Nothing is Off Limits - A Pacific Crest Trail Film

Hi friends! In 2022, I hiked from Mexico to Canada on the Pacific Crest Trail. Here it is, squished into 18 minutes.
This video began as a creative means to process my journey and turned into something I thought others might enjoy. Thank you for the thru hiking video creators that came before me, who I admire deeply and am proudly inspired by:) I hope you're reminded that life is big. And hard. But worth it. Nothing is off limits.
With all I have, thank you to the PCT, all of its people, and all of their people. It only goes because we build each other up.
Music licensed through Musicbed.
Feel free to follow along on instagram! / hulie.z
I suppose I'll make a gear video soon, but for now here is my very out of date lighterpack to get ya started:) lighterpack.com/r/9y4wbp
As if it could mean enough, thanks for watching.
Denim x

[@katie_otoole]

"...a trail that asked for all of me but gave me everything in return." Beautiful!

[@jacktaylor1030]

Here I am, 68 years old tied to a wheelchair feeling like I missed one of the most Beautiful Adventures that life offers. Your video of the PCT hike with all its breath taking views makes me feel like I missed a big part of my younger life. I always dreamt of hiking the AT Trail, yet never was able to fulfil the dream. Not until recently did I even know the PCT Trail even existed. At least you gave me the opportunity to see some of the PCT Trail with your hiking success which I dearly Loved. I did venture to Yosemite Valley and the Sequoia forests of California many years ago. Planet Earth has so many magnificent places and sights to see and visit, I just wish I had taken the time to see more of them. You are so lucky to accomplish this majestic hike that will carry you through the rest of your life. I love you for letting me see this part of America through your eyes. Thank You Julie Zweng!!

[@JosephValenti]

"to listen to my 8 year old and my 80 year old self cheering me on" 8 year old the dreamer 80 year old the remembering your life. Damn that line hits hard

[@EastofSublime]

100% what resonated with me too. Very thankful to share that with you, and stoked on this video!

[@TheHikingChick1]

Yep it got me too! 🌻💛

[@brentonpolk]

I cried upon hearing this. That line is so powerful and Inspiring, thanks @Juliezweng for sharing this! I hope tp hike the PCT one day and videos like this keep me inspired

[@caitlin.hardee]

I don't know why this trail film affects me more than many others I've seen. Crying happy tears for you two. I was just a few hours ahead of you at the McKinney business and made it through to town, kept going through Oregon and roadwalked around the closures there, footpathed all the way to the border. It's wild to see how different your trail experience was, and yet how similar. Huge props for connecting the footprints and making it happen!! I so identify with the emotions and experiences here. What a precious, beautiful thing we experienced.

[@juliezweng]

Wow wow wow thank you for this comment! Truly remarkable how the fires set everyone on such a different path. SO impressed that you persevered around the closures, I didn't have it in me myself haha. So glad you resonated and thanks for watching

[@tracykooken2606]

its a game changer 4 sur !!!!! NOTHING like a LONG trail for a ineffable exp !!! 😊

[@delgray8818]

Denim! What a surprise when I clicked on this video that KZbin recommended to me and I realized it was you! This video is beautiful to look at and your narration is genuine and compelling. You have an artistic eye as well as a poetic soul, and those have combined here to produce one of my favorite PCT videos. I'm really glad to hear you and Howdy finished the trail. My own journey ended up being a similar route as yours, except I got caught behind the McKinney fire, skipped to Timberline to do Washington, but then also didn't make it to the northern terminus because of the fires there. I then skipped back south to do Oregon SOBO and finished in Etna. I plan to go back next summer and finish the remaining fire closure miles I didn't hike. All the best - it was truly a pleasure to meet you both. Maybe we'll bump into each other again on a different path?! Del "Taco"

[@juliezweng]

Del Taco!! This made me SMILE. Thank you for those kind, kind words. Weren’t the fires just a piece of work:/ props for so much persistence. it so great meeting you and truly hope our paths cross again!

[@INGELWOODJACK]

I’ve watched so many videos/documentaries about this trail. This is the only one that got me to cry on the inside wanting this adventure so bad. Hopefully one day.

[@juliezweng]

I so believe that 'one day' is in your future:) thanks for the comment, wishing you the best in the in between and beyond. the trail will be waiting!

[@mikeshaffer207]

I see a few others beat me to it, but wanted to say how much I loved your "but it was time to remember my why: to listen to my 8 year old and 80 year old self cheering me on" quote ... really nails that 'hike your own hike, for your own reasons' mentality I absolutely adore! awesome video, well done!

