The Pacific Crest Trail is a premier 2,650-mile National Scenic Trail spanning from Mexico to Canada through California, Oregon, and Washington, passing through 26 national forests, 7 national parks, 5 state parks, and 4 national monuments. In order to maintain its integrity a limited number of permits are awarded each year via a lottery system, allowing only a small handful of hikers access to the trail each day between March and May. To experience the PCT requires luck, specialized gear, months of physical and mental preparation, and the ability to otherwise uproot your everyday life. Those who have had the honor describe feeling a lifetime's worth of emotional highs and lows concentrated into a few short months; being broken down to their core one day only to be humbled by unimaginable natural beauty the next.

My journey begins on March 27th

Although this quest is meant to be an exercise in self-reliance and minimalism, it would be dangerously naive to think that a major unexpected expense isn't possible: an emergency medical bill, inclement weather or fires forcing time off trail, an unforeseen trip to the vet or other crisis back home, could all cause this adventure to be cut short. This is why I've chosen GoFundMe as my platform to announce my departure, as well as welcome friends and loved ones who want to offer support a way to donate to the end goal. In an ideal situation these funds would not need to be used during my thru hike, in which case the remainder will be donated to the Pacific Crest Trail Association to ensure that the PCT is maintained and protected for future wanderers to enjoy for years to come.

Please don't feel obligated to donate, but please do follow along on my journey as it unfolds.

"And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul"

-John Muir