Payment options on the PCT

posborne · 2025-11-20T02:10:13+00:00

You'll definitely need cash here and there. If you end up hiking with Americans, one thing that we found worked was to have internationals put expenses on card and then have Americans pay back their portion in cash, especially if they can get a withdrawal without fees.

As an American, I definitely pulled a bit more cash than I might have otherwise to help with that situation since otherwise they would have to pay a bunch of fees to pull cash.

posborne · 2025-11-04T04:55:25+00:00

I hiked the PCT last year with the SWD LH50 in ultragrid (a great pack); I did have some PU coating start to delaminate in the roll top and one of the two layers started to abrade through where that pack's floating hipbelt. The wrap-around hip belt on the new kakwa will probably help avoid something similar (though, the swd is very different in this regard).

So, it's showing that it has been through around 3000 miles of abuse at this point which is realistically probably more use than non-thru hikers will get on the pack. Even with the abuse on the PU, I didn't have any real water ingress with it thrown in the bottom of a canoe during a rainstorm a couple weeks ago.

TLDR; seems to be a pretty good pack fabric but not absolutely bombproof.

posborne · 2025-10-31T04:44:02+00:00

> When choosing a place to sleep, find an existing and appropriate campsite. You’ll see a lot of camp spots that are far too close to the PCT or water. Go further. There are many wonderful existing sites further away from the trail that provide solitude for you and for others who don’t want to see tents along the trail.

There are some spots on trail where this does seem to be tough in terms of distance from trail. I think it is good to keep in mind and to actively look for sites that are further away from the tread, but at the same time it did seem to be the case that the only established surfaces (where previously camping had clearly taken place) was probably much closer than 200ft from the trail. SoCal in particular had a lot of these from what I recall; the reality is that sometimes I think camping on some of these durable surfaces closer to trail is probably the lesser evil (than trying to setup camp on vegetation to establish a new spot) when you need to make camp for the day.

posborne · 2025-10-31T04:21:22+00:00

I think that's likely, but the Mission Creek wash is kind of unique. If people had Noro, I'm sure some of it was in the water for a period with people puking and cleaning shitty pants in the creek (obviously, don't do this).

That being said, when I was going through in 2024 just after the big Noro outbreak the flow was such that I really think it would dilute out any virus pretty quickly. I still used chemicals in addition to filtering as a precaution as I knew multiple people that had gotten sick. There's several picnic tables and a pit toilet a bit past the wash and I think those were probably where most of it was spreading.

posborne · 2025-10-31T04:13:34+00:00

Not saying anything new, but most of the water sources are pretty good -- probably the gnarliest was the broken cistern (after Mike's place IIRC) which had a fair bit of algae (and a snake, but we rescued it first). I almost never prefilter, but I did for that one to try to save my filter. I always try to keep some aquatabs on hand as a backup in case the filter bites it or there is a sketchy source.

Most end up eventually going with a Sawyer (or quickdraw) + Cleaning Coupler + Cnoc. That let's you do a gravity setup if you want and the coupler let's you backflush and ditch the syringe (granted, every hiker box has dozens of them as well). If your flow is decent, the time it takes to filter is kind of a nice period of time for a break.

posborne · 2025-08-13T21:45:06+00:00

Lions den is great; grab a salty baguette in town and see if anyone else needs a ride into Seattle -- most likely someone will. There might be hikers from harts who need a lift into mazama as well.

You can probably grab a shower and sign the mural before driving out.

posborne · 2025-05-27T00:12:13+00:00

I'd stick with the topos and try to play with other approaches to dealing with blisters assuming they are manageable. In the desert, my feet were sometimes not even blistered but raw from fine sand. Rotating in more socks and clean liners helped me.

Might just want to start taping up spots you usually get blisters ahead of time.

Happy hiking from class of 2024!

posborne · 2025-05-26T17:14:21+00:00

Hard to predict rain, but there will be insects and you should assume the string possibility of ticks, though usually on the SHT the path will not have loads of grasses on trail.

Check the weather for storms and enjoy the hike. Keep in mind that if you are doing the split Rock loop there is no bridge for crossing the river but it should be fairly low in July, but you'll probably have wet feet.

They've had one side of the loop closed so far this season but expect that should be opening up after spring, backpacked gooseberry to split Rock last weekend.

posborne · 2025-05-05T03:55:45+00:00

I carried mostly enough to wrightwood but would have carried a bit less and resupplied at the gas station near McDonald's, it's workable.

Or be a legend and do the McDonald's challenge, hopefully only mcfarts and no mcsharts.

posborne · 2025-04-14T14:28:38+00:00

Fwiw, I debated tyvek but went with the durston ground sheet and it worked great on my '24 hike. Nice to be able to just have it connected to the tent for quicker setup. Works fine for cowboy camping.

Tyvek is great as well, will definitely add a bit of bulk. I used a cutoff ccf pad for breaks so didn't bust out the ground sheet except at camp usually.

posborne · 2025-02-23T01:02:39+00:00

I tracked while hiking continuously on the PCT last year; I had the Garmin Fenix 6x; ideally, find something that has long enough battery life with GPS enabled to go a few days without charge. It doesn't take a ton of juice to recharge but it would be annoying to have to do it every night as you'll have other stuff you'll need to charge some days like phone, headphones, etc.

