My PCT Adventure in 3 Minutes

Posted by Kolby on Jan 9th, 2012 in Featured Articles, Hiking, Pacific Crest Trail | 34 comments

After watching this video in 2009 and this video in April of 2011, I was inspired to make my own time lapse on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). For 159 days, I took a few photos and videos each day to show the effects of hiking 1,700 miles. Some effects are obvious: wight loss (90 pounds), beard growth (3 pounds) – but others are not so obvious, like my mental state. Hopefully those who make it through all three minutes (well, 2:46) will see how a long hike can effect ones mental state.

As the 377 photos and 11 videos parade by at 215 beats per minute, keep an eye out for a few Easter eggs: a bloody nose, a pair of broken sunglasses, my parents (twice), two fly fishermen, a movie theater marque, a rainbow, a “buckle up” joke, a famous date shake from Hadley’s, the leg of a fake human skeleton, and my 3-year old niece sleeping.

And here’s what 1000 photos looks like!
PCT Timelapse Mosaic

http://www.twoeightnine.com/ twoeightnine

That was epic.
Andree Scanlon

I love that.. and I’m sharing it! Great accomplishment, I can only hope to do that someday, you’re a true inspiration!!!
http://www.danswalk.net/ Dan Young

Now that is what I’m talking about Condor! Nice job. Oh and hell yeah, if your still in Bend when i pass through Sisters I’ll be sure to look you up. It would be better of course if you were to huhhm – get back on the trail though! You have a place in Alaska as well. (except when I’m on the trail)
http://twitter.com/jessgold33 Jessica Goldbach

This is awesome!
http://twitter.com/jessgold33 Jessica Goldbach

This is awesome!
http://twitter.com/paulcyclesworld paul ashley-unett

awesome video!
Mandoses

awesome!!
Ima go clown in the hills in honor of your adventure. might even bust a head wiggle or two.
Anonymous

That was awesome!! Love it!
Phenning

I wish you wrote down your thoughts each day and then we all can be there with you after we read your book!
Hikewithvickster

I’ve always loved following your site…..this is just another reason why I can’t get enough. AWESOME!
http://www.thehikeguy.com The Hike Guy

Thanks, Phenning! But I did write down my thoughts… Check it out: http://www.thehikeguy.com/2011/11/10/pct-moleskines/
Ravi Dontharaju

super cool!!!
Lewench

Very inspiring!!!! I have been working on doing the Camino De Santiago and your site as well as your documentation on the PCT has given me many ideas!! I looked to see what kind of gear you prefer but I didn’t find that info here. Do you have it listed anywhere? Also do you have any desire to do the Camino in Spain?
Amy King

Your hiking goals for yourself and your PCT hike last year are really an inspiration! Thanks so much for sharing your experiences, really.
http://www.thehikeguy.com The Hike Guy

Thanks, Alaska Dan! I’m jealous that you’re hitting the trail again this year. Maybe I’ll see you in the Sierra in June-July if my plans work out.
http://www.thehikeguy.com The Hike Guy

Thank you kindly!
http://www.thehikeguy.com The Hike Guy

Hi Lewench,
No, I haven’t posted my gear list yet, but it’s in the works. Stay tuned…
The Camino? I’d love to… but it’s not at the top of my list. I’ve always considered myself a pilgrim of sorts (my first website, http://www.kahunna.net, was about my “pilgrimage for the modern traveler.”) Good luck on your own pilgrimage, Lewench!
http://www.thehikeguy.com The Hike Guy

Thank you, Amy!
Summitstones

Wonderful! Saw this first over on Rick’s site with his recent post about you. Kolby, you are an inspiration. I so enjoy the images, what they must mean for you, the music and the wild places portrayed. You look focussed and determined, yet at the end, there is that smile others having commented about too, along with your playfulness and sense of humour – everything we all want to have as adventurer’s…
Your journeys are just beginning my friend…
DSD
Stefanie Vance

Kolby — what a ride! My dad always talked about doing the PCT — who knows, at age 77+ , he may still. Glad you are still following your dreams. Stefanie
http://www.thehikeguy.com The Hike Guy

Thank you, my mysterious friend. I have a few of your Summit Stones and look forward to giving them to fellow hikers, pilgrims, and dreamers.
http://www.thehikeguy.com The Hike Guy

Hello, Molly. Thank you. I used “Kolniður” by Jonsi & “Cousins” by Vampire Weekend. Please rush out and purchase their music. You won’t be disappointed.
Decoratorcs

Love it! My dream has been to hike the AT from GA to ME. I am saving my vacations and sick time so I can take off several months. I may have to complete it in two separate years. Cat
http://twitter.com/webcudgel Charles Martin

Great job on the weight loss and the sanity boost. Love the video.
http://questforthetriplecrown.com/ David Kelly Williams

Hey HikeGuy I love the video and am glad to see like minded people passionately hiking mountains. Iron sharpens iron brotha.
Tux

Well, you are part of the news in a Québec City french newspaper Le Soleil (the Sun in french). See for yourself at http://blogues.cyberpresse.ca/massicotte/2012/01/30/cinq-mois-sur-le-sentier-90-livres-perdues-et-une-barbe-en-plus/
Melanie Evans

A couple of things I noticed:
1. your head placement is dead-on consistent in each photo (HOW do you do that?)
2. your expression is very somber (well except for the last ‘set’)
3. the music had an ominous tone to it that almost made me feel like the ‘trip’ was going to end without you surviving (even though I knew this wasn’t true)
4. love the interspersing of videos with the stills
5. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the last little bit. I hope you are continuing to experience the playfulness and joy shown in the last clip.
Can’t wait to work my way through the rest of your blog entries!
Summitstones

Hi Kolby,
Having revisited your amazing video once more, I just had to add a link to it under ‘Inspiration’ on my blog. I hope many more fellow adventurers then get to see it and embrace the spirit with which you completed that journey and then shared it with us!
DSD
http://twitter.com/AninhadaBest Ana Gomez

Wow! Awesome video
http://www.thehikeguy.com The Hike Guy

Thanks, Deb. It took some time, but I’ve become a licensed butterfly whisperer. If you’re pet butterfly seems to be acting unusual, just give me a call. I’m at your service.
http://www.thehikeguy.com The Hike Guy

I met many “well aged” hikers on the trail. Quite a few would consider your Dad a “young pup.” I hope he finds the time to do it. At 77, what is he waiting for??
http://www.thehikeguy.com The Hike Guy

I wish you luck on your dream, Decoratores. Thanks for taking the time to write.
http://www.thehikeguy.com The Hike Guy

Merci, Tux.
http://www.thehikeguy.com The Hike Guy

Hi Melanie,

Your observational skills are very sharp! I had to spend a lot of time cropping to get the eye placement. In fact, that’s what took the longest to make this video. My expression does look somber, doesn’t it? My intention was to relax my face so that every picture would have the same expression. Unfortunately, my relaxed face looks not so happy…
I listened to that song – “Kolniður” by Jonsi – many times on my long hike. I find it motivational and rejuvenated my spirit and quickened my pace. Quite a few of my hiking friends were glad to see that crazy bit at the end of the video. They said it is a better representation of who I am than the rest of the video.

Thanks for taking the time to write. I hope you enjoy the rest of my website.

My PCT Adventure in 3 Minutes

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