Motivations

Before starting the PCT, you have to know the Why. Hiking is not just a physical exercise, but a deeply mental one too. And understanding your reasons for being on the trail might just give you the push you need to stay on it. Below I've attempted to record my motivations for hiking the PCT, as well as a realistic list of what quitting would look like for me. I want to finish, and I think I can, but it's important to be realistic and pragmatic. There's a chance I'll quit and drop out - I can't let that destroy me. So if I understand what quitting would mean, I can be more reasonable and clear-headed when put in a position where I might need to make that choice.

Why I want to hike the PCT

• I want an adventure that is physically and mentally challenging

• I want to immerse myself in nature and forget the routine of daily life

• I want to meet cool people and become a part of the community

• I want to see the whole West Coast and meet people different from myself

• I want to do something on purpose instead of just by chance

• I want to make a choice and follow through, even if it seems crazy

• I have the rest of my life to figure everything else out, I should take this chance

• I want to spent time alone and become more comfortable with who I am

• I want to feel more present in my body and mind

• I want to cut out everything that isn't essential to survival and see what;s left

• I want really hard days and to be completely exhausted but feel accomplished

• I want to do something that seems absurd or pointless, and that people might not understand

• I want to come away with cool stories and experiences

• I want to do something scary and overcome that fear

• I want to prove to myself I can do this

Once I hike the PCT I will

• Have unshakeable confidence in myself

• Have great backpacking and outdoors know-how

• Have a greater appreciation for nature and life along the trails

• Be a better listener

• Be able to set my own schedule and routine

• Be more comfortable being alone

• Overcome fear of the dark and animals

• Understand how to eliminate things that aren't serving me

• Be a part of an amazing community

Things that would make me quit

• Unavoidable fires that make me miss 200+ miles

• Serious injury or foot problems

• Family death/emergency

• Running out of money

• Worsened mental health that I can't control

• If I am hating the trail for more than two weeks in a row, even after multiple zeros

• If I truly feel like there's nothing more I can see/learn on the trail

Things to do if I feel like quitting

• Understand that not every day is a good day and that's fine

• I don't owe it to anyone to have a perfect trip, as long as overall the good outweighs the bad

• Go at least 5 days more and see if my opinion changes

• Take a trail zero or town zero

• Sleep in, go swimming, walk in the wrong direction

• Start traveling alone or find a new group to travel with

• Call family and friends

• Find someone to visit me on the trail - even a couple weeks out - to have something to look forwards to

• Journal more, go through pictures, draw the scenery

• Meditate for 15 minutes every morning

• Change up eating routines and food choices

• Buy something extra special at the next town

• Download new music, podcasts, or audio books

• Take up a new skill like whittling

• Try to notice every animal and new plant I encounter, try to learn their names

• Make a list of things that annoy me in real life and compare it to what annoys me on trail

• Have a good cry session, give myself an hour to feel awful and scream in the woods

• Go on day hikes with no gear

• Talk to someone on the trail/in town/hitching and try to learn their life story

• Make a detailed pro and con list, rank it, tally, and compare it to friends' versions