[@bobbiegullickson1976]

Your video really touched my soul. The explanations of your emotions, portraits of the highs and lows were truely inspirational. This video will be a treasure to look back on for the rest of your life.

[@johnd746]

Congratulations! What a tremendous accomplishment, especially since you went back, and did the miles you missed when evacuated because of the fire. Not everyone would do that, but you did and finished what you started out to do. The adventure of a lifetime.

[@mirandaarango5140]

You did an amazing job on this video. We had the most flipfloppy mess of a hike after McKinney, and I love how you’ve documented it. It’s great for all the 2022 crew to look back on fondly. Thank you :)

[@wesleykremer3916]

That was awesome! Congrats on your perseverance, grit, and embracing the suck to enjoy a lifetime of memories. I loved your 8 year-old and 80 year-old selves were cheering for you. This is so true!! Great job ladies!

[@AusCelticsFan]

I just finished a PCT doco last night and now found this on my feed. Oh boy this is a great one. I could truly feel all the emotions you went through. The ups and the downs, the blistered feet, the Sierra’s!! I’m inspired to do this one day, but living down here 🇦🇺 makes it ever harder. One day perhaps!! Thanks for the INCREDIBLE video champion!! ⛺️🥾🙌🏼

[@cookiesandcupcakes31]

Such a great video!! Your honesty and heart are so clear to see and your grit! Can’t wait to see more of your work.

[@lorindaducklow7157]

I love how incredibly vulnerable you get in sharing what you felt and experienced during this massive personal challenge! To me you are a true champion! Loved everything about this beautiful video. I cried as I felt the experience with you. You seem to have a deep awareness of what you experienced. Congratulations! Well done!

[@rhousto1]

What a wonderful experience for the two of you and all.the other hikers. As someone who began backpacking at age eleven 65 years ago, I can only imagine all the lessons you learned about yourself. Backpacking teaches so much about ourselves and life. I introduced others, including students, to the wonders of hiking with a pack. This experience will guide you through your life. Congratulations!

[@novacolonel5287]

I'm dreaming of doing the PCT since I first heard about it in 2013. Getting half a year off is quite challenging, and there's always something keeping me. And some day it might be too late, when the damage we do with our lifestyles has become to much. But I'll do it before. One day.... You can be proud of yourselves, it is hard to fathom what you accomplished. Thank you for these truly astonishing impressions!

[@mikewickham]

Wow! I've seen a lot of PCT videos, but that one may be my favorite. Story, scenery, music, emotional narration... it was powerful and perfect. Nice job!

[@jonhighsmith803]

Thanks for sharing your experience, that was incredible! To be able to share that with your best friend from childhood just adds to the cool points. Hope you and Howdy have many more Unforgettable adventures together in your lifetime.

[@ms7fam433]

Thanks for sharing your journey and unique perspective on the hike. We enjoyed it!!!

[@jimhamilton8997]

“The Sierra’s are a treacherous paradise”. Wow, John Muir himself could not have said it better. As other have noted, so much of your commentary is just beautiful. Congrats on an epic hike, and thanks for sharing such a lovingly crafted portrait of your journey and of the PCT.

[@wwomannc4834]

Such a beautiful documentary and some of the best words I’ve ever heard used describing your experience. When you said, “the 8 yr old me and the 80 yr old me” really hit home on life and making those hard decisions. Cherish your life, your family, your friendship and yes your adventures.

[@BarryTaylor1993]

Ah Julie! What a video. Thanks so mcuh for sharing. Extremely inspiring and moving. In 2019 I hiked until South Lake Tahoe and I prematurely made the call to leave. Since late 2020, it has lived rent-free in my head and now 2024 is the year to return and pick up from where I left off. Thank you.

[@sallyhouston4058]

I cried happy tears watching this. So inspiring and so real. I loved watching this video. Congrats to you both on such an amazing accomplishment !!!!! Truly inspires me to hike the PCT or AT in the future.

[@agrihemp5488]

Congrats on your PCT hike as well as making up your miles closed by the forest fires. Truly inspiring! All the best in your future endeavors🙏🏼

[@brianbaker4176]

Very touching ... love it. Thanks for sharing a bit of your journey! I haven't done a thru yet just some section hikes of the PCT, but the full PCT is my goal before my days are done.

[@johnnybell685]

Absolutely love it!!!! Thank you so much for sharing, congratulations to the both of you ladies!!

