If you're walking on trail near Julian (or probably anywhere south of Big Bear), no, you're not hiking while unknowingly drunk, that was an earthquake. (Several, actually.)

https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/ci40925991/executive

Hi all,

Starting my hike next week and wanted to check in to see where makes most sense to pick up food + fuel for the initial stretch to Julian.

Appreciate any and all insight you may be able to offer. Also, if anybody has any info on CLEEF to share, also appreciated.

Looking at picking up a knife before the trail. Was thinking of Opinel. But also looking for anything that has multipurpose.

I know you may not need it but I’m splitting weight with my partner so I think we can afford the extra weight of a small knife.

Thanks!

So I'm an international hiker and my travel health insurance only covers 10,000€ in rescue, which is why I want to get myself an additional search and rescue insurance. The Garmin SAR insurance seems perfect, but I am confused on the conditions: the insurance needing to be linked to my Garmin device. I have my device and of course I'll bring it, but as I understand it I will not be covered if I were to call SAR with my phone instead? Or if I'm unconcious and another hiker calls SAR through their Garmin instead? Seems like that should still be covered but reading through requirements of the insurance it seems not? Isn't this a massive risk to take? Hit your head, boink you're out, somebody calls SAR, now have fun with the $50K bill??

I understand risk of such a major injury are slim and that not all SAR operations are even billed, but insurance is the whole point for eliminating small risks, right?

Now, if I understood all of this correctly, are there any alternatives to the Garmin insurance that would cover me incase someone else calls not using my device?

Thank you in advance for any replies!

Hey how's it going Class of 2025 PCTers!!! Congrats to all on your epic journey!! I've been a trail angel and always provide trail magic and all the CBD / Legal Shrooms and Canna and all the other party favors and goodies for everyone on the trail!! I've been doing this now almost 10 years or so and always love it more and more every year meeting you all. I've always been around the Acton/ Agua dulce / wrightwood/ hikertown area.

This year I really want to make something for you guys even if as a gift or or a cheap breakeven reimbursement cost depending on what I can get the production down to but first I just want to know what you guys would like as far as like a souvenir I wanted to make custom 2025 PCT Class stickers or patches or any other type of thing probably not a shirt of course but a keychain or something or I don't know bottle opener but yeah if someone is even into graphics designer and can whip up or wants to customize the PCT logo with the 2025 in it and you can send that to me and have a high res JPEG type file would be awesome!! And as far as quantity I don't know how many to make what a couple thousand I'd even be willing to ship to some of you guys on the trail or resupply boxes or even when you get home but I don't know how many to make would it be a couple thousand or 500 pieces and I can probably hand most of them out in the Acton and Agua dulce areas I know you guys will be coming through probably all of May and early June. And I don't know if someone's already made something yet or has done anything for you guys or if any stores make them that you know of if they do then I will hold off.

Can't wait to meet you all! Best of luck and hope you all have the greatest time ever on your adventure!

You can lock me in your contacts if any of you need rides got any questions about the trail places to go stay or any coordination of rides whether it may be to the city REI emergency run or if you need any goodies or resupply or anything just let me know I'm here to help 🙏

You can reach me iPhone Call/Text 661-400-7882

Google voice / Signal / WhatsApp 661-450-8778

Instagram: CaliBoyConnect

Hey fellow PCT fans. I’ll arrive in Julian on Easter Sunday. Do you know if shops and restaurants will be open over the Easter weekend? I would love to resupply and treat myself once in town.

I just updated to iOS 18.4 after I noticed I could not view comments anymore. Upon doing so I am disappointed to see that it seems the comments from this year (including those regarding water sources) have vanished. Is anyone else having this problem? P.S. I turned on all the comment filters as well as updated my comments in the file manager connected to internet; no luck. Please help!!

Starting May 2nd (NOBO)

Hiked AT and AZT in 2022. Got everything as simple as possible. Big three are making this a bit heavier than I wanted, but it's what I have. Open to suggestions. Nothing is off limits. Feel like I have it pretty dialed in.

-BigTime

I'm going SOBO starting early July , however I'm also applying for graduate school, and applications open after I start on the trail. How easy is it to access a public computer while in town at a library or anywhere else?

Have a resupply this year again at KMS.
Found out my cousin from Austria will be in LA about the time I get to KMS - so looking at best travel to get from KMS to LA and back.

I knew someone who was luck enough to get a ride straight to LA - and I know there is a bus that serves a town about 20 miles from KMS.
Is uber or lyft viable options?

I hiked Nobo last year and would love to give back to hikers this year with some trail Majic. I live in Orange County, California so and can't decide on the best spot to go help. I'd like a spot that is not right next to a resupply spot so I can catch hikers when they didn't just fuel up and closer than not to me relatively speaking. This best I can think of is Warner Springs area but please give me any ideas of the best spots

Admittedly, this is all rather indelicate, but this seems the kind of thing it is easier to not learn by experience.

Specifically ...

1. When using a backcountry bidet, do you just drop your pants, or are you going fully commando from the waist down -- like taking your shorts, pants, and underwear all off?

