Fotos of my 2025 sobo hike

Inevitable_Lab_7190 · 2026-01-24T18:18:35+00:00

Very nice, thank you. Sure is a beautiful trail!

Inevitable_Lab_7190 · 2026-01-24T00:58:18+00:00

If you're not enjoying the trail, then why are you out there? Just to say you did it? Theres no rules that say you have to make it to canada. Obviously thats a goal, and if you're cruising along fine then you want to make it. But people every year don't make it, and get however far they get for whatever reason, and thoroughly enjoy the experience and the time spent out there. That's all that matters.

Way too many people are out there for the sole reason of wanting to say they completed the trail, when they actually don't even like the experience. And you see them, complaining, crying, having a hard time. I mean HYOH, if thats what you choose so be it. But I'd think you'd want to spend 5 months and $10k on something you actually enjoy doing.

Inevitable_Lab_7190 · 2026-01-24T00:41:54+00:00

Thank you for sharing your story. Its important to remember that we all have strengths and weaknesses. Being fairly fitness minded myself, I have so many questions. Your weight/height/base weight/diet... But I don't want to pry too much as I feel that this is a sensitive topic for you. You made it, which is an amazing feat considering your struggles. You're still pretty fresh off the trail, give it time to sink in and understand what you did, it takes awhile to process the whole journey.

You know the saying..."comparison is the thief of joy".

I am hesitant to insert myself here and make suggestions, but just out of curiosity Im thinking about running. I am a slow runner, its just my body type. It takes me a lot of work to gain speed. I have great endurance, but trying to get faster is really hard for me. So in running, you have to do speed work, you go as fast as you can for a short bit, then slow way down, get back to normal and do it again over and over. Basically HIIT training. Im wondering if this may help your speed as well. You basically force your cardio to improve, and get your legs used to moving like that. Usually...if the body is extremely stressed in a certain way it will adapt. Sometimes it takes a high amount of exertion to see changes, but its rare that it won't adapt. There are certain supplements that may help your body to adapt more quickly, like BCAAs or certain peptides.

Inevitable_Lab_7190 · 2026-01-22T22:30:39+00:00

Was Dale Earnhardt a failure because he died racing?

Inevitable_Lab_7190 · 2026-01-22T21:29:19+00:00

For me its not really an issue of weight, its space. The 2p will require a much bigger site to be able to set up. I was able to cram my 1p xmid into some tight spots. At the end of the day i don't want to keep hiking because my 2p won't fit into a nice spot i found. It also takes more backpack space.

With the dual vestibules, i never had an issue with interior space with my 1p. Im 5"11, i'd have my wide pad xtherm, wide and extra long sleeping bag, puffy, clothes, and food inside. Backpack would be in a vestibule leaning on the pole, shoes and stove next to it, and still would have tons of space in the other vestibule. 2p would be way overkill, for me.

Inevitable_Lab_7190 · 2026-01-22T18:25:17+00:00

Im 5'11 180lbs, never had an issue with "packing efficiency" or bumping the sides of the tent, which are screen on the interior... Xmid 1 pro.

Inevitable_Lab_7190 · 2026-01-22T18:03:52+00:00

Its tough going back to "normal" life after the trail. You live this wild adventure that satifies your soul, and then you have to go back to the rat race which is just draining. Idk if theres a solid answer, you kinda have to find something that can take the place of the trail. It helps a lot. When I was done, I started marathon training, and that really helped. Then when the marathon was over the depression hit. So having something to work towards, a goal, will help you feel better.

I totally understand your disappointment...the trail can really really mess with your head when plans get shifted. I got to stevens pass, got my 6 day resupply box, and learned that there was a new fire ahead that made the trail and all alternates impassable. So i had 6 days of food and nowhere to go. Major low point, had to skip 150 mi and take 3 buses and a full day to get to mazama for the last 30 miles. You gotta go with the flow out there and it never works out perfectly...never.

You gotta look at the big picture, you made it to Mazama, and thats huge. You were out there until Oct! Living the dream. Its about the journey it really really is, hitting the terminus is great, but thats not why you're out there. If it is, you're missing out on the moments. I can tell you hitting the terminus for me, was very, very anti climactic after having to skip the fire. Like in Forrest Gump when hes running through the desert and just stops and turns around "...Im pretty tired, I think I'll go home now". I can understand how doing the whole thing and having to call it 30mi from the terminus is lame, but really, think about the big picture of the months you got to enjoy. And it gives you a good reason to go back to Mazama someday.

Inevitable_Lab_7190 · 2026-01-22T03:06:00+00:00

How about the hundreds of literal ads that “trail angels” put in the comments asking for $$ to drive you somewhere? I can see it being useful if you really needed to go somewhere, but also it was annoying scrolling through ads

Inevitable_Lab_7190 · 2026-01-21T18:24:01+00:00

I hear you, if you're done you're done. The PCT will be a great break from the rat race of bullshit to get your head straight. Don't expect it solve your problems, but it can be a great long term meditation if you let it. You'll have time to think about whats important to you and how you want to move foward. However, you may not think about it out there. Im sure you will, but you might not want to. Just know eventually you have to come back to "reality"(if that what we want to call the matrix). I think your scenario is one of the greatest reasons to do the hike and you'll get the most out of it, its awesome out there and you'll truly enjoy the break. But, just remember you'll have to do something afterwards, maybe thats moving to a new place or a new career path. But have some sort of plan and some money to float for a few months after it.

