So we finished the sierras, on to the home stretch of the PCT, where as our friend Andy (whom we met in Washington section K) might say “I’ve heard the PCT is entirely down hill from here.” Short resupplies, light packs, easy walking, warm weather in desert right? Not
The instant you decide to hike the PCT SOBO, the pressure is on. While northbound hikers have a roughly 4 month window to cross the Sierra Nevada mountains after the winter snows melt and before the next snow begins in the Cascades up in Washington, SOBOs have a considerably shorter
The infamous Hat Creek Rim, popularized by Wild lays between Burney and Old Station. This rim is an extremely exposed 30 mile waterless stretch, where some hikers are forced to carry upwards of 6 liters of water each. This is where Reese Witherspoon finds the empty cache and has to
There are many trail traditions that make the PCT culture unique, in many cases one of the main reasons for hiking the trail. One of these is the use of “trail names”. Trail names are earned by hikers for distinctive behaviors, characteristics, or rookie mistakes made, and are typically bestowed
After 378 miles on trail without a rest, we reached Ashland (“the promised land” according to our SOBO compatriots). Yesterday was a FULL zero day (we hiked zero miles), instead we: * Had blueberry cornmeal pancakes with our Bed and Breakfast host * Went to a Japanese spa for a 75 minute
* Always bring one extra snack from town * Ownership of sunglasses is fluid * Eat something every 5 miles (or you will pass out) * Eat a meal before you plan a resupply (the equivalent of grocery shopping hungry, but 100x worse Because you have to carry everything 100 miles) * Underwear is optional
… A wedding! Having spent exactly two days in Oregon, it was high time for a classy celebration, and fortunately, we had just the occasion. It’s hard to imagine anything further from our trail lives than attending a wedding. First of all, showers, showers, showers. We took a bus from
11 days since our last shower. After 250 miles of the PCT, we came across one last breathtaking view, one that rivaled the imposing peaks of the North Cascades, and even Mount Rainier dominating the skyline: I-90 passing through Snoqualmie Pass. I-90, the interstate that would spirit us into Seattle,
After our snowy and wet days to reach the Canada border, setting out towards our first town stop was a delight. Moreover, Stehekin is not just any trail town, as nearly all PCT hikers make a lengthy stop at the Stehekin Pastry Company, better known as ”The Bakery”. Exceptional and
Starting southbound on the PCT requires considerable hiking north. Due to border legalities, hikers start at Harts Pass, hike 30 miles north to the northern terminus where they can officially start their trail. We started this stretch on a sunny Thursday afternoon, beyond thrilled to take our first PCT steps.
We first discussed undertaking the 2650 mile PCT while on a hike in San Luis Obispo, California, having known each other for less than 6 months. The PCT had always been on the horizon for me, something I loved the idea of doing, but had never had the impetus to