Perkins County grad hiking Pacific coast

Grant, Nebraska, native Jaden Dietlein is a young man who is going places … specifically, north to south on the Pacific coast, from Canada to Mexico … on foot.

Dietlein is hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, 2,653 miles of rugged terrain and breathtaking scenery from the Canada/Washington state border to the California/Mexico border on the south end. He was inspired to take the challenge by a friend and mentor who had hiked the Appalachian Trail on the country’s east coast. 

His journey began June 15, and he expects to finish the hike toward the end of October or mid-November. He had already logged over 700 miles last week, completing about 25 miles a day, and had made it into Oregon, having finished the state of Washington.

Dietlein graduated from Perkins County High School in 2019 and continued his education in Nebraska in Crete and Lincoln. He graduated with a degree in biochemistry this spring and was employed through college and continued after graduation at a Lincoln clinical facility where he processes lab samples. The company has allowed him the time off to complete his hike.

Dietlein has always been drawn to any physical challenge, especially long-distance endurance. He participated in track and cross-country in high school and college and has stayed in touch with former high school cross-country coach Paula Wurst. “I am incredibly thankful that Jaden and I have remained in contact,” Wurst said. They both believe that his experience in the sport of cross-country has been beneficial to him in a hike of this magnitude.  

There was a stretch of over a week at the beginning that Jaden’s mom, Kathleen, didn’t hear from him at all. Since then, they have worked out a way to communicate even in areas without cellphone service, and he is able to get a daily message to her to let her know he is safe and everything is OK. The more frequent contact has been a relief to Kathleen, and she appreciates the phone calls and loves hearing about the adventures he’s having. 

Along the way, Dietlein decided to make his walk even more meaningful and has turned it into a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, with the goal of raising $2,653, one dollar for every mile he hikes. “I believe that I want this journey to bring about positive change not only in my own personal life but also have an impact on something that is bigger than myself,” he said.

Although he is hiking mostly solo, Dietlein said that he meets several people on the trail every day. Most fellow hikers will exchange a short greeting or a few minutes’ chat. He enjoys the camaraderie amongst hikers and said that they form an almost instant, strong connection as they are in the same situation, striving toward the same goal. He has met a variety of people from all walks of life, including many international travelers. 

He has been impressed by the generosity of other hikers. One graciously gave Dietlein a knee brace when he had been limping due to knee pain. Another shared some blister tape that he had packed. Hikers just look out for each other on the trail, Dietlein said.

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