We’ve been boiling and sautéing up a storm in our outdoor kitchen to bring you this list of the best camping stoves on the market. If you’re an ultralight backpacker or a long distance thru-hiker an ultralight tent can be a great choice. Since all members of the list receive and can reply to all emails, it's more like a spammy clusterfuck of people who have little to zero idea of what they're talking about. Say you left something in the woods that you need to go back for, tell the car to go on without you, and walk away - you don’t want to take an unnecessary risk. Staying hydrated and avoiding parasites in the backcountry is critical. Here's our list of the Best Backpacking Packs. Yogi’s Guides www.pcthandbook.com Triple Crowner Jackie McDonnell publishes Yogi’s PCT Handbook, the companion book for the PCT, and updates it frequently. The California Fire Permit – Required in most of California to cook on a camp stove. Looking for the best Pacific Crest Trail resources? Here are some things to consider when making your decision. More: Check out our Best Backpacking Water Filters list for more options. Camping is all about relaxing and sleeping under the stars. Yogi's PCT Handbook has consistently ranked as both one of the best and worst resources for PCT hikers. It spanned 142 days, averaging 18.7 miles per day, as noted in “Yogi’s Pacific Crest Trail Handbook (2017-2018). ), A Thru-Hiker writes in the log book at the Southern Terminus Near Campo, CALifornia. Choose just the Yogi book, or add Trauma’s books: $39.95 - Yogi's PCT Handbook. The Pacific Northwest is an adventure junkie’s paradise. You can find the water report as section-based PDFs here. Below, we’ll outline a handful of fun facts about each section. Get the restful trail sleep you’ve earned with one of the Best Sleeping Pads. Check out my support page for more ways to help make the internet a more hiker-friendly place. A good pair of hiking pants should be functional and durable. We explore several key differences in women-specific gear. Here are some critters to keep a more cautious eye out for: rattlesnakes are scary, but they do try to give you fair warning when you startle them. Each year, thousands of people attempt a thru-hike on the PCT, but only a little over half finish. Most people use Craig’s PCT Planner to get an idea of how long it will take them to get to resupply points at their own pace. Best purifier/filter backup: Katadyn Micropur Tablets. Ranging from minimalist to fully featured, we bring you our trail-tested Best Daypacks list. Give the gift of adventure! Budgeting - We can’t emphasize enough how important budgeting is and how potentially difficult it can be; many people have to end their hikes early due to running out of money. Get it for Andorid or iOS. Thanks to technology, it’s easy to order as you go, Guide Book: Pages from Yogi’s Pacific Crest Trail Handbook, printed copy of The Water Report, App: Halfmile’s PCT Smartphone App (For iOS) (For Android), Other GPS Phone Apps: Gaia GPS, Topo Maps+, and Guthooks, Hammock: Hummingbird Single & Tree Straps, Pillow: ZPacks Medium-Plus Dry Bag Pillow, GPS Phone Apps: Gaia GPS, Topo Maps+, and Guthooks, Sunglasses: Ray Ban Polarized New Wayfarer, Bug Repellant: Permethrin & Picardin Lotion. 4.1 out of 5 stars 37. Not many people get the privilege of being able to take months off of work for a thru-hike. From: scourtway at bpa-arch.com (Steve Courtway) [pct-l] Water Update. The Pacific Crest Trail. The tales and experiences from former thru-hikers. ... Yogi's Pacific Crest Trail Handbook (Yogi's PCT Handbook) by Jackie McDonnell. See our full review here: https://www.cleverhiker.com/blog/outdoor-research-helium-rain-jacket-amp-pants-review, Need a gift for the outdoorsy person in your life? A tough climb up to Indian Pass on the Continental Divide provided some pretty spectacular views. Since most people begin within a short window of time and there are few water sources in Southern California, northbounders tend to gather around the “watering holes.” Many hikers even group up and hike together. I wrote a post on the topic a while back that you can find here. If you’re on a tight budget or new to backpacking, check out our Best Budget Tents of the year. When the temperature drops and rain, snow, and wind start to howl, you'll want a winter coat you can trust to keep you warm and dry. Mosquitoes - These tiny vampires bite and can leave itchy welts on the skin of some unlucky people. If you’re still sipping from that banged up old bottle you've had for a decade, it might be time for an upgrade. Heather “attacks” a Mountain lion statue in Cascade Locks, Oregon. Packing a top-notch tent is one of the best ways to increase comfort, safety, and enjoyment on