Episode 22 - Pacific Crest Trail with Olly Stephenson

Go Mountain Goats

I talk to Olly Stephenson in Edinburgh about hiking the 2650 mile Pacific Crest Trail which he did in an incredible 88 days this summer. In Olly's words "the trail traces a line up the mountains of west coast USA, traversing five major regions: Desert, High Sierra, Northern California, Oregon, and Washington", linking Mexico to Canada. Olly is no stranger to long distance adventures, with the UK Big Three, the 220 mile John Muir Trail and the Petite Trotte a Lyon (300km) being a few previous adventures.

Well known by many as the Carnethy Five race director, a fit 50yr old Olly found himself suddenly breathless and unwell in late 2018. A succession of tests showed he had non-Hodgkin follicular lymphoma, a type of blood cancer affecting the body's lymphatic system. Olly had to endure six cycles of chemotherapy, with various complications, which he describes as his most difficult challenge yet. In remission since 2019, he talks about the shift in his priorities, motivations and outlook.

Olly is fundraising for Maggie's Cancer Care, a charity which he found incredibly supportive. If you wish to donate or find out more about the charity please go to: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/olly-stephenson

One slight edit as I had a coughing fit in the middle!