About

McShap PCT Journal is a chronicle of our trek of the Pacific Crest Trail. We will combine day hikes with longer two and three-day hikes that will include back-country camping. We will eventually take off weeks at a time to complete greater portions as we are able. We will keep this updated after returning from each segment.

This has been a dream of ours for more than 10 years. We are very excited to have finally begun our journey.

UPDATE 11/2/12:
On October 4, 2012, Patti was diagnosed with breast cancer. She will be undergoing treatment over the next twelve months. Many unknowns define our lives now as we enter into this crisis. We do hope that perhaps on certain occasions that Patti might be well enough to do short hikes. Until we get further into her treatment we really don’t know what life has in store for us. Patti is amazingly strong and strong-willed. She will get through this. We aim to continue our hiking and will finish the PCT one day. It just won’t be as soon as we hoped. We’ll just be delayed.

UPDATE 11/24/13:
On November 7, 2013, Patti completed her treatment plan with her last chemo dose. The only remaining treatment now is the ongoing oral Tamoxifen that will continue for up to ten years. We are now ready to get back to life and to living our lives. Hike away!

UPDATE 8/30/14:
Our new book, Hiking Cancer, is now available through Amazon in e-book formats. Printed copies will soon be available directly from McShap Press. The first 150 copies purchased from McShap Press will be autographed, first trade editions.

UPDATE 2/12/17:
We have now completed more than 900 miles of the PCT. Patti is feeling great and we’re full steam ahead. Our next major hike will be in June 2017, with our starting point being Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite. We will be connecting with our daughter who is attempting a PCT thru-hike class of 2017. Check back for continuing updates as we continue working toward achieving our goal of eventually completing the PCT.

UPDATE 2/6/18:
Application sent: Check.
Permits received: Check!
Canada, here we come. In June 2018, we will get back on trail for the COMPLETION of our Pacific Crest Trail hike by “thru-hiking” the remaining 1500 miles. Follow along as we update status with photos from the trail.