PCT with Purpose: The last miles of an Epic Journey- Facing the Bull Moose, thinking I had to quit; wanting to go back!

When I started hiking May 9, 2016 I had no idea if the challenging task could be accomplished. I didn't know what the journey would mean to me personally, spiritually, or physically. I didn't know if I would get sick or injured along the way, I just felt compelled to go, so I did. I didn't realize that I would be reaping the benefits of the trip so soon or that I would be able to fall back on what I have learned about myself now and then again later in life.

Hiking and living out in the wilderness among the magnificent national parks that we have is a privilege. I knew I would love it but, I really didn't appreciate how much it would mean to me until I was able to live this journey. Hike by hike and step by step, each pass had something to teach or provide shelter, water, or an experience.

I am thankful I had the motivation of my father and his battle with Stage 4 Colon cancer. It helped me push through when I needed. I have said this before, the challenge of hiking and making it 2,600 miles from border to border was much less of an accomplishment than the challenge and hardships that my father has been undertaking as a Stage 4 colon cancer patient. Any cancer patient endures more discomfort and challenges than I did on the trail.

The last few weeks of the trail were more challenging for me than most of the trail. It equaled or surpassed the beginning when I was just learning how to hike, camp, and turn into the "hiker trash" that I did along the way. The weather played the most critical factor as I had to hike for days in the rain, sleet, and some snow.

After our night with Chef at Snoqualmie Pass, the hikers that have become my hiker family and I were able to jump back on the trail and start the trek that we found to be one of the most beautiful sections of the trail. Looking back my favorite sections were the Sierras, Forester Pass, and the area of Washington State north of Snoqualmie. Snoqualmie is part of the Cascade Mountain range and if you are blessed to hike the Cascades in good weather, you are in for a treat. Not only are the vistas reminiscent of the grandeur of the Sierras or Yosemite, but there are no crowds around to spoil the beauty.

Pancakes, Nightrider, 9-5 and I were reunited on this part of the trail. It was our first time back together as a group since Northern California. We had met each other only a few weeks from the Mexican border and now almost 2,500 miles north we were still hiking together. It was awesome to be hiking the last bit of the trail with some of the original hikers I met and I wished that the rest of the gang I hiked with in the Sierras could have been there as well.

The alpine lakes of the Glacier Peak Wilderness views reminded me of the grandeur and majestic peaks of the Sierras but the lush rainforest undergrowth and ferns offered a different dimension. Washington is not an easy state to hike. The weather can be unforgiving and the duality of the beautiful peaks and the wet forest makes for a dangerous mix at times. It was in this area, the last weeks of the journey, that I first had doubts as to whether I would be able to finish the hike.

Before I reached Stehekin, I got caught in a rainstorm and lost my bearings. The combination of the rain, lack of visibility, and hiking without a paper map resulted in me taking a side route that I originally thought was a part of the trail that was not maintained. I soon realized I was lost. During that time, it felt more like bushwacking than hiking. There were lots of trees across the trail and I lost my footing at times. Things just kept getting worse when I fell and broke my trekking pole ripping my wind pants in the process. The wind pants were essential because it had started raining almost every day for that part of the trip. I was drenched from head to foot. The delay and inability to keep up with my previous pace also meant that I was behind schedule and ran out of food. I was in the middle of nowhere and would not reach a resupply stop for two days. That meant two days of hiking without food. The rain turned to freezing rain and then sleet. Some time later, the weather changed again and it started snowing. It snowed about 5 inches in only an hour.

Two of my hiking buddies behind me had decided to turn back because of the storm and seek a place to hunker down until it passed. Unaware that they had retreated, I trudged along and was only able to gain 9 miles that day after getting lost. I was miserable. The next morning I had to put on wet socks when it was only about 30 degrees outside.

I was cold, wet and not in a great mood. My body was telling me to quit. The last two days I had been in freezing rain, lost, injured, and snowed on. Stehekin can only be reached by boat or by hiking in as there are no outside roads into the area. I guess that was a blessing in disguise because I was tempted to call someone to come get me. While waiting for a shuttle bus that operates within that area only, I pulled out my Inreach Delorme to check the weather and forgot to put it back on my pack.

The shuttle to Stehekin from the trailhead runs only every 3 hours. Not realizing my mistake, I got off the bus and into the area where the bakery and store. By the time I realized I didn't have the Delorme it would be another 3 hours before I could get back up to the area where I thought I left it. My parents were so worried about me the last time something happened to my satellite that I dreaded calling them about it. I realized however, if I didn't call them, they would think I wasn't hiking because the gps location would be incorrect. The store was kind enough to allow me to call them since there was not cell service. I felt much better after talking to my parents.

