In 2018, my Pacific Crest Trail journey ended just 200 miles in. Injury forced me off trail long before I was ready, and ever since then, getting back has been in the back of my mind.

In 2026, I’m returning for my redemption hike.

The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) is a 2,650-mile (4,265 km) trek from Mexico to Canada, running through California, Oregon, and Washington. Along the way, it crosses deserts, climbs high alpine passes, winds through dense forests, and traverses some of the most remote wilderness in North America. In total, hikers gain and lose roughly 480,000 feet of elevation — the equivalent of climbing Mount Everest multiple times.

It’s not just the distance that makes the PCT challenging. It’s the heat, the snow, the isolation, the logistics — and the mental grind of showing up day after day. Every year, thousands start the trail, but far fewer make it all the way to Canada.

Eight years later, I’m heading back to see how far I can go.

Follow along as I take on the PCT once again. Sign up below to get email notifications whenever a new blog post goes live.