100 Tips to Thru Hike the Pacific Crest Trail
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 27 มิ.ย. 2024
- One hundred quick tips to be successful in thru hiking the PCT! One hundred tips I wish I had when I was first attempting this trail, I hope they help! The Pacific Crest Trail is 2,653 miles long. Stretching and starting north from the Mexico border just east of San Diego California, up through the Mojave Desert, the high elevation of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, and into the volcanic studded landscape of Northern California. All the way through Oregon with its many lakes and mosquitoes, and into Washingtons jagged and remote North Cascades mountain ranges. Finally terminating at the Canadian border. It is not an easy hike and it is certainly not a short hike, taking people on average 5 months to do, and only 1 in 4 who attempt it are successful.
I hiked the Pacific Crest Trail from Mexico to Canada in 2022, but have also logged more than 11,000 miles on other thru hikes around the US, including the Appalachian Trail, and many others. These tips are PCT specific, but also come from my nearly 10 years of thru hiking experience.
I think a lot of the information here could be very beneficial to those attempting the hike, so please feel free to share this video! I had attempted this trail once before, in 2018 and was not successful. This video will help anyone to avoid many of the problems that eventually made me quit.
100 Tips For An Ultralight Backpack Video: • 100 Tips For An Ultral...
Gear mentioned in this video:
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Trekking Poles: amzn.to/3X5rPax
Gaiters: dirtygirlgaiters.com/
Ground Sheet: amzn.to/3DZmeMD
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Bear Canister (BV500): amzn.to/3l1wnSa
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Sun Hat (big): amzn.to/3wPZiez
Sun Hat (small): amzn.to/3X1v5UH
Sun Shirt (mens): amzn.to/3Rvhunt
Sun Shirt (womens): amzn.to/3RsKThS
Battery Bank (20k): amzn.to/3Yg5Dvy
Battery Bank (10k): amzn.to/3jq7wa7
MY PCT GEAR LIST (Weights, names, links)
jupiterhikes.com/gear/
Stats from my PCT Thru Hike
jupiterhikes.com/2022/10/17/p...
0:00 - Intro
0:42 - Pre Trail
2:22 - Gear
4:33 - General
8:37 - Desert
9:50 - Sierra
11:30 - NorCal
12:50 - Oregon
14:33 - Washington
15:29 - Post Trail
Goodluck out there! Above all else, have fun! This may be a once in a lifetime experience, take it all in and enjoy.
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- save money! My hike cost 6,000, and on average people spend 9,000
- walk more in daily life, and go hiking more frequently to get in shape and get familiar with your shoes
- train with your full pack to know how it feels, then use that as motivation to lighten it
- If you want to go slow start early, if you want to go fast start late. This strategy is helpful to avoid fire season
- you don't need to send any boxes; maybe Kennedy Meadows, anything else you can figure out from the trail
- download the farout app, it will be your primary navigation source
- dial in gear before you go by taking a lot of short overnight trips near home
- you want a base pack weight under 15lbs, or 6.8kg
- Replace shoes & socks every 500-600 miles
- most people will want a 20*f or -6*c quilt
- most people will want a tent
- wear gaiters to keep desert dust and rocks out of your shoes
- bring a ground sheet for cowboy camping, it saves time and effort
- Carry a personal locator beacon, you may not use it but it could literally save your life
- Carry a trowel, and use it
- Keep it easy! Your easy will get faster
- Leave no trace, look up the seven principles and follow them
- Don't be afraid to start alone, new friends to be made are everywhere
- On average this hike takes people 5 months to complete
- Lower your expectations, sometimes this experience sucks
- Listen to your food cravings, they may be telling you something
- Don't get lost in the elevation profile, just hike and you will get there!
- take more zeros early on to let your body ease in
- don't chase hikers faster than you, this is a quick way to get hurt
- start with 6L of water or more thru the desert
- don't camp near water, it will be colder and more bugs will be there
- climb Mt Whitney, the highest point in the southern US
- late summer and early fall is fire season, beware of your timing
- go to pct days, in cascade locks Oregon
- take Washington slower, it's hard
- mid September it can start snowing, again beware of your timing
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There are many ways to hike the PCT and there is no _best_ way. The important part is just getting out there. So these are just my tips to hopefully make your life better out on trail, but no matter how you do it you'll have an amazing time. On a budget, very fast, no training, whatever it may be... have fun! If you thought this video is helpful, feel free to share it!
the picture tip about taking more everyday pics is the best tip!
