ANOTHER DAY IN PARADISE

#embracingthesuck isn’t supposed to mean indefinitely enduring something you’ve lost the joy of doing.

The truth is, I’ve been hiking with significant pain for hundreds of miles. It has taken an increasing toll on me, both physically and mentally. I don’t want to leave this experience remembering only how badly it hurt, so here, at the Bridge of the Gods, I walk no further.

126 days.
1,830 miles.
4,341,600 steps.

My PCT journey comes to an end.

I didn’t thru-hike the Pacific Crest Trail, but I sure as hell hiked it.

There are so many people I need to thank. Everyone who followed along, read my blog, commented on my posts, sent messages and encouraged me from home. The amazing hiker trash I met and shared miles, meals, laughs and struggles with along the way. The incredibly generous trail angels who opened their homes, gave rides, left water, fed us and reminded me over and over again how good people can be.

And most importantly, my fiancée, Mel, who supported this ridiculous dream from the beginning. She supported me every step of the way, through the incredible days and the really difficult ones, and somehow always knew exactly what I needed to hear.

It’s going to take me a long time to process these 126 days and everything this journey has taught me. There were incredible highs, some pretty dark lows, and more experiences packed into four months than I could possibly summarize in one post.

Of course part of me wishes I could say I walked all the way to Canada. But I’m proud of what I did.

I walked out of Campo 126 days ago not knowing what was ahead of me.

1,830 miles later, I’m walking off the trail knowing a little more about myself than when I started.

And I think that was always the point.

#allgoodthingscometoanend #pct2026 #hikertrash ...

Same place - Two days later. The winds have shifted back to the east and the air is clearing up. Still smokey but way better. The last photo shows how close the fires actually are to the Lodge but I’m walking the other way. Oh and new shirt who this! My last one had multiple holes in the back and after 1700 plus miles it was time to replace it. #anotherdayinparadise #pct2026 #embracethesuck ...

I just arrived at Timberline Lodge. The wind is blowing towards the trail. As I hiked today the smoke got worse and worse eventually I got an emergency alert on my phone advising I was in a level 1 BE READY evacuation zone. Then ash started falling on me as I hiked and the AQI is now 500 here and along the next part of the trail. I’ve made the decision to take a shuttle from here and head into town rather than continue in these conditions. #PCT2026 #anotherdayinparadise #wildfire ...

A few photos from Oregon. Yesterday I hiked 32.9 miles (53 kms) and have had multiple 30 mile days. Looking forward to some rest in Bend soon. Fires have closed the last 50 miles of the trail including the Northern Terminus so I’m at a little bit of a loss as to what I will do. This adventure has been so many things but I’m tired and ready to go home sooner rather than later. #pct2026 #anotherdayinparadise #embracethesuck #missinghome ...