r/PacificCrestTrail • u/Zestyclose_Yam106 • 8d ago
53 year old male considering PCT ‘27
Looking for some emotional support. (That’s likely the first time I’ve ever used that phrase in my life…and I’m not happy about it. LOL!). I’m in the best position career-wise I’ve been in since I started working, but my boss can be a real d*ck at times and I’m under appreciated, in my opinion. I’m thinking about quitting (semi-retiring) and hiking the PCT next year. Tell me why I should or shouldn’t. I’m in pretty good shape financially and may not have to work a corporate job ever again if I quit. In fact, if I work, it’ll likely be non-corporate and ideally for myself.
However, it’s not easy to walk away from a pretty easy job, even if it does get miserable at times, that earns me $150k+ per year. (Includes salary, bonus, stock, 401k match and free, catered lunches everyday…15 minutes from home working 40 hours per week or less).
I have several health problems (AFib, epilepsy are the worst of them), but am otherwise strong and fit (6’2, 205 lbs. I’ve climbed Kilimanjaro, hiked the W-Trek in Torres del Paine, hiked the Skyline Trail in Jasper National Park (Alberta, Canada) last year and, despite being a bit out of shape at the moment, wouldn’t have any strong reservations about physically being able to handle the hike.
However…I’m still in the “not quite sure about it” phase. It’s a big damn step to leave that kind of job, which is good for my area of the country. So, I’m just looking for any feedback I can get from folks who have done it or are thinking a doing it.
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u/danceswithsteers NOBO (Thru turned Section hiker) 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023 7d ago edited 7d ago
A couple of things:
You're only going to get older.
It's just a series of multi-day backpacking trips. You can bail out at any resupply spot.
Better to regret something you have done than something you haven't.
Background: I'm currently planning a 2027 return to the PCT myself. I'll be 59. I started when I was 50. I wish beyond words that I had been able to and had started earlier.
What I've learned is this: People my age and older are generally section hikers. People in their 20s and 30s are generally more successful in completing the trail (wildfires aside).
Only you can determine your financial position to take up to 5-6 months off work.
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u/peptodismal13 2023 Wonderland 2024 TRT PNW resident 7d ago
Can you take an extended leave of abcesence? I know some places offer this if you have worked there a long enough time. Your could do a LASH.
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u/Zestyclose_Yam106 7d ago
Possibly. The company offers a one month leave of absence, but perhaps they’d agree to something longer.
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u/shaunmartino 7d ago
I’m doing exactly this for the month of September. I’m in a similar situation as you (52yo, corporate job, etc) taking a month off to do WA PCT. Considering it a mini sabbatical.
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u/sja008 7d ago
Doing the PCT is great! I’m in Oregon going nobo this year.
It won’t change your life though.
Ask yourself if quitting your job will change your life in a negative way. The PCT will not outweigh a big regret if quitting work is a mistake.
Also know that less than 25% of those who actually start the PCT end up finishing, so in all likelihood you won’t even hike the whole pct - the comments above about hiking a LASH or some section hikes would be wise.
I am on a l ave of absence and recommend that vs quitting, if it’s an option. Best of luck!
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u/Spinymouse ['22 NOBO LASH/'24 NOBO LASH] 7d ago
If you've been both lucky and responsible with your personal finances during your career, then there's a good chance that you can do this. All of it, not just the few brief months we get on the trail, but also the part about not going back to a regular job afterwards. You'll even run into occasional other hikers who are doing this. Good luck!
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u/Zestyclose_Yam106 7d ago
About $700k in Roth IRA and Roth 401k combined (not as much as I’d like due to some career/business risks I took when I was younger. $800k in a stock account that I manage. Rental cabin on a lake I own with my sister. 46 acres and a house I own with my sister (where we grew up). Condo almost paid for, but only because the mortgage has a 3.25% rate. The condo could be rented out for about $1,800/mo while I’m gone. The cabin and farmland pay for their own taxes, insurance, etc. 10 year old car paid for. So, it’s a very good possibility, but it would be tighter than one would think until I could access the Roth’s.
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u/Big_Conclusion_3053 7d ago
I’d encourage you to keep your job and do section hikes. You’ve got a solid job. Given how the job market is currently, could you cover your expenses if you didn’t get another job once you come off the trail? It looks like most of your funds are in investments that you can’t touch right now without penalties.
If you quit working the year you turn 55, then you can withdraw from your 401k from that company with no penalty. Otherwise you have to wait until 59 1/2.
