It has been close to 2 weeks since any sign of civilization. Even longer than that since we were last in a real town, and by real town I mean a place that doesn't run purely on generators as there is… Continue Reading »
With the desert section behind me I feel it is a good time to look back at all of the gear changes that took place over that 700 miles. There were some pieces that shined greater than expected and… Continue Reading »
In the middle of the blistering heat and barren landscapes sits a place with shade, running water, and even air conditioning. Run by a couple of "trail angels" out of their own home is Hiker Heaven… Continue Reading »
We took off from Big Bear Lake fast and strong. Our sights were set on the town of Wrightwood and the summit just beyond it, Mount Baden-Powell. This next section marked the last big climb of the… Continue Reading »
As we looked at the map in preparation for our ascent up Mount San Jacinto, we planned three distinct days - an up day, a down day, and a flat day. The up day was going to be from Idyllwild up to the… Continue Reading »
The day after I slept in a kitchen shed we hitch hiked back into the desert. We were picked up by a young couple, Anwar and Claudia, who seemed even happier to be driving us than we were to be getting… Continue Reading »
It is the fifth night of my hike and I have given up on sleeping for the night. The point at which I gave up is after my tent collapsed on me twice due to the intensity of the winds. And it's only 1… Continue Reading »
As day zero comes closer and closer, I have finally put together my complete gear list. The first 700 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail offers a desert climate interspersed with 10,000 foot tall… Continue Reading »
As I write this it is the last full day I will spend in this apartment. Next week will be the last week at my job. Two weeks after that I’ll be saying goodbye to my family and my girlfriend for… Continue Reading »
The MSR Lightning Ascent snowshoes are a sturdy yet lightweight snowshoe that provides ample flotation and an aggressive grip. The outer ring of the snowshoe is rigid with crampon-like teeth that… Continue Reading »