Category: Thru Hiking

Pacific Crest Trail Thru Hike: The High Sierra – Part 1
Pacific Crest Trail, Thru Hiking

Pacific Crest Trail Thru Hike: The High Sierra – Part 1

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Chicken Spring Lake. The first alpine lake on the PCT.
Hanging at the lake with a bunch of Pacific Crest Trail Hikers.
Hiker Trash do hiker trash things under the granite peaks of the Sierra.
A walk in the woods.
Old Growth trees of the Sierra. Nearby, some of the oldest trees in the world, the Bristle Cone Pine, can be found.
Legs and I decided to keep hiking past Chicken Spring Lake, walking into the sunset and eventually making camp next to a creek in the dark.
Timberline Lake, on the approach to Mt. Whitney.
Hiker Trash at Guitar Lake after jumping in. At 11,500+ feet, it was freezing but refreshing after a hard 18 miles in the Sierra.
Guitar Lake under the moon.
As the sun sets, the light in the valley moves away and plays games on the surface of Guitar lake.
Under Mt. Whitney, we camped among granite boulders and marmot holes, planning our sunrise summit of Whitney.
A group of dedicated hikers sit still on the summit of the tallest mountain in the continental United States waiting for the sun to rise.
Sunrise on Mt. Whitney
From the high point, the cirques and ridges look amazing and otherworldly.
Tons of opportunities to take pictures.
Granite moutains soaking up the early morning sun rays.
The high elevation made for some harder breathing, but after 750 miles, it felt better to just keep going rather than stopping for breaks.
While my guitar gently streams.
Darwin and Legs near Mt. Whitney.
Dr. Chip Feinstein, Fun Size, and Darwin on Mt. Whitney
Darwin, Handstand, Legs, and HandMeDown
On the highest point with my love. Kissing as the sun rises.
Hitch hiking is never a science. You must do wait you can to get a ride. We managed to score an 18 wheeler to get us into Bishop.
Kearsarge Pass has a special place in my heart. Besides sporting some incredible mid Sierra views, I also want to name a dog after it.
Kearsarge Pass View of a glacial tarn.
Power Couple on top of Kearsarge pass.
Looking north on the Pacific Crest Trail/ John Muir Trail
Bullfrog Lake of the High Sierra as seen from Kearsarge Pass.
South of Glen Pass
Ahead Unknown
Descending Glen Pass
Goofy Goober
After the steep and snowy Glen Pass, the reward is Rae Lakes, an eden of a place protected by some serious climbs, making it a secluded gem.
Epic Rae Lakes under Glen Pass. We had it all to ourselves for some time.
A Suspension Bridge makes its way over a river gorge. The sign says, “One at a time only.”
Atop Pinchot Pass looking backwards at the trail.
Glittering Lakes become common sights in the Sierra, but you never really get tired of them.
Atop Mather Pass, where my love and I connected deeply.
Legs conquers Mather Pass.
Alpine Lakes
Lush Valleys
Blue Waters.
After messing up and climbing the pass in the back of this picture, we made it to the top of Muir Pass and enjoyed the hut up there for a time.
Evolution Basin and it’s glorious lakes.
Legs walks along Wanda Lake in the Evolution Basin.
Evolution Lake was our camp spot for the night. We stripped down and jumped into the icey water for a swim before cooking dinner under the stars.
Marie Lake from Selden Pass. We would camp next to this lake and suffer the world mosquito conditions I have ever seen in my life.
Marie Lake from Selden Pass
Marie Lake from Selden Pass
Evolution Lake
Evolution Lake
Along Wanda Lake
Along Wanda Lake

Continue reading “Pacific Crest Trail Thru Hike: The High Sierra – Part 1”

Pacific Crest Trail Gear List: Crater Lake to Canadian Border
Gear, Pacific Crest Trail, Thru Hiking