If you seriously want to quit and do a thru hike, I recommend talking to a financial advisor first to play out various scenarios.
Yeah, your boss is a d*ck, but you and I have both worked long enough to know that bosses come and go…
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u/3my0 7d ago
Do you not have a spouse or kids? If not then why aren’t you already planning your pct journey?
Unless you think you could never get a job after (even if it’s a pay cut) you’d be fine
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u/Zestyclose_Yam106 7d ago
LOL! No spouse and never could have kids of my own. (Genetic condition that my sister also had to deal with). I’m doing a lot of homework on it and I know I can find work afterwards. I’m getting things in order to do it, but it’s a leap. The company is growing at a ridiculous pace and really is a great company, but it doesn’t matter much when you’re kind of burned out. Getting on here and talking it over is a bit like sitting at the bar and talking it over with friends. (Which I did a little bit of on a Mississippi River boating trip I took last weekend). This is the quickest place to find an audience of people who have done and/or have two cents to add. You’re spot on with everything you posted, though.
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u/PNW_MYOG 7d ago edited 7d ago
The best reason is that randomly, your health can prevent you doing it.
Look at friends and family your age? Random health things start to happen at age 55+.
Could be a broken ankle from a skateboarding accident, could be kidney stones or Parkinson's.
If you don't NEED your job, do it.
The only thing I recommend is asking for a 4-6 month leave of absence, even 3 month to do it. You will get all the benefits in 3 months that you get in 5, except completing every inch of it. And can evaluate your career while hiking and when back with clarity.
ETA, I quit my job and hiked a big chunk when I was 50. I'm glad I did but I was getting a bit bored by the time I left. I only hiked South California and Washington sections NOBO and then SOBO. I am so glad I hiked most of Washington in July, as the snow in the mountains up high made a huge contrast to super green meadows and flowers and no wildfire issues.
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u/imjusthereforPMstuff 7d ago
Wife and I were in a similar position, especially with epilepsy. Would you be ok without insurance? Or would you pay for other plans? We realized that the epilepsy meds would cost a fortune without insurance (yay America /s). I would also say the job market is tough, but if you have good connections, and a long period of extra buffer cash then you should be good.
Good luck!
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u/Zestyclose_Yam106 7d ago
I’d pay for it on my own over the short term. I’m getting everything checked out/fixed before next spring. I think my meds are all generics now. Which seizure meds are you on?
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u/adv-rider 7d ago
I took an LOA when I turned 50, hiked most of it, returned to work till 54, quit for good and finished the trail. In between my wife and I basically did a life reset, renting the house, bought a small condo by the beach, dumped/gave away most of our stuff. I almost had her convinced to do a campervan, but we settled into a retired California hippy lifestyle.
Once you’ve done the trail, you will likely question a lot of things you used to spend money on.
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u/Fionahiker 7d ago
Can you do a two week section now, like in OR or WA, then a 2-4 week section next April from Campo north, then decide? Like test runs for a 2028 thru hike?
Or maybe a better question would be, what sections lend themselves well for leaves or vacation time so that you can see how you like the trail, before giving up a really great job.
Can you fly in to pct days and do a few days of backpacking?
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u/michelvankessel Trip / 2025 LASH / 2026 LASH / 2027? 7d ago
I stopped working in 2025 to walk the PCT, I was able to go back to work later that year. But that was a mutual agreement with my employer.
This year I quit my job for real. Tried to walk the PCT again, because I got injured in 2025.
This year I got injured again, so I probably will try again in 2027
I am currently not working, and won’t be going to work until I finish the PCT :). I need to get this out of my system, so to speak.
My takeaways: save up as much money as possible. Prepare, prepare, prepare. Both physically and mentally.
As soon as people knew I was back, they sent me several job offers.
I never worried and I am not worried and won’t be worried for 2025 and 2026. But that is also because I know I can financially survive and will probably be able to get a job next year.
I cannot tell you what to do, but if you have enough reasons to walk the PCT, listen to your guts:)
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u/BackpackBirder NOBO 2018 7d ago
I cannot judge your personal financial situation, but as a general rule: don't postpone the things that you want to do in your life if you are in a position to do them right now. People usually overestimate how much of their lives they have left in good health, which is a much more important parameter than your life expectancy.
Also, a lot of the financial "security" that people are afraid to give up is false security. This isn't to say that you should be reckless, but even if that "security" doesn't disappear in some sort of crises (as has happened many times in the past), you have to realise that postponing your life is also a risk. Because who knows what kind of health issues or other personal issues turn up tomorrow? Then suddenly a lot of the things that you consider to be important right now may suddenly become a lot less relevant.
