Get to Know Our Two Hikers for the Carson City to Canada Quest
In March 2024, the Carson City to Canada Quest was introduced to celebrate the completion of the 16-mile Capital to Tahoe Trail. As we approach the summer of 2025, we’re excited to share more about this adventure of a lifetime and highlight the two hikers who were selected.
First, Let’s Recap: What Is the Carson City to Canada Quest?
The Carson City to Canada Quest is one of those “once-in-a-lifetime” adventures long-distance hikers can’t help but daydream about. Starting right in Carson City, Nevada, and stretching all the way to the Canadian border, this 1,600-mile journey is a mix of the aforementioned Capital to Tahoe Trail and the legendary Pacific Crest Trail.
We’ll work with two hikers to create content and document their experiences throughout the quest. Once completed, each of them will receive $5,000… plus some major bragging rights!
Meet Our Two Hikers
After a 4-month application process, over 350 applicants worldwide, and a lot of thought from the committee, we narrowed it down to two hikers: Julianne Mahoney and Audrey Payne.
Julianne Mahoney
Julianne’s journey to becoming a dedicated thru-hiker began in an unlikely place: inside. She grew up in the D.C. area with a family that preferred museums over mountains (and, with all that history, can you blame them?). It wasn’t until 18 years of age and a rummage sale that she came across this hobby. Her 50-cent copy of A Journey North, a first-hand account of a woman hiking the Appalachian Trail, is what inspired her.
Over time, hiking became more than just an interest—it became a path to healing. Julianne struggled with an eating disorder in high school and discovered that the trails offered her a new perspective on strength, endurance, and self-care.
This meditative experience is a huge part of why she prefers solo hiking over traveling in packs. There’s a quiet magic to every trail that she can be more present for when she’s on her own. Plus, solo hiking has led to some incredible wildlife encounters, like seeing herds of moose on the Colorado Trail!
Until now, her longest adventure was on the 600-mile Colorado Trail. As she prepares to take on the Carson City to Canada Quest via the Pacific Crest Trail, Julianne plans to take a different approach: Instead of pushing for speed, she’s looking forward to slowing down, admiring the changing landscapes, and savoring the experience.
In addition to mental preparation, Julianne knows her biggest challenge revolves around food. She’s a lactose-intolerant vegan and working out creative meal solutions that go beyond oatmeal. Her resupply strategy involves mailing pre-packed boxes along the route, keeping her backpack weight low while ensuring she has the nourishment needed to stay strong.
View Julianne’s Application Video
Audrey Payne
For Audrey, hiking has been a lifelong affair. She spent much of her childhood exploring local state parks with her family, developing a deep appreciation for the outdoors. Even into adulthood, she continued exploring by foot. 
After a debilitating back injury, she decided to leave her job and embark on the 2,200-mile trek known as the Appalachian Trail. This adventure changed Audrey’s life, helping her realize her true inner strength. It also inspired her to write Where the Rhododendrons Bloom, a memoir capturing the highs, lows, and often-overlooked friendships that unfold while on the trails. The aspect Audrey loves most about hiking is its ability to connect—to herself, to people she meets along the way, and to the world around her.
Now, she’s preparing to take on her biggest adventure yet: the Carson City to Canada Quest. Audrey is packing up her life into storage and taking a leave of absence from work. While the thought of rattlesnakes and the privacy challenges of the desert make her a bit nervous, her excitement is far greater. She’s particularly looking forward to getting to know the unique towns and communities along the way. More than anything, she’s excited to step away from the noise of daily life—screen time and news cycles—to fully immerse herself in nature.
And she’ll share every bit of this experience with all of the world through her daily YouTube diaries! As an innate storyteller, Audrey can’t wait to share her musings. With a heart full of curiosity and a spirit built for adventure, Audrey is ready to take on the trail, one step and one story at a time.
View Audrey’s Application Video
Want to Follow Along?
Everyone is invited to tune in and experience first-hand accounts from these hikers as they conquer the Carson City to Canada Quest. And, trust us, you don’t want to miss a single step!
Join us as Julianne and Audrey push their limits and share unforgettable moments filmed straight from the great outdoors. Head to our website for progress updates throughout the summer. Stay tuned through our social media channels for all their triumphs, struggles, and epic encounters: