I Interviewed Pacific Crest Trail Hikers (I went back to the PCT)

[@ElinaOsborne]

Hey kiddos, I hope this serves as somewhat of a time capsule for past, present and future thru hikers. Would love if anyone has their own advice for those who have thru hiked and found ways to transition back to "normal life" to share things that have worked for them. Also yes... it's been a minute :')

[@MichaelPratt-f9l]

I thru hiked the A.T in 2022 and I decided not to go back to what others would consider "normal" life. I choose to be a nomad and have less material possessions in life and focus more on freedom. No regrets!

[@eddie.oleary]

Fun seeing some familiar faces! Returning from trail is always tough. Each time has had its unique challenges, but there are a few things I have consistently found helpful. Probably the biggest thing for me is to keep in touch with trail friends. The physical distance can make it difficult, but the effort is absolutely worth it. Move your body as much as possible and make an effort to spend time outside. Spend some time writing about the things you've learned from time on trail, the ways you've grown, and the person you hope to be as a result. It's OK to not have it all figured out even though the world makes you think otherwise. Ultimately, people experience and navigate the transition to "normal life" differently, but I think some combination of community and goal setting go a long way.

[@Casual_BackPacking]

I love this video so much

[@BrawndoDrinker]

I found after decades of goal seeking that there will be a point in time that you understand yourself and are centered enough that the end of an "experience" doesn't bring emptiness because of how much you grew during the time you were living. The first time I truly found this peace was as I finished up my top to bottom road trip of New Zealand filled with great adventures and meeting all sorts of people along the way. I see a similar reaction from people finishing a thru to people I have seen after a long therapy retreat, reintegration into a "normal" world and craving the feelings you were just experiencing not wanting it to end - seeking more. People familiar with the experience of flow state, get this in micro doses. Transformation due to life events take time to process, but with the correct knowledge you can learn to preprocess changes to adapt to the changes in yourself. As you age, some people like me who were goal focused for so long, do start to run out of big goals and a lack of them starts to become more of the issue, but some of us understand it and do so in peace and contentment. Being able to check in with yourself and understand where your spirit is taking you next is the hint most people need. However, that's something that most need to be taught how to do.

[@JackSheahan2012]

STILL one of the best trail documentarians in the game. Thank you SO MUCH for your work. It is always a pleasure to watch. All the best to you, Elina, and all who will ever read this. Jack NYC

[@boochathru]

I finished a SOBO thru-hike of the PCT last year. Quit my job and ended the lease on my apartment beforehand, so I had a really fresh, new chapter after the PCT: moved to a new state, bought my first house, continued living slowly. I am so glad I didn't return to my old job, regardless of how fond I was of it. You can't go back to your old life afterward because your new perspective is so different. So I guess my recommendation is to start the next new thing after your thru-hike.

[@ElinaOsborne]

it truly is the ultimate launchpad

[@AlexiaHammond-rw7qq]

EYES ARE WATERING. My first thru-hike was back in 2016. Seeing all these faces, though I've never met any of them they all seem so familiar to me, it's almost like thru-hikers share this collective spirit. Years will go by, I'll keep getting older but it makes my heart so happy to think that while my journey may be over there are so many souls who have yet to begin - friendships to be made, stories to unfold...what a beautiful life.

[@jules1sd]

Yes, absolutely agree with this.

[@ElinaOsborne]

so so beautifully put.

[@ouchpaw3518]

i feel like i'm watching people in their natural habitat. Man, we were made for this.

[@BRIANDRAUGHN-o8x]

Very touching…… especially the comment from the gentleman who mentioned being 50 and realizing what they could have done with their life. I am 49 now and only discovered in 2019 my passion. Thank you so much for your kind words and documentation from the wonderful hiker community of doing this video and sharing so many words of encouragement from the threw hikers as well you yourself too. Hope to see you soon on another epic adventure 👣👣👣❤️🌲🌲

[@cjoneill9837]

Awesome vid. Planning on starting '27 and this kind of stuff is what gets me excited. So many intersting and diverse perspectives

[@claudiaangelbike5538]

This summer I did a 1000km bike trip across the Alps. For some people it´s not a big deal, but for me it was. I came back feeling like I could do anything from now on. But in the last few weeks at home I´ve lost that feeling again. Thank you for reminding me with this video!