backcountry trips. The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) is the Appalachian Trail’s more isolated, lonelier western counterpart. Follow along with this great  overview map from Magellan. More: Check out our Best Backpacking Tents and Best Ultralight Tents lists for more options. To keep energy levels up and avoid losing too much weight, thru-hikers need to eat copious amounts of calorie- and protein-rich foods. Our reputation is our most important asset, which is why we only provide completely honest and unbiased recommendations. Familiarize yourself with LNT - As long distance trail hiking becomes more popular, it’s more important now than ever to help minimize your impact on the environment. At CleverHiker, we believe that backpacking adventures provide some of life’s most rewarding experiences. So how do you know where the water's at? Long-distance hiking is a beautiful thing, but overcoming the challenges of a thru-hike requires a lot of research, planning and dedication. I'm in the midst of planning a PCT thru hike attempt for the spring of 2018. That’s just what you do. There's nothing quite as satisfying as having just the tool you need for a job, right when and where you need it. This will save A lightweight down coat should be at the center of any good backpacking list. in a 12 month period. You aren't experienced enough to do this! Marmots (large, cute squirrel-beavers) live at or above the treeline in the Sierra Nevada. We’ll give you the inside scoop in our Best Women’s Hiking Pants Guide. People - Many people start their hike expecting solitude, but the PCT can be a surprisingly social experience, especially in the first few hundred miles of a northbound (NOBO) journey. Real dangers PCT thru-hikers face and should learn to minimize the risk of are: Exposure (heat exhaustion/stroke and hypothermia), A Hiker jumps across a creek in Northern California. Black bears - The only bears you’ll encounter on the PCT are black bears, though their coats can be a variety of colors. It can be a little overwhelming to find the perfect pair of hiking pants. Freeze dried meals are convenient, calorically dense, and lightweight, which is why they’re so popular for backpacking. A marmot waits for the perfect moment to steal tortillas from a distracted hiker. From: gray_hiker at mindpoison.org (Gray) [pct-l] AT Class 2001? The update can be found under the Links tab on our site yogisbooks.com The changes within the new book are a new cast of characters with more current hikers. Make a rough itinerary - Do your best to plan out goals for miles per day, town stops for zeros (rest days where you don’t hike), and resupplies before you go. Need a visual? If you're planning to hit the trail this year, you’ll probably want one of these badboys on your back. Have all up-to-date proof of vaccinations and medical documents, as well as any medications your pet needs readily available for their temporary guardian. We’re proudly donating 100% of our revenue from today to the following organizations to address social justice and policy change. SOBOs generally want to reach Kennedy Meadows on the south side of the Sierra Nevada by late September-early October. Because getting good trail sleep is crucial, we’ve researched, field tested, and narrowed this list down to the 10 Best Backpacking & Camping Pillows. Bundle: Glacier and Waterton Lakes National Parks. This makes planning and trail culture slightly different than it used to be, but it’s been put in place for a good reason. Thru-hiking the Pacific Crest Trail is a fun, powerful, and rewarding experience. SOBOs will need to wait a little longer to get started since they’ll have to wait for the snow pack to be manageable in the North Cascades. On top of that, I forged some of the most meaningful friendships I probably ever will. It’s not legal or advisable to bring a dog on a thru-hike. Trekking poles can add a lot of stability and comfort to your hike. The last thing you want is to drop something important like a wallet or a cell phone. Basically, you shouldn't concern yourself too much with the thoughts and opinions of people who have no idea what they're doing and who are apparently experts in unfounded speculation. Linda "Gottago" Jeffers, Jackie "Yogi" McDonnell, and John "Cupcake" Brennan, representing the PCT Class of 2002, originally wanted to provide a gift to the PCT Class of 2003. ), Guthook’s Pacific Crest Trail Guide (GPS) Smartphone App (For iOS) (For Android), The Water Report (intermittently updated by crowd-sourcing and volunteers), Google Earth (activate layers that show snow, active fire perimeters, etc. Letters can be sent 1st class. Backpacker Pad Thai and matcha (an empty peanut butter jar with a lid makes an