Congrats on a new tent!
Tip: take a photo of every camp spot you stay at with your phone. This way you’ll have memories of every place you slept AND they’ll be geo tagged automatically.
It's totally ok to just cry. Completely normal, and invigorating.
One good tip to save money: Take advantage of Dollar General stores. They have food that is good enough quality (especially for hiker trash, like us), and is a really cheap source of supplemental food. I got a weeks worth of resupply for around 25$.
Also take advantage of Grocery Outlet for trail foods to genuinely enjoy.
Most importantly, eat ACTUAL food when you get in town. Not only will you enjoy it, but your body as well.
- Don't cross streams barefoot to keep shoes dry. You're more likely to slip and injure your feet which are the most important part of your hike.
- Don't be a purist, you'll just end up disappointed in yourself and others.
- Cowboy camp at least one time.
- Don't be afraid of not getting a hitch, you almost certainly will.
- Always stay in the hostel over a hotel.
- Take more photos, especially of people.
~ Late Start (SOBO 2022)
great advice!!!
What does "Sobo" stand for?
@@johnnyb33good21SOBO (SOuth BOund) as opposed to (NOBO) NOrth BOund. These are acronyms for the two possible directions of travel on the PCT, AT and CDT.
@@theomnipresent1 thank you for helping out a noob
Pro tip: Spend three full days in ONE beautiful location of your choosing; watch the light change on the rocks throughout the day, wander off trail, drink from the spring, frolic in the meadows and ponds, sink into the Present Moment experience, discover little waterfalls and flowers, let the deer approach you, and remember that THIS is the experience you signed up for....
awesome tip
@@allansoares9153 Thank you
Another awesome video. Much of the “general advice” would apply to a new job, marriage, life in general. Jupiter videos are “ultralight”… no bs, no filler, no wasted words, images or video. Everything has a meaning and place. Such great content.
Jupiter another great video. Only advice that I would add is don’t fear going on this adventure because of your age. You might not be able to do it in one season but you can do it over time.
Amen!
Or your weight! check out Second Chance Hiker 👍
@@TRUEiMPROrecords Who never finished it.
@@TRUEiMPROrecords Weight is something that you can change age isn't. Spend a year training and losing weight and then start the PCT so that you have a enjoyable time.
Great tips. One note on Mt Theilsen, be aware that the last 100 feet or so, above Chicken Out Ledge, is class 3 or maybe 3+ climbing, so you may not make it to the very tip top, and that's fine.
Such a nice video! Almost made me tear up, because a lot of things you’ve mentioned reminded me of the lessons learned on my pct thru hike. Tip for people out there with vaginas: hike in looser and comfortable shorts and learn how to pee standing up, your knees will thank you later. :) (and it’s definitely possible to pee standing up)
Mt Thielsen is fantastic I did it my Sophomore year of high school with a group called post 58, I've done some section hiking with the YMCA as well, hopefully one day I can thru hike but being in the military I cant just take 5 months off. so section hiking is gonna be my new friend,
Always enjoy your videos. My tip is the best weight to lose isn't in your pack, it is around your belly. Do that ahead of time and your knees will thank you with every step.
I disagree. In my experience, having some extra body fat at the start of a thru-hike was a net benefit. That's nourishment distributed on my body instead of as a lump in my pack. My ravenous appetite took longer to kick in so I could carry a bit less food. Bonus: more of a cushion to sit on until my butt got all bony from weight loss. YMMV and all that. Some doctors may take issue with that and it's likely not for all but it worked out OK for me.
@@charliewood9715 I guess it depends on what your starting weight was. On my last through hike I started out 30Kg heavier than I started and the last 1000Km was far easier than the first 2000Km.
@bighgt I can dig it--different strokes and all that. But late in the hike, you missed that integrated butt pad, no?
@@charliewood9715I didn't actually notice but I am sobo on the CDT this year so will keep an eye on it.
