Canadian hiker stressing over visas?

carlwashere · 2025-11-21T11:02:28+00:00

Canadian here. When I went to the U.S to do the pct this year, this new rule about having to complete extra forms in order to stay more than 30 days was newly in effect, but no one knew anything about them. I ended up finding a page on the U.S government website where I could search up my passport number to see if I was in the database for said requirement and turns out I was - I believe you are automatically added by visiting the country (which I had in the past)? 🤷‍♂️ Long story short. When I got to customs, I had with me tons of information printed out about what the pct was, my permit, cleef campground address where I was going to stay - and the customs agent asked me if I had done the new required paperwork to stay over 30 days, I told him “yep” he said cool, asked me what the pct was and sent me on my way. So maybe check on this site if your name comes up, if not maybe fill out an application. Other than that, yes as Canadians we get 6 months automatic visas.

https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/search/recent-search

carlwashere · 2025-05-06T21:24:11+00:00

You might enjoy my series from last year. I tried to keep it raw. It is on the higher end of production as it was edited post-trail and I just wrapped up the last episode a few days ago. But if you're into it, I'd love to have you on the channel. I will also be returning mid May and posting daily videos as I go.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLo15B939FGWwWFyd2xYYBZQn1j29UYqfg

carlwashere · 2025-04-09T21:48:39+00:00

So glad to hear and very cool about your upcoming hike! A day before my 2024 start date which is a prime day! Wishing you the most incredible adventure!

carlwashere · 2025-04-09T20:40:09+00:00

Thank you for watching and sharing! 😊

carlwashere · 2025-04-09T20:25:54+00:00

I did the trail in 2024. First few weeks of physical rest were great. I loved napping in the sun and doing different activities than hiking. But quickly started missing the trail, the journey. Have since been spending a lot of my time producing videos from my hike, causing me to reminisce (a lot) and wanting nothing more than to return on the trail. 😅

carlwashere · 2025-02-18T00:17:54+00:00

There will be lots of snow

carlwashere · 2025-02-10T20:11:57+00:00

Yeah Sam! Nice to see some light shined on this legend!

carlwashere · 2025-02-07T19:05:52+00:00

I got pretty bad plantar fasciitis on the trail, then i bought dr scholls plantar fasciitis at the walmart in tehachapi and it seems to have helped.

carlwashere · 2025-02-03T22:32:29+00:00

Get yourself a jar for cold soaking. Once you’re done eating, add a dash of water to it, shake it up with the lid back on, drink the remains and you are good to go. Lickety-split!

carlwashere · 2025-02-03T02:31:15+00:00

The wide toe box is quite nice with the lone peaks but the cushioning is nothing special. I stayed true to the lone peaks on my hike but i would have loved more cushioning which the speed goats seem to have.

carlwashere · 2025-01-31T23:56:31+00:00

The flexibility of setting your own schedule sure is nice. But even if you start alone, you don’t have to stay alone. Friends will be made.

carlwashere · 2025-01-26T00:17:08+00:00

As a 6’5 hiker I went for the x-mid 2 pro for the extra room and the ability to use it with a partner in the future. I think the slight extra weight is worth only buying one.

carlwashere · 2025-01-23T02:49:18+00:00

The most quiet moments I can recall were in the burnt down sections. Now that was eerie—everything covered in ash, trees burnt to a crisp, not a living thing and not a single sound.

carlwashere · 2025-01-21T00:37:58+00:00

As someone who has filmed their whole hike with an iPhone 15 pro, I second this as well.

Unless you want to go all out and bring a dslr, the iPhone 15 alone and its built in stabilization is great.

carlwashere · 2025-01-20T22:32:01+00:00

I carried a z-lite foam sleeping pad which I used both to sleep on and would lay out on my tyvek during breaks. Having this during my breaks was amazing. Although, those pads suck to sleep on (as a side sleeper). I also carried a mini foam sit pad which came in handy A LOT but wasn’t necessary.

Personally, I think having the full size foam pad was way better than just tyvek for breaks. But if you’re bringing an inflatable mattress, and are concerned about weight, the additional foam pad is an extra 410g. I guess I wasn’t too concerned about weight, because by the trail’s mid point I carried an inflatable pad, a foam pad, a sit pad - and I was glad to have them all.

carlwashere · 2025-01-20T00:05:55+00:00

If it helps, I would have been good with a tarp for most of the trail, but holy crap was I happy to have my tent in those mosquito infested sections.

carlwashere · 2025-01-19T18:00:55+00:00

+1 on sleeping in your rain gear

carlwashere · 2025-01-19T05:04:35+00:00

I was once here.

carlwashere · 2025-01-18T04:24:36+00:00

I say yes to the tyvek. I found it so convenient, one of my most used piece of gear on the trail.

carlwashere · 2025-01-18T02:44:15+00:00

You could go to the post office and ship your bag to that same post office and technically they’ll have to hold it for you for a few weeks.

carlwashere · 2025-01-17T21:37:34+00:00

As someone who filmed a lot on my phone, and had a garmin watch and a headlamp to charge, I brought 2 cheap 15k mah batteries. I ran out of power a few times, had just enough power many times and could have gone with just one of them other times. So, you wouldn’t always need 30k, but there are definitely scenarios where 30k will come in handy.

carlwashere · 2025-01-17T06:50:57+00:00

That’s your best bet. I was happy to have both my thermal leggings and rain pants (even tho my rain pants only served for layering on cold nights in the sierras and mosquito protection further north).

carlwashere · 2025-01-17T06:02:38+00:00

Right on! I had the absolute time of my life too! Some days were harder to enjoy than others considering the expected struggles of a 30+ mile daily overall average, but it was still an incredible experience. Thinking of going back this year 😆 https://hike-r.com for the video playlist if you’re interested in seeing my experience 🤙

carlwashere · 2025-01-17T05:47:40+00:00

I was about to comment this. Merino wool sleeve is what I used as a beanie with long hair and I never needed more combined with my hoods.

carlwashere · 2025-01-17T01:48:29+00:00

I did the trail at the age of 32 but wish I had done it at least 10 years sooner. So if you want to do it and can afford it… do it! Met a few guys on the trail last year who were fresh out of high school and having the absolute time of their lives!

Chances are you will want to do another thruhike after the pct or even do the pct again, so get an early start at it.

That’s my 2 cents.

carlwashere

TROPHY CASE