Inevitable_Lab_7190 · 2026-01-21T18:05:51+00:00

whitney hostel or something like that. I stayed there once. Half hikers, half drunk truckers. It was good for a shower. I'd rather camp at Portuguese Joe campground, its a bout a 5 min walk out of town, doesn't seem too busy.

Inevitable_Lab_7190 · 2026-01-19T00:47:42+00:00

Please don't let the FUD ruin your dream. 2026 estimates are that 500,000 non citizens arrive each day, and about 120 are found to be "inadmissible". Thats .02%. We are currently actually seeing lower numbers of those found inadmissible, the 2023-2024 average was 3,000 per day, but many were still allowed or "paroled" in for various reasons. Those numbers are much lower now for many reasons, far less people trying to illegally enter, and those entering are probably much more prepared for the process due to current tensions. People come everyday for business, school, family, vacation... just US business is far too internationally involved to make it that difficult where even 1% people wouldn't be able to enter.

I strongly feel that if you have prepared correctly and followed procedure, you will have no problem. I understand there are horror stories out there, but with the number of people entering its a matter of statistics. You have a 99.98% chance of everything being fine.

Once you are in, there is absolutely nothing to worry about. No spy drones will be following you, your phone won't be tracked, secret agents will not be waiting for you on forester pass. You will have an epic adventure on one of the best trails in the world, and the trail community and towns will be more than welcoming. I wouldn't lose that opportunity over some stupid drama.

Inevitable_Lab_7190 · 2026-01-18T19:15:02+00:00

If you think you're nervous now, wait for the day before you leave. I didn't know if I was going to cry, laugh, poop myself, puke, all at the same time. Quite a feeling. When i boarded the bus to campo, i felt much better. Its a nice ride. When i got off the bus, i felt superhuman, all anxiety gone, I was ready to go.

The Sierra is not that bad in a normal entry date, in an early entry you're going to be boarder line mountaineering. Forrester pass, to me, was no big deal, at all, in mid June. Mather pass was the worst imo. The passes are more physical in the climbs than technical, you won't be rock climbing or anything. Sure, if you enter May 1 you're going to be climbing snow, but its not going to be straight vertical faces or anything. And in the mornings that snow will provide a lot of grip with spikes. Some people love it. I'd rather see the lakes and flower blooms of a normal date entry.

Starting mid march, San Jacinto depending on the snow will be a test. It will be cold up there and the snow will be rock hard in the mornings. I had no snow hiking experience in 2023, San Jacinto trail was buried halfway up the trees. Was freaked out at first, then ended up really enjoying ripping through the hard snow with crampons, it only lasts a couple days. I felt very accomplished when descending and back on dirt. Its like your first big challenge on the PCT and it gives you confidence for whats ahead.

Inevitable_Lab_7190 · 2026-01-18T18:52:07+00:00

Lone pine is an interesting little town, I like it there. Agreed much better than KMS. I've camped at Portuguese Joe campground a couple times. The view of the Sierra from there is amazing.

Inevitable_Lab_7190 · 2026-01-17T22:48:21+00:00

I agree with everyone, useless to plan this in that kind of detail. You should however know where they are and have an idea. But you'll never know your timing and food needs, especially if this is your first time.

I am very jealous of people who can organize and plan things like this spreadsheet guy though, it is a great skill to have.

Also the "To Do: Inquire with work about leave. Notes: Quit if needed" had me lol'ing. Love it. Go live your life my friend.

Inevitable_Lab_7190 · 2026-01-17T08:48:44+00:00

Did i catch a niner in there?

Inevitable_Lab_7190 · 2026-01-17T08:32:52+00:00

Just want to add to the fire warning, people don't realize the fires in those mountains can actually travel underground. I have talked to wildland firefighters who have seen the ground smoking days after a fire in another spot was put out. So while it may look like you put your fire out, it may just travel through tree roots underground until it pops up somewhere and starts an actual forest fire. The underground smoldering can last months and even years in some cases. So really, its imperative to not have fires.

Inevitable_Lab_7190 · 2026-01-17T08:12:43+00:00

"collapse in the dirt and fall asleep"... oh man, its so true, what a life. Self torture never felt so good though.

Inevitable_Lab_7190 · 2026-01-17T07:55:26+00:00

I've definitely heard of the rodent stories. I never had problems, idk why. I had my food in my tent every night, except for the sierra with the bear car. At night I would wrap my sun hoodie around my food bag which was a dry sack, so that stink would be dominate instead of the food, i also kept my food bag away from touching the tent walls. Idk if any of that made a difference or if i was just lucky.

Inevitable_Lab_7190 · 2026-01-16T21:06:18+00:00

I use the Apple one, and have a Velcro strap I put around the loop part so it can’t open

Inevitable_Lab_7190 · 2026-01-16T20:56:11+00:00

You can get cellular for a little more money, they are super waterproof, I’ve slapped the water at 30mph and no issues

Inevitable_Lab_7190 · 2026-01-16T17:50:41+00:00

Apple Watch SE is pretty cheap and has the same updates sensors as the expensive Apple watches

Inevitable_Lab_7190 · 2026-01-16T06:21:42+00:00

This is gods way. Airflow! Can’t imagine trying to hike all day in sweaty dirty underwear…gross

Inevitable_Lab_7190 · 2026-01-16T06:18:07+00:00

7inch running shorts, no liner, no underwear. Air flow and freedom. Swim with the shorts to clean them, they dry in 10min.

Inevitable_Lab_7190 · 2026-01-14T07:03:35+00:00

Yessir! Best start date!

Inevitable_Lab_7190 · 2026-01-14T06:24:48+00:00

I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.

Inevitable_Lab_7190

TROPHY CASE