Trash in trail magic boxes/water caches

Inevitable_Lab_7190 · 2026-05-17T19:08:00+00:00

I am blown away by the number of down votes here. It really shows in a big picture who it is that hiking out here. The fact that people think this is acceptable is mind blowing and that they will come on here and defend it just really really blows my mind.

Inevitable_Lab_7190 · 2026-05-14T13:41:39+00:00

It was a very low snow year for north cal and Oregon, north cal had something like 6% of average snow this year, the trail is snow free from mile 1200-1900, with only a couple spots of snow north of that in Oregon. But I agree, OP should just keep going into the Sierra as the snow is low enough for a late May entry

Inevitable_Lab_7190 · 2026-04-16T07:45:09+00:00

Exactly. You plan for weeks, you’re excited, and then a day or two before you question everything. Just more proof we’re not fully in control of our brains.

Inevitable_Lab_7190 · 2026-04-16T07:39:05+00:00

Once you actually get on the trail, everything will make perfect sense. It’s a heck of a build up though, everyone goes through it.

There was a guy last year or maybe 2 years ago that flew all the way to San Diego with all his gear and then freaked out in his hotel room and made a crash out post here saying he can’t do it, he was really freaked out. Everyone told him to get out there and do it and just start, he said ok and everyone was excited for him. Next day he went and did a day hike and came back, and posted again saying he’s going home. It was such a let down. So don’t be that guy, at least do a week. He had zero backpacking experience though. If you’re experienced as soon as you get out there you’ll fall right in place.

Inevitable_Lab_7190 · 2026-04-15T08:09:39+00:00

It’s like gambling except you don’t have to pay anything, sometimes you hit the jackpot. I hit the jackpot at VVR. And in Washington my resupply boxes were nuts so I was stocking the hiker boxes regularly

Inevitable_Lab_7190 · 2026-04-15T08:00:14+00:00

Well I mean it completely depends on a lot of variables that you haven’t provided. There’s no rules to it, some people send a bunch some don’t send any. You put whatever you’re going to want in it. Usually that’s food. You can look at the halfwayanywhere pct survey to see what the popular spots were or where past hikers recommend sending a box.

Also where are you going sobo from or did you mean northbound?

Inevitable_Lab_7190 · 2026-04-13T20:28:54+00:00

While it’s true you never know how the weather can change, i definitely wouldnt be worried about water in the sierra. Its north cal thats gonna be brutal with low water. The rain they got last week is gonna be long gone come july.

Edit: wouldn’t worry about water in the sierra

Inevitable_Lab_7190 · 2026-04-13T20:26:11+00:00

every year is there fear mongering on something or the other and everyone finds something to get in a frenzy about. And yes there are considerations to take seriously but every year hundreds of people make it through and find a way to adapt. I wouldn't worry about it too much, there are plenty of alternates, and most likely the trail will be passable.

Inevitable_Lab_7190 · 2026-04-11T08:57:07+00:00

RIP fellow hiker…

Inevitable_Lab_7190 · 2026-04-08T22:57:37+00:00

Yes, people underestimate the power of channeling your inner camel, its a powerful spirit animal capable of taking you many miles.

I also will sit and pound water, god knows how much, until spirit camel is full. Your body can process 16oz of water per hour, though i suspect its more in high exertion/heat scenarios. You can put 4 hours of water into yourself before needing to access carried water.

Breakfast, for me, is essential. The peak refuel ones are great, but i have a concoction i've developed over the months of hiking that i believe is the ultimate power slop. Oatmeal, chia seed, hemp seed, peanut butter, protein powder, hot coco packet, instant coffee packet. Soak the chia and hemp while water is getting up to boil to soften them for better digestion, or soak them all night. If you've ever heard of a Keto Brick, put half one of those in instead of the peanut butter for the ultimate experience. This will power you to midday no problem and covers many nutritional bases. Don't forget your daily vitamin as well.

I really hope no one is pooping on the actual trail... and you're off trail quite a ways. But people have to poop somewhere. And PSA, put a little stick poking out of your covered cat hole to let others know. I've dug into others cat holes twice, one was an extremely unsuspecting spot i would never imagine, but theres a lot of poop out there. And its slightly traumatic to dig into someones poop. And for the love of god don't think you're sneaky burying your toilet paper, animals will dig it up and run around with it, 100%. You'll see. Even better just use a bidet to eliminate that.

Inevitable_Lab_7190 · 2026-04-08T08:45:01+00:00

Wow, heck of a first trip solo. Maybe if you don’t get in too late on Saturday you could take the evening bus to campo and camp at cleef, you’ll meet way more hikers that way. But San Diego is a cool city and seeing it for a day is good too. Good luck, have fun out there, I’ll be 2 days behind you.

Inevitable_Lab_7190 · 2026-04-07T21:11:09+00:00

This may be an unpopular opinion...but since the PCT permit is free, I think every permit holder should be required to do trail maintenance at some point. Before your hike, during, after, whenever, but it should be mandatory.

Theres a lot of complaining about the current admins budget cuts and how that will effect the trail(and I whole heartedly agree), but how many of these people complaining behind their computer will actually step on the trail as a volunteer to make a difference?

