Why planning for the PCT is like a MBA

Veni. Vici. Tantum Gear (I came. I saw. So much gear.)

One thing the PCT planning process has taught me is that you can go from loving gear and all things about it, to being in a state of fatigue, of denial, and quasi “put me in witness protection” mode.

This past weekend as I was wrapping up my final gear shakedown (for the 20^th time) before packing everything for the flight to San Diego, I found myself thinking back over the process of preparing for the PCT over the last few months.

At one point while looking at Mt Geartoomuch, I laughed to myself as it dawned on me that planning for a thru-hike of the PCT is quite similar to launching a business. Applying for a PCT permit could in some ways be confused for wanting to get a MBA.

PCT meet MBA

Now, as an entrepreneur and business owner, I realize that I might be looking at this through a specific corporate lens, but allow me to expand on my observations.

The beginning is simple. You start with an idea. Sipping coffee. On a hike. Grabbing a beer with a friend. You throw it out into the universe. Then the moment passes. But you then find yourself suddenly evaluating your idea by diving into research, seeking advice from experts in the field, looking at various alternative options, and seeking feedback from friends and family.  Suddenly happy hour on Friday takes a back seat.

For me, the idea was to take a sabbatical and do a thru-hike of the PCT.  That idea then led me online to websites like The Trek, to books like Pacific Crest Trials, and to countless videos/surveys/blog posts. I also looked at other thru-hike options like the CDT and AT. Friends and family greeted my idea with enthusiasm and encouragement. Nothing ventured. Nothing gained.

Does the idea have merit?

Once you get past the simple phase of ‘does the idea have merit’, you start down the proverbial rabbit hole. The next phase has you diving into budgeting, researching goods/materials, exploring various systems and processes, and ultimately looking at logistics, permitting, and any inherent obstacles.

For me, I fell headlong into the world of thru-hiking gear, read a sizeable number of reviews, poured over the well-established thru-hike surveys, studied the PCTA permit and application process, analyzed re-supply gameplans, and even estimated the potential impact to my bank account.

If you have made it this far, you are starting to adjust the seatbelt. At this point, if your plan is still to launch your business, you then move into the detailed phase of sourcing materials and supplies and then actually going through the pre-launch testing and assessment of your various products and processes.

Are we doing this?

To that end, I found myself ordering gear, evaluating it, and then deciding to keep or return it.  I had already ordered my tent only to stumble upon another one I liked better. I did the same for my backpack. The vast majority of what I sourced I was very satisfied with – courtesy of the great gear reviews and surveys that are just a click away. I went on shakedown hikes. I started training. I ate dehydrated meals at home to find which ones I liked. I packed and repacked by gear more times that I wish to admit. By the way, dinner invites with any dehydrated meals on the menu are a whole new level of ‘should this be on Instagram.’

Is it really Day 1?

When launching a business, you have a “go-live” or launch day. From this day onwards you are keeping one eye on your finances while keeping the other eye on your products or service. You are executing on your go-to-market strategy as you have drawn up in your business plan. While you start Day 1 often with a minimally viable product, the tweaking and refining of products and processes never ends. Day 1 is just the start. From here on out, you know the journey will be challenging, rewarding, and to a large degree unpredictable.

With permit in hand, I am now approaching my late April start date for the PCT. I know that not everything I have in my pack on Day 1 will be in my pack as the miles roll by on the trail. There will be things I discard, and new items I will source. There will be foods I loved the first week that will be unappealing weeks later as hiker hunger kicks in. Processes I have mastered will give way to new routines and ways of doing things that I pick up from other hikers. I will have to remain flexible. Success will depend on it. Better to be proactive than reactive. Rigidity equals failure.

But the story does not end here…

I am getting ahead of myself.

Now while I do not know what the next few months on the PCT hold in store for me personally, I do know that preparing for Day 1 on the PCT has been educational, fun, nerve-wracking, a tad bit nerdy, and so much more.  

I am looking forward to sharing my experiences and observations with you in this blog as I wander my way north. Just like in business, there is no guarantee for success. Perhaps I will have my successful “exit” after reaching the Canadian border. Or perhaps I will call it a day after a few weeks after putting In my best effort.

At the end of the day, starting and running a business is also like planning for and hiking the PCT in one more important way: they are both amazing journeys.

Thank you for reading along, and I look forward to sharing more from the journey.

Also, if you have hiked and completed the PCT, please lead with that on any resume or during any job interview.

I for one am an entrepreneur that values anyone with a MBA. You have earned it. Be it from a university. Or from the School of Thru-Hiking. (insert any song of choice as you imagine Jack Black going off on a guitar solo)

Best as always

Brandon 

PS: I am raising $10k for mental health while hiking the PCT: 

https://donate.nami.org/fundraiser/6283303?is_new=true

also, follow me on instagram @brandondaniell3

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