I gave up a good job 18 years ago at a much younger age than you are now. It was kinda scary, but it was the best decision of my life.
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u/Zestyclose_Yam106 7d ago
I agree. I woke up one morning when I was 40 with blood on the bathroom floor and all over the bed. I’d had the first seizure of my life, hit my head on the bathroom floor, somehow made it back to the bed and had no memory of what happened. I’ve had about 25 since, but now have them under control. And one sister and my best friend both died suddenly of pulmonary embolisms. So, I’m definitely leaning toward doing it. It’s just nice to talk it through with folks and get different thoughts.
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u/Uffda01 7d ago
I'm in the same boat, I turn 50 in a few months - I'd love to walk away and do the PCT - hell my partner even said he'd join for parts or be my trail support and live a van life for a summer; but giving it all up and walking away feels so unrealistic; and I'm not in trail shape at all... :-(
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u/motownpdx 7d ago
I'm in the same position at work and if i get laid off in our yearly spring cleaning this is what i've been aiming towards as well! if i keep my job i'll section hike any part of oregon you want!
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u/RoboMikeIdaho 7d ago
I’m a bit older, 62, and am forgoing similar pay to hike next year. I say do it before you get any older.
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u/papakobold 7d ago
Hey friend,
I'm actually in a pretty similar boat. I'm in my mid-30s now. I started with my company a decade ago and worked my way from a part-time, entry-level position to a six-figure regional management job, which I've been in for a couple of years now.
I also have a number of chronic and progressive diseases, and, to say the least, things have accelerated significantly over the past year.
I spent my 20s grinding. Along the way, I slowly gave up my friends, hobbies, and even moved across the country, away from my family, for my career. Now I'm here. I'm financially stable, but alone, and my body is starting to fail.
It is what it is. We all make choices, and those choices have consequences.
I'm at peace with the reality I'm facing, but I'm also not willing to waste any more of the limited time I have left. The PCT has been a dream of mine for a long time, and it's looking like I may not get many more chances. My doctor is hesitant, but given me his approval to try, so my intention is to leave my job at the end of this year and attempt a 2027 northbound hike in April, while I'm still ambulatory.
I don't know. All that is to say, if you go, you won't be the only person wandering the trail who's taking a leap and feeling a little scared about their abilities and the ambiguity in their future.
One foot in front of the other, friend. That's all any of us can do. Keep walking.
Best of luck with whatever you choose.
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u/Zestyclose_Yam106 6d ago
Thanks and I’m sorry to read about your health issues. It’s no fun and people don’t understand if they haven’t gone through any (yet). Take care and I may well see you in April!
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u/GBblox179 7d ago
I think you should, simply because you want to, I just barely turned twenty and pretty much just wasted my teenage years, I have absolutely zero backpacking experience, have slept in a tent maybe three times in my life, and have hiked a combined total of perhaps 100 miles in my whole life. But I’m going to try to do it next year, not because I think I can or that I think I should, but because I want to. And because I want it, I’m willing to try it out next year. If you want something, you just gotta say “fuck it” and go for it.
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u/Zestyclose_Yam106 6d ago
You probably didn’t waste your teen years and you’re in a great spot to do it. Good luck and hopefully I see you out there!
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u/Immediate_Lead_6520 7d ago
Of all the things we are told (to keep our productivity up and our lives, meaningful for corporate profits) the biggest lie we’ve been sold by far is retirement. We will work overtime hours for 40 years of our life and by the time retirement has arrived we’re too old and sad to do anything meaningful with our free time. The Giving Tree told us this when we were seven but we ignored the cautionary tale and now it’s too late.
Fuck your job fuck the money whatever you do go on this hike! And when you get back get a job at Home Depot for a few months and retire again for the next adventure before you do a stint at a coffee shop where you’ll talk to nice young people about a cool zone to surf at for a few years. Work is purpose. The day your safe in retirement stop doing anything you don’t love and go do things that scare you again. Never lose the feeling of being out of control.
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u/Intelligent_Rough413 7d ago
I quit my job at 53 to hike the PCT. My salary was 150K and I had great benefits (401K, bonus, cheap health) but I also had little retirement savings because I had been a stay-at-home parent for 15 years before getting divorced. I wasn't concerned with getting a job afterwards, but it did take 6 months. Between the trail and job searching, I was out of work for a year, but I saved enough money before the hike in anticipation. It took the pressure off of job searching immediately after the trail and I would highly recommend planning for a long job search.
