PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 2 - Every Available Mile
Description
PCT Gear List Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aaQqPbu1Fa0
PCT Gear List - https://darwinonthetrail.com/2018/04/19/darwins-2018-pct-thru-hike/
*** WAYS TO SUPPORT THIS CHANNEL ***
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/darwinonthetrail
(Help Support my 2018 PCT Thru with a pledge as low as a $1/month)
Visit our Etsy Shop! - https://www.etsy.com/shop/TravelandTrail
*** Gear Used to Shoot this Video! ***
Canon G7X Mark ii - http://amzn.to/2xnpSMt
UltraPod Tripod -https://amzn.to/2Eklksd
———Video Edited By: Kat Pendergast———
https://www.superk.at
------Intro & Animation By: BlackStrap Media------
https://blackstrapmedia.com
DISCLAIMER: This video and description contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support the channel and allows us to continue to make videos like this. Thank you for the support!
Contact information:
Website: www.darwinonthetrail.com
Instagram: Darwin_Onthetrail
facebook: www.facebook.com/darwinonthetrail
Tags: UL Hiking Gear,PCT,Pacific Crest Trail,PCT Thru-Hike,Thru-Hike Gear List,UL Backpacking,Zpacks,Enlightened Equipment,CNOC Outdoors,UL Backpacking gear,Vargo Bot 700,Hiker Trash,Hiking,Backpacking,Pinhoti Trail,Adventure,Long Distance Hiking,Zpacks Duplex,Zpacks Arc Blast
Video Transcription
[Music]
so I decided to get a pretty early start this morning had a great sleep last night
all the best sleep I've had on the trail decided to hit the trail and kind of watch the sunrise this morning but one thing I didn't expect to see and kind of didn't realize was I am at Mile 150 this morning I am gonna walk into the Paradise Cafe which is a mile off the trail but pretty much everyone says not to miss it it's totally worth going so I'm gonna pop in there get me like a breakfast burrito and keep on trucking trucking up the mountain here at the infamous Paradise Valley Kevin going to get a bit of breakfast [Music]
we've hiked about 1213 miles of a pretty big mountain kind of following this Ridge looking down on Palm Springs which is pretty neat [Music]
been a pretty good day kind of windy up here pretty exposed but absolutely beautiful views we have about seven more miles of the actual trail left so our plan is to hike to where the fire cloture is which i think is at Mile 168 and then we're going to hike back two miles and then take the Forbes ranch spring trail down to 74 and then we're gonna hitch into Idlewild that way we can kind of get every mile of the PCT that's available to hike and then still get down into Idlewild without kind of adding an extra day on but beautiful this is the farthest mileage that you can do to the fire closure on the PCT we Palm Springs down there in Palm Desert and see the burn over there on the side of the mountain whole mountains pretty much fall because of the burn so we made it into Idlewild last night after a like 28 mile day after doing like a reroute and pitching in from 74 we decided to take a little bit of zero off the trail we're at Mile 168 then pushing it pretty hard to this point so just kind of hanging around town and relaxing Racer X is off to meet with the mayor of Idlewild which is actually a dog it's a golden retriever is the mayor of Idlewild I thank Foxtrot is trying to find his cousin who's also currently hiking the PCT and myself I pretty much has been walking around taking it easy and hanging out with some other hikers so today I hung out with no no he stopped record easy slow-mo so it was really nice sitting around with all them just talking trail and drinking a couple beers so it's always good to take a zero love taking zeros just because kind of gets you physically and mentally off the trail and kind of let you to prepare so yeah not much else to say about today other than zero day food beer resupply and rest well I had a great zero and Idlewild yesterday and left this morning had a lead kind of late because I had to mail something out kind of last-minute but I am back on the trail on the reroute and I have about four miles up the reroute before I meet back up with the PCT at Mile 178 so again you know I'm going for every single available mile of the PCT captura really steep crazy long climb up the the reroute I am back on the PCT right where it picks back up at Mile 178 and now I'm hiking to a San Jacinto peak well at least the the trail that goes to the peak and then my plan is to hike to mile 185 I believe then I'm going to hike three-point-something miles up to the peak see the peak and then hike three-point-something back down the same way and carry on I got to the junction where the PCT splits off from the first San Jacinto Trail which is what a lot of hikers take they take the Santa sent to alternate but you know my goal when I came out here was to hike every mile of the PCT that was available if you know if there's fire closures that's one thing I can't hike it but if the trail is open you know I came out to hike the PCT yeah there's nobody else on this trail by myself it is much more elevation gain and loss and when I get to the other side I am going to hike an extra six miles to go up to San Jacinto and come back down so it's adding an extra six miles on my day but for me it's totally worth it so you're probably expecting to see a clip of me