Lightening the pack is sure easier than dropping the built in emergency supplies
Such a fantastic video. I feel like the one about being flexible is one of the most important. I've seen lots of people who end their hike early after trying to force things when their original plan/timetable etc isn't feasible anymore. Lay down your expectations when they no longer serve you and see what new opportunities arise!
Wildfire season here in NorCal is totally unpredictable. We get fires here as early as May and June and as late as September even November. Southern Oregon is pretty much the same way. Like you said, all you can really do is be mindful of wildfires.
My tip is to pay attention to your food weight. Higher calories per Oz of weight where a bear can is required for example will not only help offset the weight of the can, but the volume will be less as well.
Safe travels ✌️
man how is jupiter so cool!! he just have the best attitude in life too! talking about post-hike is super useful as well !
Hard to argue with advice from Jupiter! I'd add one though for early starters and/or high snow level years and that's to get your ice axe and/or micro spikes on your last town stop before Idyllwild. I did my most dangerous section of the whole PCT on an icy traverse somewhere north of Apache peak - and hadn't expected ice there.
That section is notorious! Great advice. It is hard for me to speak too much on snow so I'm glad others can
I cannot agree with you more on this one. Slid down Apache the first year I was out there, went down about 50 feet. The next year a hiker died there. One of the sketchiest places on the PCT, especially because if you're new, you don't anticipate snow in the beginning of the desert.
I was there in mid-late May and even if it was a high snow level year I hadn't expected icy conditions at that point.
Timberline Lodge buffets deserve the good rep, but don't sleep on the breakfast buffet at Crater Lake Lodge (assuming it's still a thing). Watch the sunrise over the lake then mosey over for AYCE breakfast. Good times.
Great video as always, Jupiter! My tip for future hikers would be: Go Northbound. Due to snow levels in Washington, southbound hikers have to start usually in late June or July, so you'll be dealing with wildfires straight off the bat. I had to skip a couple of sections hiking SOBO in 2021 and ultimately had to end my hike when California closed all national forests for a couple of weeks. Hiking in smoke all day and dodging active fires isn't fun neither. The PCT is such a treat, you won't want to miss any of it!
Not only that, but then you get the mountains of Washington as the grand finale, instead of the Cali desert! Also Washington is pretty much agreed universally to be the most physically challenging section so best to do it last for that reason as well
In sobo 2021 I left the trail cuz of fires but loved wild flowers in the N. 22 did crater lake to Kennedy Measdows S. 23 i will finish. Am 65 and really looked forward to more of PCT each season. The people u meet are fun .
Thanks for that great video!
I will start my pct thruhike after easter and i can say that your video has really given me a bit of peace and a feeling of security - especially as a hiker from abroad. It think it's because a lot of what you mention is exactly my attitude or preparation.
My tip 100 would be: actively create the opportunity for the thruhike as life doesn't wait for you
Did you make it?
@walk2t Do you have an update from your hike??
Great video. I have been dreaming of doing the PCT for many years now, hope 2024 is the year I'll finally do it
Are you going to do it?!
@@nicktheavatar_ YES! Start date 5th of April, see you on the trail!
@@iirohakkarainen2564 haha I’m looking at next year!! But OMG I’m so so psyched to hear this for you 🔥🔥 good luck!!
Native Californian here, keep track of the snow pack and water situation in California, it can be drastically different year to year and will impact both the Sierra (snow travel) and NorCal fire season. Dry years will allow for a faster trip through the high sierra, but fire season will start early. This year we have gotten a lot of snow in January, well above average for the entire snow season. Adjust your gear and expectations prior to your start date!
No tip. I want to thank you for the tips, the videos, the courage you present. You are making it better.
A GREAT video. I learned so much. Thank You
your videos are so relaxing to watch, and your narration is awesome and free of ego. We used your tips to go stoveless and shave some weight off our packs.
Geez Jupiter, your videos keep getting more 'real' and better. Thanks! :>)
I been working out and dialing in my gear for the last year getting ready 😅hopefully this year is the one ☝️
I did resupply boxes. It just put my mind at ease. Most times I got resupply & ate in town & still met my miles goal.
