I started at Walker and went SB. The wind is real!! The photos are NB on accident.

The_Prospektor (insta) is at Paradise Valley Cafe today with his buttons. His deal is, that it “has to make it to Canada with you” like the hundreds of other hikers over the years. Happy trails!

Flights tomorrow and I am beyond excited to get started on the walk but I have a few final questions if anyone can shed light on would be really appreciated.

1. When do you need to get a bear canister? And prior to getting a bear canister is it ok to keep food in a Tesco carrier bag at the bottom of my pack? Kinda freaked about waking up with a bear in my face still…

2. Is cowboy camping safe at the beginning of the NOBO walk in relation to rattle snakes scorpions etc. ?

3. Is a UV water filter adequate and good enough? In comparison to a platypus one? I have the platypus quick draw at the moment but I hate it so thinking of swapping to a UV one that I’ll get in San Diego if possible.

4. Is this year considered to be a high/low snow year? Will I need an ice axe for San Jacinto if I’m starting April 10 and moving quite quick? I’ll definitely get micro spikes (I think you can pick these up just before San Jan) but hearing mixed advice around a ice axe.

Thanks so much for all your help, this community has been invaluable to me in planning this adventure of a lifetime you guys are the best! As you can probably tell my main concerns are snakes bears and snow as this is where I have less experience being from over the pond!

Happy hiking all :)

I was planning to start in Ashland this summer and hike to the nothern terminus but with all the snow in Oregon, it seems like I need to have a plan B. I have hiked a large part of southern california in a previous year and don't want to go into the Sierra this year. So was thinking to start at Burney, hoping Oregon would be more snow free by the time I get there. Any other ideas?

Is there any good info on snow in North California? Postholer seems to show only the Sierra part of California

Are there any weekend public transit options to get to Campo on the weekend (not the shuttle, Uber, or trail angel) from the San Diego airport on Sundays?

It appears that the bus lines do not operate on Saturday or Sundays. I could book the shuttle, but I liked the idea of taking public transit to kickoff the adventure.

Thanks in advance!

Is it a bad idea to change from a Hoka Speedgoat to a Topo Ultraventure two weeks before starting the PCT? Both are a 5mm drop.

Hokas have fit fine and been comfortable for 15 mile practice hikes, I’ve got 300 miles of practice hikes on them without issue until I added injinji toe sock liners. With the liners, I feel the narrow toe box and can tell I’d lose my pinky toes nails eventually. I was a little surprised how dramatically different it felt. I tried the Topos with the double sock lineup and it was so comfortable, but I’m worried about changing with so little time to see how they feel.

Thanks for your thoughts!

I realize this is really last minute with an April 15 start date but any advice appreciated!

https://lighterpack.com/r/oubewq

Comments:

• I have Raynauds which means I need to be careful about keeping my hands and feet warm, or being able to warm them once cold. This is why I have thick gloves and hand warmers

• I know I have double sleeping pad, but one was meant to be a sit/nap pad. Also for safety in case the inflatable pops on a cold night

• I was super unsure about the best way to keep my important things dry and my bag generally organized. I went with dry compression bags

• Tentatively I plan to add a book to this once I get my trail legs

• I’ve been walking 7ish miles a few times each week with base weight + 4L water and some food. it’s been fine so far. I only limited with that mileage because I can’t find more time to walk

• I am especially interested if I am missing any critical first aid or gear repair items

Hoping for some input from others with the same pack. I’ve been using with the ULA Ultra Circuit for a little bit now but haven’t used it in any significant rain. I have two DCF stuff pods that will fit my quilt and clothing layers. I’m debating weather or not I should get a pack liner of some sort or if my set up will be enough for any significant rains on the trail

What are the YouTubers to follow daily this year? Last year I was a daily junkie following Lil’ Chap, Frozen and a few others. (Drove my family nuts, but ignited my PCT dream….)

Hey there, I am trying to decide where I want to go that's new to backpack this year and I need some help from the hometowners.

