El Cajon resident Dana Law’s passion for hiking is hardly an ordinary tale to tell. At 70, Law has dabbled in the professions of magic and enthrallment, but his main fame is magnetized toward being a ‘Sectional Hiker.’ Eschewing the typical approach of hiking continuously, Law prefers a more fragmented method – hiking one section at a time, completing the Pacific Crest Trail in small bits over years, rather than months.
His epic journey began in May 2003 at the Mexican border accompanied by a couple of allies. Yet, the harsh reality of the trek soon revealed itself when one of his companions collapsed, unable to cope with the severe dehydration that inevitably resulted from the intense physical demand of the hike. That incident marked the end of his companion’s journey who was then airlifted to safety, never to be seen on the trail again.
Despite the obstacles, Law continued his venture, ticking off part after part of the Trail. In August 2016, after a multi-day hike through the testing terrains of Washington’s North Cascades mountains, Law accomplished his final 31st segment that took him right up to the Canadian border.
Never one to shy away from challenges, he set his sights on the 800-mile-long Arizona Trail and embarked on a multi-year journey of exploration. This remarkable feat was finally completed in the recent fall.
However, as he aged, Law found out he loved hiking but not the cumbersome routine of setting and packing up the camp. He realized that it was the journey he cherished, not necessarily the roughing up outdoors. So, he contrived a route that let him come home every night, which he fondly named the ‘San Diego County Trans Urban Walk.’ This distinctive route starts at the Mexican border and wends all the way through to Temecula, while offering glimpses of the region’s open space preserves.
Presently, he is approaching his final segment of his beloved self-crafted route. Upon completion, Law will be seeking another test to fit around his travel plans to Europe, magic performances, and informative presentations at local libraries.
Decades ago, Law and his son undertook his first long-distance hiking adventure from Torrey Pines to the Salton Sea. Today, he maintains a disciplined regimen of checking in with his wife twice daily via a satellite-connected phone and sticking to defined pathways.
For aspiring hikers, Law shares some valuable insights. He emphasizes consistent exercise, including rowing, Crossfit, and ‘ruck-sacking,’ which involves lugging a 40-pound weight over a 2-mile course. Walking poles are a must for stability and upper body conditioning, alongside wearing sensible clothes. As for food, he advises packing lightweight and simple, often choosing macadamia nuts, dried salmon, beef jerky, and ramen noodles. Meeting new friends and not letting fear hinder the outdoor adventure are other pieces of advice he readily extends.
But even amongst the challenges and rigors of the trails, the charm of the magician in him doesn’t fade. He carries a featherweight bag of magic tricks, to entertain fellow travelers, evoking laughter and surprise, equally cherishing these opportunities and the friendships they foster along the way.
Cementing his name amongst the most tenacious of hikers, Dana Law, with more than 3,500 miles under his foot, one bear encounter, and numerous stories to tell, continues to inspire, showcasing that age is no bar when passion and determination set the course.