I did them as well! But I know it causes a lot of stress for many and for the most part isn't needed. Except for those of us who know we like them 🙂
A lot of people aren't sure if they should bring a certain item on their hike. The consensus seems to be to bring it and if you end up not needing it, send it home. My tip, is to leave it at home and if you decide you need it, have it sent to you. It's super easy to get things on trail, especially the first several hundred miles.
Thanks for all your great advice Jupiter. One day I will hike the whole trip myself 🙂
Cheers from LA.
As usual an awesome video!!
My best tip for hiking the pct… watch all of Jupiter Hikes videos before going!
Amazing video. Truly well thought out
this is soooooo good! thank you Jupiter!
You ROCK!! Big hugs.
Fantastic tips bud, nicely elaborated 🔥🔥🔥
Wonderful advice! You answered many questions.
This was outstanding! Thanks for making it so precise at to the point
Ahhh... this got me all hyped for the Spring!
great video!
Don't be afraid to enter the Sierra early. The snow is less melted and the rivers are smaller. harder hiking but safer water crossings. It is still beautiful. Still be respectful of your environment and be prepared for snow hazards.
Another no nonsense video from Jupiter! 🌻💛
Such a sweet video!
Lots of thoughtful things to think about before my start in two months.
My tip is to use picaridin lotion instead of deet whenever mosquitos are an issue!
I love these videos! Tons of great, simple tips to help out. I'm also super happy that you converted a few things to metric for us foreigners, and told us about that Visa! Fantastic video, as always!
Thank you for warming me up to this great active lifestyle. Love it more everyday
This is absolutely amazing and just a wonderfully unique experience and perspective on life. Thank you so much for getting out there and creating something so special and sharing it with us. As someone who used to be so adventurous and constantly seeking new hiking adventures, in the past few years I have lost myself in the big city and all my determination to have an adventurous life more often. Thank you for being such a great inspiration and sharing this with us again :) Wish you all the best and take care :)
incredible amount of good information and I've watched a bunch of other PCT videos. Thank you @JupiterHikes
good advice!
Honestly needed to hear this. On edge of giving up on self. Getting back at it tomorrow. LFG!
You captured the experience. I thru hiked in 21 and 22. This is well done and succinct advice.
Great advice, thx!
Thanks so much for making this video!! I watched it twice and took notes the second time.
Glad it was helpful!
Hello 👋 my hiking friend, sincere thanks for sharing this informative and beautifully filmed video. You did a superb job. All the best to you. Stay safe out there. 🤗 👋
I have not hiked the PCT yet but, in my studies of hiking it, I've notice a common struggle to hold a pace in the difficult parts such as the deserts or the 300+ mile march of the high passes at the outset of the High Sierra. It is about the fear of not making it to Canada before a heavy snow. My observation is that taking the difficult and dangerous parts slowly and safely with rest, good nutrition and planning, will get you to Canada faster. There will be less injury, misery, demoralization, fatigue, gainless night hikes in snow fields, replanning, doctors visits and overstays at resupplies. Plan camps in the vicinity of water sources, before the next pass or so that fording a high flow creek happens early in the morning. Settle for those miles and enjoy the gain of tomorrow's miles coming more easily than racing into them tired and worn. Maintain a state of readiness for the miles ahead.
Great video again.
I like your profile image!
@@JupiterHikes Marmots are so cool. 😁 Pity we don't have them in England.
I am planning my start day on May 13, so this video was awesome to watch and take notes on! Big thanks and congrats on finishing the PCT!
Have an amazing time. It is seriously one of the most glorious and fun things anyone can do!!!! I started March 9th last year, it was AWESOME.
Did you make it?? How was it
Congrat Jup ! Thank you for sharing all those moments with us and then your experience. And now, what's next ?
Don't give up on a challenging day. 🤗 👋
Well done. I will repeat HYOH. Do not follow anyone or match anyone. Find yourself and follow yourself.
My tip is to define your goal in detail and stick to it. Thru hiking? Purist? When is a skip okay? One direction? Re-do closures later?
It's easy to yellow blaze and then later regret it, I saw it with many and they ultimately gave up altogether. So, mental preparation!
