Josh Zupan

Howdy! My name is Josh and I'll be hitting the PCT going NOBO in March 2025. I'm a lover of hiking, exploring outdoors, botanizing, eating a lot, and finding cool bugs. My background is in environmental restoration, botanical field work, and scientific illustration. I'm stoked to have this opportunity to explore more of my home state of California (and beyond!), and to share these experiences with this community. Check out my iNaturalist page to see all the critters and creatures I find along the way.

Posts

The “Hot and Dry” Desert: Days 6 – 14

The “Hot and Dry” Desert: Days 6 – 14

The desert is green, the desert is lush, and sometimes the desert is freezing cold and snowing. The desert has yet to be hot. Day

Apr 12, 2025 : Josh Zupan
Julian or Bust: Days 1 – 5

Julian or Bust: Days 1 – 5

After 4 nights of sleeping on unlevel ground and 5 days of jumping over sticks that look like snakes, Julian was found. Pie was eaten. Pizza was

Mar 28, 2025 : Josh Zupan
Why Oh Why Would You Do This?

Why Oh Why Would You Do This?

At the center of every hike is a “why?”. Or multiple “why’s”. And at the center of every “why?” is usually a little bit of “I dunno”.  When I

Mar 21, 2025 : Josh Zupan
Gear List, otherwise known as: “I’m Ready to Get Roasted by Super Ultralighters”

Gear List, otherwise known as: “I’m Ready to Get Roasted by Super Ultralighters”

Q’s: Will you have a gun? How will you charge your phone? Do you carry all your food for the whole trail? How many pairs of underwear?  A’s:

Mar 17, 2025 : Josh Zupan
South Yuba Shakedown

South Yuba Shakedown

On March 8th and 9th, I got shook down. With two dear friends, 22-ish miles were walked, new gear was tested, and tendons were achy. Here’s some main

Mar 10, 2025 : Josh Zupan
Introducing Yet Another PCT Thru-hiker Wanna-be

Introducing Yet Another PCT Thru-hiker Wanna-be

Hello Trek world! My name is Josh Zupan, also known as just “Josh”, or occasionally “Zupan”, or sometimes “Bug” if we’re tight. I’ll be taking on the

Mar 4, 2025 : Josh Zupan