I posted about this before my trip and thought I had solved the problem but apparently not. Currently writing this in Laguna because I’m not sure how I will be able to push bigger miles with this problem.

As mentioned in my previous post I seem to be having an issue around my C7 vertebrae and right trapezius. I’d say the pain is around a 6-7 so I’m managing right now but it’s obviously uncomfortable. The last advice I took from the previous was to make sure I was properly cinched around the waist and try and have a little gap between my should and the straps which seemed to work with a lighter load and city walking for five miles.

I assure you I’m cinched and feel most if not all the weight on my hips with the straps not even touching the top of my shoulders so idk why I’m still getting the pain. I stretch in the morning, through out the day and at night. It “goes away” while not wearing the pack but I can still feel a lot of stiffness.

Should I look into a more supportive pack and ship it to PVC? At least give something different a try before I inevitably have to end this because it doesn’t seem to be getting better? Currently have the Atompacks Mo with water and food I’m probably around 25 lbs and like I said I’m cinching the hell out of my hips around my belly button and tightening the chest strap.

Any pack suggestions welcome I’ll try anything to continue the trail.

Really really long shot but need a ride from Agua Dulce to Lake Hughes rd today. Anybody got #s of trail angels I can contact to pay them for a ride?

I’m taking my ebook reads with me and it’s time to build my library, so I’d like to ask for some book recommendations . Obviously, I’m well aware that’s it’s highly subjective but I believe I can get some inspirations from any fellow reading thru-hiker.

Some context: I’m anticipating mental fatigue so it would be nice to find something that will add some motivation, inspiration or even strengthen a sense of awe (or simply add some variety to the experience). I’m interested in philosophy, mythology, spirituality (mostly Buddhism) and poetry but I noticed that adventurous books are a great read for me while hiking (including LOTR and The Witcher series).

Something that I can open and read for few minutes only is also a nice option (Walt Whitman was great in that regard, but also Herman Hesse and his Siddartha)

Don’t limit your recommendations, whatever you loved reading on the trail, all whatever you think you’d enjoy reading, I’ll welcome with open arms!

Does Paradise Valley Cafe still accept supply packages? I just looked on their website and couldn't find anything about it.

I need to send myself new shoes asap.

I made a previous post about my achilles bothering me. I saw blaze Physio and she recommended shoes and inserts. That seemed to fix the issue.

The day before I took a few zeroes in Idyllwild, I noticed a bit of a pain in my left knee. I didn’t give it much thought as I figured some rest and sleep may get rid of it. This is before I started taking lots of ibuprofen.

I started limping a bit more two days after resting. Blaze Physio told me to stop taking ibuprofen and that’s when the pain REALLY kicked in. The pain didn’t feel bad and I thought maybe I had runners knee and that I could gently keep going and just go downhill more careful and less fast.

I left PVC and went about half a mile in and I could barely move at 1.5 mph and I was basically limping. I turned around at my tramily and started crying. I knew I had really done something to it. It was in the medial part of my knee. I’ve had an MCL tear before in my other knee, and it felt familiar. Since I don’t have health insurance, I can’t see a doctor. But I know what it is. It’s just weird that it didn’t manifest so specifically earlier. I knew I tore it. I don’t even know how.

I’ve been home for a few days. It’s swollen, tender, and I can feel the pain in my MCL. I limp around all day. I did the AT two years ago and never got injured like this. Why now? I’m so devastated. I’ve cried daily and I’m irritable and upset. I know I can do this but I just don’t understand why my body just crumbled. No impact to the knee other than hiking. It doesn’t feel fair….

I plan to heal up, work some, and come back SOBO in July. Stronger this time… but it still feels so shitty.

Looking to join my friend on the wrightwood to Aguadulce section. Need help obtaining a shuttle from my vehicle in Agua Dulce back to Wrightwood. Haven’t had much luck finding any shuttle or trail angel info. She has already posted in the WW trail angel FB group. Wondering if anyone here is available or has any ideas on how to make it work. Thanks in advance! Happy trails

Hi all. I am planning to thruhike the PCT in 2027. My potential hiking partner is in Colombia. He is applying for a B2 visa. If he gets it, he will start the hike with me.

