At mile 517 along the Pacific Crest Trail there is a quirky hiker oasis known as Hikertown. Up to 40(?) PCT hikers may pass through daily descending out of the San Gabriel Mountains NE of Los Angeles, heading north across a narrow stretch of the Mojave Desert, and into the Tehachapi Mountains.

Yucca blooms, like candlesticks set in the hillside. Holding vigil for their final days, offering tribute to the desert. From our first day on the PCT we have been captivated by the giant blooming stalks of the chaparral yucca. This is one of the few plants that has been a regular companion for the past…

Today we crossed 400 miles and a few days ago 1,000,000 steps. We skipped about 15 miles and walked around a section of the trail. We’re not purists with regards to our trail miles but I wanted to mention it somewhere and not worry about clarifying on every post. Tonight we are camped on a…

A collection of things one might take on the trail. We’re still experimenting but here are some of the things we have carried, or have seen friends carry. We are probably burning 4000 – 5000 calories per day so we can basically eat whatever we want. The challenge is keeping up with the amount of…

Here is a video just from clips taken along the trail over this 5-day stretch

Packing for a long walk across a range of environments, away from cell service, electricity, clean water, or shelter requires some combination of planning, purchasing, and tolerance. Anything you choose to add to your pack comes with a coat in terms of money, weight, and space. Those who prioritize minimizing weight are known as ultralight…

“There are two standing rules in this outfit. One, take care of your feet.” – Lieutenant Dan, Forrest Gump Update: As of Day 47 I’ve gone 400 miles blister free! By day two of the PCT, one of the most common topics among hikers is blisters. How many you have, where they are, and what…