climbing San Jacinto so what happened was I actually hiked two mile one 85.7 of the PCT which is the second trail that you can take to get to the top of San Jacinto there's gonna be like 3.2 miles and then I was gonna hike back I dropped my pack off there at the trailhead and I started climbing and I got about two miles up and the weather got really nasty when got up to about mmm I had to take a guess maybe sixty mile an hour wind the temperature dropped really low and then to the west there was some big nasty dark clouds so I just kind of made the conscious decision that it wasn't worth me going up there if I was gonna get socked in by bad weather I've been on the top of enough mountains and bad weather to know when to call it and funny enough right whenever I decided to turn around Racer X was actually coming down himself and he didn't get to the top either he definitely got a little a little sketched out by the weather so we both made the decision to just kind of hike back down we ended up grabbing our packs hiking a few miles up and then right now we are kind of in a small stealth spot on the side of the mountain you're gonna get some rest
get up in the morning and then we have a 20-mile descent off of the mountain and it's a dry descent so I have water that I just picked up from about a mile back and that is the only water for about 20 miles
so bed early up early take off and get this big descent done [Music]
it's a new day beautiful morning lot less windy lot less chilly pretty much just descending the massive mountain chain San Jacinto Mountains today it's like a 20 mile stretch pretty dry no water and then at the bottom of the mountain there supposed to be a spigot with some water so that's where I'm trying to hike to currently and I don't know where I'm gonna head tonight thank my next stop is going to be Big Bear so I believe snuggles is gonna meet me there
and I think she's gonna go do some trail magic around Big Bear so it'd be nice to see her again [Music]
so I've been descending for quite some time now for a few hours I'm still not down in the bottom but I am back in the desert of no more beautiful alpine forests it's pretty wild though out in front of me you can see these desert mountains
but if we look back as you can see it right between those trees san jacinto peak
[Music]
I can down the road through the desert is never fun luckily I do have an umbrella even though it's broke and snapped on me a few days ago to the high wind but working not you guys to see the wind farm there in the distance big ol windmills that road is actually the road that you take to get up into Joshua Tree
[Music]
so it's uh getting pretty late in the day and I'm so hiking I got in 20 miles by two o'clock today so I just feeling good and I was like you know what I'm just gonna push it there was another water stop it's called whitewater Preserve in ten miles it was two o'clock I sit around for about 45 minutes took a break took my shoes off ate a little bit and yeah so I'm pushing for a 30 plus mild day still coming down this Ridge I think it's about six o'clock maybe 6:30 man I'll tell you what coming down this Canyon right now is just absolutely stunning
[Music]
there is supposed to be something called an empty white water preserve and it's about 0.5 off of the trail so that is where I'm planning on heading there supposed to be a camp spot there a place where you can dip into the water which sounds so good especially on my knees and my feet and even bathrooms with running water so I think that's where I'm gonna head and end up tonight this was totally worth the 32 mile day this place was absolutely amazing to camp that last night so beautiful look at this
[Applause]
they're apparently as a fire closure today I think at Mile 238 so I think the plan is to hike to the fire closure which is like in 17 miles and then go a little bit past that I'm good hook it says that the fire closure is for like I don't know 15 20 miles so we were originally gonna stop I was originally gonna stuff right before that and camp and just make it a small day but according to all the comments on the PCTs website it's not closed that far it's only closed like four miles so after 244 you can camp so probably try to make it another 20 use something mild day definitely not 30 yesterday was fun but 30 plus mile days definitely take it out on me so I've been hiking quite some time today and I'm currently hiking through this burn area that is you know every time I hike through a burn area I always feel really sad that the you know obviously the forest is burned down and caused it horrible fire that double all this life at the same time it's really inspiring it's really beautiful Beauty and the burn fuel
[Music]
so it's late I am tired ended up damn like a 26 27 mile day to day I have 20 miles and a big bear in the morning I'm eating and going to bed [Music]
you
About the Author
Darwin Onthetrail
At the end of 2014 my wife Snuggles & I decided to quit our jobs, sell 95% of the things we own, & leave our home town for good in search of adventure, culture, & the true meaning of happiness. We bought a van, traveled all over the country & hiked the entire Appalachian Trail (2189.2 miles). We are still seeking adventure in new places, meeting new people, trying new food & drink, & discovering all that we can.
