On May 1st, 2020, I will begin hiking the Pacific Crest Trail from Mexico to Canada through California, Oregon, and Washington. This ongoing series is an attempt to document the entire journey from beginning to end.

Elizabeth, One of My Best Friends

Every relationship, both platonic and romantic, has a moment where one person looks at the other and says, “I need you to do this with me.” My best friends and my boyfriend have almost always said yes without any hesitation. Years and years ago, I asked Elizabeth Jones to join me on a journey from Mexico to Canada along the Pacific Crest Trail. Without hesitation, she said yes. Time passed quickly, and life got complicated, so we had to put a pin in our trip. Then, a window opened, and we were afforded another opportunity. Without hesitation, she said yes once again. Without hesitation, Elizabeth is one of my best friends.

To Benefit Rotary

Joining a local Rotary club was one of the best decisions I have ever made in my life. Through my club service, I have made lifelong friends, met local movers and shakers, fallen in love with my community, and found people I consider family. Rotary also cemented within me this idea of service above self. By making $10 donations every month, I am playing my part to eradicate Polio from the face of the earth. I want to use the experience of hiking the Pacific Crest Trail to do even more. I want to raise $1 for every mile hiked and put it toward ending Polio. If you want, you can support my GoFundMe campaign below! Thanks for the consideration.

CLICK HERE TO HELP ME END POLIO

My Next Big Thing

At the age of 34, I can confidently say I don’t have it all figured out yet. In the same breath, I can say I am beginning to figure it all out. I know this life is too short not to do something you truly love. It often takes courage and conviction to conquer some of those biggest mountains. I hope I can use this experience to solidify a plan for the next great venture in my life. Of all my causes and passions, nothing excites me like cinema. It has taken me 34 years to realize the transformative power of film. I hope to use this trip to ponder the next big thing and a way to do what I truly love.

Finding Myself

I don’t think a single person who contemplates a journey as arduous as this one does it without some hope of finding themselves on the trail and in the pathless woods. I go to the woods to do just that. While the total sum of my life has become a journey to find myself, I sincerely hope this trail and the celebration at the end will deliver me to a new level of understanding. I know that’s a lot of pressure to put on an experience, but I truly can’t hope for anything less.

Nervous

There is plenty to be nervous about when hiking the PCT. Recently, I have been obsessed with the dangers of Rattle Snakes. Yet, nothing holds my fear in place like the thought of what comes after the hike. Putting my life on pause for 5-6 months is hard enough. Trying to hit play again terrifies me. I don’t know how to shake this fear beyond just doing it and crossing those bridges when I arrive. Still, my obsessive mind won’t let me rest. I assume this will be a topic we discuss often.

Be good to each other,

-Nathan

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