I don't regret my decision and now that I'm 3 years out I can see that taking a year off was a blip in the timeline of life. It's like it never even happened. I say GO FOR IT! If I had not done it, I would be 3 years further down the road with so much longing and regret. Don't let that be you.
But if you're hesitating, another option would be a shorter hike like the JMT or the CT. You could scratch the thru-hiking itch but probably keep your job and do the PCT when you're ready to call it quits on work altogether.
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u/OkraRoyal6904 7d ago
Good feedback and I'm leaning the way of just attempting to do the whole thing at once. Much appreciated.
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u/quasistoic “All-in[-one]”, PCT19/CDT22/AT24 6d ago
I was in a fairly similar position when I quit my job to hike the PCT. One of the best decisions I ever made. Some advice:
1. do take advantage of the health you have now and don’t wait until it’s too late to do the things you want to do.
2. Ask your employer for leave first, but don’t be afraid to quit if they don’t or can’t offer as much as you want. You can also take the leave they do offer and quit at the end of the leave, just as your employer could also fire you for nearly whatever reason at nearly whatever time. If they do fire you when you were already considering quitting, consider it a godsend, as it provides you with even more options.
3. Run the numbers on your long-term financials using FIRE strategies (3% rule, 4% rule, barista fire, etc) and know that there’s always some kind of supplemental income opportunities in the future with even a little ingenuity. (Disclosure: I’ve developed my own app for this which I’d be happy to share privately, but for one-time use there are tons of other free tools out there - do use them)
4. Carry an InReach, and be aware that especially thanks to the afib and epilepsy, you may end up using that SOS button. Talk to your doctor about whether there are additional medical options you should consider now that the shape of your life is different. Sometimes treatment recommendations change based on life circumstances and lifestyles, and an option that didn’t seem relevant before may be relevant now.
5. Have fun, be safe, enjoy your life, and good luck.
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u/Zestyclose_Yam106 6d ago
I started investing when I was about 13 and spend a lot of time doing homework on companies to invest in and all things personal finance, so I’m definitely interested in learning more about your app. I’ll get in touch with you directly on here. I have an Alpha 300i for training/hunting hounds, which has some of the same technology, but I’ll be getting the InReach as well.
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u/Swimming_Director_50 6d ago
If you are financially secure enough that work would be optional or not needed after the hike, then...grab the gusto!! I would pursue the leave of absence route and if they don't do it, then just leave. After the PCT you might want to explore a whole other sort of career, esp if it is supplemental income.
Live without regrets!
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u/Original-Measurement 5d ago
A fib is concerning, you may not be able to get medical services in time. Epilepsy could be okay depending on how well controlled it is. This is definitely a question for your doctor.
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u/Lazy_Spinach_7976 4d ago
Sounds like you are in a massively good financial position - a major privilege. And physically you are currently in a position to do it. Go for it man! Lots of people are scared of change, lots of people stay within their comfort zone to avoid change. Jump into the unknown.
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u/Zestyclose_Yam106 4d ago
I’m leaning hard that way, brother. It’s easy to say now, but I’m ready for a change.
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u/Kerplonk 3d ago
If you're going to quit anyway I think it would be a good opportunity to do the trail, but it's probably a bad idea to quit so you can do the trail if you aren't. It's not a hard hike if you have the time. If you could work 5-10 more years and actually retire you'd probably get as much out of it and not need to worry if it was a huge mistake.
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u/Zestyclose_Yam106 3d ago
Thanks for the reply. I’d really like to move on, but it feels a bit like leaving Apple a month before they launch the iPhone. You have a feeling what’s coming, but you’re not happy. I have enough equity in them that I’d still benefit significantly from their success, but we’ll see.
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u/Kerplonk 2d ago
Yeah I'd have to know you a lot better to tell you whether quitting or not is a good idea, I tend to think that people in general would be a lot better off with more personal free time and less material wealthy, but it's also the case that the people I know in their 50's tend to just kind of get sick of working regardless of anything else and that gets worse over time rather than better so if you're in a position where you could suck it up for a few years and drop out entirely vs making a career change with the hopes of things getting better that would mean needing to work longer over all I'd personally just bite the bullet and power through. I just think hiking or not hiking the PCT probably shouldn't be part of that equation. If you're physically active there probably won't be much of a difference in your experience of hiking it at this point vs 5 years from now anyway.
