04/18/2026
Some dates in our memories stand out like the sun. Bringing light from our past, and revealing our true life lived.
On April 18, 2016, I set off on the Pacific Crest Trail at the southern terminus. Today marks a decade gone by since. So much has been going through my mind the last few days, trying to wrap my head around all that has come to pass since those first few steps. I won’t get all caught up on the time passed, but recognizing the weight of that day seems worthy of an account.
That was the day a dream was brought to life.
Why did I want to thru-hike the PCT in the first place? Well, that’s a story for another time, but once the seed was sown in my mind, it quickly set deep roots. “I will walk from Mexico to Canada”, that’s what I told myself. So many times that it actually started to sound like the truth. Before I knew it, I was telling others too. With this came many questions, occasionally laced with piercing slivers of doubt. But I had the answers, or at least I pretended to.
And on that April morning, 10 years ago today, I found myself at the Mexican border. My parents were at my side. Their physical presence a clear symbol of their love and support, as well as a last grasp attempt to try to hold onto the tether of the past. But time doesn’t stop for anyone, and so they watched me walk away. Holding in all of their worries and letting out only “we love you, have fun, be safe”.
On that day, I began what I said I would do. And for that, I am proud of myself. Because we all have to start somewhere, and at least I decided to try. And as for how it went. Well, the trail exceeded all that I could have dreamt. So thank you, past Scott, for setting out on this path less travelled. The journey is not always easy, but if it was easy, everyone would do it.
-Sunny aka Scott
