2,650 miles is a long way to walk

As we announced on our homepage a month ago, we are stoked to be hiking the Pacific Crest Trail during the 2016 season. This trek is something that we have put a lot of thought into, and we are excited about the experience. We want to dedicate this site to all things PCT: preparation, training, motivation, fears, trail journal, etc. Hiking 2,650 miles from Mexico to Canada is not an undertaking we would go after if it was not something we felt passionately about. We live in a beautiful country, and we want to see it. We want to experience what life is like living minimally for months on end. We want to push our bodies and keep them healthy. We want to spend time together and go on a grand adventure before the realities of adulthood (children, real jobs, home ownership) start taking over our time.

As excited as we are for this adventure, we do realize how crazy it sounds to some family and friends. Here are some of the questions we've been hearing.

What started it all?
The answer to this question is actually pretty random. We went on a very snowy hike out to Jardine Juniper while we were living in Logan and after posting a picture on Facebook, Aunt Susan commented and mentioned the PCT. After reading her comment we looked up a little bit about the trail and told her we would love to do it, however we didn't think we'd ever have the time. But have you ever had an idea that wouldn't go away? Before we knew it we couldn't stop researching the Pacific Crest Trail. We were watching YouTube videos, full documentaries, reading blogs, and researching official websites learning what it takes to do something like this. We were hooked.

Why would you want to do this?
If you consider this a valid question, then we have to combat with the question "why not", which in all fairness is just as valid. Anybody who knows us knows that we thrive on adventure. We both love branching out and doing new things. We love nature and we love being immersed in it. We can't imagine a better way to spend our time growing together than an adventure like this.

We met in a desert,

Got married in a castle,

Moved to a rainforest. . .

Why wouldn't we want to do this???

What about school and "real life?"
Chris is currently taking two online math classes that are his last prerequisites to get into a nursing program in Utah, so the earliest date he can get in is fall 2016. We plan on completing the trail before Chris starts classes and I'll look for a "grown-up" job then. Why not spend this limbo time doing something awesome?

You'll need to hike about 20 miles a day to do this in four months? How is that possible?
This question is the hardest one to answer because truth is, the thought still scares us. Averaging 17-20 miles a day. . . yah, that sounds crazy. Yep, we're guaranteed to get blisters. And yes, we will probably hate the first few weeks. And we realize that there will be days where no matter how determined we are we simply won't be able to go 20 miles. However, we are not the first people to walk this far, and we won't be the last. It will be hard at times, but we will adjust, we will grow, we will learn, and we will do.