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
Why You Shouldn’t Start a PCT Thru-hike in March
Every year, hopeful Pacific Crest Trail thru-hikers must decide when to begin their thru-hikes. True, this has become slightly more difficult over the years with new PCT permit regulations and the increasing popularity of the trail, but generally, hikers are able to get starting dates they're more
Pacific Crest Trail Advice for 2021 (from the Class of 2020)
No matter what you do to plan for the Pacific Crest Trail, you're probably going to feel a little overwhelmed (you shouldn't). But it can seem difficult to answer questions like what gear do I get? Where do I resupply? Do I really have to dig a hole and poop in it and then pack out my toilet paper?
Pacific Crest Trail Horror Stories (Class of 2020)
As part of the Pacific Crest Trail Hiker Survey, I ask hikers what their lowest moments on the trail were and when, if ever, they encountered a situation where they felt legitimately afraid or in danger (e.g. when you're about to be eaten by a bear). Sadly, the PCT is more than following a line
The PCT 2020 Survey: NOGO vs. Hikers
The Pacific Crest Trail in 2020 has given us a group of hikers we don't typically see in a "normal" thru-hiking season - the NOGO hiker. Yes, there's now NOBO (northbound), SOBO (southbound), YOYO (both-bound), and NOGO (nowhere-bound). In fact, we have data from nearly twice as many people who