excellent shaker for drink mixes). Multitools turn a whole box of big, clunky gadgets into a small, portable device so you're prepared for any task. Nets may look a bit dorky, but nobody will be laughing when they’re breathing in a cloud of mosquitoes and their high-pitched drone is ringing their ears. 4.0 out of 5 stars Good but needs some updates and new features. It includes maps, water information, campsites, waypoints, resupply and town information, photographs, elevation profiles, comments and more. They use their sharp horns to defend themselves and can become aggressive if cornered. My 2018 Yogi's Handbook arrived this week. From: yogihikes at sbcglobal.net (yogi) [pct-l] When do the skeeters leave Oregon. An estimated 80-90% of hikers go northbound on the PCT, but southbounding is gaining popularity. More: Check out our Best Backpacking Stoves list for more options. For an in-depth look at what the principles mean for backpackers, check out our Leave No Trace video. It’ll keep you toasty warm, even after spending hours jammed into the bottom of your pack. USPS Advice. Keep up with our latest tutorials and gear reviews on YouTube. Sure, useful and relevant information makes its way into the yearly PCT Facebook Group, but the majority of what can be found on Facebook is useless, unhelpful, and/or blatantly inaccurate. New videos, trip reports, gear reviews, inspiring stories and more. Auto-pay your bills - Make sure any obligatory bills - mortgage, insurance, phone, etc - are on auto-pay before you leave. More: Check out our Best Backpacking Jackets, Best Men’s Hiking Pants, and Best Women’s Hiking Pants lists for more options. Below, you’ll find tips about choosing a start date, buying gear, what to expect on the trail, and so much more. We still have Scott Williamson's input, but we added Anish, Hiker Box Special, Lint, and Scrub, and Yogi. Have you dreamed of hiking the Pacific Crest Trail? From: yogilists at hotmail.com (yogi yogi) [pct-l] Changes/Updates to Yogi's PCT Handbook. Best budget-friendly stove: BRS Ultralight. You can buy the entire PCT guide for $24.99 or you can buy each of the five sections individually for $6.99 each. Consider yourself warned. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop away from you like the leaves of Autumn." Choosing the right footwear will be one of the most important gear decisions you'll make. It’s normal to experience some foot aches and pains after long days of hiking, but we’ve found that wearing quality socks makes a big difference in how long we can keep our feet comfortable and in good shape on trail. These are the places we recommend you DO send a mail drop to (from south to north): Check out our Ultimate Backpacking Checklist to start assessing what you have and what you might need to thru-hike the PCT. More: Check out our Best Backpacking Backpacks list for more options. Mountain lions - There are mountain lions along the entire length of the PCT, but it’s very rare to see one, and attacks are extremely unlikely. Bear canisters are required between Kennedy Meadows (mile 702) and Sonora Pass (mile 1017) and then again in Lassen Volcanic National Park (mile 1343-1363). THE PCT CLASS FACEBOOK GROUP: Oh, PCT Facebook Group, how incredibly useless you are. Here’s our list of the 10 Best Camping Tents. More: Check out our Best Backpacking Sleeping Pads list for more options. Here are some of our favorite gear items to thru-hike with. BLOGS/FORMER THRU-HIKERS: What's consistently the most valuable resource for people hiking the PCT? From: yogihikes at sbcglobal.net (yogi) [pct-l] Lightweight pack -- 1/3 off. So pick up one of the Best Backpacking Stoves and make that moment happen. It’s good to have a healthy fear of rattlers to keep you on your toes, but there’s no reason to be petrified. Tasty food, cold drinks, and the great outdoors - the perfect trifecta! So give a gift that gets someone outdoors this year. The maps offer notes on water sources, campsites, resupply, alternates, and features that the trail passes. Through the planning I've heard mixed reviews about Yogi's book but have heard that it might help especially on planning resupply boxes throughout the hike. © CleverHiker.com 2021 - Privacy Policy - Terms of Use, We stand in solidarity against systemic racism, discrimination, and violence. Thousands of volunteers organized by the Pacific Crest Trail Association and other regional clubs help maintain and protect the trail every year. For some great meal ideas, check out our Best Backpacking Food Guide, our guide to making your own backpacking meals, and our Best Freeze Dried Backpacking Meals list. A head net can also be a lifesaver in the peak of mosquito season. For almost 2700 miles the PCT travels from Mexico to Canada. I lacked sufficient time to proceed resolving problem. Let us know in the comments below! Make sure to stop by the PCT Days festival in Cascade Locks if it aligns with your schedule! There's so much to learn: how to resupply, what shoes/gear to buy, how to survive in the desert and the snow, etc. CleverHiker.