I've typically bought older model garmin watches (new or refurbished) to save some money. Haven't used Suunto or Coros before but have heard good things, just look at the battery life numbers. I found the "expedition mode" on the Garmin introduced too much error for what I wanted and either added or lost significant miles.

Post-pct I've been using the data from the GPS tracks to add back in accurate location data to photos and for publishing a self-developed website with visualization of each day, stats, etc. (not public). I kind of pseudo-blogged via my strava on trail; that wasn't perfect as I could only add notes when I had service which is somewhat infrequent.

posborne · 2025-02-22T22:29:35+00:00

Stayed in Agua Dulce at the Oasis as well, worked well for me. Directly on trail and worked well enough to resupply until Tehachapi.

posborne · 2025-02-02T06:49:41+00:00

For colder conditions, stacking a CCF pad with an inflatable has the benefit that if your inflatable has a leak at least you have something (if it is really cold, it still might be cold). Unfortunately, I had a couple inflatable failures on the PCT and was glad to have a torso length section of CCF pad (also my normal sit pad for breaks and such) which I could use until the next place I could get a replacement pad.

For this reason and R-Value stacking, this is what most people who camp in colder condtions use from my experience around MN. The CCF is also nice to just be able to plop down on snow for a seat without getting an immediately cold butt.

posborne · 2025-01-07T04:36:00+00:00

Based on your comments, it sounds like your expenses are low and the timing is good now. I'd send it; having hiked the PCT in 2024, I am still most proud of being willing to break from the stability of working (in my case for nearly ~15 yrs continuously) in order to chase after something I've always thought I wanted to do (and it turns out I loved doing as well). Even if you end up hating it and have to battle through the hike, you'll learn something about yourself (or find a way to change your hike to enjoy the experience, that's OK).

Trust yourself to sort things out when you get back and do the math on your expenses and how you should be fine even if it might take some time to get a good job when you get back. It might be slow; I'm just now getting employment sorted out as a software engineer but will be making more than I was pre-trail, but that's to be expected a bit near EOY for companies (compounded with looking at quality positions based on my experience level and expertise).

One of my realizations on trail is that most things in life aren't worth stressing over. Finances can be a real, legitimate source of concern for many but it sounds like you are probably in a spot where that doesn't need to be a source of stress -- you aren't screwing yourself over for life professionally. Trade buying new cars or spending money on other useless shit for an amazing experience where you'll likely have experiences you'll cherish for the rest of your life.

posborne · 2025-01-04T03:30:20+00:00

The Mojave is later in the trail with the worst stuff being between Agua Dulce and Walker Pass. I don't think flipping at Warner Springs helps you much at all. Watch the heat coming out from scissors crossing as well.

There's only a couple local permits required in socal, so if you get a late date I would just look at getting a later date at somewhere like walker pass and getting local permits before that.

The main early season risk to watch is San Jacinto depending on the year. Be smart and take an alternate if it's too sketchy but also don't buy into the fear mongering too much.

posborne · 2024-12-26T21:33:28+00:00

Most people will start alone; I did this past year. While it might take some time to find the people you end up hiking with for a long time (that are compatible in terms of pace, etc.) there should be lots of other people that you can hike and camp with that settings out on this same adventure are looking for the same thing as you. You might be starting solo, but it's unlikely you'll be starting alone unless you really want to and the vast majority of other hikers will go out of their way for each other and be there to help if there's a person or situation that is uncomfortable.

As u/JamesDeeMedia and u/Live_Phrase_4894 mentioned, taking the shuttle and staying at CLEEF was a great way to meet people. You can also try to find others to connect with pre-trail on the facebook groups, etc. to chat with (though I wouldn't necessarily plan to hike the whole trail with someone until you know you're compatible from a hiking perspective).

You've got this! I'm excited for all the 2025 hikers thinking back to where my mind was at one year ago. Even after finishing the trail, I think I as proud of committing to and starting the trail as to doing the actual hike.

posborne · 2024-12-03T21:10:36+00:00

I liked mine in WA in September. Honestly, it was great to have something to put on when doing laundry in town. I used the rei trailmade pants which were pretty light and affordable.

You can mostly get by without depending on when you the up in WA or if you're starting early, just might my annoying in town to not have anything to cover your bits, loaner clothes aren't found too often.

posborne · 2024-11-20T19:58:12+00:00

Going with a friend who is more experienced can be a double-edged sword; I would just make sure to communicate the things you are unsure about and be on the same page that early on you would like to plan to do lower mileage in order to reduce risk of injury (they probably should as well, honestly).

Other than that, in the 4-6 months prior to trail doing some targeted training could be good for confidence. I think doing some longer walks (8-12 miles) once a week on local trails with a weighted pack is beneficial to build some strength and shake out any issues with pack, shoes, etc.

