A Bahraini adventurer and traveller is set to conquer one of the most challenging long-distance hiking routes in the world, as he makes his way from Mexico through the US to its border with Canada, on foot.
Ali Marhoon is heading north along the 4,270km-long Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), having started from the Mexico-US border on May 1, and is hoping to reach the Canada-US border within the next four months.
Speaking to the GDN as he makes his way through deserts, snow-capped mountains and remote wilderness, the 31-year-old accountant explained that he hopes to inspire others to embrace the unknown and push their limits, as he becomes one of the few Bahrainis to attempt the daunting trail.
“I first heard about it in 2018 and was planning to start the trek in 2020 but had to put my plans on hold due to the Covid-19 outbreak,” he said.
“Hiking has always given me time to think.
“It gives me a time of solitude and it lets me connect with myself.
“There is a lot that we take for granted like food and shelter that we don’t appreciate, until we are deprived of them.”
Mr Marhoon will be trekking through the US states of California, Oregon and Washington, passing through seven national parks and 25 national forests.
“The road I’m taking now has a variety of scenery, which made it an appealing track for me to do,” he said.
“The trip is from the Mexican border to the Canadian border which meant that I needed the six-month US visa as well as the PCT hiking permit.
“Once I reach the border crossing to Canada, I will turn back and hike back to the nearest city. I will then make my way to Seattle and then fly to Washington DC from where I have my ticket back to Bahrain booked.”
Until January this year, with the Canada PCT hiking permit, hikers could make their way approximately 13km into Canadian territory to complete the trail; however, this programme has since been discontinued by Canada’s border agency.
Mr Marhoon has so far completed more than 720km of his journey, with a fair amount of adventure already.
“I saw a lot of rattlesnakes which are a problem if they bite you in the middle of nowhere.
“Each area has different creatures that I need to be careful of. For example, the next section of the trail I’m going to be in is known for having a lot of bears.
“So, I need to be careful and ensure food is stored in a storage container, called a ‘bear box’, as opposed to bags.
“I am also carrying a first-aid kit, so I need to be careful and mindful of details like that.”
Mr Marhoon usually carries 7-15kg of supplies, which last him five to six days.
When he runs out, he hitch-hikes to the nearest town to restock, before making his way to the same point on the trail to continue his adventure.
“I sleep in a tent on most nights and then I hitch-hike to the nearest town every five to six days to take a break and get food,” he added.
“When I’m there, I check how many days I will have to make it through until I reach the point in the trail that is closest to next town and get food accordingly.”
Mr Marhoon spends 10 to 12 hours a day walking, sometimes meeting other hikers also attempting the same feat.
“I’m documenting everything on my phone and have power banks with me, so that I can make videos almost every day to post,” he added.
“While walking, I spend my time listening to the huge playlist of podcasts I have, as well as the Quran, depending on my mood.
“Sometimes I don’t want to hear anything and sometimes I meet people on the trail and I walk with them.
“When it’s night time, I set up my tent, make myself dinner and sometimes watch a movie.”
This is not Mr Marhoon’s first tango with trails, having conquered the nearly-1,000km Colorado Trail.
Having started hiking in Sakhir when he was a child, Mr Marhoon began to take his passion seriously after graduating from university in Bahrain and backpacking across Asia for five months through Sri Lanka, India and China, among others.
To help others learn from his experiences, he has also started a hiking club named ‘Barra’ to encourage people to go on hiking adventures, offering tips through @barra.club on Instagram.
n Follow his journey @alimarhoon93 on Instagram.
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