Why am I Hiking the PCT?

About John

“Into the woods–you have to grope,
But that’s the way you learn to cope.
Into the woods to find there’s hope
Of getting through the journey.
Into the woods, each time you go,
There’s more to learn of what you know.”
— from “Into the Woods” by Stephen Sondheim

I’ve headed into the woods many times during my life: hiking with friends, volunteering at county parks, running trails to discover remote corners of parks.  Loading my backpack extends my range farther. Leading scout groups introduces youth to the beauty of nature. My happiness seems to rise along with my elevation in the mountains.

But I have never gone on any trip for longer than a couple weeks. So, my next trip, starting in late April and hiking the Pacific Crest Trail 2650 miles from the Mexican border to the Canadian border, will stretch things a bit. Just planning for the trip is a much broader challenge than any other outdoor adventure I’ve done. I’d like to believe my experience will help me anticipate and navigate the many obstacles I’ll face, but I’m really not sure how much of my past experience – and gear – will truly be applicable to this journey. I recognize that I can’t control the woods – it will present challenges I didn’t foresee. Only then will I really get answers about my preparations. Only then will I get true opportunities to learn and grow.

Why Hike the PCT?

“And into the woods I go, to lose my mind and find my soul.”
— John Muir

So why would a 60 year old man just decide that hiking 4-5 months in the woods is something to do? I’m not sure, either, but I hope to have a better answer by the end of the year. For the moment, I have some thoughts and guesses.

• The feeling of self-sufficiency that comes with backpacking – knowing that I am responsible for my well being.
• Personal challenge. Many years ago, I did a triathlon that had the motto, “Challenge Your Spirit.” That feeling still strikes a chord with me.
• Being alone with my thoughts. One thing I tell people is that when I’m running/hiking/backpacking alone, I feel like everyone in the group understands me (the downside is that there is no voice of reason telling me not to “do that 5 mile detour”).
• Allure of thru-hiking. I grew up in the mid-Atlantic, and the Appalachian Trail and hiking its entire length always fascinated me. Being on the west coast now, the PCT was logistically easier… and I do like those high peaks.
• My daughter had planned to hike the PCT right after graduating college. After working several summers at a backpacking camp and getting a PCT permit, her trek was sidelined by a knee injury. That really put the idea of a thru-hike back in my mind.

What do I hope to get?

• Opportunities to see perspectives on life from other hikers from all over and with different backgrounds.
• More self-awareness of my capabilities and limitations
• Some spectacular views
• Sore muscles. Okay, I’m not hoping for these, but I’m mentally preparing myself for them anyway.

Why now?

There are always things we dream about, but never actually do.

I had just spent 4+ years working at a startup. New funding appeared to change their focus, and many of us were no longer needed. Multiple friends independently suggested I take a break and find someplace warm to go on a month-long backpacking trip. Conversations about that morphed into the idea of hiking the PCT, even though it would entail much more than a one month break.

One big reason for “now” is that I believe I am physically able to hike it. I don’t know what shape I’ll be in when I retire in several years. If I dive back into another startup, I won’t have any extended break to do things like this for at least a few years. My kids are grown and on their own. My regular expenses aren’t too bad, so a long trip might delay retirement but shouldn’t bankrupt me.

Adding that all up has resulted in me going down numerous rabbit holes regarding equipment, resupply, dehydrating meals, hiking/running with a backpack filled with water jugs, examining geology along the PCT, and most everything else needed to start the trail in late April.

Join Me

I invite you to follow along with me as I discover some answers and more questions on my “little” venture into the woods.

This website contains affiliate links, which means The Trek may receive a percentage of any product or service you purchase using the links in the articles or advertisements. The buyer pays the same price as they would otherwise, and your purchase helps to support The Trek’s ongoing goal to serve you quality backpacking advice and information. Thanks for your support!

To learn more, please visit the About This Site page.