[@wildflower7522]

Absolutely loved the video. Another gem! 💎 I currently only have one big dream, and it is to start the TA, my first ever thru hike, in two years time, and finish it for my 30th birthday at the end of Feb. I did small sections of it when I lived in NZ, the country where I dream to live once more, and it was magical ❤ Dream big folks and do more of what you love 🥰

[@PJones1992]

Really cool to see a couple of familiar faces from the CDT last year, definitely making me nostalgic! Keep up the great work Elina

[@ingeopdeweegh6030]

Remember your garden with friends 😍 love that. Also seeing Al the happy and relaxed faces! I hiked the trail in ‘22. It took me 157 days to hike the trail and 790 days to go back home. Depression is real but I love to call it grieving; the freedom, ‘simple’ life and goal and the people and beautiful conversations. My tip is give it time and go on a search for what you love in life. And keep in touch with your tramily ❤

[@Over50YearsOffgrid]

Thank you NZ girl, for another beautiful spirit catching film.

[@viviennebroderick5149]

This is wonderful. It has given me some insight into this journey - my son features in this video, and you have made what he experienced so much more real for me. I absolutely love what you have created here

[@rycordova5957]

I’m honored. Thanks for the interview!!

[@ouchpaw3518]

I can feel the community through the screen and i'm usually really scared of people / interactions with others. It's nice. It's warm and it feels like home and yet i've never done a thru hike or met these people. I think part of it has to do with your amazing film making skills Elina. I was really sick for years and i'm just getting better and I just realized that maybe doing the AT or PCT isn't an unreachable dream anymore. Maybe I can still do this. I was so sure that it won't ever happen, and it might not - but now that things are going better, I just might.

[@ElinaOsborne]

I hope you can get out there someday :') (even if just for a day!)

[@dianeschmiane]

Nice to see you again, Elina! I always love your videos and can't wait to see what else you're up to here in the states... :)

[@shades1959]

I absolutely love, love, love 💕 your videos. Amazing job. I followed your entire hike and was soooo happy to see this video appear. Very fun video

[@soniaholland3912]

I enjoy your perspective regarding the trail. Your videos tell a wonderful story. Thanks!

[@marystofanik6391]

oh wow... I got so excited to see you have a new video!! Loved it. I hope you are doing ok and wish you all the best!

[@elmarieobrien7993]

The trail thought me It's a given that nothing goes to plan and thank god for it, allow yourself the mental flexibility to enjoy that ride ❤

[@ClaytonSea]

Road runner is great! I'm glad you got to interview him on his SoBo hike!

[@stuffattention2039]

Compelling and so well put together. Thank you Elina.

[@poozborne]

Great video, I'm glad you were able to come out and document some of the class of 2024, visit the trail again and do trail magic! I was further south in Oregon around Crater Lake and didn't come up for trail days. It's amazing to me the variety of people who were out on the PCT hiking from all over who end up experiencing so many of the same emotions on and after trail (it makes me feel slightly better not quite knowing the direction to move forward as I wallow through my own post-trail transition). I can't say I have solid advice at this point for the post-trail transition, though it has been beneficial to stay in some contact with friends from trail. I think the hardest part to replicate and bring forward from trail to normal life is the community aspect of trail. It's easy to achieve a degree of feeling like you have connection through social media, etc. but it is a poor imitation of the sort of genuine community and simplicity of life most experience on trail. Cheers, "Blackout"

[@deannilvalli6579]

Nice film as always. The new haircut is great!

[@peterjohnson6273]

That was great, Tip Tap. Quite timely for me. Thanks.

[@Get_Some_Nature]

I wish I had known you were at PCT Days this year! I would have loved to meet you in person! Your PCT thruhike vlogs are my favorite of all the ones on here. I successfully thruhiked the PCT this year and attended the festival. It's cool to see so many hikers that I know from the trail in this video. The PCT is my second long thruhike. So the post trail adjusted isn't so bad this time. I knew it was coming. Spending time outside makes me feel good anytime.

[@Bonditre]

I lovvvvved this! Thank you for your videos and perspective. ❤️ I’m wondering why Cam doesn’t have a trail name?

