The Pacific Crest Trail Association (PCTA) has - again - updated the process for obtaining a Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) permit. The permit process has evolved over the years and has never been perfect, but with the huge demand for the limited number of permits available each year (especially
How to Get Your Thru-Hiking Triple Crown Award
This post was originally published on April 1 in the spirit of April Fools' Day, i.e. the entirety of the below post is a work of fiction. The Triple Crown is thru-hiking's most coveted award. Only awarded to those bold enough to complete the Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail, and
How to Wash a Down Sleeping Bag – A Backpacker’s Guide
Washing a down sleeping bag (and other down gear) doesn't have to be scary and doesn't have to destroy your gear. Quite the opposite - it will likely extend the life of your gear so long as you take steps to ensure you're washing your down gear correctly. There are a couple of methods available
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
How to Connect the SoSHR and the SHR
The Sierra High Route and the Southern Sierra High Route are two incredible routes through California's Sierra Nevada that are each remarkable on their own. However, it is possible to connect these two routes into a single and most epic journey through the Sierra. Here's how to do it. The Short
How To Get Through Nepal Immigration, Quickly and Easily
Imagine you're playing a game where you need to name adjectives describing the immigration process for arriving in Nepal. You go first. Your answer? Efficient. Guess what? You lose. If you're flying into Nepal, you will be arriving at Tribhuvan International Airport, KTM, in Kathmandu (at
How To Survive A Thunderstorm: What To Do (Part 4 of 4)
So there's good news and bad news, which do you want first? Bad news? Alright. The bad news is (and I've mentioned this many times before), that there is no safe place outdoors during a thunderstorm. You cannot do anything to guarantee your safety, only things to marginally improve your
How To Survive A Thunderstorm: The Myths (Part 3 of 4)
I've already discussed the basics of thunderstorms and how to predict them, but now we'll discuss something important: the most common myths and misconceptions surrounding lightning. Unfortunately, searching the internet for information on how to correctly behave during a thunderstorm can lead