Long-Distance Rider

Gillian Larson on chasing a bear, the joy of a “boring day” and dealing with mudslides in her underwear

- Emily Bevan

Since 2014 I’ve covered around 10,000 wilderness trail miles in the USA.

I’ve completed the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) from Mexico to Canada twice, the Arizona Trail, the Colorado Trail and the Continental Divide Trail, which also runs from Mexico to Canada.

Each border-to-border trail takes four to five months, while the others are shorter. Sometimes I single-horse pack, and at others I ride one horse using another as a pack horse – that way we can go almost a week without needing to resupply. We cover 25 to 30 miles a day and the horses have one or two days offper week.

Each border-to-border trail costs approximately $25,000 (£18,000).

The most expensive part is gas for the two trucks and trailers I use to move supplies along the trail – that alone can cost $10,000.

It’s hard to generate those kinds of funds quickly. My family and friends helped with the first ride, and since then I’ve worked as a trail ride guide, an exercise rider, and as a graduate teaching assistant.