Getting ready to hike the Pacific Crest Trail (Morgan da Silva, PCT Trek Vlogger)

“I’m about to walk 2,650 miles.”

I don’t know how to fully explain this, but I’m about to walk 2,650 miles from the border of Mexico to the border of Canada, along California, Oregon, and Washington.

I’m Morgan, I’m a hiker and The Trek vlogger, and I’m about to hike the Pacific Crest Trail.

God, my heart is racing.

I have about two days left and there is no clear way to say it; This has been on my mind for about 15 years. Influenced by films like Wild and into the wildI have known this trail for a long time. I spent time living and working in Los Angeles, exploring California, hiking sections of the PCT, and now it’s all culminated in this moment.

It feels bigger than just walking. It’s something I’ve wanted to do for so long and it’s finally come true.

Court. Yes, I’m excited.

Who am I (and why am I doing this)

So who am I?

Ultimately, I’m just a guy who loves nature and the outdoors. Part of this journey, and especially documenting it, is connecting people with nature to enjoy all the physical and mental benefits that I have personally experienced.

I am an analytical and very deep thinking person. That’s always been a strength, but it’s also caused me stress and anxiety over the years: overthinking everything. I’ve been working hard to slow down through meditation and yoga, especially after going through a bit of a mental health dilemma a couple of years ago.

Now I feel like I’m finally getting out of my mind and into my body. Being outdoors is a great catalyst for this. It helps me connect in the present.

That is one of the central themes of this walk.

A different type of trip

I’ve been on many important trips in my life, but this one feels different.

This is the first time I’m not running away from something.

That’s huge for me.

It’s not that I’ve been running away from anything dramatic, but I’ve always been searching, always looking inward. This time I feel like I have found a little peace within myself. If this trip fails, if I get hurt and have to leave, I’ll be fine.

That mindset is incredibly liberating.

There is no pressure. No expectations. Just the experience.

Immersion in nature

One of the biggest motivations for this hike is to immerse myself in nature.

I fell in love with it when I was young, but really discovered it as an adult while living in California, places like Joshua Tree, High Sierra, Kings Canyon, Sequoia and the Coast Redwoods.

I love trees. I love the mountains.

Nature slows down my mind. It gives life to my body. It gives me peace.

Now I’m about to spend five months on it.

That’s a challenge in itself, but I think I’ll wake up with a smile every day because I’m doing exactly what I want to do.

How it all came about

Many things lined up to make this happen.

Part of it was intentional. Some of that was fortuitous.

I had already decided to hike and got my permit for April. I was planning to ask for a gap year, but then I got “laid off” in November.

That gave me the push.

I was three months old, so I traveled a bit (went to Brazil) and did a 10-day silent Vipassana meditation retreat. That really elevated my mental preparation.

Because while it is a physical challenge, a large part of it is mental.

It’s one foot in front of the other, 24 miles a day, for months.

There will be ups and downs. Fauna. Mosquitoes. Temperature changes.

It’s a lot. But I think I’m ready.

Physical preparation

Physically, I’ve been moving towards this for years.

I did Taekwondo from age 6 to 22, competed internationally and won world and European medals. That taught me discipline and perseverance, but it also affected my body.

Yoga has been key in recent years. It has helped me develop strength, flexibility and reduce the risk of injury. I’m pretty accident prone, so that’s important.

All of this, mental and physical, comes together in this moment.

A broader purpose

There is also a broader motivation behind this walk.

My career has loosely revolved around sustainability. I studied environmentalism at university, worked in renewable energy and even ran a fallen tree reuse business in London.

This walk fits into that larger mission.

Connecting people with nature not only benefits physical and mental health: it fosters empathy for the environment. It helps people feel rooted in it.

And that matters.

Excitement, nerves and everything else

All that being said, this is crazy. I’m very excited.

I’m afraid? Yeah.

The word that came to mind is hectic—appropriately nervous.

I’ve been thinking about this for years. Planning last year, but not obsessively. I just picked it up when it felt right to me.

Now it’s time to go.

I will do it step by step. If I am tired, I will rest. I will pay attention to hydration and nutrition. I will meet people, some weird and probably some amazing.

And I’m really excited about it all.

Taking it one day at a time

Who knows what’s going to happen?

That’s part of the excitement.

I’m just going to take it day by day.

One foot in front of the other.

And see where it leads.

The above is a transcript. Minor edits have been made for clarity and readability, while preserving the original message and intent. This video is part of Morgan’s new PCT vlog series on The Trek: On Trail YouTube. Be sure to check the full videoand subscribe to our YouTube channel.