After hiking the Appalachian Trail I slept outside on a picnic table until it was too cold to do it anymore. It confirmed to my family that I was as odd as they always thought I was. The transition was difficult & it took me 5 years to get back on trail to hike the PCT. Luckily I met my future husband and we planned a life of saving money and long distance hiking. After our 4th hike we tired of living with parents and always having to start a new job and we decided to pay it back and become trail builders. We joined an Americorp program and learned how to build hiking trails and became professional trail builders, traveling around the country and still living an outdoor-forward life. We built our house, hiked the PCT again, and are building another house where we can walk out the door and hike for days without having to even get in a car. I think the secret is not treating life like you are climbing a mountain. It isn't all going to be 360 view from the top of the peak. Life is more like a thru-hike...it is having to make the long train ride/flight/etc and be patient and nervous as you're getting to the trail (boring but necessary). It is making yourself get out of your tent on a rainy/snowy morning when your socks are frozen. It's the beautiful sunrise, the perfect lunch spot, the traverse over Goat Rocks. It's also the long climb you take where you struggle and everything is socked in and your only reward is knowing you had the strength to get through it all. Hike without apps to help--you'll get lost, it will be an adventure. Real life is more like hiking the CDT where you will have to bail off the trail due to bad weather and walk a road every now and then. To really love hiking is to love the struggle, to see beauty in the smallest flowers, to smell the Ponderosa Pine bark, taste the fresh spring water, to allow all of your senses to relish the freedom you have. The greatest gift a thru-hike can give you is the confidence to set goals and do everything it takes to achieve them. Treat your life like a thru-hike, get over that next pass, get to the next town, celebrate with a great meal. Evaluate your gear and go out and have a great time. Plan your next big adventure and keep moving forward and try to make your life as awesome to come home to as your hike is to go on. I'm 57 and I'm just getting there, but I still have a bucket list a mile long! Happy hiking to all.

I did the AT and PCT in my 20,s. Last year I completed the CDT at the age of 53. I thought all that back home turmoil was behind me. It’s been sneaky as I now realize that the CDT is still in my head every day just like the other two used to be.

Such a cool vid! Thanks for sharing 🙏🏼 surely you’ve found your path ✨

Well, that was kind of a disappointing video, all wrapped up in nice editing and beautiful shots. Too bad

This is a really great story

This feels so familiar. My family lived in an RV for a year and half during covid times and I struggled to go back to living in a brick and mortar house again. I just couldn’t bring myself to live that life again.

I just finished my first marathon. a very different feat. but this resonates. thank you.

4 P's to Thrive -- Purpose, People, People, & Plan

Love seeing aussie hiking girls out there inspiring others!! Looking forward to more content :)

I lived out of a backpack for 3 years of my life traversing countries and continents... and now 10 years later, I still feel the way you described. I wish I could say it gets easier, but I'm not so sure that it does. The only peace I've found is the theory I heard once that those of us that love to travel (however it be), have the DNA of our ancient ancestors that were the travelers, explorers, drifters, and pioneers that ultimately mapped the world as we know it today. It's in our blood. And I'm okay with that. Last but certainly not least, let's not get started with the other type of people out there... the one's that disapprove. The one's who insist "That's what you do when you're older. You're supposed to build a future for yourself while you're young, then you can have fun later." Don't listen to them. They can live their life how they see fit. And you? You live your life how YOU see fit. Drink the coffee if that's what feels right. Some like to say "You only live once." Not true. You only die once. You LIVE every day in the meantime.

Is anyone else watching this and thinking why is australia rainy and snowy? This isn't the Australian in my head that's sun sun sun 😂 other than that a great little video

You can’t let anything, including hiking, become a big part of your identity. Hearing someone boast or proudly proclaim that they are a “thru hiker” always makes me chuckle. Most of what can constitute identity, if you allow it, is derivative or trivial anyway. I was always good at compartmentalization and could separate a job or thru hike or military affiliation or anything else from who I was and I think this is why I never had any issues after finishing a thru hike or losing a job or dealing with a breakup etc. You can go on another hike, right? It’s not a big deal really.

This is my first time viewing your channel. I'm very impressed with not only your message and story, but your video style, natural on-camera presence, and editing choices. Really enjoyable and relatable. Best of luck with your future projects and travels. 'Figuring it out' is an ever-changing and lifelong process!

Beautiful and eloquent description!

The most danger I’ve ever been in when doing outdoor activities was on a local bike ride in the British summer. It was an easy 40k on a sunny day so we didn’t pack waterproofs or enough snacks. I rained and we just got wet and kept going and my friend and I found ourselves in the beginning stages of hypothermia, in Dorset, in summer. Adventures are everywhere!

