On March 13th, 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. 

I am walking 2,650 miles to End Polio with Rotary International. Support my journey!

CLICK HERE TO HELP ME END POLIO

Worried About Money Again

The fear of having enough money will probably never go away. I landed my first job when I was 12 years old; a paper route delivering the Frederick Leader. I am now 36 and the longest I have ever gone without a job is 2 months, but even during that time I made sure I had enough resources to see me through to the end. Even during the most challenging times, a certain level of financial security has always been there. Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail will mean five to six months without a job. I will be living off of my savings and the kindness of strangers. For me, this is an unknown and it means the fear will never really go away.

Shopping List Complete

After two years of researching, planning, and shopping, I finally have everything I will need to complete every phase of this journey. Holding my camp shoes, the last item on my list, I felt an overwhelming sense of pride. A sense of calm and pure joy washed over me. Two years ago, I set out to accomplish something that is both logistically and physically challenging. Now, with everything in tow, only the walking remains.

Permit Approved

I survived the Pacific Crest Trail Association permit approval process. When I downloaded the permit from the website and stuck it to my refrigerator for safekeeping, this journey moved from the abstract to reality. No longer was this something to be discussed over drinks with friends or dreamed about while I sleep. My permit was permission to embark on a once in a lifetime journey. Finally, I had been granted clearance and I was ready for lift-off!  

Fundraising Support

I want to thank everyone who has donated and pledged support for my PCT journey. Early on, I knew I wanted to use this journey to do something bigger than just a hike in the woods. As of today, we have raised nearly $2,000 and I have several thousand dollars pledged for donation after the journey is complete. More than the dollars raised or the prospect of ending Polio in our lifetime, I am moved by the community that has grown around this dream of mine.

Less Than 100 Days

The calendar now says we are less than 100 days away from the beginning of this journey. I cannot help but wonder what the drive to Campo will feel like. What emotions will I feel when I see the monument? How will it feel to walk away from that point on the map into the unknown? What will Mile 1 bring and all those other landmarks I am expecting? Soon, very soon, I will know the answers to these questions. I do know this; those feelings will defy my wildest expectations.

Be good to each other,

Nathan 

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