The big question I have is how does he deal with resupply boxes?

Postage from Colombia would be crazy high. I can help out with food, by dehydrating extra, but I cannot cover him for 6 months.

Also, I will be getting regular supply boxes from my wife, who wants to include notes and other personal items His wife wants to support him too, but it seems unlikely that she will be able to.

Any thoughts or wisdom?

Hey y’all. So I had been planning for a few months last year to section hike for a month over April 20-May 20. Well in Feb I had a personal disaster and had to scrap my plans.

Last month I got a promotion and due to the nature of my business, I was able to recover financially and with some last minute time to go and hike. My hike will basically be from Lake Arrowhead 298 to Aqua Dulce HWY 14 crossing 451. San Bernardino Forest and then all of Angeles Crest.

I chose this part specifically because it’s within 2.5 hours to get picked up should I get a call for work. I see a lot of NOBO posting here so far, so my question is, how is the cell service during those miles. I know Deep Creek is a dead zone but I know within a few miles of the 15 crossing is full bars of 5G for ATT&T. Which is my service. I’m also hiking with a coworker who will get the same call for work I will, he has Verizon.

Can anyone chime in on their hike so far? Many apologies to the trail goddesses if this is something I couldn’t find by looking. Cheers!

Edit: I guess I’m just going to rent an inreach. Thank y’all so much for all your answers. Can’t wait to start!

Hi! I’m currently aiming to SOBO 2024 (starting in July), and I’m starting to plan my logistics. One of the things that bothers me about thru-hiking is the lack of fresh leaves and vegetables and variety in diet. I was wondering if anyone here had experience foraging on the trail? I’ve done this a bunch in my home country (in the Middle East), and found that there are usually many nutritious greens that can be found growing by the trail. Has anyone done this on the PCT? Does anyone have recommendations for flora identification courses for these regions? Maybe it’d be smart to do one per state?

Hey there! Toni here (English 22F) - my brother was hoping to come join on the trail at some point after the Sierra's. Where is the most exciting/ beautiful part that he could join for? Want to make sure that it is the best experience for him! Thanks for your help in advance xx

Hey, we're 2 hikers arriving at San Diego airport May 6th around 10am. It seems like taking an Uber is the cheapest option if we don't want to wait for the 5pm bus to go to Campo. Is anyone arriving approximately around the same hour and want to share a Uber ? It'll be around 20$ to 25$ if one or two people join us.

Finish the sentence with your favorite “You know you’re hiking the PCT when ____”

Hi all!

I have decided this week that I’m going to spend the next two years preparing for the pct in 2026. I have a few questions:

Is mid-May too late of a start date?

I tried to do the JMT in 2022 and 40 miles in, got covid and had to bail. I remember those 4 days having some of the most emotionally intense, tiring, and daunting moments of my life. Is that a common experience? Will that go away for the pct?

Is it okay to go alone? I don’t really want to be alone but assuming I will meet people on trail. Should I just suck it up and go alone or try to find a friend?

Any and all advice would be welcome! I did a lot of prep for the JMT so I know a little bit but I’d love to hear more.

Hi! This summer, I will be hiking the CA portion of the PCT northbound. Does anybody have experience or recommendations on how one would get from the CA/OR border down to San Francisco? Thank you so much!

Do they still offer the service to people who are not using the “PCT Southern Terminus Shuttle”.

If so how do I contact them to see if they still have spots for the night I’ll be there. They have a phone number listed on google but I’d assume that is for business purposes and doubt they want that being bombarded by PCT hikers.

Thanks!

Flew over Crater Lake today….snow

I need to clean up the miles between chester and truckee from last years thru. Can anyone tell me about snow depth for that section in may,june? I want to do it as early as possible, with minimal snow. Some snow isnt a big deal. Just wondering on average, what conditions might look like in may and june

Hi all, I hiked Nobo in 2022, and am intending to complete the trail this year, and am looking for advice on how best to do so. I've secured a permit, but have about week left that I can update the dates/start location/maybe switch to a flip flop.

