Day 0 – Pacific Crest Trail 2026 – Redemption Hike

Redemption (ri- dem(p)-shen): The act, process or an instance of redeeming: serving to offset or compensate for a defect.

I suppose its all a matter of perspective. The story you tell yourself and those around you. On April 8, 2018 I set myself on what I thought would be the journey of a life time. The 2650 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail stood before me. I had built a classic man vs nature saga in my mind and set forward on an adventure I hoped would heal and help me find direction. 18 days and 210 miles later the trail had won and I returned home.

I have always viewed this moment as a failure. I have often found myself wondering could I have just taken a week or two to heal and carried on. Was I too quick to throw the towel? Did I in fact loose both the physical and the mental challenge the trail had put before me. Although I have always viewed this as a failure, those I have told the story to have not shared the same belief. Perspective is an interesting thing.

Since returning home I have been planning my return, my second chance, my redemption hike. Due to many once in a lifetime world and personal events it has taken me 8 years to be here in San Diego. Once again at the precipice of thru-hiking the Pacific Crest Trail.

There is so much that has changed in the last 8 years. It certainly isn’t lost on me, that unprecedented times we keep finding ourselves in bring a lot of unknown into our world and to the trail. But as much as things have changed I find myself feeling many of the same emotions I felt the last time I was in San Diego – self doubt, fear, excitement.

I am certainly in no better physical shape than the last time I walked on the PCT but somehow I do feel more prepared. My last PCT hike was my second backpacking trip and many things caught me completely of guard. Over the past 8 years I have hiked multiple times a year including the Patagonia “O” circuit, the 12 day Huayhuash trek, the Salkantay and Inca Trail, along wth countless more local hiking trips. Mentally I feel like I am more prepared for the “suck” the trail will spit at me along the way.

I’ve learned to pack lighter but not too light. For some hikers there is no such thing as too light but I have learned a few extra reasonable ounces makes for a better nights sleep and improved comfort amongst the cold. My current base weight (the total weight of all backpacking gear carried in a pack, excluding consumables, like food, water and fuel) for this trip is 17.5 pounds. In 2018 it was closer to 30. Add 4-5 days of food and desert stretches that require carrying up to 5 or 6 litres of water ones pack weight quickly adds up. “Ounces equal pounds, and pounds equal pain” or so they say. All told, I expect my pack to weigh approximately 37 pounds as I set off from the Souther Terminus.

For the past 6 years I have been paying into a self funded (sabbatical) leave verses in 2018 when I was on an unpaid leave of absence. This, and because of my incredible partner, means I should not have any financial stress along the journey. Nor less rush to change gears should unexpected incidents occur.

One thing I haven’t done is try to plan the entire hike. I am trying to concentrate more on the day and section before me and the challenges they will bring rather than the feeling of victory I may feel in 2650 miles.

With all that said – I have found myself recently wondering is this actually something I want to do? Or is this something I have just been telling myself I want to do for the last 8 years and can’t back down from. Is this self doubt creeping in or a truth I have never let myself know. I guess I will soon find out.

Over the past few days my fiancee and I have been in San Diego. This has given me time to sort through a few last minute trail logistics and spend some time with her exploring the world famous Zoo and Joshua Tree National Park (because I’m not about to hike enough figured I should do some more!).

I’m stressed. I’m excited and fearful but of what I’m not sure. The only thing I know right now is that I will not sleep well tonight. All very reminiscent of how I felt trying to sleep in Scout and Frodo’s back yard back in 2018 (Scout and Frodo are trail angles that used to host and drive PCT hikers to the terminus – over the years they hosted approximately 8000 hikers – they officially retired from PCT hosting in 2024).

I start my 2026 PCT NOBO (Northbound) thru hike on Sunday April 5 when my fiancee drops me off at the Southern Terminus.

Thank you to everyone who is or has supported me in this crazy adventure.

May the odds be ever in my favour!