Thank you!
Great advice with the speed you hike I appreciate your comment to start slow and not chase other hikers. That's a challenge but it is my plan I will be starting in late March so I have time to go slow and pick up the pace as I go. This will be my 2nd attempt last year I did 1170 miles and this year I am starting all over again at Campo and hoping to make it to Canada by late September. Great video thank you for the solid advice!
My tip for the PCT is to be aware of some of the most common reasons that cause hikers to leave the PCT so you can work on avoiding them. These reasons include: 1) Foot injuries, 2) Running out of money, 3) Family emergencies, and 4) Lack of motivation. Can anybody else add any other reasons?
I would add Illness and wildfires. Seems to be a lot of illness on the trail, people getting sick with covid or stomach bugs and such
I think the likeliest reason people get off trail is because the experience just isn't as enjoyable as they thought it would be and the reasons you cited above are mostly excuses.
Chaffing.. I think it is the worst preventable injury on the trail. The pain in just a couple hours can be torture.
Thank you for this vid. I'm really hoping to hike this next spring. I have to try before much longer , or I'll be too old.
Take pics of people is great advice. Ive live seen most of the world, lived in SE Asia for 7 years , and spent years out on the sea. I didn't take many pictures and am now at the age were those days are fading. All the english camps I did in the jungle or cool randoms I meet on my travels are kinda just becoming a distant memory. Huge regret now I def think that if you are going to go thru the effort you should try to remember them.
As a non-through hiker (at least not yet and not even close), I am amazed to hear people say you don’t have to send boxes.
Great info. I'm hoping to do this hike when I retire in just over two years if I'm able.
OMG I missed a Jupe video. Missed by one month. Regardless. This is too great.
My tip is: watch all your videos 👍
Devils Postpile is cool and unique and I thought worthy of taking an hour off to check out.
Be especially careful on Mather Pass and Evolution Creek.
Really try to stick to the Trail in snowbound Sierra. Short-cutting can backfire big time.
Consider flipping past the Sierra (depending on snowpack) and hiking to Canada, then south through the Sierra. Would be cool to finish with that section and Mt. Whitney.
I like your trail notes „via Alpina…. loooong trail“- same popped up in my thoughts while hiking Te Araraoa 😂
Only sad thing- no freedom camping here in the European alps 😢
I'll be on the trail in less than 50 days. My biggest worry is post-trail, I think reintegrating back into society will be rough. Maybe the vanlife thing is the way to go...
I spend much of my hike thinking about hobbies, and friends. Post trail trying to turn that high motivation into action quickly helps me a lot
If all went well, you are done now. Is that so? And if it is, how is the reintegration going??
Love your vids Jupiter! I recently ordered one of your t-shirts for my friend, and he likes it:) I would love to see an INFORMATIONAL video on through (or section) hiking the Hayduke. I’m currently obsessed with the desert, and this is the one long trail that I feel called to explore. There are not many good informational videos on the Hayduke out there yet…Keep
It up brother, I’ll support you in any way I can:)
The Hayduke is high on the list! Maybe this year I'll do it :)
Thank you for this video. I would love to do the PCT but may or may not get the chance.
Advice I will offer, based on 60 years of car-camping, day-hikes, and backpacking treks: Take care of your feet. No other piece of gear is as important as your footwear. If your shoes do not have shanks, buy some graphite fiber inserts. Carry some electrolyte-replacement tablets. Know the signs of incipient hypothermia, dehydration, and heat exhaustion; act accordingly and _immediately_.
Again, thank you for this video.
I would say, for Washington, learn to identify and consume ganoderma organense. It is a great, easy to find and very beneficial medicinal mushroom growing on trees.
this was the boujie 100 tips
What filter do you put over your videos? I absolutely love it.
Tip 100 - upon completion treat yourself to a vodka martini - three olives for veggie - as soon as you can.
Hammock can be setup on ground with tarp doors. So...a tent cant be setup over tough vegetation in a forest but guess what..hammock can,even over water just because we can,from cliff to cliff ; )
l loves your videos on the PCT. Thank you for the tips of what you did. I want to be out there like you did. first of all, how do you apply and register for all the permits before you start the PCT? Any advice?