Pacific Crest Trail Gear List: Crater Lake to Canadian Border

Section: Crater Lake to Canadian Border

SYSTEM GEAR CARRIED WORN
BACKPACK SYSTEM
Pack ULA Circuit 40 yes
Pack Liner Trash Compactor Bag 2.18 yes
SHELTER SYSTEM
Tarp Outdoor Equipment Supplier Maccat Tarp 15 yes
Ground Cloth Tyvek Ground Cloth 4.8 yes
SLEEP SYSTEM
Insulation Top Enlightened Enigma 20 Quilt 22.85 yes
Insulation Bottom Thermarest NeoAir Xlite (long) 15.92 yes
CLOTHING SYSTEM
Socks #2 Socks 1 yes
Underwear Patagonia Underwear 4.7 yes
Hiking Shorts NYU Shorts 11 yes
Hiking Shirt Marmot LS Shirt 7 yes
Insulation Top Arc’Teryx Cerium LT Hoody 13.85 yes
Wind Shell Bottom NOLs Wind Pants 10.63 yes
Rain Shell Top Marmot Super Mica Rain Jacket 9.95 yes
Insulating Hat Outdoor Designs Hat 0.74 yes
Bandana Bandana 1.29 yes
FOOTWEAR
Shoes New Balance Trail Runners 23.52 yes
Socks #1 Socks 1 yes
COOKING SYSTEM
Stove Snow Peak Giga Power Stove 1.98 yes
Cook Pot GSI Outdoors Cook Pot 7.69 yes
Utensil Long Spoon 0.51 yes
HYDRATION SYSTEM
Water Filter Sawyer Squeeze 3.42 yes
Water Scoop DIY Scoop/Adapter 0.59 yes
Water storage lL Bladder 1.41 yes
Water Bottle smart water bottle 1.29 yes
Water Bottle smart water bottle 1.3 yes
SURVIVAL
Light Petzl Tikka Head Lamp 3.19 yes
Fire Starter Mini Bic Lighter 0.4 yes
Toothbrush Portable Toothbrush w/ toothpaste 1.05 yes
Cash/Credit Card cash/Credit/atm Card/ID 0.5 yes
ELECTRONICS
Phone/music Galaxy s4 6.27 yes
Charger phone charger 2 yes
Battery Anker Battery 4.78 yes
ITEMS CARRIED
Trek poles Black Diamond Trek Poles 20.22 yes
Base Weight 173.3 68.73

 

Conditions Faced:

North of Crater Lake, it rained almost continuously for four days. Had I not been given a rudimentary tarp, I would have been in big trouble. From that point on, it did not rain until Washington.

Through Oregon, temperatures stayed hot, but all the trees provided enough shade to not hike in a hat. Some people never ditched their sun hats. I hiked in a bandana from mid Oregon to the border.

Mosquitos were still a problem through most of Oregon and the southern half of Washington.

It rained three times in Washington, and temperatures reached a low of 17 degrees on the third to last night on the trail. For the most part, the weather was perfect for hiking. North of Trout Lake, days fluctuated between 60 to 75 degrees.  Continue reading “Pacific Crest Trail Gear List: Crater Lake to Canadian Border”

Pacific Crest Trail Gear List: Tuolumne Meadows to Crater Lake
Gear, Pacific Crest Trail, Thru Hiking

Pacific Crest Trail Gear List: Tuolumne Meadows to Crater Lake

Section: Tuolumne Meadows to Crater Lake

SYSTEM GEAR CARRIED WORN
BACKPACK SYSTEM
Pack ULA Circuit 40
Pack Liner Trash Compactor Bag 2.18
SHELTER SYSTEM
Ground Cloth Gossamer Gear Polycryo 1.3
SLEEP SYSTEM
Insulation Top Enlightened Enigma 20 Quilt 22.85
Insulation Bottom Thermarest NeoAir Xlite (long) 15.92
CLOTHING SYSTEM
Socks #2 Socks 1.5
Underwear Patagonia Underwear 4.7
Hiking Shorts NYU Shorts 11
Hiking Shirt Marmot LS Shirt 7
Insulation Top Arc’Teryx Cerium LT Hoody 13.85
Wind Shell Bottom Montbell Dynamo Wind Pants 3.26
Wind Shell Top Montbell Tachyon Anorak 2.82
Rain Shell Top Marmot Super Mica Rain Jacket 9.95
Insulating Hat Outdoor Designs Hat 0.74
Bandana Bandana 1.29
Sun Hat NOLs Hat 2.82
FOOTWEAR
Shoes New Balance Trail Runners 23.52
Socks #1 Socks 1.5
Gaiters Dirty Girl gaiters 1.74
COOKING SYSTEM
Stove Snow Peak Giga Power Stove 1.98
Cook Pot GSI Outdoors Cook Pot 7.69
Utensil Long Spoon 0.51
HYDRATION SYSTEM
Water Filter Sawyer Squeeze 3.42
Water Scoop DIY Scoop/Adapter 0.59
Water storage 2l Bladder 1.3
Water Bottle smart water bottle 1.29
Water Bottle smart water bottle 1.3
SURVIVAL
Light Petzl Tikka Head Lamp 3.19
Fire Starter Mini Bic Lighter 0.4
Toothbrush Portable Toothbrush w/ toothpaste 1.05
Cash/Credit Card cash/Credit/atm Card/ID 0.5
ELECTRONICS
Phone/music Galaxy s4 6.27
Charger phone charger 1.5
ITEMS CARRIED
Trek poles Black Diamond Trek Poles 20.22
Base Weight(oz) 145.36 73.79

 

Conditions Faced: 