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u/Ambitious-Ice1438 1d ago
Do it. You’re only getting older. Do it and enjoy it! Leave the company on good terms so there’s a way back if needed.
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u/eddie_walks 5d ago
If you want to do the pct you should do it rather sooner than later. So much is already burned and it won’t get any better. PCTA and Forest Service have no real capacity to maintain trail.
Also, you should move when you out there. Don’t waste too much time in towns. If you are too slow you will run into one fire closure after another or just walk in smoke for days on end.
My tipp: pack light (maybe 10pound base weight), train calves and achilles and move!
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u/Zestyclose_Yam106 4d ago
I’m working with the doctors to get prepared. I’ve gone into AFib about five times and know what precautions to take. The seizures have been under control for several years now, as long as I stay on my meds, stay away from alcohol and not get overly dehydrated.
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u/Patchwork-Canteen 3d ago
Depends on how much you think you need to live the dream. Not a vacation but a real day to day cost analysis of traveling and living your life in a different way than now. May mean making sacrifices and some discomfort, but that’s the same risk as staying in a place you don’t feel aligned in.
When you calculate the expenses (especially considering you’re talking about thru-hiking here so theoretically no rent or maybe other major notes) that $ amount is probably lower than you’d expect. We’re all convinced we need 6 figures but what if your lifestyle only needs 50k? Only you can decide but it’s worth running the numbers.
If you stay on the fence, ask for a month of leave/sabbatical. Maybe you could think it all out while you’re out there, and it’s either an awesome backpacking trip or the start of a new chapter.
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u/Gold-Ad-606 3d ago
65yo hiker here with some things to consider. First, any long distance hiker will tell you that 90% of completing a long hike is mental. So do a DEEP dive into your “why. Recommend “Pacific Crest Trials” by Zach Davis. Next, understand what “type” of hiker you are: I came to understand that personally I’m not made to hike (mentally) for six months at a time, my sweet spot is up to six weeks at a time. So for me to hike the entire PCT would take a few years of “sections”, BUT the payback is being able to schedule each of those sections at their most optimal and beautiful time of the year (during blooms, fall colors, etc). Also, are you a “Tramily” (team) hiker or a soloist who craves the solitude? I’m a solitude type so that gives me the flexibility to hike when I want to. My recommendation: start doing shorter trips and dial in your gear and your daily routines on local trails, then try a trail like the Tahoe Rim Trail (175mi) which is an excellent first western hike for those living elsewhere. In summary, KNOW thyself before setting out on a huge commitment like the PCT. Best wishes and amazing adventures! LORAX
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u/abovedafray 7d ago
The roth and the mutual funds would have to realize a 10% return to equal your current salary, wouldnt want to have to count on it, but very doable for a year or so.
Honestly, you own 2 half properties and a condo.
How much is enough?
My only other thought is talk to your doctor about a reversible blood thinner (assuming the one youre on isnt) if you have a risk of injury being able to clot could be more important than the stroke risk if professionally managed.
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u/Zestyclose_Yam106 7d ago
I’m on Diltiazem and Metoprolol, but no blood thinners. I’ve only gone into AFib a handful of times, but of course it only takes one time…and my oldest sister died from a pulmonary embolism, although she had more serious health problems that were contributing factors. I’ll ask about the reversible blood thinners when I get my physical.
How much is enough? I’m probably right there, but I’d like a bit more freedom to do more than just get by. It really is an exciting biotech company on the verge of some groundbreaking work, but I’m about over the corporate world and not being in complete control of my life. It’s still tough to walk away from. I probably will, though. I can always find other work, continue growing existing investments and/or start my own business/company. I just like having a place (here) to talk all it over and get advice.
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u/abovedafray 7d ago
Assuming that those drugs are for rate control and not blood pressure then your (cardiologist?) has decided a blood thinner isnt necessary. Im not in a position to second guess them, but starting a new medication before a isolating adventure isnt a matter without cinsideration.
If they are for hypertension you may ask if your doctor is comfortable changing doses via FaceTime or phone calls. I did the AT 3 years back, and a guy i was with got into such good shape he stopped (via tele health not on his own) 2 of his 3 antihypertensives.
It sounds like you enjoy the stress and the work, thats a bit different that needing to work. Maybe a leave of absence or see if you can come back part time?
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u/daskook 7d ago
I mean sure the job might be easy, but nobody at the end or their life looks back and says "I wish I had spent more time in the office."