The PCTA Booth photographed at PCT DAYS 2024. PCTA photo.
Another year in the books!
On August 16-17, outdoor enthusiasts and PCT thru-hikers alike gathered in the heart of the Columbia River Gorge for the 17th annual PCT Days. The highly anticipated summer festival at Cascade Locks Marine Park never disappoints with its celebration and promotion of hiking, camping, backpacking & outdoor stewardship. As always, PCTA is pleased to attend as an exhibiting sponsor. All year leading up to PCT Days, we look forward to meeting folks from the community at our booth and chatting with partners who help support us in our mission to conserve and protect the trail.
View of the main stage from PCT DAYS 2024. PCTA photo.
Attendees can tell you that Friday saw really great weather, but the clouds started making way in Saturday morning for a windstorm that gradually turned into a thunderstorm by the late afternoon. Ultimately, to prioritize everyone in attendance’s safety, the weekend festivities were forced to wrap up a few hours earlier than expected. Nonetheless, vendor booths were still visited, raffle winners were still announced, and plenty of good memories were made—we’re all used to making adjustments to PCT weather!
HFMH Vice President Brayden Donnelly accepting the PCTA’s Partnership Award from Director of Philanthropy Angie Williamson and CEO Megan Wargo on the main stage at PCT Days 2024.
PCTA had the pleasure of awarding the Hike for Mental Health (HFMH) team our Partnership Award for their longtime support and commitment to trail conservation on the Pacific Crest Trail, all while championing the benefits of hiking for mental health. Megan Wargo, PCTA’s CEO, and Angie Williamson, Director of Philanthropy, took to the main stage to personally award Brayden Donnelly, Hike for Mental Health’s Vice President, with the honor. Thank you, HFMH, for the joy and compassion you continuously bring to the PCT community!
“It’s been such a pleasure to work with the Hike for Mental Health team over the past ten years. They truly exemplify the spirit of partnership in everything they do.”
– Angie Williamson, Director of Philanthropy
Throughout the weekend, we had the pleasure of stopping by the booths of some of our amazing partners and getting the chance to say hello in person. PCTA’s Corporate and Foundation Relations Manager RJ had this to stay after stopping by the ReadyWise booth, “Ready Wise Outdoors is one of our many amazing partners we were able to see at PCT Days. They support us through a super tasty Beef Bulgogi and Kimchi Fried Rice meal specifically catered to the PCT community. It was so great to hang with them during the event, and we really appreciate their partnership!”
Thanks to all of the many other PCTA partners for supporting the PCT. It was great to see so many of you at this year’s event!
Group selfie of PCTA Staff at PCT Days, from left to right: RJ, Emi Gunther, and Peyton Hamblin.
Each year, PCTA staff members and volunteers come together to plan, prepare, organize, and attend PCT Days as an exhibiting sponsor. From raffle sales to booth activities such as this year’s book signings, from answering attendees’ questions to presenting awards, this event takes a dedicated and amazing team. If you missed this year’s book signings with John Ostrander, author of Pacific Crest Tales, and Dana York, author of Plants of the Pacific Crest Trail, you can always visit our shop to purchase copies. Big thanks to our volunteers and staff for making it a wonderful experience by pouring in your energy and care.
From left to right: John Ostrander, RJ, and Dana York posing in front of the PCTA booth.
Thanks also to all those who stopped by the booth to chat with us about the trail, ask how to get involved, and more. This year, some new staff members attended for the first time! Emi Gunther, our Trail Information Associate, had this to say about the event, “It was great to see the PCT community together. It’s a chance to appreciate the camaraderie hikers had built together on the trail and celebrate it. Encouraging hikers to continue loving and caring for the trail on their hike has been rewarding.”
A final and special thanks to event founder and owner Jason Waicunas and his team for making PCT Days unique each year! It is a treasured and valued opportunity to gather in such a welcoming space with a like-minded community, all to benefit the trail we know and love.
Next year’s event will happen on August 15-16 at the Marine Park of Cascade Locks, Oregon! For more information, visit the PCT Days website.