By Matthew Tracy
Heating blanket. Check. Climbing rope. Check.
As he surveys the spread of provisions on his bed, Nicholas Guzek contemplates the places these items will travel with him on his journey of the Pacific Crest Trail, a wilderness many only saw on the big screen in 2014’s Oscar-nominated “Wild.”
Guzek starts his end-to-end hike of the trail at its southern terminus in Campo, California, following a barren trail of sand scattered here and there with brittle green brush.
From there Guzek, a graduate of George Mason University with a degree in health fitness, will see very little of the man-made world. He will pass through the scenic mountain ranges found throughout California, Oregon and Washington. Along the way he’ll witness some of nature’s most beautiful untouched paintings, views most people die without seeing.
Five months and 2,650 miles later, Guzek will emerge at the northern terminus and the end to his journey: Manning Park, Canada, a gorgeous landscape made famous for its seasonal diversity and many species of birds and mammals.
And all of this awaits a young man who’s never stepped foot outside Virginia.
“This is something I want to do before I enter the adult world,” Guzek says.
Born and raised in the rural town of Forest, situated near the Appalachian Trail, 21-year-old Guzek grew up loving the outdoors.
“I was always playing with my neighbors outside in the woods, either building forts or playing airsoft,” Guzek says. “We also would play backyard football or other sports we would sometimes make up.”
This active lifestyle and love of the outdoors carries into just about every aspect of Guzek’s life, including that of his family.
Guzek and his family often go on hikes along the Appalachian Trail, enjoying the view of such landmarks as McAfee’s Knob, Devil’s Marble Yard and Apple Orchard Mountain. Guzek’s sister plans to hike the Appalachian Trail at the same time Guzek will hike the Pacific Crest.
With his outdoor background and his job as a fitness trainer at Next Level Fitness in Fairfax, Guzek wants to help others have the same experiences.
“I firmly believe that no matter what your condition or circumstance is, you can find a way to stay active and fit,” Guzek says.
Through the Pacific Crest Trail Association, Guzek has garnered sponsorship for his hike in order to promote an active, outdoor lifestyle for others. Every mile Guzek hikes on the Pacific Crest will give financial support to this cause.
Ninety percent of the money he raises will go toward the IM ABLE Foundation, with the remaining ten percent helping the Sierra Club.
The IM ABLE Foundation is an organization dedicated to promoting active living for the physically disabled. It does this by raising money for equipment and providing funds for various active-living programs.
“I chose the IM ABLE Foundation because of my passion for fitness and having people stay fit or become healthy,” Guzek says. “They show [people with disabilities] that there is no reason they can’t live an active and exciting life.”
Guzek also hopes to raise money for the Sierra Club, whose goal is to protect Earth’s natural environment.
“I want to help preserve America’s forests and wilderness as long as possible so more people can go out and enjoy it,” he says.
Guzek begins his five-month hike on March 31.
To sponsor Guzek on his journey, visit his HikeFor page.
