The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) is a 2650 mile / 4265 km trail stretching across the Western United States from Mexico to Canada.
The terrain shifts from the heat of the Mojave desert, to the snowy peaks of the Sierra Nevada, through the forests of Northern California and Oregon before ending in Washington's Cascade mountain range.
Every spring thousands of hikers from all over the world start at either the Northern or Southern terminus and attempt to complete a "thru-hike" of the trail.
However, due to injuries on trail, severe weather, wildfires and personal reasons, less than one thousand complete the full trail each year.
Why did I want to hike the PCT?
Starting off a hike in the Lake District with the brothers (far left and right) and two best mates from uni.
My brothers and I grew up hiking across New England. Spencer, Tristan and I were active members of our Boy Scout troop, and became Eagle Scouts after countless weekends camping across Massachusetts and climbing the White Mountains of New Hampshire.
However, in 2018 I faced a setback when I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease and arthritis - forcing me to stop hiking, running and other physical activities that I enjoy. After two years of recovery I am finally in control of my health again, and ready to take advantage of it.
Hiking the PCT was a new challenge that reflects my passion for being active in the outdoors. If all went to plan - which due to COVID it may not have - I hoped to hike with my brothers from Mexico to Canada in 2021.
We did it.
Tristan and me standing on the northern terminus of the Pacific Crest Trail on the US / Canada border.
And just like that, it’s over. The northern terminus of the Pacific Crest Trail. Started with one brother, finished with the other, and made a whole bunch of friends along the way. Over 2000 miles of walking on this adventure that I’m still struggling to comprehend.
The views have been unreal. The hikers genuine, friendly and always willing to lend a hand. The challenges very real (scarily so sometimes), from steep passes and injuries, to wildfires and some bitterly cold wet nights. The milestones exciting - from crossing the first one hundred miles to the 2600 mile marker. The small moments sometimes mundane, yet so often beautiful - from filtering water by a creek, to making coffee on a mountain cliff.
The views have been unreal. The hikers genuine, friendly and always willing to lend a hand. The challenges very real (scarily so sometimes), from steep passes and injuries, to wildfires and some bitterly cold wet nights. The milestones exciting - from crossing the first one hundred miles to the 2600 mile marker. The small moments sometimes mundane, yet so often beautiful - from filtering water by a creek, to making coffee on a mountain cliff.
Photo by Kris "Big Brother" Dowling
Unfortunately, due to wildfires that devastated the West Coast this year, we had to skip over 350 miles in Northern California.
This wasn't a decision we wanted to make - but given the majority of the trail was closed due to burning, and unburned sections were hazardous still due to smoke and potential fires, we don't believe we had much choice in the matter.
I hope all the best for the communities impacted from the droughts and fires this year. Hiking through the smoke, meeting evacuees and seeing fires on trail was scary enough - but to lose your house, belongings or even your whole town is incomprehensible.
The three brothers.
What am I taking away from this hike:
A sense of accomplishment and willingness to be bolder.
A greater appreciation for the outdoors and the company of others in a similar crucible.
Surprise that I can push myself this hard physically and mentally and succeed.
The knowledge I can pack a bag and live out of it indefinitely - and not only survive, but be comfortable in the wilderness.
A greater love for photography, and capturing not just landscapes but the hikers we’ve crossed them with.
The importance of mindset in achieving outcomes - you can’t walk across a country unless you’re mentally ready to deal with challenges and come out smiling.
My desert and Sierra Nevada sections trail family ("tramily") and other friends on top of Mount Whitney - the highest point in the contiguous United States.
Above all else I’m going to miss the people. Y’all are amazing, and I can’t wait to see where the trail leads you next. I just hope we find ourselves on the same path in the future.
Finally, a MASSIVE thank you to everyone who donated to the fundraiser for Crohn’s & Colitis UK and the EY Foundation. We have beaten the target and raised over £2670 for these amazing charities! Thank you all for your incredibly generous support to help achieve this ambitious goal.
Finally, a MASSIVE thank you to everyone who donated to the fundraiser for Crohn’s & Colitis UK and the EY Foundation. We have beaten the target and raised over £2670 for these amazing charities! Thank you all for your incredibly generous support to help achieve this ambitious goal.
Happy trails.
The finishers. Our tramily that met in Oregon and hiked through Washington to the end together.