My parents ended up sending the unit a message hoping that someone would find it and be kind enough to return it to me. The Delorme was a great communication device when I needed it and it served me well. I hope that it is found. After having no luck finding it, I met up again with Nightrider and we tried to find the rest of our hiker family.

By now, Nightrider and I were in Stehekin together and we didn't know that Pancakes and 9-5 had to turn back because of weather. We were able to do our laundry, and dry out before regrouping for the rest of the trip. Another two hikers named Baboo and Flowers ended up sharing a shelter with us. We had only 3 more days of 27mile/day hikes left and then the extra 9 miles into Manning Park. By the next morning, I had calmed down and settled into my hiking rhythm again determined to finish the trip.

Things started looking up as we were blessed to get a turn in the weather and able to see the beauty that surrounds both Hearts Pass and Rainy Pass in Washington. We were treated to some trail magic by a few hikers that had finished and then come back to help out those still on the trail. One trail angel even gave me a rain jacket when they saw that mind had been ripped.

The bull moose that I met along the trail.

The next day I had my first major animal encounter. Just when I let my guard down, a bull moose showed up on the trail. There was heavy brush on either side of me so I had no where to go. I waited patiently for the moose to move but it wouldn't. He just stared at me, not moving an inch. I started trying to talk to it to see if that would help but the moose headed straight toward me. I decided to whip out my umbrella and open it. Success! The moose decided to turn around and walk the other way instead of coming toward me. This was the only thing that made the moose move. It would wander up the trail a bit, turn around and stare at me and then move up a little further. This went on a lot longer than I would have liked. Moose can be very dangerous and unpredictable so I was lucky that it was not aggressive.

The rest of the trip went off without a hitch and Nightrider and I hiked on our own during the day at met up at night to camp together. The Northern Cascade mountains lived up to their hype and offered an amazing section of the trail. It was refreshing and I loved all the different types of rocks and trees that are prevalent in the area. Alpine lakes, beautiful vistas, and evergreens are everywhere. I especially liked Cutthroat Pass around Rainy Pass.

As Nightrider and I reached the end of the trail, it seemed surreal that my hike was finally over. We camped out close to the monument so that we could hike the 9 miles into Canada relatively early the next morning. Who would have thought that I would have been able to hike from the Mexican to the Canadian border? or that I would finish with another person that started the same day as me. 140 days counting the last short 9 mile hike.

The PCT is full of great people that hike the trail for different reasons. Some hike for causes like I did and others are there for an experience in nature that they won't forget. I was lucky to do both. I formed lifelong friendships with other hikers. I learned that I can adapt to different circumstances, being patient when things don't go exactly as planned and coming up with creative solutions when needed.

After taking our pictures at the trailhead, Nightrider and I camped together for the last night as PCT thru hikers a short distance from the monument.

After 139 days of hiking! I made it!

Thanks for all my support back in Mason Ohio. Go Comets!

The next morning, I got up early to meet up with my parents. It was great to see them and they were so happy to be able to come to Manning Park. My dad wasn't able to hike but he was healthy enough to greet me. It was a wonderful reunion! What made it even better is that Pancakes and his mom were also at Manning Park so our families got to meet each other as well.

Pancakes, Nightrider and Me the day after we finished the trail.

My dad finished his treatments in time to meet me at the end of the trail.

The end of the trail also brought a mixed bag of feelings. I was happy for being able to stay healthy enough and have the mental toughness to last the entire trail. I was happy to have met Nightrider, 9-5, Pancakes, Liam and all the other hikers that made the experience memorable. I was relieved to get out of the elements, but I was saddened by the fact that I wouldn't be on the trail any longer. I was hooked! I am officially a hiker now. I know I will find myself back out on the trail whenever I get the chance.

The next couple of weeks I will be in Seattle with my extended family. It will give me a little bit of time to reflect before going back to Ohio and getting ready for my medical school interviews. I don't get to see my relatives there very often so it was great to see my 94 year old great-grandmother, grandfather, and many cousins. I plan on keeping my hiker beard and hair for a few days so that my friends and sister back home get the chance to see me before I transform back into a "real" person.

I knew after my last few steps approaching the PCT monument and as I hiked into Canada and that I wanted to savor the experience I had and try to document how I felt. You can't ever repeat your first thru hike. I wanted to remember it. As time goes by, I may forget some details about the trail, but I am thankful that I took the time to write down my experience and take pictures that I can recall when I need that shot of nature again.

Thanks to all the trail angels, host families, and for you that supported my fundraiser for the Colon Cancer Alliance. I finished the trail and I made it to the end. Thank you for traveling with me.

Legend, that I met along the trail told me "The last one to Canada wins." I say to those still out on the trail to enjoy the last days. Enjoy each evening you spend looking at the stars and each beautiful lake you pass. Breathe in the fresh air that smells of the alpine forest because you will miss it once you leave your hiking shoes behind.