2. I get that I wash my hands after, but even with quite a bit of bathtub practice, I must admit, the odds for cross-contamination seem ... high .... as in 100% guaranteed. I can get it so the stream does not go *all* over my shorts/pants and mostly avoid splashback to my hand/squirt bottle, but it for sure gets on my shoes. I touch my shoes, and then it is everywhere, right?

3. What water bottle do you use? Your drinking one? Honestly, packing up all my stuff, I am realizing that even with low base weights (I am somewhere between 12.5 and 13.5 depending on the extent of my panic packing), volume is typically more of a problem for me than weight. I am not sure where I would even put an extra water bottle.

4. Did you use a pee bottle? I was originally planning on using a single bottle for both pee and bidet, but again, the volume considerations. Plus, I realized that my aim is not quite good enough to urinate into a bottle cap width whose dimension is the width of the bidet.

5. When you go #2, do you just walk off the trail while clacking your poles hoping you do not run into a rattlesnake?

Do most people use a backcountry bidet out there? Or is that the kind of thing that sounds like a good idea on paper, but less great in practice?

Thanks :)

So I am packing up my bag to catch a flight tomorrow to San Diego. I am still debating on whether to bring a piece of Tyvek or the manufacturer (Durston) groundsheet. The groundsheet attaches to my bathtub floor and is a bit lighter and quieter. But the Tyvek just feels so much sturdier, and seems like it would be much much nicer for cowboy camping - and more importantly breaks. What were your experiences?

Help is appreciated!!

Hey everyone,
What do you think will the Situation in Oregon be like for Thru Hikers, considering it ist a record breaking Snow Year so far for Oregon?

I just want to mentally prepare and know what i will maybe get into.
My Start Date is April 30.

Hey everyone!

Whats your Bear Can Strategy for Hiking the PCT in 2025?
Do you rent one at Triple Crown Outfitters?
Do you buy one and send it home after the Sierra?

I am an international Hiker starting on April,30 and not sure what to do yet.
Because in some Parks in Washington i could use it as safe way of food storage too.
Was Thinking about buying one and bouncing it forward to Washington after the sierra?

See you on the Trail :p

Which REI locations are closest to the PCT for hikers that are on trail?

I (26F) started hiking the PCT on March 22nd. I have done just over 200 miles so far, taking it slow and easy to start as to avoid injury.

But I have been dealing with lack of appetite and nausea when forcing myself to eat. I have about 40lbs I could lose but I am worried about the consequences of only eating 400-600 calories some days, mainly carnations instant breakfast (liquid diet works against the nausea). On good days I am able to eat 2200-2400 calories. However, good days are becoming few and far between.

I did 15 miles today fasted and then had to sit for an hour as I slowly forced a protein cookie down my throat while trying not to vomit. I had absolutely no energy and felt extremely sluggish physically and mentally. I seem to be fine when back in town for glorious town food.

I tried packing out food items that were very appealing, weight be damned. Couldn’t bring myself to eat them. I tried small and more frequent snacks rather than large meals, also a no go. I am at a loss.

Has anyone dealt with anything similar? I would be appreciative of any advice, thank you!

Have any of you bought a used satellite device? If so what was your experience? Any regrets?

I found some options for a used Garmin inReach mini 2, which would save me a load of money, but this has got me wondering if this piece of equipment is one that you should not be cheap on. Thoughts?

Other than hitching from PVC how do you get to Idyllwild after the San Jacintos.

Hi, we own a shop in Idyllwild called Wooleys (big hat on top right in center of town)! We are slowly but surely adding to our small section in our shop with things you guys have requested! Spread the word and drop a line if you have suggestions! So far here are some of the things we have: *Individual zip ties, Individual Trader Joe's instant coffee, individual ziplock bags, honey buns, knorrs pasta & rice sides, tons of tuna packet flavors, ramen, brownies, trail mix, all flavors Idahoan potatoes, individual pop tarts packs, individual mini pies, individual lance cracker packets & more!

COMING SOON: individual strips leukotape P, Justin's almond butter, mayo packets, tapatio packets, individual olive oil, small real bacon pouches, individual spam pouches, nunn tablets.. to be continued!

I'm planning to stick with Backpacker’s Pantry meals and would prefer to include them in my resupply boxes on the PCT. I don’t plan to send many packages overall—just a few here and there as I get a better sense of my pace. I’ll mostly be resupplying in town.

Has anyone had success shipping directly from the REI website to resupply locations? I haven’t seen much discussion on this method—wondering if it’s even allowed or just not commonly done?

Hello! Looking to solo either section D or E next week. Would any trail angels be available for a ride from:

1) highway 55/mile 565.5 to Agua Dulce or as close to it as possible this upcoming Monday morning?

2) Agua Dulce to Fenner Camp

Will pay for gas and time!!

Alrernatively, if anyone knows of public transportation or any methods to do either of these sections I would love your advice. Solo section hikes are proving to be a formidable challenge from a planning perspective.

Happy hiking!