Turns out I’m not a blogger: belated reflections on a PCT thru hike

First, my apologies to the handful of you who said you were looking forward to reading updates from me along the PCT. I really did intend to keep a blog going, but honestly, it would have felt too much like a job. I didn’t want to experience the trail through the lens of how I’d write about it—I wanted to live it. Social media has its uses, but I think it pushes us to see our lives through the eyes of an audience rather than our own.

I had big goals when I started my thru-hike of the PCT. Then, at mile 74 near Julian, I herniated a disc. I tried to hike again after a few days, made it worse, and flew back home for another month. I got back on at Wrightwood, around mile 375. A week later, over a plate of brisket in Green Valley (best BBQ on trail, by the way), I almost quit again. I figured I’d swing by Tehachapi to grab a package and catch up with friends before calling it, though. While I was there, I met Morgan of Blaze Physio, who gave me some great advice: Stop thinking about Canada. Just focus on making it to tomorrow. The trail didn’t have to be all or nothing.

So, I hiked out of Tehachapi with my friends and figured I’d see what happened. Maybe I’d have to SOS out if my back blew up again, but hey—I paid for rescue insurance. It was touch and go for a while, but soon I was feeling more confident that my back would hold up. I told myself I’d push to Mount Whitney and could quit after that. Then, when I reached Whitney and took a couple of zeroes, I thought, I can make it through Mather Pass to Bishop. In Bishop, I figured I could definitely reach Mammoth. By the time I hit Tahoe, I wasn’t thinking about my back or quitting anymore. I was just out there, having a good time.

The desert stripped away some ego so the Sierra could teach me to let go of expectations and find satisfaction in the journey itself. That’s also where I started to realize something else: Life isn’t just about what you can produce or the value you provide. From a young age our society pressures us to make ourselves useful, but sometimes, it’s okay to just exist. I decided I’d quit the day I wasn’t having fun anymore—and wouldn’t you know, the trail got a lot more fun after that.

That lesson reminded me of a mind game a friend and I used to get through Army Ranger School. We made a deal: we could quit, but only at noon on a day when it wasn’t raining. Of course, by the time noon rolled around, chances were good we’d decide we could hold out another 24 hours. That little mind game got me through plenty of 3 AM forced marches. They key in both Ranger school and the PCT is to take it day by day.  The PCT didn’t require mind games, though. By the time I wound my way through Northern Washington to a September 9th finish at the northern terminus, I felt a strange mix of pride, nostalgia, and reluctance—grateful for what we’d experienced, already missing the friends I knew I’d soon part ways with, and not quite ready to return to the world, even though I knew it was time.

When people ask me what the trail was like, I often compare it to a shorter backcountry trip. On a week-long trip, you spend most of your time looking at nature. On a thru-hike, you spend most of your time looking at yourself. We all had the chance to reflect—on our lives, our world, and our place in the world.  Many of us felt a deep sense of unity with it all that’s hard to put into words.

We lived with a kind of unbridled freedom that just doesn’t exist in organized society with its rules, specialization, grocery stores, and porcelain toilets. And don’t get me wrong—I appreciate all of those things. But it was pretty damn fun to spend a few months in that wilderness never-never land. Is it possible to find that same freedom while shitting in a porcelain bowl and ordering Uber Eats, or is that having your cake and eating it too?

With NOBO season about a month away, here’s my advice for the 2025 thru-hikers: Don’t overthink it, and don’t plan too much. Trust me—you’ll figure it out. And if you don’t? So what. Stick that thumb out and see who pulls over to give you a ride to town.  Learn to live resupply to resupply, campsite to campsite, water source to water source. Forget the finish—just focus on what’s in front of you. The trail has a lot to show you about the freedom and peace that comes when you live fully in the present moment, but only if you can let go of your expectations and take it as it comes.

Here are a few of my favorite photos to tell more of the story, in no particular order. You can find more on my Instagram: @pat_wilver.

 

 

Affiliate Disclosure

This website contains affiliate links, which means The Trek may receive a percentage of any product or service you purchase using the links in the articles or advertisements. The buyer pays the same price as they would otherwise, and your purchase helps to support The Trek's ongoing goal to serve you quality backpacking advice and information. Thanks for your support!

To learn more, please visit the About This Site page.

Comments 3

  • Jenny L : Jan 30th

    Totally get why the blog thing wasn’t for you but I’m really glad you did write this summary. Your talented with words and even better, knowing when words aren’t up to getting a point across. Glad you were able to make the whole journey and glad you remembered to enjoy it

    Reply
  • Jess : Jan 31st

    Hey Pat! We met during your stretch on the AT before you went out to do the PCT. Sorry to hear your PCT hike came with so much back pain. Glad you were able to push on and finish the hike. Looks like you met some great peeps on trail too. Happy trails!

    Reply
  • Speedy Pinecone : Feb 5th

    “On a week-long trip, you spend most of your time looking at nature. On a thru-hike, you spend most of your time looking at yourself.” – wow, that really hit the spot for me! I think your approach to taking the journey as it comes is wonderful and I hope it will replace the “continuous footpath at all costs”- mindset on trails.

    Also Blaze is such a gem! Happy trails, Quasi

    Reply

What Do You Think?