A Family Legacy of Sun Protection
Emma Wetsel’s connection to Brush On Block® began long before she set foot on the Pacific Crest Trail. She and her sister were part of the reason the brand exists.
Years ago, her mom, Andrea Wetsel, searched for a sunscreen that would not irritate her daughters’ sensitive skin. When she couldn't find one, she created her own: a mineral powder sunscreen families could use every day without mess or irritation. From that idea, Brush On Block® was born.
“I grew up watching my mom build this brand from something she made for us,” Emma says. “It started because my sister couldn’t tolerate traditional sunscreens, and now it’s helping so many people protect their skin without the hassle."
Setting Out on Her Own
The idea to hike the Pacific Crest Trail came from a college friend who asked Emma to join her. But a few months before they were set to leave, her friend had to back out. “I decided to go anyway, even though I’d never backpacked alone before,” she says. “It ended up being one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.”
Emma began her hike on April 9 and finished 169 days later, on September 24. Along the way she climbed mountain passes, trekked through snowfields, crossed stretches of desert, and met hundreds of hikers chasing the same goal.
A Little Bit of Home, Packed in a Fanny Pack
One small item became part of Emma’s daily ritual: her Brush On Block® Quick Stick. “I had to be picky about everything I carried,” she says. “My pack weighed only 17 pounds without food or water. So if something made the cut, it had to matter.”
The Quick Stick stayed in her fanny pack and went on every morning. “It was quick, easy, and I knew it was protecting me,” she says. “In the snow especially, the sun reflects off the ground, and that’s brutal on your skin. I’ve experienced burns and blisters on my face from sun exposure in snowy conditions before, and it can get really painful. I didn’t experience that once in the Sierras, which I was initially really concerned about.”
When her parents met her along the trail in Northern California and again in Oregon, they brought what hikers call trail magic: food, clean clothes, and a few comforts from home. “My mom brought the Nobody's Perfect Daily Face Oil, which saved my skin,” Emma says. “After weeks of sun and wind, I used it every night before bed. My friends started borrowing it too. It became a little trail luxury we all looked forward to.”
Learning to Be Her Own Best Friend
Day after day on the trail, Emma found a rhythm that was both physical and mental. Hiking gave her time to think and, eventually, to find peace in her own company.
The trail became a kind of meditation. “I used to think meditation meant sitting still with no thoughts,” she says. “But out there it meant walking with awareness, feeling the ground under my feet, noticing the wind, the sounds, the sky. Just being completely present.”
That mindset carried her through the hard days, from the heat of the desert to snow in the Sierra. “There were days I wanted to quit,” she says. “But one thing we’d say on the trail was, never quit on a bad day. If you still want to quit on a good day, maybe it’s time. But not when you’re tired or frustrated.”
The Kindness of Strangers
For many hikers, the Pacific Crest Trail is as much about people as it is about distance.
“There’s this incredible culture of kindness called trail magic,” Emma explains. “Strangers, called Trail Angels, leave water, food, or supplies for hikers. It can be a cold drink, a hot meal, even a place to sit. You can’t do this hike without the generosity of others.”
Those moments of support, from both strangers and family, reminded her of why Brush On Block’s mission feels so personal. “It’s about making things easier, taking care of yourself and others in simple, thoughtful ways,” she says. “That’s what my mom’s brand is built on, and it’s kind of what the trail teaches too.”
Crossing the Finish Line
On September 24, after 169 days, Emma reached the Canadian border.
“You think about that moment for months, and when you finally see the monument, it almost doesn’t feel real. You spend half a year with this one goal. Then suddenly it’s over.
"I came away with a lot of perspective. Whenever something stressful happens now, I think, at least I’m not hiking 25 miles through the desert today.”
Her biggest takeaway is simple. “You don’t have to have it all figured out. Big goals are just a series of small steps. You get there by showing up every day.”
A Trailblazer’s Lesson
Emma’s story reflects what Brush On Block® stands for: adventure, simplicity, and the freedom to live life outdoors with confidence. It shows that taking care of yourself, and your skin, does not have to slow you down.
“I’ll always be proud that something my mom created was part of this journey,” Emma says. “It protected me on every mile of the trail. That’s pretty special.”
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