[@hannahwilliams2143]

This was beautiful, I’m hiking the PCT in a couple years and this video and your words made me feel every emotion, you two are truly an inspiration.

[@TheStormey]

I just want to say I am so so proud of you girls! I have a mess and barely get out of bed these days and it just makes me so so happy to see y'all out their experiencing the world and making the most of it! Don't stop and just know you have the power and the spirit to do whatever you want to do!

[@juliezweng]

Thank you for taking the time to comment such encouraging words

[@johnroden3431]

Thank you for sharing such a great experience! It was quite awesome to see some of the highlights from your journey.

[@FrankHendriksma]

What a briljant adventure with fun and real perseverence, super video editing and superb storytelling. I really loved it .. the best pct video for 2022 for me.

[@hyklyfmatto9714]

Thanks for sharing your journey, triumphs, and tears!Truly inspiring !

[@danielkim2997]

well done, great edit and narration. so glad you went back to finish!

[@hikingwithbarb9006]

This was a great video! Brought tears to my eyes a few times as I imagined being on the trail and experiencing the highs and the lows and what kind of determination and strength it takes to tackle such an adventure! A friend of mine and me will be hiking the PCT Spring 2023 and I really hope that we can stick together and finish the trail together like the both of you. I'm sure it won't be easy but having your person beside you going after the same goal will help and we can hopefully motivate each other and lift each other up when there is a bad day, hard day or even a scary day. Watching the two of you makes me really realize how special it's going to be hiking this trail with my girlfriend. You are AMAZING! Thanks for sharing 💜

[@juliezweng]

Yay for female friendship and thru hiking and everything in between!! This makes me so so happy. It was the ultimate gift to hike with Emily, she is absolutely the reason I kept pushing on the hard days:) Wishing you and your friend the best this year!

[@kerrymetcalf9676]

Awesome video Denim! I wish it was longer! lol. Loved watching your journey and was so glad to see you go back and finish the skipped portion. You two are a couple of rock stars!

[@soaroutdoors]

Congratulations on your accomplishment. One of the better hiking videos I’ve seen! Great story and awesome editing. Currently planning my AT23 hike and already want to hike the PCT. Thank you. “Listen to your 8 and 80 year old self” LOVE THIS

[@juliezweng]

Means the world, thank you Eric!! Heck yeah, wishing you the best on the AT. I have my eyes on that one :)

[@OutsideComfortZone]

So good. I had goosebumps when you all got on the bus to tag those last miles in Oregon. Such a great film--congrats on your adventure!

[@tomsalter3756]

What a great video! Thanks, gals, for a wonderful travel-scape. So many familiar sights. Loved how you didn't quit; and how you went back and got all the parts of Oregon that you had to skip earlier. Congratulations!

[@davidgilling6216]

Hi. I have watched a few PCT films. This is one of the best. Thankyou for your honesty, showing the pain and joy you experienced. Very inspiring.

[@indananobhikkhu194]

Beautifully made PCT video, honestly one of the best ones out there! Very well done, and congrats for finishing the trail :)

[@juliezweng]

Thank you so SO much

[@storm5130]

Bawling my eyes out! This is so special, and an absolute dream for me. Absolutely stunning video, thanks for sharing ☺️

[@robynroamsoutdoors]

That was a wonderful video. Very well done. Definitely makes me want to go hike any of the long trails right now.

[@jaminbean1256]

Well done ! Love this documentary and personal reflections on the trail.

[@makeuphappy1]

Thank you for sharing your beautiful journey from one Trailer lover to another it was a pleasure to watch pieces of your journey & to hear your stories! Made me smile and tear up 😊🙏🙌 Blessings from Oregon

[@davebryer6133]

Excellent video, you did a fantastic job of summarizing an amazing journey. Congratulations on the successful thorough hike, and being honest about it.

[@grandwest11]

One of the more authentic and genuine hiking videos. Well done ladies, well done.

[@williamskellyr]

A true emotional joy to watch. Thanks for sharing your 'limitless' journey!

[@Miaa536]

Girl..that’s the best video about the PCT I’ve ever watched! It made me cry .. ❤️🙏🏻 and inspired me even more to do the longest trail here in Bulgaria which is just 650km but still ..

[@miotkefosheezy]

What an amazing journey. Whenever you face challenges you will have this experience to pull strength from.

[@featherfoothiker]

I cried watching your film. Crossing the finish line at the fire closure was a beautiful ending. Thanks for sharing your journey.

