# @audipayne on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/C902VJEsth8
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/21190609-audipayne-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/thumbnails/ae86e13c96.jpg
- **Posted:** 2024-07-25T00:35:46.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Audrey “Glowstick” Payne (@audipayne) — https://gondola.cc/audipayne

## Caption

When Pika and I stopped at the Pachena Point Lightstation on day one of our West Coast Trail hike, the lighthouse keeper asked us about our itinerary. When we told him we had five days to hike the trail, he berated us for several minutes, telling us it was impossible to do it that fast and we’d never make it. He asked why we were in such a rush. We assured him that we were experienced, with thousands of miles under our belts, and that we were sure we could handle it. This was a slow itinerary for me, truthfully. Five days WAS taking my time. He scoffed, saying the West Coast Trail is different than the flat, easy Appalachian and Pacific Crest Trails, with rocks, roots, and mud. Now having completed the WCT, I am extremely confident that he has never set foot on the AT. (I can’t speak for the PCT since I haven’t done that one yet). The idea that the AT doesn’t haven’t any rocks, roots, or mud…. 🤣 If you know, you know bahaha. I also suspect he doesn’t think very highly of women and our abilities. I found the trail to be mostly chill with some mildly challenging sections, and a whole lot of fun. I absolutely could have done it faster, but I did very much enjoy having several hours of free time a day to watch for whales, sit at waterfalls, and take a swim. I wish I could tell that dude so, so that he may refrain from lecturing random women that he knows nothing about in the future. I’d like to think that he meant well, because the trail was definitely full of new hikers with heavy packs, and I’m sure some people don’t know what they’re in for. I’m sure that it gets more treacherous when it rains, and that we lucked out with the weather. I also heard that he designed the West Coast Trail app, which I found useful and very much enjoyed. But when a woman tells you she is experienced at something and knows what she’s doing, maybe believe her rather than assuming you know best and giving her a lecture about her abilities.
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#westcoasttrail #vancouverisland #hikecanada #canadahikes #hikemore #backpackinglife #backpackingadventures #hikinglife #womenwhohike #hikerbabes #outdoorwomen #womenwhoexplore #mountainwomen

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## Tags

canadahikes, backpackinglife, vancouverisland, womenwhoexplore, outdoorwomen, womenwhohike, hikerbabes, mountainwomen, hikecanada, backpackingadventures, westcoasttrail, hikemore, hikinglife

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