On March 8th, I set out on the journey of a lifetime, thru-hiking the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). The PCT is a 2650-mile trail from the Mexican border in California to the Canadian border in Washington. In addition to the normal challenges accompanying such a trek, I have the additional challenges of managing and dealing with two auto-immune diseases. Three years ago, I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease and Primary Sclerosing Colingitis (PSC), a disease of the liver bile ducts. Things did not look good, and I was facing a possible liver transplant.  Thanks to the amazing team of doctors at the University of Chicago Hospitals, my condition became more stable.  I was given the green light to begin my dream.  When Covid arose, however, I was told at the beginning not to even leave my house, that it could kill me.  I had to quit my jobs which was the means to making funds to support my hike.  Six months before my start date, I was given clearance to work again. I have the support of my Doctors and family for my medical challenges, but now there is also a major financial challenge to doing this hike. I did not want that to stop me. The average thru-hike costs about $1000 per month. Expenses range from food to shoes to other equipment. However, my journey has many added costs. Every four weeks, I have to leave the trail to get an infusion of Remicade for my Crohn's disease. Every three months I have to pay for a flight to fly home and visit the University of Chicago Hospital so that i can remain in a study for medicine for PSC that is helping me immensely in reducing symptoms and I hope it is improving my liver condition. This means I have had to get off the trail and get into towns into peoples’ homes where a nurse can come to do my infusions, or get to an airport to fly home.  There are Trail Angels that help you, but there are costs involved with this.  Trail Angels are there to help hikers, but we give them money to help cover the cost of gas and their time and due to the high cost of gas, it is important that they get compensated properly.  Although I have accepted this as my new normal, the diseases continue to play a major role in shaping my hike, much to my frustration.  June 19th I turn 25.  I really want to be able to fulfill my dream and complete this hike.  When I come home I will have to find a job with good insurance because at 26 I will no longer be able to be on my parents’ and I need to have good insurance to maintain my level of care with my outstanding doctors. 

 

I know times are tough for everyone, but if there is any way that you can donate even a small amount I would be very grateful.  If you are interested, I am happy to share what my expenses are so if you want to donate for something specific, you can.  Otherwise, just know that every dollar donated gets me that much further to completing my journey and my dream.

 
You can follow me at http://https://adamhiking.com/