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Mike "Retune" Joyce

Adventuring through life with Type 1 Diabetes

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April 4, 2023/

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Coming off trail is heart-breaking every year. .

Coming off trail is heart-breaking every year.
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What's the best way to heal heartbreak? Hike more 🤷‍♂️
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I flew back to Reno to pick up my van from South Lake Tahoe. While I was there, I decided to fast pack the Tahoe Rim Trail before heading back to front country life.
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I wasn't ready to go back, but I was quickly running out of money and needed to get back to work. The simplicity of trail life just felt right.
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While on the TRT, I got some of my favorite night sky photos. The next post will be daytime TRT photos.
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#pct #pct2022 #pacificcresttrail #pacificcresttrail2022 #thruhike #goingfarout #mexicotocanada #astrophotography #shootingstars #thruhiking #thetrek #hikertrash #amongthewild #wanderlust #adventuremore #takeahike #getlost #t1dlookslikeme #tahoerimtrail #trt #hikingadventures #hiking #backpacking #hikingadventures #mountains #hikeyourownhike #diabadass #pct2023 #hikertrash #trailrunning

👑👑👑 . 7,875 miles > 1,000,000 vertical fe

👑👑👑
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7,875 miles
> 1,000,000 vertical feet
22 states
3 summers (about 14 months)
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When I left corporate life in 2019 with the intention to fulfill a lifelong dream of hiking the Appalachian Trail, I never expected to triple crown. I wasn't even sure I was ready to be a thruhiker.
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While out there, I fell in love with the simplicity of the singular goal. The peace and serenity of the minimalism of living out of a backpack. The bliss of eating ice cream without a concern of gaining weight. For the first time since I was a child, I fell in love with my life.
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Thruhiking has taught me to believe in myself, trust my intuition, and remember the trail will always provide.
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Thanks to everyone who's been a part of the journey. Cheers and Happy trails!
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#pct #pct2022 #pacificcresttrail #pacificcresttrail2022 #thruhike #goingfarout #mexicotocanada #sunset #thruhiking #thetrek #hikertrash #amongthewild #wanderlust #adventuremore #takeahike #getlost #t1dlookslikeme #pctclassof2022 #hikingadventures #hiking #backpacking #greatoutdoors #adventure #hikingadventures #triplecrown #hikeyourownhike #diabadass #pct2023 #hikertrash #trailrunning

Extra big thanks to @drunken.potatoes for providing the Tiara, energy drink, and impromptu finish photo shoot. And tons of trail magic throughout washington. Trail family is forever 🖤🖤🖤

Tunnel Falls alternate seemed like a great way to

Tunnel Falls alternate seemed like a great way to end my PCT thru hike.
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I had a very peaceful last day on trail full of reflection and appreciation for the previous 3 months and 3 weeks spent on the Pacific Crest Trail.
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After the walking through Tunnel Falls, I had some cruiser miles down to cascade locks where I would have my Cheryl Strayed finish on the Bridge of the Gods!
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#pct #pct2022 #pacificcresttrail #pacificcresttrail2022 #thruhike #goingfarout #mexicotocanada #sunset #thruhiking #thetrek #hikertrash #amongthewild #wanderlust #adventuremore #takeahike #getlost #t1dlookslikeme #pctclassof2022 #hikingadventures #hiking #backpacking #greatoutdoors #adventure #hikingadventures #mountains #hikeyourownhike #diabadass #pct2023 #hikertrash #trailrunning

My last full day on trail was full of emotions and

My last full day on trail was full of emotions and waterfalls...
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I was overwhelmed by joy and pride for completing a triple crown. While at the same time, I felt guilty for being successful in a year where closures continually derailed the bubble of hikers just days behind me.
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This guilt is kind of what kept me from posting and why it took until the week before my next hike to finish this story.
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Ramona Falls isn't on the red line of the PCT, but it's a must-see alternate.
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With one more day to Cascade Locks, this thruhike was finally coming to an end.
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#pct #pct2022 #pacificcresttrail #pacificcresttrail2022 #thruhike #goingfarout #mexicotocanada #sunset #thruhiking #thetrek #hikertrash #amongthewild #wanderlust #adventuremore #takeahike #getlost #t1dlookslikeme #pctclassof2022 #hikingadventures #hiking #backpacking #greatoutdoors #adventure #hikingadventures #mountains #hikeyourownhike #diabadass #pct2023 #hikertrash #trailrunning