[@juliezweng]

Thank you for watching

[@nimbleandnifty]

Your film and journey are just so moving! I felt it every second and every step of the way! 🥰 Thank you for sharing! 🙏

[@juliezweng]

Thank you friend! I appreciate the time you took to watch and comment so much

[@MrRKWRIGHT]

Good Sunday morning Ladies. Thanks again for another great video from a couple of strong, self sufficient and talented offgrid woman living, camping, hiking and swimming in the Great Outdoors. That being said, have wonderful week.

[@marybaele148]

Your video is so well made and heart-warming. Well done to you and your friends, Denim! Xoxo

[@mrhatterdad]

Amazing accomplishment! Love your honesty and passion throughout your video. Brilliant work Denim

[@juliezweng]

Thank you Stew!! Your encouragement and enthusiasm along the way meant so much to Emily and I.

[@randysmith6493]

You did this in a greatest way, young and with your best friend. You are going miss those times so bad when your in your senior years, but thankful to have had them. Great journey, some amazing beauty . I sure hope the whole trail don’t burn down. Nice compilation and summations of thoughts and times.

[@kimoramoore1259]

What an amazing journey along with a wonderful narrative. Thanks for sharing this!

[@nathanseago3467]

Powerful trail, powerful story. Thank you for putting this amazing video together. Best of luck in the next part of the journey.

[@armwriting]

WOW! this is so beautiful and moving! what an amazing journey and accomplishment and lessons learned.. way to dig deep and keep walking every day. thanks for sharing ! like seriously, I'm tearing up after watching this... the scenery is stunning and you told this story perfectly. this resonated so much with me even as a day hiker ... WELL DONE!

[@rgwhittaker]

this is an awesome addition to the many PCT thru hike videos. well done!

[@mjwilds]

Omg the finish line your people made... that got me. Congrats and awesome job. So cool you and your gal made it together-- not easy🍻

[@rbphilip]

Google knows me well. So many PCT videos this year. And you're all amazing. I've been camping and backpacking all my life, but never such a distance. I'm amazed and thrilled for you. Don't stop! There are so many trails out there. And so many campsites. Driving around fires and then going back to walk those stretches is getting to be pretty normal these days.

[@toddmiller2773]

Congratulations!!! - very nice video of your adventure - brought back a lot of memories - completing a long thru hike is such a great learning experience of what you are capable of both physically and emotionally - learning these lessons at your age will be a great life lesson

[@cpri555]

I am so glad this popped into my recommended. Not sure why I teared up, but seeing ya'll accomplish the PCT was inspiring. I have been hesitant to start backpacking alone and this has just given me some extra motivation to hopefully complete the Pacific Crest Trail or the Appalachian Trail one day. Great work and I hope to see more!

[@juliezweng]

This made me smile big time, Cody, thank you so much for the comment! I was a downright nervous wreck my first two weeks out there. I promise it gets better..it just takes the first step. Hope you get out there and crush it!

[@CJ-nf5jd]

That was awesome. Congratulations, I'm envious, that's something I had wanted to do many years ago. Thanks for bringing us along. Welcome to Canada.

[@roblockhart8410]

What an incredible achievement! It would have been so hard to go back and do the stretch you missed but so worth it I’m sure. Thanks for documenting it!

[@BackcountryForward]

Just shared this with my best friend. What a special thing to share together! Thanks for such a short but ever so sweet rendition of this tale! You made it your own! Keep Moving Forward!

[@juliezweng]

Sent this comment to Howdy RIGHT away! A huge hope for my video was to honor our hiking partnership and I'm glad that came through. Thank you for the sweet comment!

[@whereisdavetoday9979]

Oh you are so amazing! Your insightfulness is so mature. Thank you for sharing this adventure with us:)

[@airzillarocks]

Stellar adventure, well done all around - You two should be very proud of seeing it through all the challenges to experience the grand and wonderous moments - What an amazing journey together as friends, trail buddies, and most of all, warriors - Thanks for the ride and mega smile - Best wishes in the life ahead - Rock on... \m/

[@nicholasbergeron8660]

I'm not sure how this ended up in my recommendation, but I am glad it did! Congratulations to you both on your major accomplishment! Thank you for sharing the journey! 😁

[@emilyrose4503]

My brave awe-inspiring cousin, I am so so proud of you❤❤ you have many more great adventures to come

[@richardinjapan4578]

This is an amazing film. Thank you. And congratulations on an outstanding accomplishment.