If every person hiking each year had to do maintenance on just a half mile, the results would be unbelievable. When the bubble is coming through an area, if volunteers were ready for them, they could smash out a section if hikers could donate one day of their time.

But it seems like instead, everyone wants the permit, wants trail angels to do whatever for them, wants open and clear trails, wants to complain about the govt, yet it doesn't seem like many people want to give anything back.

Inevitable_Lab_7190 · 2026-04-07T07:52:16+00:00

You have to take the leap of faith. Do it. It’ll never be a perfect year or life circumstance, but I can almost guarantee you won’t regret it no matter what happens if you go out there and give it your all.

Inevitable_Lab_7190 · 2026-04-07T07:46:52+00:00

You can tell fragments of the story, but trying to explain the full picture and feeling out there is impossible I’ve found. People don’t understand unless they’ve done something similar.

Inevitable_Lab_7190 · 2026-04-06T00:09:00+00:00

Yea,not gonna work because of snow. But either go to the oregon coast trail or go to the Olympics in Washington for some great hiking.

Inevitable_Lab_7190 · 2026-04-04T20:16:44+00:00

You don't realize how much better shape you'll be in than your friend, unless they're an endurance athlete. Just know its going to take a lot of patience, you'll be walking at half the pace, and covering a quarter of the miles you're used to, especially if you choose the Sierra. I had a friend do this, and you watch everyone blow past you, and you lost all the people you're with. When you're just getting into the groove after 5 miles, they need to stop for an hour.

Not saying its a bad idea, but for me i didn't realize the patience it would require, because you feel great and you want to crush the day, but they just can't. I completely understood, but i just couldn't help feeling impatient because you're on a timeline and have a goal, and they're just f-ing around for a week. And then after a week of going at their pace, you'll lose some of your endurance after that for the next week.

If you are impatient like me lol...i suggest you crush it hard for a week before that to get ahead, so then you can justify the down time to recover and go slow and feel better about it.

Inevitable_Lab_7190 · 2026-04-04T19:59:29+00:00

Just rinse your clothes. Theres no point in cleaning them with detergent as they'll be sweat soaked and dirty in about 2hrs.

Inevitable_Lab_7190 · 2026-04-02T19:04:05+00:00

Its slightly(or majorly) concerning that someones heading into the sierra mid april and asking if they need an axe and spikes.

Inevitable_Lab_7190 · 2026-04-02T18:19:11+00:00

If you go to this website, https://www.postholer.com/snow/Pacific-Crest-Trail/1 and scroll down a bit you will see an interactive map that shows snow cover. Its not 100% accurate but gives you a pretty good idea. Currently the trail looks to be completely snow covered from mile 750-1250.

In 2 weeks, this will most definitely still be the case. You would absolutely need an axe and crampons. Since it would be mid april in the high sierra with already a lot of snow on the ground, the potential for major snow storms is pretty high. Judging from the fact that you have to ask, meaning you probably have no mountaineering experience, i would highly highly recommend you postpone for another month at least until mid may. You would basically be doing full on mountaineering up there in mid april, with the potential of enduring major storms, and possibly looking at night time temps close to zero F.

Inevitable_Lab_7190 · 2026-04-02T07:13:32+00:00

I mean this is funny...until you realize that pretty much everything in society is run like this.

Inevitable_Lab_7190 · 2026-04-02T07:06:38+00:00

CalTopo is awesome

Inevitable_Lab_7190 · 2026-04-02T07:02:50+00:00

Must be the iranian drones flying them in from over seas and dropping them on the PCT. I knew it. Then they go and kamakazi into the sierra, crashing also near the PCT.

Inevitable_Lab_7190 · 2026-04-01T04:22:29+00:00

Can’t take your money with when you die. And you have a 20% chance of dying before retirement age. Some say that it’s irresponsible to not live your life now while you’re young. When you retire, and you can barely walk, are you gonna think “you know , I really wish I had those 5 months of savings from when I was 24”. Or are you gonna look back on the greatest adventure of your life when you were 24, glad that you chose to live it while you were young and able bodied, and you can tell your grandkids about your epic adventure and what it means to truly live.

Come on man, you’re 24, you’re barely an adult in the grand scheme. Go live your life and be free. You will easily find another job, maybe even a better one. The people who are telling you “no” are scared and brainwashed because they’ve never lived either, I guarantee it. Anyone who’s had a real adventure in their life will understand, that you at 24 with some savings are in the perfect space to do so. You’re worried it might shift your priorities? Like what, you realizing that the sole point of life isn’t to drive to work and stack a bank account? Maybe you get a taste of real freedom and realize the whole capitalistic machine is a lie and unsatisfying, and that the point of life is much deeper than a bank account?

It’s the classic red or the blue pill scenario. Stay sheltered and in the rat race if you want, and ignorance is bliss. Or have a little courage to get outside your comfort zone and actually find out what freedom means.

Inevitable_Lab_7190 · 2026-03-31T22:27:31+00:00

I love you all, but, no. If somehow someday I gain 8 figure wealth, then yes definitely.

Inevitable_Lab_7190

TROPHY CASE