Berkeley Man Plans Trek From Canada To Mexico For Charity
BERKELEY (CBS 5) -- Twenty-four-year-old Sam Fox of Berkeley is preparing to embark on a journey few have ever completed. He will trek the entire Pacific Crest Trail, which stretches from Canada to Mexico through 2,650 miles of mountainous terrain.
"Fewer people have successfully hiked the entire thing than have successfully summited Mount Everest," Fox said.
Those who complete the entire trail usually take several months, but Fox plans to do it in just two. That means he will need to cover 44 miles a day for 60 days. The distance is equivalent to more than 100 marathons, with no days off.
"Somewhere between 100 and 150 people attempt the entire trail each year. And between 30-40 percent actually make it," he said.
Fox has been training for the past 11 months for the challenge that he knows will test him physically as well as mentally.
The reason behind this grueling trek is personal.
"Basically to thank my mom for everything she has done. Some people just write their mom a letter and maybe I'd do that. I am sure she would prefer that I do that," Fox said. "But instead I am going to run almost 3,000 miles for her."
Fox's mom was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease 10 years ago. He is doing the trek to raise $250,000 for the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.
When asked if people thought he was crazy, Fox said, "Sure and I hope they do. I hope they continue to do so because that's one of the reasons I chose something so physical."
(Copyright 2011 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
