Published September 30, 2026
By SOPHIE CANAN
Setting himself apart from his peers, CHS junior River Mello is planning to graduate early and has started the long preparation process to hike the Pacific Crest Trail, the strenuous, 2,650-mile hike that spans from the southern border of California to Washington’s northern border.
For experienced hikers, the hike takes around five months to complete, requiring extensive training in order to maintain a pace of about 20 miles per day. Despite having school for most of the day, Mello finds ways to fit training into his schedule.
“I train whenever I have the time,” says the hiker. “A few days ago, I got a backpack and walked to Seaside after school.”
Besides walking in his freetime, Mello also walks to school as part of his training. He completed a nearly 17-mile hike from Marina to school at a pace of about 20 minutes per mile, requiring him to wake up nearly six hours before school started. By increasing his walking amount throughout his training process, the junior hopes to eventually be able to increase his hiking pace to 25 miles per day. With this pace, he anticipates finishing the hike in September in order to avoid the snow in Washington. Mello is also planning various backpacking trips before starting the PCT, including trips to Big Sur, the Trans Catalina trail and hiking from Santa Cruz to Monterey.
Besides training physically for the hike, Mello is also spending his time outside of school working to earn enough money for the hike, which costs around $4 per mile because of the cost of gear, meals and gear replacements.
Prior to his interest in the Pacific Crest Trail, River Mello has gone on various hiking trips, including to Sierra Nevada, Big Sur and the Trans Catalina trail. courtesy of RIVER MELLO
Although he’s hiking alone, Mello emphasizes how his father played a large role in his motivation to do the hike in the first place.
“People ask why I would let my son do this,” says Carmel Valley High School teacher Joe Mello. “When a kid makes a goal in seventh grade and then works really hard for the next five years, there’s not much more you could ask for.”
From a young age, River describes how his parents encouraged him to be outside, whether it was hiking in Big Sur with his friends or going on the CHS desert trip with his dad. He found that constantly being on the move brought him peace.
“It’s exciting to be in an ever-changing environment, and I really like pushing myself to try difficult things,” describes River. “Camping is really tranquil and grounding for me.”
Even after the hike, the junior hopes that nature will continue to be a central part of his life, as he begins to pursue careers.
“I want to go to Lake Tahoe Community College to pursue outdoor education,” explains River. “I also am hoping to get my Wilderness first responder certification.”
In preparation for the hike, River reflects on his excitement to meet new people and jump between various groups along the way since he is hiking solo.
“Always moving is something I’m looking forward to on the PCT,” says the hiker. “Every day is going to be something new, from deserts to mountains to even snow.”
By putting in hard work and effort into his training, River Mello hopes to be able accomplish his dream and begin the long, treacherous hike up the Pacific Crest Trail by May 2028.
