Letting your son hike 2,600+ miles alone.

Zach has asked that some of the family also post on his blog so today I am responding to a question many have asked.   Were you afraid for him go? Getting through it was a process.

It was exciting yesterday to watch his movements.  Yesterday he probably hiked 22-24 miles.  Here is a screenshot of his hike yesterday - DAY 1.

The ability to track Zach gave me some comfort.  After our hike at Glacier National park last year, Zach explained that he felt compelled and lead by God to hike the entire PCT.  He had planned to hike a much smaller quest with his dad - the John Muir trail which goes through some of the most beautiful scenery in the United States.   Muir was one of the naturalists that fought to establish the national park system, co-founded the Sierra Club and accompanied President Teddy Roosevelt on a trip to Yosemite.  Muir felt most at peace and home among nature.

Zach felt the wilderness calling him. He also wanted to make the hike about something.  He wanted to help fund cancer research.  It was difficult for me to accept at first. What about the rattlesnakes, lack of water, mountain lions, bears, getting hurt and no one even knowing about it?  As the months went on, I began to feel more at peace about the idea when I found out how many others would be on the trail. Reading books on resupplying, preparing, etc. helped as well. When we discovered a satellite tracking device that was also a GPS and could send us messages, I was all for it.  So the caveat for me was - Zach had to take the tracking device/emergency beacon with him.  I was finally on the same page with Zach and his dad.

Then we got the news. Jeff's colon cancer had progressed into his liver. Some of the cancer stem cells had been stunned by the first round of chemo but the absence of the chemo allowed it to manifest in the liver. Surgery and chemo was ahead once again. Zach volunteered to cancel his trip. After much prayer and consideration, both his dad and I agreed he should continue. What better time in your life for a 5 month trip than when you graduate college?  It turns out he will finish the trail about the same time that Jeff finishes his cancer treatments. Sometimes your journeys are one you choose, others are chosen for you. Jeff had surgery on January 4, 2016. His cancer "thru hike" has been a journey that has shaped and molded him just like this thru hike will do for Zach.  It was appropriate that Zach's favorite bible verse is one about how challenges in life can mold you into a better and more complete person. An excerpt of it is on his hiking t-shirt.  James 1: 2-4.

 The trail is not like the Appalachian where you will see colored markers every 200 feet or so making sure you are on the trail, but it is well groomed. A lot of the first part is dusty, desert with brush, rattlesnakes, and you can go 20 miles between water sources.  Planning is necessary.  Carrying the right equipment is necessary.  Carrying enough water is essential.  Zach was carrying 16 lbs of water for the first part of the journey. We were guessing his pack weighed about 42-45lbs.  Carrying that for 22 miles? Whew.  There will be times later on when his pack will weigh 50 lbs because there is no where to get off the trail for more than 6 days.
Zach sent two pictures yesterday before he got too far down the trail. You can see part of the terrain around it. The landscape will change as he heads further north. Later on you will get to see the desert, then the Sierra's lush forests, streams and beauty. He will go through everything from deserts to meadows to snow on this journey. The changes in elevation will be significant. As the days go by, I will try to post about how Jeff and I helped Zach before the hike.  The process seemed daunting at first but was one we came to enjoy.  Happy trails to our hiker.  We pray that he will be blessed by God along the way.