Cheering on Chloe

Hi there! Thanks for stopping by and joining me on this adventure of a lifetime.

I'm Chloe. I'm 31 years old and live in Ardeche, France. I was born and raised in Canada by my fierce and loving parents - Kurt and Jane. Crazy in love, they got married and immigrated to Canada from the UK to start a new life and create a safe and beautiful home for their family.

I owe everything to my parents. Every decision they took and every sacrifice they made was for their children. They spent their time and energy dedicated to providing and creating a life for their children that they couldn't have.

My father was agile, a hard-worker, and relentless to make his impact. My mother was protective, resilient and unconditionally loved her children. A perfect match to take on the world.

My life turned upside down when I lost my father, my daddy Kerpal, on March 31st 2017. He was 58 years old too young. He retired early and was working towards fulfilling his dream of living in the French countryside. My dad kept me safe. He kept me tough. He gave me purpose. He was my absolute hero; he was everything to me.

I've been lost, scared, angry, lonely, depressed, regretful since the passing of my dad. I've felt misunderstood and isolated - finding it impossible to relate to others who hadn't experienced such an insurmountable loss. Their life so seemingly perfect.

Trying to navigate this scary world without the love and protection of my dad seems absolutley impossible at times. Losing a parent at age 25 impacts you in ways that you can't understand right away.

I tried to press on. I worked hard. Continued moving and kept myself busy. Hiding the demons and distracting myself at any opportunity that presented itself.

It didn't happen suddenly. But slowly but surely, I knew it was time to stop. I needed to pause, slow down, and give myself time to greive and eventually (if possible) heal.

Fast-forward to November 2022, I began a 11-month sabbatical from my full-time role as Program Manager at Amazon.

The objective of my 11-month sabbatical: hike the 2,650mile (4,264km) Pacific Crest Trail from Mexico to Canada.

One step at a time.

Honoring my father - the most brave, charismatic, kind man I've ever known.

Healing from this deep wound.

I know I need to do this.

Moving forward. One step at a time.

SUPPORT AND CHEER ME ON!

I'm going to be hiking from March to October, if all goes well. Hiking with my 60L backpack, sleeping outside with my tent, and resupplying every few days from a town just a hitch hike away.

My thru-hike adventure will begin on March 31st 2023 in the desert of Campo, California. I'll hike through different climates including deserts, high mountain ranges, and volanic landscapes between California, Oregon, and Washington. The northern terminus finishes in Manning Park, BC, Canada.

This thru-hike will not only be phyiscally challenging - averaging between 25 to 40km daily; but also mentally challenging. The temptations of missing home, unlimited access to food, a comfortable bed, family and friends. All you have out their is your physical body and wandering mind.

Staying mentally strong and positive is going to my biggest obstacle.

This thru-hike costs an average of 7k - 10k USD. The costs include replacing equipment, resupplying, and once in a while splurging on a hotel for a fresh shower and a comfy bed.

Your support will go a long way to help me on my adventure. You can help me enjoy a delicious restaurant-cooked meal, a warm shower, and comfortable bed. The funds will also be dedicated to replacing equipment including trail shoes or other essential gear items. Most importantly, I'm going to need all the cheering on that I can get for you!

I'll be using this page also to provide updates on my adventure and whereabouts so you can stay connected with me (I know I have some worried family members out there!!)

Thank you so much for all your love and support. I appreciate you all enormously.