Going the Distance

Bree Fuqua grew up in Polson, attended college in Oregon, and now teaches math at Glacier High School in Kalispell.

But Bree Fuqua is no ordinary math teacher.

Fuqua is currently hiking all 2,640 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) that winds its way through California, Oregon and Washington connecting Mexico with Canada.  But she’s also attempting to finish nearly 25 days sooner than it takes most hikers to complete the trek, to be back by the time school starts in the fall.  Why would someone want to endure something like that? To see if she can, Fuqua said.  

Through email correspondence, Fuqua reported she was 600 miles in, on a dry, sandy trail in the desert mountains.  She hadn’t encountered any major setbacks, with the exception of a two-day rainstorm, high winds and lack of water.  Plus, she’s ahead of schedule.  She said she was looking forward to hiking the Sierra Mountains, even though they are the toughest part of the entire journey.

She has already experienced tough days, but on those days she reminds herself how blessed she is to have this opportunity.  Any positive affirmation or distraction helps, Fuqua said.

Fuqua isn’t looking to be an inspiration for others to begin hiking, but she hopes to inspire people to confront their fears and deal their weaknesses.  She expects to undergo more personal growth in three to four months than most people experience in three to four years.

Fuqua’s mother Ginny said that while growing up in Polson Bree spent time hunting and hiking with her father.

“She always liked to be outside,” Ginny said.

Last summer while hiking in the Tetons, Bree met some professional hikers.  Ginny credits this encounter as the catalyst to Bree’s decision to hike the PCT.

Ginny said Bree approached them last August when the school board gave her the go ahead for her trek.  Ginny wasn’t sure Bree was serious, but after a while it became clear that Bree had set her mind on completing the trail.

“When she decides to do something, she does it,” Ginny said.

Bree’s sister Jess usually spends the summer as a wildland firefighter, but took the summer off to join Bree for the John Muir section of the trail, Ginny said.  That was when the two ran into trouble.  The box that contained all of their snow gear had been opened and the gear, food and presents had been replaced with car parts to make the box the same weight. The two had to make a mad-dash to Wal-Mart where they could only spend 40 minutes shopping for an emergency resupply.

Ginny and Bree’s father were worried about Bree’s safety on the trail. All hikers aren’t good, Ginny said.  They had wanted Bree to carry a gun, but Bree said it would be an insult to other hikers.

As of June 7, Bree had traveled a total of 766 miles.  According to her Facebook page, she stopped to hike Mount Whitney and stopped long enough to snap a photo from the top.

Ginny said she wants Bree to know they are thinking of her and hoping for her safety.

“She knows we’re pulling for her,” Ginny said. “We love her even though we think she’s crazy.”