This Channel has developed into a main hub for aspiring hikers & current hikers to gain info on a wide variety of Trail Topics. With a series of Trip Videos, Q&A, Tip Videos, & Gear Reviews, I aim to get you out on the trail and hiking more!
Hike On,
Darwin
More articles from this author
- The Appalachian Trail 2015 (Part 2) NC/TN
- Zpacks Arc Blast Review
- 2016 AZT Thru-Ride - Part 2 (Rim to Rim to Flagstaff)
- Riding the "Cobble" of Southern Indiana
- Wind in the Canyon
- Virginia's Three Ridges
- BRS UltraLight Stove Review
- 2016 AT Thru Hike Gear List
- Stick Pic Full Review
- Rocky Mountain Morning...
- Kurgo Max Dog Pack Full Review
- Sleeping Pads
- The Road Back to the AT (Week 1)
- Power on the Trail / Giveaway!
- Grand Canyon Rim to Rim Hike (in 1 day)
- Cold Weather Gear on the Appalachian Trail
- A Stroll through Gand Teton....
- Santa Fe Rail Trail
- Ask Darwin Q&A #17 + Announcement!
- Ask Darwin Q&A #24 (Answers)
- 2016 AZT Bikepacking Gear List
- Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike 2016 (Massachusetts)
- AZT: What Happened & What's next?
- Aug 2015 National Parks Tour
- Hoka Challenger ATR Review
- The Appalachian Trail 2015 (Part 5) Pennsylvania
- Ask Darwin Q&A #8 (Answers!)
- Osprey Mutant 28 Full Reveiw
- 2016 AZT Thru-Ride - Part 1 (Utah Border to Grand Canyon)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #14 (Answers!)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #11 (Answers!)
- 2015 in Review
- Ask Darwin Q&A #19 (Answers)
- Sleep Systems on The Appalachian Trail
- CNOC Vertex Carbon Cork Trekking Pole Review
- DIY Pot Cozy & Cook Pouch for the Trail
- Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike 2016 (New Hampshire)
- Gear I'm Done With!.... For Now
- HydroBlu Versa Flow Review
- Gear to Leave at Home during a Thru-Hike
- Exploring The Sandia Mountains of New Mexico
- AT Thru Hike Budget
- Cheap BackCountry Meals
- Ask Darwin Q&A #12 (Answers!)
- Staying Healthy on the Trail
- Cuben Fiber Gear, Is It Worth It?
- My Three Favorite Pieces of Backpacking Gear
- Ask Darwin Q&A #6 (Answers!)
- Six Moon Designs SkyScape-Trekker Full Review
- Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike 2016 (Katahdin)
- Cave Exploring in Missouri
- Thru-Hiking Solo vs with a Group
- 5 Things the Appalachian Trail Taught Me
- Ask Darwin Q&A #7 (Answers!)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #20 (Answers)
- The Appalachian Trail 2015 (Part 3) Virginia
- Snow Peak 700 & Litemax Cook System
- Best Footwear for the Trail?
- Gear for the PCT: My Big 3
- Gear I Won't Hike Without
- Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike 2016 (Maine Part 1)
- Gear I wish I'd had during my Thru-Hike
- Outdoorsman Lab UL Sleeping Pad Review
- Wheeler Peak Winter Attempt
- AT Thru Hiker Slang
- Ask Darwin Q&A #16 (Answers!)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #3 (Answers!)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #15 / Giveaway Winner Announced!
- Headlamps VS Flashlights
- Ask a Hiker #2 (Post AT) Questions Answered!
