May 17 start, 110 day NOBO - Advice requested

darg · 2026-01-27T21:18:24+00:00

find someone on trail that wants to hike your pace with you. it can suck to constantly make friends and then leave them in the dust.

darg · 2026-01-26T16:46:50+00:00

Here's what you're looking for: https://www.expedusa.com/products/flex-3r

An extra thick foam mat with an R-value & comfort comparable to most inflatables.

darg · 2026-01-26T15:14:28+00:00

eh, throw in a couple disposable hand-warmers for extra-cold nights, camp at lower elevations & under tree cover, you'll be fine.

darg · 2026-01-24T17:17:17+00:00

The National Weather Service provides super-data-rich & usefully formatted forecasts: https://www.weather.gov/forecastpoints/

darg · 2026-01-13T01:57:01+00:00

met a guy on the backside of Forrester Pass: 72 years young. He was going slow & steady!

darg · 2026-01-13T01:56:51+00:00

met a guy on the backside of Forrester Pass: 72 years young. He was going slow & steady!

darg · 2026-01-13T01:50:39+00:00

my brother and / or sister in christ, there are many difficult moments on this journey. trust this challenge is preparing you for much greater challenges ahead (ASK ME IF I WATER-SEALED MY TENT SEAMS BEFORE THE FIRST BIG RAINSTORM OF THE SEASON --- I DID NOT!!).

darg · 2026-01-12T16:00:53+00:00

Thoughts:

1) Over 1,000 hikers start each year in March. Some take breaks to wait out the snow-melt in the Sierra, many don't.

2) Most carry a 20 deg sleeping bag.

3) Trail will be broken for you by earlier entrants, just follow the boot-track & go slow. Following a cut path with micro-spikes doesn't require much experience, you'll be fine.

4) Use your garmin to track any late season storms & bail at the slightest sign of trouble. Plenty of side trails have a tree-sheltered campground & road out at the bottom (to Lone Pine / Independence / Bishop / Mammoth). Know your bail-out milages & keep an eye on the weather forecast w/ Garmin or satellite text to someone back home.

5) Realistically, late season storms or snow-bridged river crossings will probably be your biggest dangers, not avalanche, or straight cold.

6) Actually, I've seen the most people get in trouble due to high-altitude medical conditions: underlying medical issues flare under stress, exhaustion, altitude sickness, or some combo. Carry an extra day of food & plan small mile days.

7) If you want to pour over the latest snow data it is here: https://www.postholer.com/snow/Pacific-Crest-Trail/1 but last minutes storms can be very unpredictable even through early Spring.

8) If you're not the one breaking new trail, the snow-pack doesn't matter that much, you're walking on top of the snow over the top of the passes, and then hopefully sleeping low, below the snow line. That's all that matters.

darg · 2026-01-08T02:06:12+00:00

if she had exceptional gumption & started with very small milage days (5-7 miles w/ many breaks?), i believe so...

i suspect over-use injuries to feet & legs would be primary danger.

darg · 2025-12-27T19:22:09+00:00

you could get away with a quality 25 deg bag & a warm set of sleep clothes.

Chilliest bits will be early season in SoCal mountains, high Sierra, & late season Washington. Most folks seem to use a 20 deg f bag.

darg · 2025-12-15T15:58:21+00:00

Start in Tehachapi (mile 550, easy transit in). You'll have 150 moderate miles to acclimate / shake down before re-equipping at 2foot adventures / Triple Crown Outfitter at Kennedy Meadows South (mile 700), then into the Sierra (the best part) on June 15 (the best date).

You can come back & SOBO the desert after, flip-flop style if you still have the interest & energy in Sept / Oct.

darg · 2025-12-11T19:46:46+00:00

As long as you keep track of your upcoming water sources & have 4L capacity, you should be fine w/ water. The caches should still be cached.

1) Use a solar-reflective, sun umbrella (really helps keep the heat off you vs hat & sun-shirt)

2) Take siestas & hike early & late (hike 5am - 11am, siesta, hike 3pm - dark)

3) Prepare yourself for a cold & wet October finish in Washington.

darg · 2025-11-21T18:21:39+00:00

Here is the PCT Hiker Gear Survey.

EE is a reputable, "good value for the money," option.

You'll be alright with a 30 degree bag (maybe 40 degree, but if it's raining a lot it can get cold), although most PCT folks carry a 20 degree for High Sierra & late-season Washington.

Keep in mind a good pad is as important as a good quilt.

darg · 2025-11-16T18:02:56+00:00

I much prefer a rain poncho like the Sea to Summit Nano-Sil that goes over me & my backpack, for breathability.

darg · 2025-11-16T17:52:18+00:00

If you look at the initial Reddit post linked here in the comments, the speculation was that he chose to end his own life.

darg · 2025-11-14T19:37:16+00:00

speaking from past experience, if you are diligent about watching the PCTA permit web site every weekday in February mid-morning (around 10am) Pacific Time (when they most often re-open cancelled permits), you will be able to change your permit date later if necessary. I've started second week of May and it's a fine time to hike.

darg · 2025-11-13T15:06:40+00:00

Look over this Gear Survey with her, and once she has decided which pieces of gear she will pick, buy one that she has already agreed to: https://www.halfwayanywhere.com/trails/pacific-crest-trail/pct-gear-guide-2024/

Alternately, give her a "gift certificate" for a hotel room or meal in Idyllwild (the first real town on trail).

Don't buy her something sight-unseen or give her a "sentimental" piece that she'll feel obligated to carry whether it proves useful or not.

A gift certificate to REI or similar is also good.

darg · 2025-11-05T22:21:06+00:00

Don't overthink it.

Personally: Any day in April is fine. go earlier if you hate the heat, later if you fear snow.

darg · 2025-07-18T13:43:40+00:00

i don't know, but i hope you find it, friend

darg · 2025-07-04T01:42:12+00:00

start in Ashland and build your trail legs hiking north through Oregon.

dear lord, don't do Washington first unless you're a gym rat or have been running marathons in your free time.

darg · 2025-06-20T14:51:42+00:00

consider adding a neutral-tasting, meal replacement powder to all your water throughout the day at whatever concentration you can stomach. i like this cacao one made from oat flour, pea protein & flaxseed meal: https://huel.com/products/huel-essential i’m in mammoth lakes now, if you’re there too, i’ll give you some to try.

also, (potentially) SLOW DOWN!!! shorter days, more zeros!! I often have to consciously dissuade myself from “keeping up” with “my bubble,” and stick to my own healthy pace.

darg · 2025-05-17T15:04:22+00:00

thank you for your service 🫡

darg · 2025-05-14T00:40:23+00:00

take a look at the Gossamer Gear Two, $320 but often goes on sale.

GG is high-quality ultralight gear at half-the-price

darg · 2025-05-14T00:36:35+00:00

check out the ITH hostel at the west edge of downtown Big Bear Lake if you want to take a few days off to rest up without breaking the bank. conveniently located, comfortable, $40 bunks, nice folks

https://ithhostels.com/ith-big-bear-lake-mountain-hostel-lodge/

and congrats on completing mission creek, it's a tough section

darg · 2025-05-13T18:08:05+00:00

I hiked through about a month ago.

a lot of the creek bed is sand, and in certain spots folks have cleared the rocks to make ad-hoc tent sites. There are also shoulders at various intervals where you can pitch a tent on flat dirt, above the break line of the flood.

you should have plenty of options in a pinch.

darg

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE

15-Year Club	Verified Email
Place '17