I did not think it cost so much for 80 something days on trail. I know you are frugal so others are spending way more. Thanks for the great tips!
On average it cost hikers 9,000! I was surprised myself to see how much, but I think these trails have gotten a little more expensive over the years
What are people spending the money on if you just need a backpack and some gear?
Hey Jupiter how do you find friends that also like to backpack? Love the vid
Facebook groups, local meetups, Instagram or good ol fashion getting out there a ton and talking to everyone!
my tip would be to consider that you might get injured along the way and need to take some time off. be prepared for that and maybe losing some time on behalf of that. nearly everyone I met had to take some time off because of injury. I had to take off four weeks because of a stress fracture. Therefore, I wouldn't choose a late start date, so you can make it to Canada even with taking time off. Also, have extra money for unforseen stuff like this or gear replacements. and for international hikers: don't forget travel insurance. the medical system in the US is expensive.
Great advice!! I appreciate you sharing
Excellent video! May I ask you how long did the entire state of Oregon take? At this time I have 14 days off of work every 14 days. Curious what I can accomplish in that living in Oregon. Thanks for any advice.
Great video, as usual. Did you take the time to climb South Sister? One shot in the video is an overview of Middle Sister & North Sister from what might be South Sister. Thanks for mentioning LNT and for remembering the old PCT blazes in Oregon, we can also see the old Oregon Skyline Trail blazes in a couple of spots.
I did climb south sister! It was incredible!!
@@JupiterHikes Congrats on the climb and that view! From when I broke my arm on my first attempt it was 35 years to return and finish with many other climbs in between.
Not me saving this to my PCT research playlist so I can share it with others down the line.
What do you think about arm warmers and leg warmers as part of a layering system (instead of an extra item of clothing)? I’m just researching this now (cycling gear). I just got a down vest for camp- ultralight but if my arms get cold, it would be nice having the flexibility of arms warmers. And this method would prevent excessive heat under my armpits which tend to overheat first from normal layering.
Speaking of Sun Hats.
I remember in your YOYO Attempt you had some kind of bigger Sun Hat that protected the Neck also. What happend to that?
And would you ever exchange a hiking Short vs a Sun hoodie? There are now Sun Hoodies that have buttons which would be the most important thing for me as i heat up very quick and could just open the Shirt completely,
Ditch your hip belts. (Or at least just have a small one that you keep tuck away and don't use unless you are in areas where you need your pack to be snug for balance like snow.) I had problems with my knees all throughout the Appalachian Trail. On a shorter hike after trail, months later, I immediately started having knee problems again. I asked my friends who are doctors if my hip belt could be the problem and both of them immediately said Yes. They can cut down blood flow, which can lead to knee and ankle problems. As soon as I stopped using them, my knee problems went away. Hiked the PCT, CDT, Ireland, Scotland, and Spain since and haven't had any more knee issues. It will also help you lighten your pack, because carrying all the weight on your shoulders all day will help you decide if you really wanna carry something. And by the way, it's not as bad as you think to carry all the weight on your shoulders. You get stronger and used to it.
👍
Yeah boyyyyyy
Great video. I'll rewatch it when I get ready to do the PCT. I tried the Guthook app and found it very unreliable. The distance marker was way off and made me feel unsafe using it.
I think you should give guthook another try, I've never had that problem before in many years so maybe it was just a temporary error!
100👍👍👍👍👍
👍🐿👍
Excellent! Did you see any 70 year old through hikers?
I did! Over the years I've seen quite a few. Slow and steady, but consistent and know how to listen to what their body needs while many younger folk are not so good at those things
I've seen 80 year olds on all three of the big trails. There are bad asses everywhere! :)
I am 65 & healthy. You meet people older and faster yet more casual doing bigger miles. You hike your hike.
How many hours a day were you on trail during your PCT hike....on average?
I was hiking for 16ish hours a day, but I was going for big miles everyday so what I did isn't necessary. Most take long breaks, spend time at camp eating breakfast, and then stop an hour or two before sunset.
Can we have an updated camera gear/editing software video 🙏
What do you do for a living?
My advice: if you see gum on the street, leave it there. It isn’t free candy.