- Going Stoveless! Pros & Cons
- Bugs On the Trail & How to Deal with Them
- Black Diamond Alpine Ergo Cork Trekking Pole Review
- Snowshoeing in Cumbres Pass Colorado
- Ask Darwin Q&A #29 (Answers)
- Ask a Hiker #1 (Questions Answered!)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #23 (Answers)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #27 (Answers)
- Training for a Long Distance Trail
- The Appalachian Trail 2015 (Part 4) WV/MD
- Appalachian Trail Etiquette (Top 5)
- Altra Lone Peak 3.0 Review
- Reasons You Might Quit Your Thru-Hike
- Ask Darwin Q&A #21 (Answers)
- Post Thru Hike - Sea to Summit Aeros UL Pillow
- Gear to Lighten your Load on a Budget! (Part 2)
- GooseFeet Gear Down Sock Reveiw
- Gear to Lighten your Load on a Budget!
- Pearl Izumi X Alp Launch II Full Review
- Travel & Trail Vlog (Episode 1 - Goodbye New Mexico)
- Base Weight & Why It's So Important!
- Sleeping Bags VS Quilts
- How the Appalachian Trail Ruined my Life / Post Trail Depression
- We're Restoring a Vintage Camper?
- Tips for Hiking in the Desert
- Scariest Backpacking Trip Story
- How to Save Money during a Thru-Hike
- Surly ECR (Bikepacking Bike) Full Review
- Should I Document My Thru-Hike?
- Ask Darwin Q&A #25 (Answers)
- CDT Section Hike - Part 2 (Silver City, NM to Doc Campbell's)
- Thru-Hiking Tricks of the Trade
- Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 Full Review
- Coffee on the Trail
- BikePacking the Caja Del Rio
- Six Moon Designs Silver Shadow Review
- Ask Darwin Q&A #13 (Answers!)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #22 (Answers)
- AZT Bikepacking Food Resupply
- First Aid & Toiletries on an AT Thru Hike
- Ask Darwin Q&A #26 (Special Edition!)
- Altra Lone Peak 3.5 Review
- CDT Section Hike Gear List
- The Road Back to the AT (Week 2)
- CNOC Vecto Water Container Review
- AegisMax UL Sleeping Bag Review
- How I Pack My Gear
- Gear for the PCT: Clothes Set-Up
- Travel & Trail Vlog (Episode 0 - Test Footage)
- Over 42,000 Sub GIVEAWAY!!!
- Bikes & Brews in Southern Indiana w/ Mike Boren
- AT Thru Hike Food Resupply
- Ask Darwin Q&A #4 (Answers!)
- BikePacking: Clipless vs Platform?
- Sawyer Squeeze Gravity System
- Ask Darwin Q&A #30 (Answers)
- BlitzWolf 9000 Review
- Travel & Trail Vlog (Episode 0.5 - PCT Days)
- Exploring Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks
- Ask Darwin Q&A #18 (Answers)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #31 (Answers)
- Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike 2016 (Vermont)
- 2016 AT Thru Hike Gear List (Snuggles Edition)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #28 (Answers)
- Dirty Girl Gaiters Full Review
- Ask Darwin Q&A #9 (Answers!)
- Osprey Escapist 18 Full Review
- How to Prevent Blisters & Foot Injuries on the Trail
- The Appalachian Trail 2015 (Part 1) Georgia
- The Appalachian Trail 2015 (Part 6) NJ/NY/CT
- CDT Section Hike - Part 1 (Lordsburg, NM to Silver City)
- 2015 AT Thru Hike Post Gear Set-up
- Ask Darwin Q&A #10 (Answers!)
- The Road Back to the AT (Week 3)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #5 (Answers!)
- Sandia Mountain Snow Storm
- Typical Pennsylvania on The Appalachian Trail
- Salomon X Ultra Hiking Shoe Full Review
- Top 5 Favorite Places on the Appalachian Trail
- New Gear for the AT & PCT Thru Hike
- Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike 2016 (Maine Part 2)
- Zpacks Nero Review
- Ask Darwin Q&A #34 (Answers)
- Enlightened Equipment Torrid Apex Jacket Review
- Ask Darwin Q&A #35 (Answers)
- Gear I Carry on a Day Hike
- Arizona Trail 2017 - Part 1
- AZT Post Hike Gear Set-Up (7lbs 11oz)
- How I Afford My Lifestyle
- Ask Darwin Q&A #32 + GIVEAWAY WINNER ANNOUNCED!
