I often advise that hikers not to worry about resupply before beginning a thru-hike, but I am not always believed. Barring any dietary restrictions or a tight resupply schedule (i.e. you're on a PCT speed run), there's little reason to stress about where you're going to buy food in Northern
2021 Pacific Crest Trail Permit Update!
The long-awaited announcement from the US Forest Service and the Pacific Crest Trail Association is finally here. After not issuing any 2021 permits at the end of 2020 (as would have been done regularly), the PCTA has announced that on January 19 they will be issuing PCT permits for the 2021
The Pacific Crest Trail Gear Guide: Class of 2020 Survey
In the third part of this year's Pacific Crest Trail Thru-hiker Survey, we take a deep dive into Pacific Crest Trail hikers' gear. PCT gear lists vary wildly between hikers and (spoiler alert) it's impossible to find a perfect PCT gear list. That said, we can try. I've organized this post in a
The Pacific Crest Trail Hiker Survey (2020)
In the second installment of the 2020 Pacific Crest Trail Hiker Survey, we'll take a look at the hikers who were actually on the trail this year. Normally, this information is covered in the initial survey publication, but because of many hikers choosing to cancel their hikes due to COVID-19, I
The 2020 Pacific Crest Trail Hiker Survey – Part I: NOGO
This late into the year, I'm sure we've all been reminded plenty that 2020 is/was, to say the least, different. The 2020 Pacific Crest Trail thru-hiking season was no exception. I considered not conducting a survey this year as I didn't want to encourage getting on the trail. But since I don't
2020 Cyber Monday Sales Guide for Backpackers
I did as extensive of a Black Friday post as I could manage this year, but there are enough sales for Cyber Monday (that weren't on for Black Friday), that I felt it warranted another look. A lot of gear on sale right now only goes on sale just once a year (including 20% off Hyperlite Mountain Gear
The Definitive Black Friday Sales Guide for Backpackers
Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals for backpackers are here and they are plentiful. A lot of the gear prescribed by Pacific Crest Trail and Continental Divide Trail hikers in the PCT Gear Survey and the CDT Gear Survey can be found discounted this week, so if you have a thru-hike in your future,
The Pacific Crest Trail Hiker Gift Guide
Sure, you could take a look at the 2020 Thru-hiker Gift Guide, but what if you're not just any thru-hiker? What if you're a Pacific Crest Trail thru-hiker? Yes, every thru-hiker thinks themself special and those found (or about to be found) on the PCT are no different. So what if your loved one
The Backpacker’s Guide to REI’s GUGO Sale (2020)
There's an event around this time that REI chooses to #optoutside for, but that doesn't stop them from putting on one of their best sales of the year just in time for the holidays, the Gear Up Get Out (GUGO) sale. I have literally combed through every item on sale and have come up with a list of