Currently hiking the pacific crest trail: a 2,650 mile trek that runs from Mexico to Canada.

Not Today: Frostbite and Survival on the PCT’s Most Dangerous Pass
Dakota Storm Dakota Storm

Not Today: Frostbite and Survival on the PCT’s Most Dangerous Pass

In the heart of the High Sierra, the Pacific Crest Trail tests even the strongest hikers. But nothing could have prepared me for the night we climbed Forester Pass — the highest and most dangerous point on the trail. With frostbite setting in and a storm closing around us, this wasn’t just a hike — it was a fight to survive.

Read More
The Sierra Awakens: Our Pacific Crest Trail Journey Beyond the Desert
Dakota Storm Dakota Storm

The Sierra Awakens: Our Pacific Crest Trail Journey Beyond the Desert

We rose from the desert floor into the arms of the Sierra—where wind howled across ridgelines, wildflowers stretched toward sunlit skies, and friendships deepened over miles and shared meals. From Tehachapi to Chicken Spring Lake, this chapter carries the quiet strength of transition—into snow, into stillness, into the heart of the mountains.

Read More
Crossing the Mojave: The Last Stretch of the PCT Desert Section
Dakota Storm Dakota Storm

Crossing the Mojave: The Last Stretch of the PCT Desert Section

We blinked, and suddenly found ourselves standing at the north end of the Mojave, squinting back at the hundreds of dusty miles we had traversed. Somewhere in the blur, we became something new—hardened, grateful, a little feral.

This desert stripped us down gently, layer by layer, like water over stone. In the absence of excess, I found peace. Not from gaining anything—but from shedding it all.

The trail is a mirror. A teacher. A gentle nudge toward trust, resilience, and choosing presence over perfection.

Read More
Breakthrough Week on the Pacific Crest Trail: Building Strength and finding My Flow
Dakota Storm Dakota Storm

Breakthrough Week on the Pacific Crest Trail: Building Strength and finding My Flow

Week three on the Pacific Crest Trail brought a transformative shift. The initial aches began to fade, replaced by a growing sense of strength and rhythm. Each step became more purposeful, each mile a testament to endurance and adaptability. Navigating the diverse terrains of Southern California, I found not just physical resilience but a deeper connection to the journey itself. This week wasn't just about covering distance; it was about embracing the trail's lessons and discovering a newfound flow.

Read More
Hiking the PCT in 2025: Conquering the San Jacinto Winter Conditions
Dakota Storm Dakota Storm

Hiking the PCT in 2025: Conquering the San Jacinto Winter Conditions

The San Jacintos loomed in the distance for 150 miles—an unavoidable challenge whispered about by every hiker. Snow, ice, and steep climbs tested our endurance, pushing us to our limits. Blistered feet, exhaustion, and unrelenting elevation gain made every step a battle, but the mountains have a way of rewarding those who persevere.

Read More
2,650 Miles to Go: Why I’m Walking From Mexico to Canada on the PCT
Dakota Storm Dakota Storm

2,650 Miles to Go: Why I’m Walking From Mexico to Canada on the PCT

After a whirlwind year of moving, getting married, launching a business, and preparing nonstop, Abhi and I are finally here—a sunrise away from stepping onto the Pacific Crest Trail. 2,650 miles. Five months. A journey into the unknown. The nerves are real, but the excitement is even more so. A winter storm is rolling in, making for an adventurous start. Why are we doing this? The challenge. The connection. The transformation. I don’t know who I’ll be on the other side, but I can’t wait to find out.

Read More