I took a few days off from the trail at Pagosa Springs after experiencing the surprise winter storm for two straight days. I didn’t have adequate equipment to handle that kind of weather, so I got frostnip on my right fingers. For the first night in town, I woke up in the middle of the night, shivering, even though I was sleeping in a temperature controlled comfy hotel room. Resting is important, especially when hiking long distances. Having a long-term vision is critical. 

The next day first thing in the morning, I went to the hospital to make sure that I didn’t damage my fingers permanently. The doctor told me to rest for a few days and keep my fingers warm, since exposing the damaged fingers to cold would only make it worse. I ordered neoprene gloves and gaiters so that I would be more prepared for the snow travel and cold temperatures ahead of me. 

While I was walking back to the hotel from the hospital and the grocery store, a pickup truck drove by and slowed down for me. A guy who was driving said, “Hey, are you hungry? I am on my way to deliver some sample sandwiches and donuts for our new store’s promotion. I saw you walking and thought I had to stop and offer you some food.” I said, “Yes, I am hungry. What do you have?” Rory, the guy, said, “I have chicken sandwiches, and which do you like, bear claw or raspberry donut?” If you know me, I don’t usually eat wheat products and meat anymore. I saw him pulling sandwiches out of the box, opening the donut box, and handing me the food! How could I say no? Plus, I make exceptions for excellent pie, pastries, and pizza. This was absolutely that exception. I had a backpack on and was holding two sandwiches in one hand and a raspberry donut in the other. “I guess I am going to eat this donut right now, so I’ll have at least one free hand.” I took a bite of that donut and that was an high quality one. So worth it! With my mouth full of yummy donut,  I said, “hey, can you give me a ride to the hotel? It’s just a minute away.” “Of course!,” said Rory, “I need to help you get your pack off. Do you mind if I unbuckle your pack?” He successfully took my pack off while I indulged in the raspberry donut and was still holding on to the sandwiches. I got into his truck, and he said something about Jesus giving the blessing to both of us. He followed Jesus’ teaching to help me. I got free food. What an amazing deal! I thanked Rory and said goodbye. I went into my room and enjoyed two chicken sandwiches. Delicious.

The next day, I reevaluated my resupply and decided to put one more resupply location between Pagosa Springs and Lake City. Originally, I was going to hike the 118 miles in 6 days, but now I understand the impact of snow on hiking speed, so I would need to carry 8-9 days’ worth of food if I wanted to make it there, and no way that I would carry that much of food on this challenging terrain with snow! There is a town called Silverton before Lake City, about 83 miles from Pagosa Springs. I thought it would be wise to take 6 days to get to Silverton, then 3 days to Lake City. I made a list of food I needed to buy, went to a store to get these items, boxed them, and mailed the box to the Silverton Post Office. When you don’t have a home base and a car to get around to take care of errands like this, it takes time. I was grateful to John, Carrie’s friend who lives outside of Pagosa Springs, and Scott, who kindly picked me up on the side of the road, for their help so that I could get around more easily.

The next morning, I saw a text message from the Rocky Mountain Physical Therapy. When I decided to stay here for a few days, I reached out to them to see if I could get in for a treatment. My ankle was doing so well until the last 10 miles to Pagosa Springs. I wanted to get a manual therapy to loosen my ankle joint and stiff calf muscle from a PT. They said that there was no opening till June, but I left them my numbers to reach out to me if they have any cancellations. I was excited to see the text message and responded that I would be here for one more day. Then I got a phone call. It was Ryan, the athletic trainer at the clinic. “I saw the sticky note about you, CDT thru-hiker, and I was like, I gotta help you out to get back on the trail. I hiked the Colorado Trail, and this summer I will be hiking the Mont Blanc trail in Europe. I just know when you are out there, you have nothing. I work at the clinic till 1:30 pm, and after that, I can see you for free.” I was like, “What?!” He said, “Yeah, no worries. I have a treatment room at the high school since I run the school’s sports medicine clinic for high school athletes. So we can go there and I can see you. Would that work for you?” I couldn’t believe it. I had to go to the downtown library to use the computer to do some work in the morning, so I told him that I would be at the library. “Sounds good. See you soon,” said Ryan. This is way beyond trail magic. Unbelievable!

I hitched a ride with Daniel, another angel who kindly picked me up and took me to the library. He was such a good listener. After I talked to him, I realized that I needed to tell someone about my intense experience through the snowstorm in the mountains. Daniel was listening to my story with resonance, and I felt heard. He pointed to the mountains and said, “I haven’t seen the mountains for the last few days, and the snow has melted quite a bit in a few days. What you’ve gone through is one of the toughest stretches. What comes next will be similar, but it won’t be harder than what you did.” I was comforted by his words. I learned that he was a musician. After I shared my blog website, he said, “Now, can I share a song with you?” He shared a link to his song on YouTube. I had to wait to listen to it until I said goodbye. The song’s title was “Live.” Ahh.. what a perfect gift that he gave me! The song touched my heart because I hope that we all live our lives fully, reaching our dreams and potential, and making this world a better place for everyone. 

In the afternoon, Ryan came to the library and took me to his high school treatment room. He first did an ultrasound to warm up the tissue and worked to loosen my ankle joint and calf muscle. He also gave me the three most important stretches I need to do while hiking. While he was working on my foot and leg, we talked a lot about trail life and shared our passion for hiking. That moment, I saw him as someone who has gone through a similar thru-hiking experience and who wants to help out a fellow hiker. He was more than a healthcare professional. He was a comrade-on-trail with deep compassion. I felt well taken care of. I was in excellent hands. After the treatment, “Where can I take you from here?” asked Ryan. I told him that he could take me back to the library, and he dropped me off there. “Good luck and be safe!,” said Ryan, and he drove away.

I worked at the library for an hour and then headed back to the hotel. I stood at the same spot, just outside of the library, and put my thumb up to hitch a ride back to the hotel. A few cars went by and I saw Scott’s truck! He pulled over and said, “It’s Miho again! I can’t believe I happened to drive by here and you’re here again!” I couldn’t believe it either! What a coincidence that he happened to drive by me two days in a row! According to Scott, we are in the vortex of connection. Good energy calls each other and turning into helping each other. I believe that too.

All of these people are real. These people who are willing to share their time, expertise and resources. I feel most comfortable when I’m in the mountains. I know how to take care of myself. The moment I step out and come to a town, I feel most vulnerable because I have to rely on people’s help to get what I need. Every time I have come to town as a thru-hiker since I began hiking the PCT in 2023, there are angels everywhere. It helps me see the world through a lens of humanity and connection. Meeting these angels enhances my will to trust the world- we are good. 

With that trust, I’m heading back to the trail with full belly, confidence and warmth in my heart.