The best breakfast of the 👑👑👑 . I went to

The best breakfast of the 👑👑👑
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I went to timberline Lodge twice once for lunch and the next day for breakfast.
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When I woke up in Government Camp after one last hotel stay, the power was out. A wind storm had come in, and to protect from fires, power was turned off.
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I didn't even attempt to go to the market. I knew I would be done in 2 days hiking from Timberline, so I did a trashy Best Western Breakfast resupply.
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I took the bus up to Timberline Lodge since they still had power. I picked up a package of insulin from the lodge charged some things and had lunch.
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I ran into White Stripe as she was finishing her hike, and we made plans to get breakfast in the morning. I then got a ride back down to the base so I could hike the miles from Government Camp up to the lodge.
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I ended up camping on the side of the trail just below treeline. In the morning, I continued up and was immediately pelted with sand and dust. I walked half blind with my buff over my face.
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After breakfast, I continued trying to just get back below treeline and out of the wind. My time in the PCT was coming to an end.
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#pct #pct2022 #pacificcresttrail #pacificcresttrail2022 #thruhike #goingfarout #mexicotocanada #sunset #thruhiking #thetrek #hikertrash #amongthewild #wanderlust #adventuremore #takeahike #getlost #t1dlookslikeme #pctclassof2022 #hikingadventures #hiking #backpacking #greatoutdoors #adventure #hikingadventures #mountains #hikeyourownhike #diabadass #pct2023 #hikertrash #trailrunning

Mount Hood . Mount Hood would be my last big climb

Mount Hood
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Mount Hood would be my last big climb on my thruhike. It loomed on the horizon all day as I made my way to Government Camp at the base of Mount Hood. This would be my last resupply before the final 2 days to Cascade Locks.
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The end was inevitable and I wasn't ready to be finished. As I walked deeper into the PNW signs of yeti seemed to increase, but I still never got a sighting.
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#pct #pct2022 #pacificcresttrail #pacificcresttrail2022 #thruhike #goingfarout #mexicotocanada #sunset #thruhiking #thetrek #hikertrash #amongthewild #wanderlust #adventuremore #takeahike #getlost #t1dlookslikeme #pctclassof2022 #hikingadventures #hiking #backpacking #greatoutdoors #adventure #hikingadventures #mountains #hikeyourownhike #diabadass #pct2023 #hikertrash #trailrunning

Mount Jefferson Wilderness and the approach to Mou

Mount Jefferson Wilderness and the approach to Mount Hood - September 6, 2022

Leaving Sisters, I climbed into Mt Jefferson Wilderness. I got some of my first good views of Mt Hood, and I already was dreaming about that breakfast buffet at Timberline Lodge.
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Because of the unplanned zero in Bend. My @afrezzainsulin insulin reserves were running low, but I had a resupply waiting for me at Timberline.
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The moon was getting full, and I used its light for a few hours before settling in on a lake shore for the night. Just before dawn, the moon had set, and the stars were incredible.
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#pct #pct2022 #pacificcresttrail #pacificcresttrail2022 #thruhike #goingfarout #mexicotocanada #sunset #thruhiking #thetrek #hikertrash #amongthewild #wanderlust #adventuremore #takeahike #getlost #t1dlookslikeme #pctclassof2022 #hikingadventures #hiking #backpacking #greatoutdoors #adventure #hikingadventures #mountains #hikeyourownhike #diabadass #pct2023 #hikertrash #trailrunning

The lava rock fields around the Mount Washington w

The lava rock fields around the Mount Washington wilderness seemed endless as I made my way north to Sisters.
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Because of my unplanned zero in bend, I was too late to enjoy a meal at the Youth Camp as they were closing for the season.
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At this point, I was well over 2500 miles into my journey, but crossing the 2,000 mile mark was still exciting.
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I got to the road to hitch the town of Sisters just as the sun was setting. Cars were barreling down the road, and it didn't seem likely I'd get a hitch in the dark.
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I decided to sleep near the road and start hitch at first light. After resupplying, I spent the morning recharging batteries at Sister Coffee Shop before hitching back to trail.
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#pct #pct2022 #pacificcresttrail #pacificcresttrail2022 #thruhike #goingfarout #mexicotocanada #sunset #thruhiking #thetrek #hikertrash #amongthewild #wanderlust #adventuremore #takeahike #getlost #t1dlookslikeme #pctclassof2022 #hikingadventures #hiking #backpacking #greatoutdoors #adventure #hikingadventures #mountains #hikeyourownhike #diabadass #pct2023 #hikertrash #trailrunning

