Chasing the Alpenglow

Shawns Adventures

  • Shawn is a good buddy of Caseys’, spanning 20 years.
  • He expressed that he wanted to hike the PCT
  • Due to unfortunate mental health issues, he committed suicide in 2020.
  • I’m asking people to carry photos (I’m handing out) and take selfies, etc., with the picture and tag on social media or email me.

Who is Shawn?

Shawn was a good friend who entered my life in 2002 and left the physical world in 2020. We were work buddies in our 20s, and we would have beers and play pool every chance we’d get after work. Shawn was the pool master, and I tagged along because I enjoyed hitting balls.

Shawn (left) and Casey (right) coming into Cascade Locks. The note reads "Dear Hiker, you got this! You're almost there!" 2018
Shawn (left) and Casey (right) coming into Cascade Locks. The note reads, “Dear Hiker, you got this! You’re almost there!” Sept. 2018

As time passed, we went our separate ways but maintained contact. In 2017, I heard that he hiked and bushwhacked through the closed and unfinished Salmonberry Trail in Oregon.

As someone re-entering the backpacking world, I contacted him to go on a trip together. The photos that you see on this page are from that trip. Unfortunately, we could only go on one, but it’s a trip that will forever be in my heart.

Casey (left) and Shawn (right) are setting off for Cascade Locks from Timberline Lodge (in the background) in Sept. 2018.

On a stormy winter night, he called me up to talk about a trip that we were planning for Summer 2020; he was pretty stoked and also mentioned that he would love to hike the Pacific Crest Trail, thinking he could do it in three months. I was incredulous as the trail typically takes 4-5 months and sometimes six. But I listened to what he had to say, as boisterous and confident as ever.

Shawn being his charismatic self. July 2019

Shawn suffered from mental illness and committed suicide in 2020. He will forever be in my heart and my future adventures.

Who am I?

I’m assuming you came directly to this link, so Hi, I’m Casey, and I’m hiking the PCT in 2024. I aim to get as far as possible in 100 days; ironically it’s similar to Shawns’ original goal.

Casey in the Norse Peak Wilderness, Washington. August 2023

The Project

I will pass out Shawns’ photos periodically throughout my PCT thru-hike attempt in 2024.

The idea is for Shawns’ photo to make it from Campo, CA to the Canadian Border. Along the way people who carry his photo are encouraged to take photos or video with it, then post it to Instagram or email it directly to me.

The idea is to share the journey with as many people as possible. To have the photo seemingly hike the trail, meeting fellow hikers and learning about each other.

Stories of overcoming mental health issues or how this project may have impacted you are encouraged.

In the end, I hope to be able to put together a pct journey of Shawn virtually hiking the trail.

This project was inspired by the 2016 film Pauls Boots.

I received a photo, now what?

  1. Take photos or videos of Shawn in front of epic views, flowers, water, etc., or take a selfie with him! There is no limit; do as much or as little as you want.
  2. Post photos or video
    Instagram –  #ShawnsPhoto, #ShawnsAdventures
    tag me! @chasing.the.alpenglow
    Email: shawnsphoto@gmail.com
  3. Next
    Pass the photo to someone else so that they can share their journey with him; let’s see him get to the Northern Terminus!
  4. Backstory
    www.chasingthealpenglow.com/shawns-adventures
    Shawn was a good friend of mine for 20 years. He was a father and suffered from mental health issues. Sadly, he took his life in February 2020.