This late into the year, I'm sure we've all been reminded plenty that 2020 is/was, to say the least, different. The 2020 Pacific Crest Trail thru-hiking season was no exception. I considered not conducting a survey this year as I didn't want to encourage getting on the trail. But since I don't
Pacific Crest Trail Hiker Comparison (Class of 2019)
In preparation for what's going to be a very odd year of hiker surveys (the 2020 surveys for anyone reading this sometime in the future - if the world has managed to survive), I've decided to finish the final member (for now) of the Pacific Crest Trail Survey Family from last year's PCT Class - the
PCT Class of 2020 Survey Now Open
It's been an interesting year, to say the least (and we still have more than three months to go). The Pacific Crest Trail, officially, was off-limits for most of 2020, but I know that there were/are still a lot of people out on the trail; I even gave a ride to some international PCT hikers from Echo
The Pacific Crest Trail Survey: Seven Years of Data in Review
I've been saying I'll do it for years, and now that we are all locked up thanks to COVID-19, I've finally gotten around to it - a comparison of (what is now) seven years' worth of Pacific Crest Trail hiker data. If you're new to the Pacific Crest Trail Hiker Survey, it's something I began in 2013
The Pacific Crest Trail Women’s Gear Guide (2019 Survey)
Last year, I broke down the highest-rated and most-common gear for women on the Pacific Crest Trail as part of the Pacific Crest Trail Gear Guide, but this year I've decided to include this information in a separate post since the PCT gear guide is growing fairly long. This year, I am breaking
Advice for the Pacific Crest Trail Class for 2020 (from Class of ’19)
Planning for the Pacific Crest Trail can seem overwhelming if you've never done a long-distance hike before. 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? Yes, you really do. The truth of it is, you don't really need to
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
The PCT Resupply Guide: Class of 2019 Survey
After getting a Pacific Crest Trail permit and researching your PCT gear, the question many aspiring thru-hikers move to is that of resupply on the PCT. What is PCT resupply? It's essentially the replenishment of the food (and other consumable items) carried in a hiker's backpack. Yes, it's true,