On November 18, 2004 after three previous attempts were stymied by weather, Williamson first succeeded in his bid to yo-yo the PCT. He was the first person to complete a round trip of the 2,560-mile trail that stretches from the Mexican to the Canadian border through California, Oregon, and Washington. The 5,300-mile trip took him 205 days. This time his goal is 175 days or less.

To make his goal Williamson will need to cover an average of 35-45 miles a day when he is not on snow; this means hiking from sunup to sundown. This speed requires an ultra-light approach. Williamson's frame-less pack weighs 8 1/4 lbs without food and water. He carries only a tarp for shelter, a homemade sleeping bag weighing one pound, and no stove. To further cut weight and increase efficiency he uses tennis shoes instead of boots; he will go through a dozen pairs in a season. He carries about 2 1/2 pounds of food per day.

Williamson explains that his goal is a personal one. "It's not about setting records because they will be broken. There is a guy who wants to do it in 100 days next year, and I think he can. That guy is a freak of nature."

Williamson and his partner, local traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner, Michelle Turley, just returned from the annual kick-off party at the PCT trailhead on the Mexico border where 160 of this season's 300-400 thru-hikers started their journey. In a typical year, 150-180 hikers will make it to the other border. Most cover an average of 25 miles a day.

While not everyone will be spending as much time on the trail as Williamson, he sees a common need among long-distance hikers to get away from modern society and its comforts. "The hikers are looking for something normal life doesn't provide," Williamson explained. Turley, who had provided support over the years and plans to meet Williamson for short sections this year in preparation for her first thru-hike next year, thinks that what motivates hikers is the desire to be in nature for long periods of time. "For Scott, when he is on the trail he is most connected-to Source, to nature to and himself. The long distance is joy, not a difficulty."

Meanwhile Williamson is spending his time training. For example, he runs down from Castle Peak on snowshoes with a thirty-five pound backpack. He is also organizing everything he will need for almost six months into 52 boxes that he will mail to spots along the trail. This year he is sponsored by New Moon, which is allowing him to buy all organic food-dehydrates beans and soymilk in bulk and vita-mineral and spirulina supplements-at wholesale.     --By Leeza Balmin.