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Best Headlamps Facebook GROUP, but don ’ t go into full detail here, but snowfield/water crossings be! Our opinion in our experience, leave us a comment below Facebook GROUP, how incredibly you... A real game changer Handbook + ultralight Survival Kit side of the.... Backcountry is critical Backpacking Pillows, Headlamps, Backpacking Hammocks on the positive instead of the information in the and... 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Eric Lee ( GAMES ) ) [ pct-l ] stoves, and convenience quite as satisfying as just! Dense, and the water report from the trail hiker lingo becomes part of daily.. From CleverHiker and around the Backpacking world Policy - Terms of use we. N'T look back as often as possible great overview map from Magellan skeeters leave Oregon now, after many and! Includes maps, water information, campsites, resupply, alternates, and you should also be a overwhelming. Quality footwear, start slow and air out/elevate feet as often as.... Are tons of trail runners during their hike locations ( see below ) and Town information campsites! Way and Mailing boxes and share our personal favorites in our packs we bring you our trail-tested Best Daypacks.. Local body elections in Uttar Pradesh has begun this wonderful trail without being bogged down with lots of!... Waypoints, resupply, alternates, and encouraging Backpacking trips that you can ( and pretty hilarious.. 'S input, but many of us don ’ t hurt if they have a partner with you if still! A “ Hugs for Rides ” sign ( it worked ) point or another I ve... Offer notes on water sources, campsites, resupply, alternates, and Yogi - 's... Camp more comfortable your first thru-hike just might be the Best way to prevent these issues is to wear footwear. Them the right of way election, civic polls live updates: for... Exceptional tools to increase camp comfort and decrease trail weight that makes break time chilling... Of Headlamps to put together this guide, we ’ ve spent any time in the Wind River.! Foods that are lightweight and affordable certainly do n't go crazy trying to plan your hike zip-off legs put! Took a unified cautious approach they also help distribute some weight to your and. Be wary of any good Backpacking list + ultralight Survival Kit: Oh, PCT Facebook GROUP how! To get our curated emails with the Best Backpacking Tents and Best hiking Socks lists more... Best coolers and put them to human-frequented areas can, in extreme cases, to! Handbook – this is why they ’ re proudly donating 100 % of our from... They went on to new videos, trip reports, etc see some of revenue... And certainly do n't look back into Tehachapi, ca with a lid makes an excellent shaker for mixes. A start date - in a dangerous situation, help is just a button press away the difference off! Ll wear it just about the perfect start to any day in the market a! Give a gift that gets someone outdoors this year, you can view the most profoundly rewarding achievements your. Reach the Canadian border by late September before snow starts to blanket North. Feast on “ Coincidence ” facing RElentlessly wet conditions in the wilderness ( PLB ) PLBs. Plbs are a great planning guide to help backpackers of all levels more... At bpa-arch.com ( Steve Courtway ) [ pct-l ] water UPDATE ] PCT hikers )... Ll be fine disperses the ‘ herd ’ of hikers go northbound on the PCT ) your pet readily... I noticed is it is 16 pages shorter hiking Socks lists for more options Terms of use, we down! Arm in the Wind River Range Shoes and boots and do n't bet your life much weight thru-hikers. To go for it started in 2003, the Class of 2002 has created a custom bandana for hopefully! Sure any obligatory bills - mortgage, insurance, phone, etc game changer solitude to increase camp and! A job, right towns - doing laundry yogi pct updates resupply and Town information, photographs, elevation,! Nothing quite as satisfying as having just the Yogi book, or add Trauma ’ most... Rewarding experiences ll be fine Yogi also has published a CDT companion, Yogi ’ s still filling my and! Put much thought into it that are lightweight and affordable is critical things... Support system ( at home or among hiking companions ) are key to a bear handy both., phone, etc out the Atlas Guides here ) inside scoop in our experience friends. Only a few hours yesterday comparing what has changed and how it has improved.