I am very cardio fit( bike to work 7 miles with time off hills, box, run, hoop). My average day on trail in Colorado was 22-20 miles.

TIME: three weeks in either August or September LIMITS: cheap as possible (no more than $400 not including flight tickets), no car once I fly there, no climbing gear necessary, some area that I can hammock most the time(I've made a frames with my tarp before, but if rather be off the ground most nights) EXPERIENCE: Colorado trail completed despite unexplainable hardships, trail crew work, week off trail using only topo maps (no GPS) in CO summer, snowshoeing across CDT passes in Feb, yakpack the Allegheny River, white water guide on class 3-5 river, and plenty more backpacking stuff

I was interested if anyone knew a way to do the PCT without a long distance permit. I'm desperate to start within the next week or two and all the long-distance permits are reserved, for what seems to be the next month. I have all the equipment necessary and I've been working out this winter enough for at least a base level of fitness. I suffered a pulmonary embolism last year when I was scheduled to do the trek last year and it's made me even more keen to get out there this year as a result. I've heard there might be a way to get a long distance permit for the Northern half (Sonora-Canada), but I was wondering what the local permits I'd need to get up until that point. I think I've seen posts about this in the past, but the PCT website https://www.pcta.org/discover-the-trail/permits/local-permits/ makes it seem so daunting I'd like to find a better way to go about getting the local permits I'm going to need.

I'd appreciate all the help I could get.

Spikes and powder baskets were useful

I am planning a backpacking trip with my son to do the PCT section G over spring break, with a planned end point at Bridge of the Gods. I have mostly done loop hiking and am trying to figure out how to arrange transportation to and from the trail. We live in the Seattle area so only like a 5 hour drive, and hubby and I have separate cars (son is 16 and does not have a separate car yet). I was thinking we could drive both cars to Cascade Locks/Bridge of the Gods, leave my car there, and then hubby can drop us at Timberline Lodge and head home. But I don't know if parking my car near Bridge of Gods and leaving it for days is an option. If there a good place for overnight parking near the bridge?

Edit: Thanks to all those that shared both ideas about parking and transportation and cluing me into the conditions on the trail. I was definitely naive to think starting at Lolo Pass would mean we would skip most of the snow. He is very excited about this trip so we will still do it sometime but April is clearly not the time. On the plus side I have more time to pick all your brains for info.

Me and a friend are looking to hike a segment of the PCT this summer, ideally for a week in later may-early june. We are experienced hikers but would love some advice on a segment of the trail we can backpack relatively easily for a couple days (maybe some sort of loop??) and eventually end at a campsite we can relax at. Let me know if there's any recommendations for segments of the trail that fit! If the PCT isn't ideal for that, lmk if anyone has recommendations for trails in California that would work!

Dozens of permits for May are available on the website. But in my opinion, starting a hike from the Mexican border in May only makes sense if you have experience with long-distance hiking. The Southern California desert in May is quite an adventure — with intense heat and limited water sources. It’s totally up to you but if you were set on starting in May, there are plenty of permits available now.

https://portal.permit.pcta.org/availability/mexican-border.php

Hey everyone! I’m set to start the PCT early May and I was hoping for some advice. I have some camping experience, but I’ve never done any overnight backpacking. All my gear is pretty much set. Just went through halfwayanywhere and got everything that was ranked and affordable. I walk about 10-12 miles a day since I live in a walkable area but I’m still a little concerned about my lack of experience. If anyone has any advice/tips for a noob lmk!

I searched, and could not 100% find my answer, so hoping to get some of everyone's expertise! I start on the 16th of this month! I'm all set from a gear perspective, but still waffling on microspikes and insurance.

I have good health insurance through my employer (they are letting me take a leave of absence where I can keep my coverage). I'm inclined to pony up for SAR coverage just in case. Good idea?

And I have tortured myself endlessly over microspikes. I picked up some Chainsen ones off Amazon and they felt super flimsy to me and so sent them back. I would rather carry an extra 4-5 ounces and have something on my feet that can really dig in a bit. So I was probably going to do Trevor Spikes and axe (Kahtoola and Camp Corsa) at PVC. Should I order these now, or wait until I am around 10 days out from PVC to see what the snow conditions are?

