just happened.
Jonathan, pondering just how special this place is.
The first hiking day, we reached Manzanita from Cannon Beach, a 25-mile, 4,200’ endeavor that started with 7 miles on the sand and took us out to the very tip of Cape Falcon. This long day was punctuated at ~20 miles by climbing to the summit of Neahkanie Mountain from our sea level stop at Short Sands Beach and then returning back to sea level in Manzanita town.
Starting out on the trail, stoke levels are high.
Passing by Haystack Rock
Looking towards Cape Falcon from Tolovana.
Haystack Rock, Cannon Beach.
Trail Blazes are cool. This one was wet.
Mist-enshrouded forest, moss and carefully placed steps.
On the climb to Neahkanie Summit, 20+ miles into the day.
Keep Going!
The second hiking day, we reached Tillamook Head trailhead from Cannon Beach, a 14-mile, 2,900’ endeavor that required climbing a steady grade up into the Clatsop and Ecola headlands, navigating through the shrouded Feldenheimer Forest Preserve and soaking in the 100% humidity updrafting rainfall zone where the Pacific winds meet the rocky prominence of Tillamook Head nearly 1,250 feet vertically rising above the surf.
At one point, we were powering our way up the 2-mile long Clatsop grade trail together at the same pace, right next to each other, conversing and moving in complete sync. We were on the same frequency, pushing the same effort, and experienced the same emotions when we arrived at Ecola Hikers Camp. I can truly understand why thru-hikers have life-changing experiences on trail, after multiple days immersed in nature.
The view from Ecola.
Crescent Beach
Extremely grateful for having this kind of terrain and canopy in our view for most of the adventure.
Some incredibly poignant evergreens punctuated our endeavor, stopping us in our tracks. Over and Over again.
As in nearly all things in life, I'd rather go through, than around.
Jonathan, always with a smile, always in disbelief that this place exists.
Indian Beach
Ecola Hikers Camp
One of the many eroded, rotted and slippery wooden trail sections on Tillamook Head.
39 miles later, Jonathan sees the end of our time on the trail… and Seaside Cove beyond.
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On day three, we shifted gears to a different kind of physical endeavor. We carried our surfboards and towels down the trail to an unspoken beach and Jonathan caught his first waves on a surfboard in the 58 degree water. Every time I looked back at him from my spot in the lineup, he had a huge smile on his face. Afterwards, he told me that he now has a new understanding and respect of how many factors are at play while attempting to surf in the North Pacific. It’s a different ballgame, and a different type of adventure, for sure. But again, it’s an endeavor that requires full focus on the present as you navigate the incoming swell, nearshore current, handling your board and finding room to wheel around and paddle for a wave after ensuring no other surfers were on the wave or in your path.
It's simple, really.
Jonathan found "the source". Won't be his last time.
Later that night after catching a full Pacific sunset, where again, you just focus on that bright orb and glowing water as it plunges into the sea, we spent time on the sand and stared out into the very visible Milky Way Galaxy. No words were spoken to each other for what felt like a solid half-hour. I pondered this world, my family here and those who have passed, and the incomprehensible vastness of space. It was a feeling of connection with the universe that spoke to me, deeply. How lucky I am to be experiencing this moment, and this adventure after all that I’ve had to overcome!
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There were other moments of clarity and reception, and I’ll save those for my own memory. But I wanted to share 10 of my key personal realizations from this adventure:
1] We really aren’t meant to be desk-bound beings, nor should we be constantly attached to our screens and the information they emit.
2] Active recovery and movement after arduous physical activity is the best way to break through stiffness and encourage faster rebound.
3] Here’s why I love long aerobic endeavors: they help me naturally fall into a breath rhythm that fully expunges the anxiety, apprehension and unsettled feelings I sometimes carry with my everyday workload or responsibilities.
4] Breath work is absolutely necessary to counterbalance the rigors of these responsibilities.
5] There aren’t many times these days where I find myself fully present. I need to continue working on this.
6] It’s absolutely possible to meditate while moving.
7] I’m drawn to the northwest forest because there’s simply a different frequency emitted along with a full soaking of the senses. A frequency that enables a settling of my soul, rhythmic movements and the ability to enjoy that moment right in front of me.
8] Water intake management is the prime determining factor on how you finish long physical endeavors.
9] Feeling dull and unmotivated after a planned and successful adventure doesn’t have to be the norm.
10] I can still progress, I can do more, I am stronger than I think, and I am still surviving. I am thriving.
Sunset on Cannon Beach
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Now, being back home and already into a week of travel for work, what is that new momentum I see myself taking forward from this adventure? Instead of feeling like my normal routine is lacking in comparison, I am feeling more energy overall. Finishing that long first day on trail reminded me once again that I can push my way through harder times, through the depths of mundane work, long projects and new challenges at home.
Instead of depression from focusing on how I’d rather be back in the forest, I’m looking at the experience as a new and colorful milestone on my life’s journey. I’m celebrating what happened, how so many details came together to create a perfect opportunity to be present and challenge myself in beautiful terrain, with Jonathan’s stellar company and deeply tuned into a healthy frequency.
The experience had to end, of course. There simply was no way to prolong it. Instead of wishing it never ended, I am forever grateful it materialized at the right time and place.
For me, there’s a powerful resonance in seeing things this way, and I believe that resonance can be a momentum generator for the coming days ahead. It won’t last forever as well, because again, it’s not supposed to.
Seeing things this way is a healthier step for me compared to how I’ve felt after previous “big adventures”.
This is another example of the 1% Better, everyday I am aiming for. —BJ
