Sisters men to tackle PCT

Men travel into the wilderness for many reasons. Henry David Thoreau said in "Walden," "I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived."

Mark Macpherson and Austen Stark, both 21, also wish to live deliberately in the woods. They are embarking on a traverse of the Pacific Crest Trail, from the start near the Mexican border in California, to Sisters and perhaps, beyond.

The 1,986-mile trip will start May 1 and finish... when it finishes, probably sometime in September. Both men are fit, and have extensive wilderness training.

"With our mental and physical state, we feel confident of completion," said Macpherson.

Injury or lack of food and water are the obstacles they think of that could jeopardize the plan.

The two aren't doing this trek just to pit themselves against the wilderness. Both have demons to put to rest, issues that they still struggle with.

Macpherson was a passenger in a car accident that took the life of Sisters resident, Hegnor Durantes, in 2005.

"I was not on the right path, and that shook the beast out of me," he said.

A downward spiral of drug use led to an overdose last year and time in rehab. He's been clean for several months and will use the hike to confirm his return to a life that contributes rather than takes.

He wishes to honor Hegnor's memory and will use the hours on the trail to reflect on the blessing of family and friends.

Stark lost his cousin, Ian, in 2008.

"We were like brothers," he said.

The memory of the loss is still fresh, and Stark is healing slowly. He escapes to the woods when he can, finding solace in big spaces, confident in his abilities.

"My dad took us hunting, and we fish and camp a lot," he said.

He, too, will reflect on the meaning of family during the hike.

The men realize that a hike along the PCT is not a solitary endeavor. They'll be counting on food drops along the way and will check in regularly with Forest Service personnel to keep track of current trail conditions. Family and friends have pledged to hike at least some of the sections with them. They have found invaluable help from the PCT Association, formed to answer questions and provide mentors for first-timers.

The Sisters community and businesses are supportive of their plans. So far, they've collected most of the gear they need and are appreciative of the food donations. Being young men, their calorie demand is pretty high, even without the extra output of toting 65-pound packs across the desert and over mountains. Any further donations of food are most appreciated, namely calorie-dense, easily prepared (over a fire or camp stove) simple items. Dried foods and fruit or military MRE rations are ideal. These can be dropped off at Sisters Bakery prior to May 1.

A farewell evening is planned for Friday, April 24, at the Gallery Restaurant in Sisters. Macpherson plans to have a blog going soon, making updates when they reach civilized places along the trail.

For more information, call Mark Macpherson at 541-420-3753, but be prepared to leave a message because he'll probably be on a trail somewhere.