Earlier this year, I began my second thru-hike of the Pacific Crest Trail. Earlier this year, I prematurely ended my second thru-hike of the Pacific Crest Trail after nearly 1,000 mi / 1,600 km of walking northbound through California from the US-Mexico border. And if I'm being honest, I am quite
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Ground Cloth Review
The Hyperlite Mountain Gear Ground Cloth is a 3.77 oz / 107 g rectangle of green DCF8 Dyneema® Composite Fabric measuring 96 x 52 in / 244 x 132 cm. It's a groundsheet, you know, that thing you put on the ground when you camp to protect your gear from whatever horrors may be strewn about your
Showers Pass Crosspoint Waterproof Socks Review
The Showers Pass Crosspoint Waterproof Socks are a 3-layer waterproof sock made of nylon, Lycra spandex, and polyester with a knit exterior, a waterproof membrane, and a moisture-wicking anti-bacterial lining. But I know what you're saying, "What the hell are you talking about waterproof socks?" I
What the new PCT permit rules mean for thru-hikers
The Pacific Crest Trail Association (PCTA) announced this week changes to the long-distance Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) permit that will impact all thru-hikers. Scary stuff, I know. But why!? Why are there even more restrictions being imposed on PCT hikers? All these people want to do is go live
Therm-a-Rest NeoAir UberLite Review
The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir UberLite is the lightest sleeping pad available from Therm-a-Rest and is designed with ultralight backpacking and thru-hikers in mind. It comes in three sizes (small, regular, and large), is made from 15D nylon, has an R-value of 2, and is 2.5 in / 6.5 cm thick. Compared
Complete and Final Pacific Crest Trail Gear List (Round Two)
A Pacific Crest Trail thru-hiker's gear list can more or less define them out on the trail. Typically, what "you before the trail" thinks will be best for "you on the trail" don't perfectly align and tweaks are made over the course of the hike to accommodate the newly-found you out on the trail.
Why the CDT Is Better Than the PCT
The Continental Divide Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail are both long-distance hiking trail connecting the Mexican and Canadian borders of the United States. Every year, a class of hopeful thru-hikers sets out on (what is many times) a once-in-a-lifetime journey with the hopes of completing the
Why the PCT Is Better Than the CDT
The Pacific Crest Trail and the Continental Divide Trail are largely regarded as two of the greatest long-distance hiking trails in the world. Hiking one of these trails requires a huge amount of time and dedication; time and dedication that many people will only be able to accommodate once (if
Why I’m Hiking The Pacific Crest Trail Again
My decision to hike the Pacific Crest Trail for the first time (in 2013) was rather spontaneous. Without getting existential, I can trace this decision back to a chance encounter I had with a man in New Hampshire. It's one of a handful of moments I can honestly say forever changed the course of