- Ask Darwin Q&A #33 (Answers)
- Ultralight Vs Traditional Packs - What's the Best for you?
- Tent Vs Bivy - What's the Best Shelter for You?
- Ask Darwin Q&A #36 (Answers)
- Gear to Lighten your Load on a Budget! - Part 3
- Ask Darwin Q&A #39 (Answers)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #38 (Answers)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #41 (Answers)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #40 (Answers)
- Travel & Trail Vlog (Episode 2 - Canyons, Trees, & Trails)
- The Trowel - Necessary or Nonsense?
- Arizona Trail 2017 - Part 2
- Ask Darwin Q&A #37 (Answers)
- My Favorite Backpacking Gear of 2017 (Top 10)
- Cold Soaking/Stoveless Backpacking - Is It Right For You?
- Ask Darwin Q&A #43 (Answers)
- Back Again - A Rim2Rim2Rim Hike w/Neemor
- Ask Darwin Q&A #44 (Answers)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #42 w/ Neemor
- Ask Darwin Q&A #45 (Answers)
- A Thru-Hike Before A Thru-Hike?
- Gear for the PCT 2018 - Electronics & Ditty Bag
- The Perfect UL Headlamp? - UCO Air 150 Review + MOD!
- Ask Darwin Q&A #46 (Answers)
- Hike Your Own Hike - An Ode to the Hiking Community
- Ask Darwin Q&A #47 (Answers)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #50 (Answers)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #48 (From the AT!)
- Pinhoti Trail Thru-Hike Gear List (11lb 5oz)
- Gear I Would NEVER BRING on a Long Hike!
- How to Plan Your 1st Thru-Hike
- Where Our Gear Is Born... Ep.1 - Zpacks
- Ask Darwin Q&A #49 (Answers)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #51 (Answers)
- UGQ Bandit Quilt Review
- Ask Darwin Q&A #52 (Answers)
- Pinhoti Trail Thru-Hike 2018 : Part 3
- Pinhoti Trail Thru-Hike 2018 : Part 2
- Pinhoti Trail Thru-Hike 2018 : Part 1
- Ask Darwin Q&A #53 (Answers)
- Gear for the PCT 2018 - Desert Protection
- Ask Darwin Q&A #56 - The End?
- Vargo BOT Review - IS IT WORTH IT?
- Ask Darwin FINAL Q&A - #57
- Ask Darwin Q&A #54 (Answers)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #55 (Answers)
- Post Pinhoti Trail Gear Thoughts & Failures
- VAN TOUR, GIVEAWAY, & THANK-YOU'S!
- PCT Thru-Hike Gear List (FINAL)
- Gear for the PCT - Cook System & Water Storage
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 6 - Water and Windmills
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 17 - Good Days and Bad Days
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 12- Passes and Postholing
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 16 - Hiking On
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 10 - Mt. Whitney and Beyond
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 9 - Into The Sierra and Back To The Stove
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 4 - Back on Trail
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 13- A Few Rough Days
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 20 - Hello Washington!
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 3 - Trail Injuries
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 7 - Still In The Desert
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 8 - Gateway To The Sierra
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 1
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 19 - Death By Mosquito
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 11- Blizzards, Bailouts, and Beaches
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 14- End Of The Sierra...Sorta
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 5 - Famous Places
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 18 - Crossing Into Oregon
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 15 - Refuel: Food, Beer, and Rest
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Extras & Outtakes
- Post PCT Q&A
- ZPacks Duplex 3,000+ Mile Review
- AT or PCT - Which Trail is Better?
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 21 - Another Beginning’s END
- So, What's Next? The CDT?
- Gear I Would CHANGE on the PCT
- Food on the PCT
- Post PCT Thru-Hike Gear List
- A Quick Message... AT & PCT 50th Anniversary!
- PCT Video Editing Q&A
- Blue Ridge Parkway Bike Tour: Part 1
- EE Torrid APEX Jacket 3,000+ Mile Review
- Blue Ridge Parkway Bike Tour: Part 2
- My Favorite Backpacking Gear of 2018 (Top 10)
- Advice for Future PCT Hikers
- Something A Little Different + GIVEAWAY!
- Total Cost for the PCT, Mental Game, & My “OTHER” Trail Name... Q&A
- Katadyn BeFree 500 Mile Review
- Best Cameras For The Trail?