The Big Picture

I have dreams of completing the Pacific Crest Trail. The 2,665 mile long trail that runs from the California-Mexico border to just inside Canada and passes through the beautiful states of Washington, Oregon, and California takes approximately four and a half months to complete (awesome website to calculate length of trip: http://www.pctplanner.com/resupply.php). I know that it will take a lot of planning, committment, desire, toughness, and grit. I think I have all of those.
Taking this much time off may be difficult. Saving money to complete this trip will be a challenge as well. Essentially I would have to quit my job, leave anyone I am with behind, and postpone any sort of "career" for an entire summer. This is both exciting and daunting. I am unsure if I will be in a situation, come next April, that would allow me to do this. But then again, I have no reason not to.
One debate I have in my mind is whether or not I want to do the trip on my own. Realistically, I wouldn't be doing the trip on my own even if I started by myself. Meeting people on the trail is pretty easy; and one of the best parts of hiking. When Mike and I hiked the JMT we met tons of groups of people just like us, with a desire to be outdoors and see the beauties of the world. There is something about hiking on my own that is very appealing to me. I think it would be a greater accomplishment to do it on your own, but I am unsure if I would enjoy it more, or have as great of a chance completing the trail if I were by myself. I know, if I did not have Mike come day 13 on the JMT, I probably would have killed myself trying to push to complete the trip despite my obvious dehydration and sickness. Sometimes you need a "buddy" to keep you in check. If I were to hike with anyone it would be Mike. He is my closest friend and my right hand man when it comes to hiking. We have been on some incredible trips together that I will never forget. And hiking the PCT would surely be the next big trip for us. But I just don't know. I, for some reason, really want to do it on my own. My parents would tell me that I am foolish and just asking to die. And yes, it does add some danger to the trip. But that is appealing in itself. But I wouldn't be going by myself simply to increase my chances of being pinned down by a rock and having no one to help me. I would also like to do for the spiritual sense. Being with nature, alone, having the opportunity to form my thoughts, clear my mind on my own, and step back from whatever I am stepping back from. The debate continues...