Start date: March 8

She's faced long roads before. Shawn is a two-time cancer survivor and recently retired. What's next for her? How about tackling the PCT?!

"I have to try!...I first heard of the PCT about 20 years ago and ever since then, I have not been able to stop thinking about it."

Start date: April 6

Born in Wales, Bob is a member of a local walking club. He's walked 40 miles in day before so he knows he's capable. It's the terrain and the unknown that is the mystery.

"Every goal you set and every goal that you achieve that you set is something that builds your own self esteem. And I think I think it's a very healthy thing to do to set goals and achieve them." 

Start date: April 25

This father and son have hiked the John Muir Trail and Wonderland Trail (circles Washington's Mount Rainier). Troy turns 60 on their start date, both are looking forward to the challenge.

"I think the best thing to do is if you have a dream, if you have a goal...put it on the calendar. And then what's hard for me is telling people about it, because when you start telling people about it, you're getting accountable." -Troy

Start date: March 8

This husband and father is retiring! When his hike is over, he'll transition to being a full-time stay-at-home dad. 

"When I do a trip, there are ways to extend the hike to another peak, or another mountain. I always wonder what’s just ahead. This is my chance to see what’s ahead." 

Start date: March 29

He's been to Everest base camp and crossed the Andes Mountains twice. In 2017, he climbed Aconcagua, the highest peak in the Western Hemisphere (22,837 feet).

"I am a lover of USA National Parks, which I have visited dozens. So the PCT is a combination of things I love to do...plus, it is also a big challenge."

Start date: April 6

For Debra, hiking the PCT is  celebration of some of the work she's done to get to this point. Being from Canada, she admits it feels odd to think she'll be "walking home." 

"It doesn't matter what it is, but find that spark in your life. The thing that you're passionate about, and I just hope that my passion for hiking and my experiences on the PCT might just helped trigger something in your own life that you want to aspire to and strive for." 

Start date: March 17

Matthew graduated high school last year with honors and a four-year scholarship to a senior military college.

"I survived the first few months, but after much contemplation and consideration, I left school. Ultimately I wanted to be free, I wanted to be "out there" in the world I saw while staring out the window of my classroom. I left school, my four-year scholarship, my "future," and I just went for it! I never thought I would do this, but I am."

Start date: March 26

The PCT is something this Phoenix native has wanted to do "for years." Mike is hiking to bring awareness to Crohn's disease, after his son was diagnosed. He's raising money for the Crohn's Foundation.

"I'm used to hiking in the heat when it's 110 degrees. I didn't faze me at all. I've done a bunch of stuff in the Grand Canyon. So snow's a little different for me. That's my weakness right now." 

Start date: April 25

She completed the Appalachian Trail in 2022 and has goals to hike the PCT and Continental Divide Trail to complete the "Triple Crown."

"I just hope I can make someone a little less afraid to go out and try something new, or something about high possibility of failure...I just have to do this. Failure was one of my biggest fears, and so it's time to face it head on."

Start date: April 29

Jenna interned with the National Parks Conservation Association, working on equity and inclusion in the outdoors. As a woman of color, she wants other underrepresented people to feel like they have a space on the trail and beyond.

"Maybe one other person sees it, and they say, 'oh, well, maybe this is something that I could do.' And to me that's worth it...to get people outside."

Start date: April 21

An avid backpacker and hiker, Carly fell in love with the outdoors at 15. She's hiked sections of the PCT and the Trinity Alps in northern CA, but this is her first long-distance thru hike!

"The only thing you really have to worry about is getting up walking, eating, and taking it step by step. I'm pretty excited for that."