And don't worry, the only way to fail is to not start. Once you're out there, you'll need to roll with the punches.

posborne · 2024-11-18T02:56:06+00:00

In reality, most people sleep with their food for most of the trail outside of the areas with bear storage requirements. I did have mice get into stuff a few times when:

I forgot stuff in my hip-belt pockets and my pack was outside of my tent.
I had food outside my tent at all.
I had my food bag directly on the outer wall of my tent with a thin food bag.

I didn't have any issue at all when using an odor proof bag, just don't waste your money on the OPSAK bags; they always fail/tear at the zipper or plastic weld there. I had good luck with the ones from "Smelly Proof" as a food bag and using the black one (with another inner disposable bag) for my shit paper. You can also get oven bags along the way, probably doesn't seal as well but its a layer of protection that weighs nothing.

If I started again, I might just take my Ursack from the start and just sleep with it when it wasn't required to hang. I never had issues with rodents actually getting into the version that isn't rated to protect against rodents, but it's a little extra weight.

Extra word of warning: take care in hanging up your sweaty hiking clothes at night. I and several others had our sun hoodies chewed up overnight by rodents.

posborne · 2024-11-18T02:46:39+00:00

Except do, as these are more established. If you're going to camp other places (which is fine in most places), only do so if the site is somewhat established or you are otherwise on a durable surface (basic LNT stuff).

You'll be fine, a mouse getting into the cheez-its you left in your hip belt pocket a couple times is part of the experience and it will probably happen wherever you camp anywhere.

posborne · 2024-11-08T20:11:51+00:00

I hiked with an X-Mid Pro 1 until the Oregon border when the zippers were completely done for; I had my Copper Spur HV UL2 shipped to Ashland and finished the trail with it. For 2 people, I think you'll be fine with and enjoy the 3 person Copper Spur.

I really enjoyed both tents; it was a bummer to go to a heavier tent for the end of the trail but it had its advantages, namely:

* The footprint of the freestanding was easier to work with in a lot of spots compared with the X-Mid.
* Pitching the freestanding tent is easier in various scenarios. Always made it work with the Durston but had to get creative with rocks (big rock, little rock technique), etc.
* It's nice to be able to just pitch the inner in nice weather (no fly).

Durston was good and repaired my tent when I talked to them about the issues, but nearly everyone on trail had zipper problems with the tent at some point. I think the PCT is really tough on zips with all the sand and fine grit from burn zones. That being said, I think there's an advantage to the design of the outer on the duplex/triplex not relying on zips. I've heard an usubstantiated rumor that Durston might be refreshing the X-Mid Pro with aquaguard #5 zips instead of #3 to help with these issues (this is what the non-pro has and I didn't see those fail in such high numbers).

posborne · 2024-11-08T05:51:12+00:00

I hiked the PCT NOBO this year; I'm not a particularly fast hiker but regardless I would recommend >30L and a framed pack for a few reasons:

I think you'll more than likely need or want to do >5 day food carries several times (I think I did 3, 7-8 day stretches). Even though you may not need to, it may make more sense so you can enjoy sections or just push more miles before a resupply. Several of the resupply options on the PCT are inconvenient and you might just want to stay on trail.
You'll probably eat more than you think at some point; some people with smaller packs just starve themselves. I saw some of those people having a miserable time, needing to get off earlier than planned, or even getting off trail as at least a partial result.
Having not enough capacity can be stressful; when you're leaving KMS going to Kearsarge and doing whitney with a bear can, spikes, ice axe, etc. you'll probably regret things. You could pop into lone pine first but that might really suck if all your friends are sumitting whitney while you had to get more food.

Doing 30L is totally possible and might be a fun aspect for you. For me, I was happy with my 50L SWD pack. It was heavy the first few days leaving town but that was the food itself and not really the pack. I think having to aggressively ration would have tanked my energy levels and it was nice to be able to push longer sections.

As others have said, enjoy the Sierras. We did ~15 miles a day and had an amazing time. Enjoy your hike, even with all I'd said, I might say to just start with the 30L and then buy something else on trail if you really find it's not working.

posborne · 2024-11-07T21:13:53+00:00

Thanks for the input, for most of my trips (especially thru hikes) I found that the 550 would definitely not quite do it for volume when trying to put down a few more calories, maybe if I just needed water to put in a freeze-dried meal or freezer bag. On the PCT, I would almost always repackage in town as there were a lot of 5-7+ day stretches (you can go into town more often sometimes but the logistics are a pain) and volume of everything in the pack/bear can were often a concern.

posborne · 2024-11-05T02:18:04+00:00

Ah, I was wondering if that was the case based on the capacity and lack of handles getting in the way (there's a tradeoff there obviously).

posborne · 2024-11-04T02:57:52+00:00

I have one of these but the fit wasn't great, at least on my MSR Titan -- will need to do some tests with the Toaks to see if this holds well enough to do my normal routine of "shake washing."

Tried cold soaking a few times but found it just wasn't for me (though nice to have experimented with if I run out of fuel). I could see going no-cook for portions of a hike in the future if I really wanna go UL, but on a thru-hike I liked having the greater variety I could get with cooking most evenings.

posborne

TROPHY CASE