1200 miles

“It’s a dangerous business stepping out your front door, you step onto the road, and if you don’t keep your feet, there is no knowing where you might be swept off to.” ~Bilbo Baggins : Lord of the Rings  JRR. Tolkien

We are two girls (some may say ladies) from two different towns, in a state known for it’s rugged and majestic beauty. The Big Sky state of Montana. While we have grown up in two very different environments, it is our goal to use our common bonds to not only hike, but complete the Pacific Northwest Trail in 2013.

WHAT IS THE PNT (Pacific Northwest Trail) ?
The PNT is a 1200 mile hiking trail that winds it’s way from the Continental divide in Glacier National Park, through seven different mountain ranges and across a diverse variety of landscapes all the way to the Pacific ocean near the Olympic mountains in Washington State. The trail is considered to be in it’s infancy, but it is also considered to be one of the most beautiful hiking trails in the world.

Map layout and production by Ted Hitzroth, GISP, 1983 PNT end-to-ender. Special thanks to Jon Knechtel for his knowledge and assistance with current route locations. PNT.org

Bios:
Tawny:  (Tatjanna Miller) In day to day life I’m a portrait photographer based out of Great Falls, Montana. I have a passion for the moment and my hobby is the same as my career, which is photography. I have a beautiful family that is supportive of my need (and it is truly a need) to get back to simplicity. I don’t believe I am on this hike, to prove a point to the world or myself, I’m going to live for the trail, nothing so exciting as all that I suppose.  I think there comes a time in our lives where we just need to be somewhere and do something apart from our everyday lives, this for me, is that time.
Hometown: Great Falls, Montana,  Birthday: February 16th , Life Motto: Strength Eternal

Hiking skills: Probably about average, I was raised camping, fishing and hiking with my parents, and do the same with my kids, But I’m not about to let my average”ness” spearhead my needs. This is going to be a long year training!

Krista:Something about a bio? Hmmm …. where to start? I am a walking contradiction in EVERY way. I’m VERY artistic/emotional/spiritual, yet analytic/logical/scientific. Half Aquarius, half Pices. 100 % me. I was born in Havre, left when I was six — mom and dad got married and we moved to Sunburst (don’t know where it is? B.F.E. that’s where) where I lived until I was 18. Then I spent the next five years of my life, as my dear departed ma would say, paying my stupid tax (a.k.a. doing things that weren’t very nice to my body or my soul). I am ok now, but I could be better and this hike is supposed to be a journey for me … one of living simply so I can fully appreciate the complexity of the life that is mine.

Hiking skills: Beginner. I grew up camping, hiking and fishing — most Montana farm kids do (I’m also quite adept at chucking bales of hay … or I was when I was 12). I just recently in the last few years have been able to go camping, hiking and fishing again, but I won’t allow my inabilities to stop me from obtaining this stepping stone for my life-long dream to hike the Appalachian Trail. This next year is going to be hard as hell. I have school full-time, kids and a boyfriend. Yikes! But I can do it. I know I can — tell me I can’t and I’ll prove ya wrong  Blessings!
Hometown: Havre, Montana   Birthday (ALSO) February 16th