This short 2-minute video shows my evolution from a greenhorn into a PCT thru-hiker over 151 days. But really, it essentially just shows the evolution of my crazy beard during the hike.
VIDEO: The Pacific Crest Trail in 2 Minutes
My first YouTube video! This short 2-minute video is a compilation of 1-second clips from almost every day on trail.
Music: “The Wanderer”. Written, composed, and performed by my talented niece Jaya. The idea of the video stemmed from wanting to highlight this beautiful song she wrote for me.
PCT Days 139-153: Snoqualmie Pass to Canada!
PCT Miles 2394.1 – 2653.6
The final chapter! The North Cascades were one of my favorite section of the entire trail along with the Sierra. It was tough, weather was challenging, but motivation was high. After 5 years of dreaming and planning and almost 5 months of hiking, I reached the northern terminus of the Pacific Crest Trail at the Canadian border (and then hiked 30 miles south back to Harts Pass). A lifetime of experiences and growth to process and reflect on in the days, weeks, and months ahead. For years I had been seeking an epic adventure, and this one certainly met that!
PCT Days 126-138 Cascade Locks to Snoqualmie Pass
PCT Miles 2148.0 – 2394.1
The first half of Washington was full of lush green dense forest as well as dramatic mountain scenery of Mount Adams, Goat Rocks Wilderness, and Mount Rainier. Hiking the Knife’s Edge in Goat Rocks was my favorite day on the PCT! There were a few days of glorious PNW summer sunshine but also several days of cold, wet, windy weather which were challenging. My body is complaining daily about various ailments but I’m staying focused on the eventual goal.
PCT Days 103-125: CA/OR Border to Cascade Locks
PCT miles 1704.7-2148.1
Oregon was short and sweet, especially after 100+ days in California. The highlights were Crater Lake National Park, Three Sisters Wilderness, and Mount Hood which were all spectacular. The trail was quite relaxed allowing for easy long days. But there was also a few days of hiking in smoke, being chased by mosquitos, almost daily hiking in forest burn areas, a fire closure necessitating skipping ~100 miles of trail. And my tendinitis flared up due to overuse so I took a restorative week off in Seattle.
PCT Days 88-102: Old Station to CA/OR Border
PCT miles 1373.4 – 1704.7
This last section of Northern California certainly made me earn it: another heatwave, lots of bushwhacking through overgrown trail, dodging poison oak, hundreds of down trees to crawl over/under/around (few of them bloodied up my legs), huge climbs and descents, long days averaging over 25 miles/day, and smoke from nearby fires. But there were also amazing views of Mount Shasta everyday and very quiet trail as I was in between large groups of hikers 1-2 days ahead and behind me. Of course, the biggest highlight was crossing the border into Oregon! California is one long state. Excited to be back in the Pacific Northwest! Less than 1000 miles to Canada!
PCT Days 74-87: Echo Lake to Old Station
PCT miles 1092.3 – 1373.4
Northern California started off great with beautiful views, lots of alpine lakes, and minimal mosquitos. Then it got hot. I mean really HOT! I hiked several days with temps over 100F as there was a heatwave in NorCal. And I passed a big milestone: the halfway point on the PCT!
PCT Days 61-73: Mammoth Lakes to Echo Lake
PCT miles 903.3 – 1092.3
The final stretch in the Sierra was quite memorable. I hiked through Yosemite National Park, where I did my first ever backpacking trip years ago. The scenery was epic but also came with a week of the worst mosquitos I’ve experienced in my life. Crossed 1000 miles on the PCT, which felt amazing but then I realized that I was not even close to the halfway point. Saw a couple of different friends from Seattle and Calfornia in this stretch, which were great boosters!