Thanks Ken!
My Brookings buddy Ken made this for me. So sweet, I LOVE it. (Puppy is my PCT trail name.) Yes those are my nasty I’ve-been-working-on-my-van-for-two-months hands, and I’m done today. Cuz I’m leaving Brookings tomorrow.
Category : Pacific Crest Trail
The Pacific Crest Trail is a 2,668 mile (4,294 km) trail running through the tallest mountain crests and volcanic peaks of California, Oregon, and Washington from the Mexican border to the Canadian border. I walked its entire length in 2013 and was back on trail for more casual fun in 2014 and 2015. In my opinion, it is a 16″ by 2,668 mile slice of heaven.
The Best Ultra Lightweight Sleeping Bags
Ultra lightweight sleeping bags are purpose-built for long-haul treks where space is at a premium and weight is counted in grams, but they can also be used on your ordinary family camping trips. I call that win-win! The sleeping bag is part of “The Big Three:” your backpack, your tent, and your sleeping bag. These three items comprise the most weight, and take up the most space of all your gear. Also, they are items (aside from food and shoes) that can make–or break–your hike or tour. Be prepared to shell out good money up front (and not have to re-purchase something better later). This is an investment you’ll be putting to very good use. A sleeping bag is a… continue reading
Hitch-hiking Pro Tips
I did done a ton of solo hitch-hiking both during and after my PCT thru-hike — over a thousand miles and many dozen hitches. I learned a lot about hitching and from hitching and thought I’d share with you. Before my thru-hike it never occurred to me to hitch-hike. Not only that but it seemed dangerous and rather taboo. But on a thru-hike it becomes not only necessary but mostly fun. And for me, I wondered not only why I had never done it before, but why not keep doing it? And so after my hike, I continue to hitch-hike. Of course I’ve seen firsthand that it is easier to get a ride when you’re a female (or two or… continue reading
My Portraits of the Pacific Crest Trail
I was super excited to find this excellent photo gallery of PCT hiker photos over at Outside Online today (thanks Pacific Crest Trail Association for the link). How cool is it that an unwitting trail angel became a documenter of some of the 2014 personalities? I met a few of those hikers (Justin, Blanco, Far Out, Sarah!, Namaste) , and maybe met a few others before they got their trail names, and got teary-eyed looking at their beautiful portraits. But it made me remember that I took some 2014 PCT portraits myself, and still haven’t shared them beyond the ephemeral Instagram base. So here you go: Hiker Apache. Now I’m partial to this guy because I hiked a few miles… continue reading
Foot Care for Long-Distance Hikers
Shit isn’t easy on the PCT, and I’m writing now to share things I learned about feet for those of you considering your first long hike. The PCT was my first long hike, and I had my fair share of feet trouble, but I made it. And I learned a lot. And I’m going to share it all with you here.
Tree Killer
Hanging with none other than Tree Killer! Met this guy in the South Sierras 2013 and gave him the slip south of Shasta never to see him again. Best, most straight-up PCT tattoo, ever – I LOVE IT.
The Grad
Whoa! I got the the Anderson’s and found The Grad wearing the Hawaiian I hiked hundreds of miles in last year. It’s signed by a bunch of PCT 2013 hikers. The signatures I had collected are faded but mostly still there. So cool.
Shoe Recycling
My purple New Balance Leadvilles join the other shoes left in the hiker boxes at the Saufleys in Agua Dulce. These are the shoes that marched me into Canada last October. Bye bye cool shoes. Shoes that are not taken for use by PCT hikers are donated to charity in Los Angeles.
Ziggy & The Bear
I went to leave Ziggy and The Bear’s today but my transmission has a huge leak. So goodby wasn’t really goodbye. Yay! I love these two. They love and understand hikers and devote most each year to caring for them in Whitewater, CA. If you support a hiker, support a trail angel. (This is a very rare photo of the two. Ziggy HATES her photo being taken.)
Natalia
Hiker Natalia is just about as spunky as ever, despite a tumble on trail and a strong narcotic. Today Doug and I did a little rescue op near mile 207 and brought her to the Banning, CA urgent care. A lot of you might recognize her from kickoff. You know, with the “sexy” homemade quilt… After her fall, Natalia was adamant that nobody should use hiking poles. “They’re dangerous.”