On March 13th, 2020, I will begin hiking the Pacific Crest Trail from Mexico to Canada through California, Oregon, and Washington. This ongoing series is an attempt to document the entire journey from beginning to end. 

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Hiking with Others

I have spent countless miles hiking alone, which is something I had never attempted before moving to Washington. I have spent much less time hiking with others. In my mind, both have their benefits. By myself, I am free to pick the pace, stop when I please, and create my own routine. Hiking with others, the experience is shared, conversations evolve naturally, and those around you can serve as motivation. On the Pacific Crest Trail, I will spend everyday hiking with others. While I will miss the freedom of hiking alone, I am longing for the experience of creating a tribe and conquering a grand quest together.

Joshua Tree Again

Standing at the beginning of the California Riding & Hiking Trail, I always knew Joshua Tree National Park would be my final practice hike before the PCT. Of the thousands of words I have written about my time in the great outdoors, those words reserved for this place have meant the most to me. In all reality, I have only begun to explore the depths of its meaning to me. For now, all that is before me is one final adventure in paradise and another experience I hope to cherish for the rest of my life.

The End Is the Beginning

With the California Riding & Hiking Trail behind me, my two-year journey toward fully preparing for the Pacific Crest Trail comes to a close. In that span of time, I have hiked hundreds of miles, researched tirelessly, purchased, and used gear I never imagined myself owning, and I have created experiences I will share over beers at dinner parties for the rest of my life. Now that I am done, this chapter of my life has come to a victorious close. Next, I will begin writing an entirely new book. What will fill those pages, I have no way of knowing, but I long to begin.

I Am Ready

I now find myself standing in the gap of time between the inception of this journey and its true beginning. The work to get here is finished. Now, I am solely focused on the hiking before me. Sitting here, writing this, countless emotions are consuming me. I find myself excited, nervous, anxious, filled with confidence, doubting all I have done, and much more. I can only assume this natural. This is part of the journey. While it feels uncomfortable, I am not ignoring these feelings. They are teachers and I am their student.

The End of the Series  

For the past two years, I have attempted to document every step of my preparation for this trail. If you have made it this far in the series, I want to thank you. Thanks for reading, sharing, and encouragement. While it is my body that must do the work, I am not walking this trail alone.

For those beginning to prepare for their own journey on the Pacific Crest Trail, please count me as a resource. I love this trail and can talk about hiking all day. Please do not hesitate to reach out. I will answer what I can. For everything else, I am sure I can point you in the direction of a resource I found valuable.

Be good to each other,

Nathan 

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