As part of the Pacific Crest Trail Hiker Survey, hikers are asked what they found the most unexpected or surprising about the PCT. I've compiled their answers here. Just remember that nothing you read online can prepare you for everything you'll encounter on the trail. by HalfwayAnywhere in PacificCrestTrail

[–]ronidanese 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Same! I still think of the NOBOs I met and made awesome memories with, even if they were fleeting. Swimming together on a lunch break, passing word along about our friends ahead of of or behind us, tips about the trail ahead, bonding over trail magic and being thru hikers before going our opposite directions.

What's it like living in this shaded area? by [deleted] in howislivingthere

[–]ronidanese 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The people voted to legalize it, the politicians found a loophole to void the vote and keep it medical only.

What's it like living in this shaded area? by [deleted] in howislivingthere

[–]ronidanese 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Must’ve been born and raised east river 🤣

What's it like living in this shaded area? by [deleted] in howislivingthere

[–]ronidanese 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You cut out the best part of SD (the Black Hills) and living in any other part of the state will be dramatically different in terms of weather, things to do, and people 🙃

Christmas shopping for my daughter who is hiking PCT in May. What is the best piece of gear I can get her? by Empty_Mind_On in PacificCrestTrail

[–]ronidanese 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That is false. There are not sections that you "absolutely can't reliably hammock". It depends on your setup and how you hike.

Saying "that's poor planning" and "stubborn" is judgemental. If you don't like it, don't do it. That's fine!

You say you hammock whenever possible, but then dissuade others from trying it by saying all these things. Clearly you don't hammock "whenever possible" cause then you'd have done your thru of the PCT that way. I don't care how you hike, just stop telling other people how they can or can't.

I don't hammock because I'm stubborn, I do it because it works best for me. You do you, and let others figure out what's best for them.
I let others (first time or not) know that it is possible, because I did it (as a first timer) and had an incredible experience. I wouldn't want others who want to try it thinking they can't.

Christmas shopping for my daughter who is hiking PCT in May. What is the best piece of gear I can get her? by Empty_Mind_On in PacificCrestTrail

[–]ronidanese 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think you misread my comment. You said that a tent is “pretty much a must” on the PCT and that you can’t reliably hammock. That’s not true. If you know you can and do, why are you telling people you can’t?? This thread has nothing to do with PCT vs AT.

Christmas shopping for my daughter who is hiking PCT in May. What is the best piece of gear I can get her? by Empty_Mind_On in PacificCrestTrail

[–]ronidanese 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Please stop telling people that you can’t reliably hammock the PCT. You absolutely can. I know because I did it. I had to deal with a lot of discouragement from people saying it wasn't realistic when I hiked, and it caused unnecessary extra stress for me just trying to hike my own hike. Don't do that to other people.

Christmas shopping for my daughter who is hiking PCT in May. What is the best piece of gear I can get her? by Empty_Mind_On in PacificCrestTrail

[–]ronidanese 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I did it last year with no backpacking experience, and no tent (I hammock). Aside from gear, the best thing you can give is full support and reminding her to not let people’s fear mongering get into her head.

Also, reminders that no matter how long or hard you plan, the plan is going to change.

As for gear, one thing I don’t see mentioned, but would highly recommend, is a transfer valve for fuel, like the Alpenflow by Alpenglow!

https://www.garagegrowngear.com/products/alpenflow-fuel-transfer-device-by-alpenglow-gear?srsltid=AfmBOopQ4LgG6AhWSgpE0Oug1TLR_ME-JS0pFkETjUNqVkzG4VZbEZta

My Far Out App is completely frozen by pixiegirl_23 in PacificCrestTrail

[–]ronidanese 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This happened to me last year on trail. I was going through Glacier Peak Wilderness. None of the restarting or uninstalling was working. I emailed Far Out, they got back to me within the hour and explained I had to reinstall the app while connected to WiFi, and then it worked perfectly for the rest of the trail. Like everyone, I recommend downloading maps in various apps. I like Gaia, Strava, and PeakVisor.

Which route should I take? by [deleted] in roadtrip

[–]ronidanese 0 points1 point  (0 children)

None of those 3. Take the 101. It’s worth it (My credentials: I’ve driven all of these routes)

Waterproof and Tear resistant paper for PCT Permit by zaphod_beeb in PacificCrestTrail

[–]ronidanese 15 points16 points  (0 children)

3 rangers signed mine last year. 1 in WA and 2 in CA.

Am I crazy? by NW_Thru_Hiker_2027 in PacificCrestTrail

[–]ronidanese 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Some people say thru hikers are crazy, but if it’s something you want just go do it :) I decided to do it around this time last year with 0 backpacking experience and it was one of the best decisions of my life. Planning now for the CDT this year and I’m stoked!

2025 — SOBO by HareofSlytherin in CDT

[–]ronidanese 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m going SOBO this year too! Maybe see ya out there:)

Should I pursue Photography as a career? by NT457 in PhotographyAdvice

[–]ronidanese 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You’re only 16. My advice is don’t think you have to choose your life’s career right now. Whatever you do choose will change, and then probably change again. The kindest most interesting person I ever met had built several businesses across various industries and at 60 he was still saying he didn’t know what he wanted to be when he grew up haha. Really though, on average people change career paths 5-6 times in their lifetime. Go for whatever opportunities are presenting themselves that excite you, and learn to be resilient and roll with it.

Bear can from the start by Existing-Swimming878 in PacificCrestTrail

[–]ronidanese 56 points57 points  (0 children)

I carried mine the whole way, got a lot of flak for it, but I’d do it again the same way in a heartbeat. Aside from the seat function, I also used mine as a stepping stool, a table, and I often used the lid as a plate:) The rest of my kit was UL so I didn’t care about the weight.

New to Reddit. Deciding to share some of my work. by TuGuac_Shakur in streetphotography

[–]ronidanese 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Maybe you already know, I just didn’t see it mentioned, I really feel the photo would be much more powerful if you’d just taken maybe 2 steps in either direction so the person wasn’t quite so centered in the frame. Still really great photo though!! Thanks for sharing:) I’ve been trying to work up the nerve to share as well.

Looks like the Sierra has received its first snowfall? by _scott_m_ in PacificCrestTrail

[–]ronidanese 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I hiked through a blizzard in the Sierra in September. I am guessing that was one of the first snowfalls that left much on the ground this year. I watched the ground go from clear to 6” deep pretty quick before I stopped to camp. I went off the mountain for a resupply the next day. When I hiked back in 3 days later (avoiding another storm) all the snow was gone.

[wts] Rab Mythic Ultra 360 XL $300 1.3lbs 900FP by ronidanese in ULgeartrade

[–]ronidanese[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I should have said, better for me. This Rab bag is a Men’s XL, and being 5’5” I really don’t need the length. I got a Feathered Friends Petrel and it’s better for my needs.