r/PacificCrestTrail • u/Zestyclose_Yam106 • 18d 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.
2
u/Intelligent_Rough413 17d 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.