Adelaide surgeon swaps scrubs for hiking boots on gruelling charity hike

An Adelaide surgeon has swapped his scrubs for hiking boots as he takes on one of the most infamous walking trails on Earth for a personal cause.

Matt Hutchinson is on the challenging trek along the Pacific Crest Trail in the United States, a journey spanning over 4000km from the Mexican border to Canada, to raise funds for school scholarships for disadvantaged children. 

The trail is known for its difficulty, with only about five per cent of hikers successfully completing it.

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Hutchinson began his journey 11 weeks ago. 

"The first month especially was horrendous and I think if it hadn't been for the support from back home and the cause that I am walking for I certainly think I would have pulled out," he said. 

The scholarships he is raising money for are similar to the one he received, allowing him to become an orthopaedic surgeon. 

"That scholarship fundamentally changed my life," he said.

"I would like to give other disadvantaged kids a crack at life like I got."

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The nearly 6 million steps of the hike traverse diverse terrains, and has even taken him a little too close to nature in Yosemite National Park.

"Being the dumb Aussie I was I didn't realise I pitched [my tent] right next to a bear's den," Hutchinson said.

"It was a magical experience but really pretty unsettling when you're metres away from a predator like that."

Currently in Lake Tahoe, about 200km from the halfway point, Hutchinson faces a race against time to reach Canada before the onset of early October snowfalls. 

"I've crossed glaciers, mountain passes, desert, lakes, rivers, streams you name it so the beauty has been unsurpassed but it's taken a huge toll on my body," he said.

This article was produced with the assistance of 9ExPress.