While completing the Pacific Crest Trail Hiker Survey hikers share the moment(s), if ever, they found themselves in a situation where they felt they were in legitimate danger or when they were legitimately afraid. The Pacific Crest Trail is a test of mental, physical, and emotional endurance.
Pacific Crest Trail Hiking Advice for 2023 (& Beyond)
Chances are that things won't go to plan on a Pacific Crest Trail thru-hike. One of the best things you can do to prepare for a PCT thru-hike? Talk to PCT thru-hikers and see what they would do again, do differently, and suggest that others (i.e. you) do. Questions like what gear do I get? Where do
Hikers’ Lowest Moments on the Pacific Crest Trail (Class of 2022)
In the yearly Pacific Crest Trail Hiker Survey, hikers share their lowest moments on the trail. That is, physically, mentally, and/or emotionally; the literal lowest point of the trail is Cascade Locks, Oregon. Yes, social media is filled with photos of sunrises, sunsets, and mountain vistas, but
Katabatic Gear Tincup Down Jacket Review
Widely known for their ultralight quilts, Katabatic Gear has started filling nylon shells with down (which, in case you didn't know, is not the same as feathers) in a different configuration - this time meant to be used (primarily) while you're awake. The Katabatic Gear Tincup Down Jacket is an
John Muir Trail Gear Guide: Class of 2022 Survey
In the second installment of this year's John Muir Trail Thru-Hiker Survey, we dive into gear for hiking the JMT. John Muir Trail gear lists vary wildly between hikers and (spoiler alert) it's impossible to find a perfect JMT gear list. That said, we can try. I've organized this in a way that I
Zpacks Mummy Sleeping Bag Review
The Zpacks Mummy Sleeping Bag is a lightweight, zip-around sleeping bag that can be a versatile piece of backcountry gear when you're looking to save weight in your kit. It is a traditional mummy bag with a hood and a full zipper that extends the length of the sleeping bag's side and then around
John Muir Trail Hiker Survey (2022)
The John Muir Trail Hiker Survey is distributed to JMT hikers at the end of the hiking season with the goal of capturing a snapshot of the year’s class and providing a useful resource to future JMT hikers and recreators. A huge THANK YOU to everyone who took the time to participate
The Hayduke (Trail): What, Where, Why, and How?
The Hayduke Trail is an 800(ish) mile (~1,300 km) route with its eastern terminus in Arches National Park and its western terminus in Zion National Park. The majority of the trail - or more accurately, the route - is within Utah, but there is a section that dips into Arizona and traverses Grand