Attempt one of the most difficult hikes in North America with no hiking experience

W.Within the first 100 miles of the Continental Divide Trail, I learned that when you meet other hikers, you often exchange trail names, trail logistics, daily distances, upcoming sections, and always trail drama.

During the first week on the trail, some of the hottest gossip I heard from other hikers was, «I heard there was a girl with a ‘film crew’ at the south terminal,» and they laughed a little. My face grew warm and I smiled softly. Because it was me. I was that girl.

«My first lesson from my hike: stay in your own lane.»

I found it discouraging to have to explain to other hikers that not only was I attempting one of the most difficult hikes in North America with absolutely no hiking experience, BUT that I showed up at the not-so-easily accessible southern terminus of the CDT with a filmer: an incredibly talented filmmaker named Christopher Ruizbut a filmmaker nonetheless.

Honestly, despite the conditions of the New Mexico desert near the Mexican border (lack of water, scorching heat, and thorny things everywhere), the only thing that made me want to quit during the first rough days on the CDT was letting people know that someone was making a movie about me when I wasn’t even a real hiker.

My first lesson from my hiking: stay in your own lane and worry about yourself. But damn, that’s hard.

I felt out of place for good reason. I had spent almost the last decade investing heavily in my career as a surf photographer based in Tofino, British Columbia. I loved being in the water in a thick wetsuit or in the tropical waters of Hawaii taking photos while surfing. I loved mountains, but I didn’t know much about them and I was afraid of heights.

«There’s nothing like getting hit on the head to make you realize that life is for living.»

Photo: christina funk

Months before starting the journey, I had run into Cristóbal in a bar. I had always been a big fan of his cinema and we shared what was happening in our lives. For me, that included suffering a head injury six months earlier while photographing surfing in the water of Mexico in April 2022, which led to a long and tedious recovery.

But there’s nothing like getting hit on the head to realize that life is for living, and that led me to commit to attempting my first hike in April 2023. I received a text from Cristobal a couple of days later saying we needed to make a movie of my trip.

At first I hesitated. I love being behind the lens, but I feel incredibly uncomfortable in front of it. Not to mention, what if I didn’t like hiking and ruined everything for Cristobal and the production? I’m not an athlete, nor a model, nor someone who really knows what he’s doing in general, but I was such a big fan of Cristóbal’s work that I accepted the project.

It turns out that hiking is really difficult. Nothing can compare to the mental challenge of getting up every day and moving forward.

I suffered from extreme plantar fasciitis. I ended up in an ambulance once. Urgent care once. I spent many sleepless nights for fear of the moose. I cried myself to sleep and woke up crying the entire Colorado hike. I felt alone, I felt overwhelmed, I really wanted to quit.

«Love comes in many forms and is all around us, especially among strangers.»

Photo: Eric Parker

However, as I’m sure most hikers can attest, I discovered a part of myself I never knew existed. I realized that my breaking point is much higher than I ever anticipated and that I have a bit of hardness in me that I was never willing to acknowledge.

In all the pain, in all the challenges, I discovered a level of freedom that I had been searching for my entire life. I made friends who inspire me endlessly and I laughed a lot, sometimes alone and other times with others. I faced fears that make me proud of who I am. I learned that going fast, on the trails and in life, is not always best. I learned that love comes in many forms and is all around us, especially strangers.

After 170 days of hiking, I went off trail at the Bertha Lake trailhead in Waterton, Alberta. Cristóbal was there with his red camera on his shoulder, along with my family, another filmer and two photographers, and I didn’t care what anyone thought about it that day.

«It doesn’t matter if you have a film crew capturing your journey or if you are more alone than ever.»

Photo: Eric Parker

To be honest, my anxieties about having a film crew quickly faded while I was at the CDT. When I fell deeply in love with the experience of hiking, I knew I was doing it for me, in my own eccentric way, but how others felt about my trip was none of my business.

I always say that the surfboard hit me in the perfect place on my head, because now I’m happier. I know that the mental toughness and slight insanity I experienced due to the brain injury and recovery were the only reasons I managed to complete the CDT as a new hiker.

The hike brought me back to myself so I could face my fears in the ocean since my head injury. What I am trying to say is that nothing in this life exists apart from each other. Every second we exist plays a more important role in our lives than we could ever imagine.

It doesn’t matter if you have a film crew capturing your journey or if you are more alone than ever; I suggest you live a life that seems more authentic to you and that you don’t care what other people think. In my case, that’s where I discovered myself and a satisfaction that I didn’t know would exist in my life.

Pachamama Films’ Let Me Chase This Dream will be touring film festivals throughout 2025/2026. Screening updates can be found at @pachamama and @bryannabradleyphotography.

About the author

Photo: Christopher Ruiz

Bryanna Bradley is a surf and lifestyle photographer based in Tofino, British Columbia, known for her affinity for beautiful light, expansive landscapes, and her focus on women’s surfing. A dedicated lover of the ocean and mountains, her recovery journey and trek along the Continental Divide Trail are captured in Let me chase this dreama film that will be presented at film festivals in 2025 and 2026.

Featured image: Eric Parker.

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