And I assume after I am over the SoCal mountain section, I bounce both up to KMS? And then I carry through the Sierra and bounce my spikes to Cascade Locks, but ship my axe home? That seems the obvious thing to do, but with snow in Oregon and Washington this year crushing all records, I do not even know if that will be snow free. I assume yes given what I plan to be an average pace, but maybe that is a bad assumption.

Of course it will probably change, but I am just trying to calibrate my risk management now for variety of conditions so I can make intelligent decisions on the trail.

Thank-you :)

Heyyy,

I have my flight from Germany to LA for the PCT in mid-April. I’m planning not to book a return flight yet because I don’t know when my return will be. There are so many variables that could change my initial itinerary, so I want to keep it spontaneous.

I was wondering if any of you had problems with border control at the airport for not having a return flight upon arrival.

I would appreciate any experiences regarding this and what you guys did.

Thanks a lot! :)

I am going to section hike a part of the PCT and I will pass by Mt. Whitney. I am well aware of the permit hell that hiking the Mt. Whitney trail is, but if I were to come from the other side backwards on the JMT what permits if any would I need. I won't be hiking long enough to get the Long Distance Permit. Is going to Mt. Whitney a possibility? Or should I skip it since I missed the lottery.

Hey all! My husband and I own a giftshop in Idyllwild called Wooleys (has a gigantic hat on it in the center of town). I'm curious what items you would hope to find at this point in your journey that may not be sold at either of the two markets in town? Food, personal items, particular brand snacks, etc. If you’ve never been to Wooleys check us out on FB & youll get a good idea of what we carry 😊

*** EDITED TO ADD: Would there be interest in Xero trail sandals or do you guys just in need of cheap flip flops?

I’m not interested in carrying what other stores already carry, (but considering selling single small portion items) have decided against any type of rehydrated big name brand meals, there is already a neighbor who carry’s darn tough & most likely gaiters/gear etc..

We will definetly be getting some single pack coffee. Starbucks Via (which flavor?)and possibly the Trader Joe’s instant packets. We would be happy to sell individual items like zip lock bags, bandaids, etc. Have you guys found in the past that the market runs out of some of your favorite items? Specific flavor ramens, potatoes, knorr packets..)

Main question is would it be helpful for us to carry Costco items in bulk and if so which ones? We need specifics please! Just to reiterate, we want to carry the smaller sorts of items.

We live in the city so we have access to all the major items down here and we bring them to Idyllwild. I have so many questions and have just recently went down the rabbit hole of reading all about what you guys are going through and may need! Thanks for listening and make sure when you’re in town to go say hello to Chris (my tall hunky husband with most likely a cowboy hat on) I myself don’t make it in the store often because I have 3 boys in school in the city but either way he loves to chat enough for the both of us 😂

If you made it this far thank you so much I wish I could carry all the things you’re all in search of but most companies have minimum spending costs so I have to do a little research first but if it’s Costco items we can get you covered as long as there’s enough interest! Thank you so much, Lynn & Chris 😊

I’ve been out of work for over a year after being laid off. The job hunt was leading nowhere and I figured it was finally time to hike the PCT. My start date is end of April.

A PCT thru hike has been my dream for over 10 years, but I’ve always talked myself out of it because of timing or finances or fear of ruining my future.

I think the universe has a sense of humor, because today I got a job offer unexpectedly. More money than I’ve ever made. The start date would be the exact same day as my PCT start date.

My heart says hike. My brain says this is financially irresponsible and super risky for my future. I’ve got to make a decision.

Would love to hear any advice or thoughts from people who struggled with the same thing, putting career/life/future on hold to pursue this hike. People who chose career over hiking or vice versa.

I have a 4/22 start date and my biggest concern as of now is water availability. I’m wondering if anyone is familiar with hydration supplements.. maybe some kind of gel or tablet that can be consumed (in an emergency) if water is unavailable.

Looks horrible !