I did only 9 days one in Scotland my first long distance hike and even after that I can relate to these feelings so they must magnified if spent months on trail…I feel ever since I just want to be out there I just want to walk and hike long distance hikes…nothing else compares to it…and I try every opportunity I have…hoping to do thru hikes on the big trails one day. The connection with nature and the simple is the thing I miss the most in the other life…I can’t quite fit in and I feel only truly home in mountains…but I’m trying to live with what I get go hiking and bring the happiness of it to my every day life…you’re right once eyes of the truth of connection we feel with ourselves and the environment on these hikes is seen it’s hard to live in disconnected world.

I have been there. And through it. Become a Group Leader. Inspire young kids to aim for what you tried. Then see where that takes you.

Discontent seems to be your motivator, dear. I'd keep that around a while. ❤

Hi Courtney, your PCT video was great 👍. What are you up to these days 😎?

You make beautiful videos and story telling , please make more of this art(filming)

On the AT town clothes are available at the hostels. I would have skipped the fanny pack if my hip belt had the similar capacity. Some backpacks do. Yes. Yes. The people are what you will miss. I never liked camping at the trailhead. I always felt uncomfortable. 4 trail runners is getting a lot of miles out of your shoes. On the food. Home food was always better than what I could buy. This may be more sentimental. I over packed food for the first 100+ miles. In fact I struggled with how much food to carry. Loved this video.

thank you for sharing your journey!!! I honestly cannot wait to tackle what you have already accomplished 🙌 🎉❤😂

You make very artistic videos and i love them

Beautyful movie , that Will make my dream live on……

this is a verrry inspiring, and well made story. youve done great, and i hope i can achieve that kind of happiness in my life. take care.

You have a gift for capturing the essence of through thinking. Keep using your gift to bless the rest of us with the words we can’t find.

Well, what an amazing exposition!!! Dang it, I thought females found it easier to build friendships than males! What a beautiful expression, I hope you both really have a friendship for life. I think full friendship is very rare, and I know I value it absolutely. Thank you Courtney, and for your other films - I've just watched your Pacific Crest Trail film, amazing, joyous 😊

Every 1st Monday of the month in the Netherlands, we test the air raid sirens and send out test messages (NLAlert) to see if everything is still in working order. So there was nothing to worry about this time!

Absolutely loved this! What an adventure, and an amazing soundtrack to accompany it!

45:42 he looks familiar 👀 Im pretty sure I had seen his PTC video too, just cant remember his youtube account 😊❤️💙

Such a beautiful film! I look forward to the day that I will hopefully one day hike this trail, this video was that little nudge more toward that dream!

Wow, just wow

I guess men weren’t allowed to hike with you? 😢

What an amazing piece of videography. I could'nt imagine how many people this video must've motivated to complete the PCT. Great job.

Amazing accomplishment! Thanks for sharing 😊

The very end of Lord of the Rings--the BOOK, please--tackled this issue to an extent.

Glad I found this channel. Such a great concept. So well executed.

I hope you're doing well, Court! We miss you

Thanks for the info! I’m looking to do the entire PCT summer of 2026. I’ll be 17 by then, some solo, some family will tag along for stretches of it. Any advice a year and a half out for an adventuring teen?

Million views ! Love the film still!

Thanks for sharing-I fear Thruhiking has had a similar effect-married for 30 years my wife, friends feels left out of the euphoric carefree and simplicity. Removed from the bond hikers develop through drive and perseverance. I cannot wait to do it again-it just could ruin my marriage.

Needs 7 Billion+ Daily to walking hiking biking Tricycles Good for healthy lifestyles.

Love to join you.

Very well done. Gives me hope for my 2025 trip. Thank you.

I watched this a year ago and it led me to getting a permit for the PCT for 2025. Thank you <3

Sensational perspective and personal observations. The best video I have watched on thru hiking.

1. First and foremost, thank you! 2. Beautiful documentary. 3. Nailed the music.

Courtney, I'd watch this video over and over. Thanks for your work on it, it's inspiring!

Being so deeply embedded in mother nature, for me, shows me that I'm not implicated by it all. The mountains don't jump in surprise when you arrive. The trees grow and stretch into the sunlight whether you're there or not. The dirt and rocks underfoot give way to footstep as they do do rain and wind. When we come back to the human world - we fall for a trick of society - that we are implicated by it all. We are not. From the moment of the big bang to this moment, all of it is simply nature. Meditation is one of the most effective tools to not fall for this trick. It helps you be with what is and see things as they are. Hope you found your own version of peace since sharing this video Courtney.

I love you ❤