New Beginnings

There have been many times in my life when I've felt incredibly lucky and blessed to be exactly where I am. Right now is one of those times.

On June 25th, I'll have the opportunity to put on my backpack once again and return to the Pacific Crest Trail after nearly a two-month break. This time, I'll be heading back with a lighter pack—and a lighter perspective.

While I still intend to complete the entire Pacific Crest Trail, I've decided to approach it differently. Instead of trying to finish it all in one continuous push, I'll complete it in sections over the next few years. This journey is no longer about chasing miles. It's about finding joy in the trail and taking the time to fully experience everything it has to offer.

The spring snow conditions in the Sierra Nevada and Northern California brought my hike to a stop and eventually sent me back to Minnesota to wait for conditions to improve. But looking back, it wasn't just the snow that ended my journey. After 558 miles through the desert, I was physically exhausted and trying to recover from leg injury. Somewhere along the way, I lost my gratitude for the trail. I lost sight of what an incredible gift I had been given—the chance to step away from everyday life and hike one of the most beautiful trails in the country.

When I returned home, I didn't feel appreciation or gratitude. I felt disappointment. My journey hadn't unfolded the way I imagined it would. Instead of continuing north, I found myself back in Minnesota much sooner than I ever expected.

Sometimes we need people in our lives who are willing to tell us what we need to hear, not what we want to hear. A friend did exactly that when I got home.

They reminded me that there are countless people facing challenges far greater than mine. So what if I didn't complete the entire trail in one season? Many people never have the opportunity to attempt something like this at all. Some are simply trying to make it through each day, while I was fortunate enough to spend months walking through mountains and wilderness—and then complaining and feeling disappointed because things didn't go according to plan.

It was a much-needed reality check.

Sitting there, I felt a little ashamed. How had I allowed myself to lose my gratitude so easily after everything I've experienced over the past few years? It's amazing how quickly we can put blinders back on and begin taking the world around us for granted.

As difficult as it was to hear, it was exactly what I needed.

And now, I have the opportunity to return.

When I step back onto the trail soon, I'll be carrying a lighter load on my back and a lighter outlook in my mind. The goal is no longer to push hard to reach some distant finish line. The goal is simply to enjoy the trail for what it is, day by day, moment by moment.

While I still plan to complete the entire Pacific Crest Trail, it won't happen all this year - and I'm ok with that now. I'll spend the next few years hiking sections and slowly working my way toward Canada, taking the time to appreciate each stretch of trail and everything it has to reveal.

When I return to the trail at the end of June, I'll begin in the Lake Tahoe area and head north. I'll hike until I feel finished for the season. That might be a week, or it might be more than two months. My permit is valid through the middle of September, but honestly, I have no idea where this year's journey will end. What an amazing opportunity!

This time, the goal isn't a destination. The goal is to enjoy the trail, appreciate every step, and remain grateful for every day I'm fortunate enough to spend out there.

I hope to continue sharing updates here on the blog as the journey unfolds. I'd love to have you follow along. Thanks everybody!

FYI...

A couple of people have asked whether I'll be meeting up with Feathers on the trail. She and I spent quite a bit of time hiking together through the desert before parting ways at the base of the Sierra Nevada. She was determined to continue into the Sierras, while I wasn't comfortable with the conditions.

As it turns out, she successfully made it through the incredibly challenging Sierra section. Unfortunately, after completing the Sierras, she suffered a broken ankle while still on the trail. Using her inReach satellite communicator, she was able to call for help and was eventually airlifted out of the mountains by helicopter.

Thankfully, she's doing well and recovering, but obviously her hike is over for this year. The good news is that she fully intends to return next year and finish the journey she started.