I skipped the section Between Tuolumne and Sonora Pass to do some day hikes in Yosemite National Park and Big Sur. I also went to the Bay Area for some time off the trail. North of Sonora Pass was very hot. Temperatures were often in the 90s and rain was a complete non factor. Around Lake Tahoe, temperatures weren’t too bad, and you could still hike during midday. Around Sierra City, the heat became oppressive. From that point onward, days were dry, and brutally hot. Rain was non existent. Through Old Station, Burney, Shasta, Etna, and Seiad Valley, temperatures were between 85 to 100+ degrees.  Continue reading “Pacific Crest Trail Gear List: Tuolumne Meadows to Crater Lake”

Pacific Crest Trail Gear List: Kennedy Meadows to Tuolumne Meadows
Gear, Pacific Crest Trail, Thru Hiking

Pacific Crest Trail Gear List: Kennedy Meadows to Tuolumne Meadows

Section: Kennedy Meadows to Tuolumne Meadows

SYSTEM GEAR CARRIED WORN
BACKPACK SYSTEM
Pack ULA Circuit 40
Pack Liner Trash Compactor Bag 2.18
SHELTER SYSTEM
Shelter BA Fly Creek 2 (Shared Weight) 18
Ground Cloth Gossamer Gear Polycryo 1.3
SLEEP SYSTEM
Insulation Top Enlightened Enigma 20 Quilt 22.85
Insulation Bottom Thermarest NeoAir Xlite (long) 15.92
CLOTHING SYSTEM
Socks #2 REI Lite Hiker Socks 2.07
Underwear Patagonia Underwear 4.7
Hiking Shorts NYU Shorts 11
Hiking Shirt Marmot LS Shirt 7
Insulation Top Arc’Teryx Cerium LT Hoody 13.85
Wind Shell Bottom Montbell Dynamo Wind Pants 3.26
Wind Shell Top Montbell Tachyon Anorak 2.82
Rain Shell Top Marmot Super Mica Rain Jacket 9.95
Insulating Hat Outdoor Designs Hat 0.74
Gloves Mountain Hardware Orko Gloves 1.82
Bandana Bandana 1.29
Buff Buff 1.5
Sun Hat NOLs Hat 2.82
FOOTWEAR
Shoes New Balance Trail Runners 23.52
Socks 1 Darn Tough Socks 2.09
COOKING SYSTEM
Stove Snow Peak Giga Power Stove 3.71
Cook Pot Imusa Pot with DIY Lid 4.07
Utensil Sea to Summit Long Spoon 0.51
Towel Glamoflauge 0.55
HYDRATION SYSTEM
Water Filter Sawyer Mini 1.62
Water Scoop DIY Scoop/Adapter 0.59
Water storage 2L bladder 1.29
Water Bottle smart water bottle 1.29
Water Bottle smart water bottle 1.3
SURVIVAL
Light Petzl Tikka Head Lamp 3.19
Fire Starter Mini Bic Lighter 0.4
First Aid First aid kit (trimmed down 1.04
Toothbrush Portable Toothbrush w/ toothpaste 1.05
Toilet Paper Small Roll of TP 2.23
Repair Kit repair kit 1.28
Cash/Credit Card cash/Credit/atm Card/ID 0.4
Bear Can Bear Vault 500 40.16
ELECTRONICS
Phone/music Galaxy s4 6.27
Charger Charger 1.5
ITEMS CARRIED
Trek poles Black Diamond Trek Poles 20.22
Base Weight (Oz) 207.24 74.14

 

Conditions Faced: 

2014 was a low snow year. It barely rained, and was mostly sunny everyday. Although temperatures reached the 30’s, I was never cold sharing a tent with my girlfriend, Legs. It rained once. Temperatures were generally lower than what was faced in the desert. Sitting in the shade could be chilly. Snow was never really a factor, except for some post holing on the northern sides of a few passes. The biggest change was the possibility for dangerous conditions. We faced none.  Continue reading “Pacific Crest Trail Gear List: Kennedy Meadows to Tuolumne Meadows”

Pacific Crest Trail Thru Hike: Discovering Evolution with John Muir
Pacific Crest Trail, Thru Hiking

Pacific Crest Trail Thru Hike: Discovering Evolution with John Muir

Separated into different levels, Muir Pass is a sustained 12 mile ascent, and plays like a video game. Each level with its own boss- either snow, or fords, or steep grade, or photo opportunity (the hardest one!). Muir Pass is the last crucible in the High Sierra, the last rocky behemoth standing between you and the tamer passes of the north.

Walking On Water (CRED: Nicole Frias)
Walking On Water (CRED: Nicole Frias)

The climb starts easily enough, running next to the Kings River, slowly ascending, then flattening out, ascending, flattening out. Helen Lake, a large chunk of dark, blue water tucked away in a granite cirque, marks the halfway point of elevation gain, and the threshold of the more difficult levels. Continue reading “Pacific Crest Trail Thru Hike: Discovering Evolution with John Muir”