[@caele1ghf942]

These are excellent interviews

[@kristymoore7052]

Awww, good job. Subscribed! To BAIT: …and when you do reach 50, (not old BTW) keep on going. I hiked the JMT this last summer at 60. There were ALOT of folks older than me out there. That surprised and comforted me. I’ll continue to do more short and long thru hikes as long as I can still walk.

[@Henning_Rech]

Hiked the PCT until midpoint this year, and will do the rest next year, when I'll be 65. This year I met Al, who was 81, and went until mile 750.

[@ouchpaw3518]

YOU'RE BACK! HI ELINA :D

[@ElinaOsborne]

HI

[@alissa_thornton]

What a great video! Thank you for sharing! So much fun seeing a few hikers I met over the summer, where I live in Packwood, WA! This will be great for the Class of 2025 to watch! #pct2025

[@Pneumaticcannon]

Hell yeah this was awesome!!

[@thomasdecarlo8543]

You need to do another walk about and take me on another adventure …how about the CDT or AT

[@edgeveg]

This made my day

[@alyishiking]

OH MY GOD How did I not run into you?!?! Holy shit I must have been off trail digging a cathole to not have seen you. I know so many people in this video. This is so special. Thank you for sharing it I'm so emotionaaaaaal 🥲

[@ElinaOsborne]

IT'S ALWAYS THE CAT HOLE. We'll meet again on some other trail, I'm sure.

[@TheReq]

This video is amazing. I want to hike the PCT now :D

[@linwalks]

Love your work. It gives us armchair hikers to get a delightful taste of the trail. There are two Marmots in the work, one at 7:50 and another at 9:00. Are there two people with the same trail name?

[@ElinaOsborne]

There's always a couple of double ups, Marmot just so happened to be from this stretch of hikers :')

[@b.shouse3124]

Great work again!

[@bendavies2990]

Elina, you need to stop making videos about the PCT cus I becoming more and more convinced to quit my job and go and walk it!! Thank you for the inpiration to seek adventures in life!

[@ElinaOsborne]

i know, i know. it keeps calling me back, I'm sorry (only kinda)

[@DennivanHuis-u1t]

17:45 - T-Dubbz knows!

[@michel.h_cf99]

❤❤❤ (P.S.: When will Part 2 of 'The Blob 5 years later' be released? 🤔🤗🚀)

[@schmitzcj]

So many responses are wise beyond their years. Granted, it could be the editing, which is always top-notch,.. but their responses give food for thought.. we should all spend a little more time with nature.

[@ohkay2090]

💚💛 Dr. Danger

[@karstent8138]

Talking as someone in the UK, why do you wear what looks to us flimsy lightweight trainers for hiking? We have the habit here of wearing heavier duty, often leather, boots for hiking, wouldn't this be more resilient and supporting for the feet? Love your videos Elina 😁

[@Henning_Rech]

No need to wear heavy boots on non-technical trails in the summer. Have hiked half of the PCT this year; trail runners are sufficient and allow much easier walking. Greetings from Germany.

[@rya7642]

American spirits blue... she survives off smoking tobacco 🚬

[@andrewbriscoe5953]

I should have been warned not to watch this while starving. 😭

[@mikmapp]

8:27 25 miles = 40.2 km. Just doing my work. Cheers!

[@dylpickled]

Please drop betterhelp, don’t endanger your viewers

[@Andrew-id5cl]

I really like your content, but can’t support anyone who is sponsored by BetterHelp.

[@HeyJettRink]

Huh? What’s the story?

[@lifeofchad29]

​@HeyJettRink i believe they sold data to Google. But, honestly people blow it out of proportion it was just numbers not our personal messages and conversations.

[@Andrew-id5cl]

@@HeyJettRink FTC fined BetterHelp $7.8 million for misusing client information, selling it to third parties, including Facebook. BetterHelp also has a history of overbilling patients and making it hard for them to cancel their contracts. You can google ‘BetterHelp controversy’ for more info.

[@Aforestmyth]

Found you through a mistake. Enjoy your music and style of ur clips. You must eat some time up going through the footage editing and whatnot. Very enjoyable. Got terribly injured on a walk early this yr recovered and about to plunge in setting prepping the walk up all over again. Will take yonks to be off by winter. Cept watching ur clips of the te araroa so feel like doing another one just pack n go. Very enjoyable and thankyou...... walk on