After my tirade calling out thru-hikers who hike with zero money, I thought it appropriate to examine another money-adjacent aspect of the thru-hiking world, trail angels. If you're unfamiliar with the concept of trail angels, they're basically people who help hikers during their thru-hikes. A
(Un)Popular Opinion: Stop Thru-Hiking with Zero Money
Carrying a backpack through the wilderness for thousands of miles for what could be as long as six months may not sound like an activity that demands much financial support, but thru-hiking is not as inexpensive an endeavor as you may imagine. According to the Pacific Crest Trail Survey, thru-hikers
NOW OPEN: The 2021 Pacific Crest Trail Hiker Survey
The 2021 Pacific Crest Trail Hiker Survey is now open for responses - fill it out here! If you hiked the Pacific Crest Trail this year (2021), as a thru-hiker or section hiker, this survey is for you. It doesn't matter whether you completed the entire PCT (i.e. if you got off early or section
What to Put In a Thru-Hiker Care Package
If you know someone who is hiking or plans on hiking a long-distance trail, you may want to send them a hiker care package at some point along the trail. The trick of sending a care package? Knowing what to put in it. At first thought, you may be tempted to fill it with "things hikers like" -
How to Hike the PCT Without a Bear Canister
On a recent trip to Sequoia National Park, I noticed a paper taped to the wall at the backcountry permit office. Specifically, this piece of paper. I asked the ranger, "I was under the impression you were required to have a bear canister everywhere in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, but
Pacific Crest Trail Bear Canister Requirements
If there's one piece of gear that causes Pacific Crest Trail hikers the most headaches, it's the bear canister. Most northbound PCT thru-hikers pick up their bear canisters at Kennedy Meadows and then ditch them at either Sonora Pass (Kennedy Meadows North/Bridgeport) or Echo Summit (South Lake
(Un)Popular Opinion: Why Your Trail Family Sucks
Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, I meet a hiker from Australia near the turnoff for Mount Whitney. This hiker appears to be experiencing something bordering on an existential crisis. The origin of her plight? Whether she should detour from the PCT and hike to the summit of Mount Whitney. First,
Yellow Blaze Transit – Transportation for PCT Hikers
Yellow Blaze Transit, a service started by Leland "Yeti" McKeeman to shuttle PCT hikers between Seattle, Mazama, and Winthrop, offers a solution to Pacific Crest Trail hikers beginning or finishing their hikes at the US-Canada border. Mazama and Winthrop are the two towns closest to Harts Pass
Platypus QuickDraw Microfilter Review
The Platypus QuickDraw Microfilter is a 2.2 oz / 62 g hollow-fiber membrane water filter that removes bacteria and protozoa from water sources. It's designed with simplicity and ultralight backpacking in mind - certainly something you'll find hikers using on trails such as the Pacific Crest Trail