[@MaylesTrails]

Great video! Tough year, with all of the fire closures. Awesome that you were able to connect your footsteps, in the end 👏

[@jonathandutra4831]

Incredible, want to hike this trail. I admire your tenacity. Great job. On my bucket list for sure 100%

[@richarddirksen4501]

Beautiful video. Thank you so much for taking us with you and sharing this beautiful adventure 🙏❤

[@reginazweng9365]

Beautiful video ! I’m so proud of all that you’ve accomplished:)

[@redrumdrake]

Thank you for sharing this with us here. It's been great watching this.

[@johnfortuna4190]

Finally a no bullshit video, thank you for your honesty 💯🙏🤘🏼🤘🏼❤️🍀

[@lorismith8479]

What a great video of wonderful memories! Thank you for sharing :)

[@Nonesuch6588]

Thank you this was so awesome to watch. Such great vibes

[@MargaritaVioleta]

How lucky you both have to have such a strong and supportive friendship!

[@TheHikingChick1]

"To listen to my 8 year old and 80 year old self cheer me on" ... Brilliant! 👏👏👏

[@livjs12]

I love love love the way you started this video! I'm going to start every entry in my journal that way from now on :)

[@juliezweng]

Thank you friend! It was such a helpful practice for me. I know one day you’ll look back and be proud of all you have overcome:)

[@iDuddles]

This is such a wonderful video Julie. Bummed I didn’t run into you guys at all on trail - congrats on sending it!

[@jimkanzelmeyer7722]

Thank you for using your talent to put together a VERY BEAUTIFUL hiking documentary! The final result is spectacular, combining your beautiful soul, a real sense of the effort required, and the rewards of being where NO ONE CAN BE unless they do what you did. Your video definitely achieved your goals - I feel what you presented. Great job Denim - God's blessings and protection.

[@purplewindpct]

Definitely one of the better PCT films. Great job!

[@Mikehikes61]

Well done, probably the best 18:32 of trail I have seen yet, awesome.

[@charlesroberts9137]

Extremely impressive. What a journey into your lives. Thank you for sharing.

[@davidlegh-hayton9818]

Beautiful video journal of your awesome trip. I would love to do this before my time is done. Congrats on achieving an amazing experience.

[@toocooltobecruel]

Gosh, this made me tear up 🥹 Missing this life so much. What a beautiful video. Thanks for bringing back memories 💙

[@yonnie1964]

thanks so much for sharing your experience in a raw and beautiful way. I shouldn't tear up at the end but of course I did. I know my 8 year old voice and you've planted the seed of what my 80 year old self will say. Thanks again.

[@jplmedley]

God - the photography is fabulous, really transporting to feeling like being there. Thank you for the big invitation into your experience of PCT, thank you.

[@SensatiousHiatus]

Bravo! Great film! It left me with a huge smile on my face. Thanks for sharing and I hope you create another!

[@billsmith3250]

There's the hike and there's the movie. So glad you did both. In my youth I did about 500 miles of that trail starting at Whitney Portal. I know something of what you speak. Somehow, in this short film, you filled in most of the rest. My big trail adventures are way behind me now, replaced by adventures less planned ... more random. Occasionally, I randomly stumble upon a uplifting gem like your film. All I can say is thank you with all of my heart. You did yourselves proud.

[@haslintravels]

Well done for doing this!! You got very beautiful footage from the trail. This was very inspiring! Maybe one day I'll be brave enough to do this!

[@abrahamoros]

Truly inspiring! Thanks for sharing your journey!👍❤

[@butcherknife59knife46]

Great video Gals you did good . I never get tired of watching people and there passion. Good luck in your next endeavor. Around Bend Oregon on 2 wheels

[@estelacastelliflorinopilz3511]

Wow, this video is moving! Thanks for sharing a glimpse into your emotions and sharing a raw story of this trail. I'm watching this on the last day of 2022. I had already written down the goal to go camping again, and this was truly inspirational to choose to be brave, choose to have grit, to make that happen! The part about climate change gave me goosebumps and tears to my eyes. In these moments, I always try to remember "It is not enough to fight for the land; it is even more important to enjoy it"

[@juliezweng]

Thank you my friend!This comment just about sums up why I decided to share this video in the first place. So thankful to be in a space where we can build each other up, opt outside, and feel brave. Have the best time camping this year

[@MT-HikerGirl]

Such a beautiful memoir to your journey! ❤

[@wineberryred]

Best of all, Thru-Hiking is Adventure! We all need more adventure. Thanks for the awesome video, great job.

[@Corneratwar]

Happy for you! Looks sick 🤟

[@blueklister]

Incredibly well done film. Thanks for sharing your adventure with us.