Hiking through Heart Ache

Everyone hiking the Pacific Crest Trail has some kind of story to tell. Some are eager to say why they are doing what they're doing. For others, it takes some time to get comfortable telling their story. In getting to know my fellow hikers during this first couple weeks, no story has grabbed me like Brady's story.

I met Brady during the first mile on the first day on the PCT. He is a tall lanky young guy from East Tennessee, age 24, and a graduate of the University of Tennessee. Last year, with no firefighting experience, he applied for firefighting positions everywhere he could think to. He was accepted by a company in Northern California and gained some experience in the mountains.

Five days after we first met, Brady and I were sitting at Mom's, a place in the trail town of Julian that offers complimentary pie and ice cream to PCT hikers. We were asking each other how we got into hiking. I was especially interested in hearing why he chose to hike the PCT rather than the Appalachian Trail, which almost passes through his back yard. Brady admitted that he had never been much of a hiking enthusiast. But his best friend was an avid hiker and talked Brady into hiking the PCT with him.

The two spent much of the past year preparing, acquiring gear, studying all the logistical problems, sending off for the proper permits, purchasing plane tickets. Their excitement grew as the big day approached. But then the unthinkable happened.

Just a couple months from the beginning of their epic adventure together, Brady's friend was killed in a motorcycle accident. I can't even imagine the pain of trying to grasp and accept this horrible twist of fate, and I'm not sure I could have ever done what Brady did. With his voice quivering and his eyes welling, he told me that rather than cancelling his trip, he would push forward with the hike as a tribute to his best buddy.

But Brady also has a special mission along the way. His friend's father gave Brady a vile containing his friend's ashes with one simple instruction. "Find a special place to put these ashes. You'll know that place when you see it."

Brady enjoying free pie at "Mom's" in Julian, CA

Best of luck to my new friend Brady, and much respect. I hope our paths cross frequently on the long trek toward Canada and that you are able to find peace and comfort through this journey.

Here are some of the other amazing folks I've met along the way so far. For most, trail names have not yet been established. But we're working on it!

Brady (Tennessee) and Joel (Quebec) celebrate 3 mile mark!

Morgan (Washington) tends to blisters.

Cooling off at the Kitchen Creek swimming hole - day 3.

Eric (Wisconsin), 

and his new bro Gabe (Michigan).

I named him Patches (Estonia).

Mittens and Jackie, trying to average 25 miles/day to finish by Sept. 1st.

Henry (Minnesota) became known as Colonel Mustard.

Ink Rabbit and Squid chill at Carmen's in Julian.

Me and this German guy named Helmut at Eagle Rock.

Andy (Utah), I think I'll call him Blaze.

Thanks to Bella and Romy for driving us to Idyllwild.
Best wishes as your little family grows!