About Elliot Spaulding
[elliot@pcthike.org]

Thank you for taking an interest in our hike. You may be a friend, a teacher, a co-worker, an aspiring thru-hiker or just some creepy guy on the internet five million miles away but for some reason you are interested in two guys and their journey along the Pacific Crest Trail, so I am going to take this time to tell you a little bit about myself.

I was born in San Diego, California, where I graduated from Scripps Ranch High School. My interest in the outdoors was sparked by my involvement in Boy Scout Troop 616 where I did numerous backpacking trips, campouts and other outings. I eventually earned the rank of Eagle Scout and have been involved in two venture crews, Crew 8888 and Crew 2402. At age fifteen I began working at Mataguay Scout Reservation during the summers. I had various jobs at Mataguay ranging from basic scout skills to climbing and mountain biking. I worked there for five years with Charlie and then went on to work at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico during the summer of 2004 as a climbing instructor.

I am currently studying Parks and Recreation Management at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff and I am planning on graduating in 2006. I enjoy living in Flagstaff very much as it is a great town with so many outdoor opportunities right out the back door. The San Francisco peaks are just north of town which go up to 12,000 feet and the Grand Canyon is only a little over an hour away. With several climbing places nearby and miles of hiking and mountain biking trails, Flagstaff has been a great home for me for the last few years.

Besides rock climbing and hiking, I also enjoy biking and playing guitar. I am very excited about the journey ahead of us, only ten weeks now. Whatever happens, it should be an adventure, the experience of a lifetime and I am thankful that I have this exciting opportunity.

-Elliot