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,
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
Why Water Caches Are Bad for Thru-hikers
Water caches are locations where water is stored or left out where there would otherwise be none. They have become increasingly common on long-distance trails such as the Pacific Crest Trail and the Continental Divide Trail, which may sound like a good thing - water caches mean hikers aren't forced
Suffering & Despair on the Pacific Crest Trail (Class of 2019)
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
Trail Angels and Trail Magic
If you're planning on setting off on a thru-hike, you may encounter the terms trail angel and trail magic as you scour the internet for information to better prepare you for the journey ahead. So what are trail angels and trail magic? Trail angels are people who go out of their ways to make life a
I Quit the Pacific Crest Trail – Best Decision Ever?
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
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
How to Get Your Trail Name on the PCT
So you know what a "thru-hike" is, you know that it's the Pacific Crest Trail (not the Pacific Coast Trail), and think you have what it takes to tackle the 2,650 mi / 4,265 km without dying. Good for you. But if you really want to be a thru-hiker, there's one thing you need above all else - a