North of Sisters Wilderness, I walked through some

North of Sisters Wilderness, I walked through some Obsideon Fields and Lava fields as I continued my way north through Oregon.
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Early September still felt warm and exposed, and I appreciated any opportunity to go for a swim.
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On nights before the moon rose, I got some great stargazing. I was really starting to enjoy hiking some of the night on trail. Once I let the fear drop, the miles just felt like a bonus.
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#pct #pct2022 #pacificcresttrail #pacificcresttrail2022 #thruhike #goingfarout #mexicotocanada #stars #thruhiking #thetrek #hikertrash #amongthewild #wanderlust #adventuremore #takeahike #getlost #t1dlookslikeme #pctclassof2022 #hikingadventures #hiking #ultralightbackpacking #greatoutdoors #adventure #hikingadventures #mountains #hikeyourownhike #diabadass #pct2023 #hikertrash #trailrunning

Three Sisters Wilderness . I left Bend with a full

Three Sisters Wilderness
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I left Bend with a full stomach of biscuits and gravy courtesy and a ride from a friend from CDT. I slammed a burger to pack on some more calories at Elk Lake before heading back into the wilderness.
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My feet were already feeling happier with the shoe change, and I fell right back into step as I took in the views of the 3 Sisters. It's amazing what new shoes can do for perspective.
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I made camp near the base of the middle sister. The moon was creeping towards the 4th full moon of my hike.
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One of my favorite parts of hiking long trails is how my body tunes up with the intrinsic flow of time through nature. This is as simple as matching up with the circadian flow of the daylight or measuring months by moon phases. It's a beautiful and simple flow that I love.
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The next day was to push through the Obsideon and Pumice fields the next day before my next resupply in the town of Sisters.
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#pct #pct2022 #pacificcresttrail #pacificcresttrail2022 #thruhike #goingfarout #mexicotocanada #sunset #thruhiking #thetrek #hikertrash #amongthewild #wanderlust #adventuremore #takeahike #getlost #t1dlookslikeme #pctclassof2022 #hikingadventures #hiking #ultralightbackpacking #greatoutdoors #adventure #hikingadventures #mountains #hikeyourownhike #diabadass #pct2023 #hikertrash #trailrunning

Bend, OR, feels like stepping back into the 90s. I

Bend, OR, feels like stepping back into the 90s. I had to see the last Blockbuster where you can still rent a movie. I even hopped on a bicycle and caught some of the Incubus concert at the ampetheter downtown.
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I took an impromptu zero in Bend to repair the damage of the wrong shoe for over 110 miles in 3 says. I knew the hike was almost over and was really feeling at home on trail.
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I ended up exchanging my Altra Olympus for Lone Peaks at REI because I knew my feet were not happy with the change, and the Lone Peak have never let me down on comfort.
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After filling up on ice cream, I headed back to trail where I would pass through Sisters Wilderness and hitch into the town of Sisters for my next resupply.
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#pct #pct2022 #pacificcresttrail #pacificcresttrail2022 #thruhike #goingfarout #mexicotocanada #sunrise #thruhiking #thetrek #hikertrash #backpacking #wanderlust #adventuremore #getlost #t1dlookslikeme #pctclassof2022 #hikingadventures #hiking #ultralightbackpacking #greatoutdoors #adventure #hikingadventures #townday #trailtown #hikeyourownhike #diabadass #pct2023 #hikertrash #trail

It took until after lunch to leave Shelter Cove an

It took until after lunch to leave Shelter Cove and continue north. After some ice cream sandwiches and some food, I chatted with some SOBOs and then continued on.
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The big day prior really tore my feet up. I instantly regretted the shoe change from the Lone Peak to the Olympus. While I thought the extra cushion would be nice for the lava rocks, the fit was not right for me. The toe box was just a little bit snug, and hotspots were quickly turning to blisters.
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I stopped by Irish Lake (25 mile day) to camp for the night and figured I could soak my feet before bed and take a quick dip to clean off.
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The next morning, I found some wild berries as hobbled down to Elk Lake to try to hitch into Bend to exchange my shoes at REI.
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I was still having electronic issues and needed a replacement charger to keep my phone on and @dexcom glucose readings coming in. CGM data is really important for staying ahead of any issues I could run into with diabetes on trail.
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#pct #pct2022 #pacificcresttrail #pacificcresttrail2022 #thruhike #goingfarout #mexicotocanada #sunrise #thruhiking #thetrek #hikertrash #amongthewild #wanderlust #adventuremore #takeahike #getlost #t1dlookslikeme #pctclassof2022 #hikingadventures #hiking #dexcomwarrior #greatoutdoors #adventure #hikingadventures #mountains #hikeyourownhike #diabadass #pct2023 #hikertrash #trailrunning

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