I will be hiking with my friend, who also hiked in 2022. I ended at Crater Lake, and she ended at Mounth Shasta. Our original plan was to each start where we left off, and meet on trail, with my friend starting 3-4 weeks ahead of me. But, with Oregon having an incredibly high snow year, and Washington having a low snow year, we are adjusting our plans.

Our current plan is to

• start at Cascade Locks and hike north into Washington
• Stop at around mile 2600 (we don't want to tag the border until the very end)
• Make our way to Crater Lake or Mount Shasta, then hike north to Cascade Locks
  • Crater Lake/Mount Shasta decision isn't made yet. My friend is happy to skip those miles, but it would be great to do them if it's feasible
• Return to mile ~2600 (wherever we left off), and finally tag the border

We would like to start at the beginning of June, and are estimating it will take 2.5-3 months. I have checked the various snow reports, and am struggling to understand what they mean for actual, on the ground trail conditions. We are comfortable with some snow, and will be bringing out micro spikes and ice axes (if we need them).

My questions are

1. Does this seem reasonable? Does it seem possible or do we need to re-evaluate?
2. Is there another way that feels more feasible with the current snow conditions?

Constraints are

• I need to be home by September 15th at the absolute latest, but would prefer to be home by the end of August
• We are trying to complete Washington early, as the fires will be particularly bad there this year (given the low snow year)
• Going northbound is preferable, as it will feel much more like completing the hike that we started

Hi guys, thanks to everyone who has ever posted and commented on this Page, really helped me plan and I learned a lot! I’ve wanted to do the PCT since 2020 and finally am able to do it with a May 28th Start day. Now that I’m so close to the start, it’s finally hitting me that I’m actually doing. It’s felt like a fever dream and a bit overwhelming with emotions. Any quick last minute tips or advice to help me calm my nerves/could save me from trouble in the first month?

Hey, me and my girlfriend will reach the Sierras in approximately 10 days and we have decided to skip them for now and then come back later. We have not figured out the logistics yet. From where to where it would be the best to skip at this time? And what means of travel would you use?

The mod team has been in contact with the PCTA, and we can confirm that the supposed "official PCTA warning" post from Saturday, April 20th, was not, in fact, authorized by anyone at PCTA.

The FB message has been removed, and the PCTA has issued the following statement in response:

• "We've taken down a recent post that was not authorized by the PCTA." https://www.facebook.com/groups/PCT2024/permalink/7759981894083794/

The post on the subreddit that linked to it has been removed because it is untrue.

Again: The PCTA has not issued any statement, "warning" or otherwise, about the hiker.

https://lighterpack.com/r/m4msif

It seems like organizing where and when to get the bear can isn’t worth the weight reduction. I know it’s ultimately a matter of personal preference, but am I overthinking the complexity of getting a bear can when I need it? What should I carry my food in otherwise?

Edit: Sound like the consensus is to send one to KMS rather then carry it from the beginning. Makes sense. Thanks all!

Hey everyone,

I’m starting my thru-hike in Campo next week and just got all my gear together. Its quite an impressive pile, though it’s still a bit heavier than I’d like so I figured I’d drop my lighterpack and offer it up for adjustments or fine-tuning, comments and criticism. Please give it a look!

Some notes: I had spinal fusion surgery for scoliosis half a decade ago. Hence, I thought the 4.8 lb osprey backpack was a good choice, especially considering I already owned it from backpacking around Iceland in summer 2022. It served me quite well then. Same with my tent, taking the big ag 2-person 1. because I already had it from that trip & didn’t want to spend another $500, and 2. because the extra space would be a bit more liveable. I realize these areas are probably my best bet for shaving off those extra pounds, but I am also thinking I could learn to just live with this weight as it is.

Some ways that I have considered lightening my load: -taking one less pair of socks -leaving gloves behind -going stoveless (at least for some sections) -replacing the big heavy paraframe knife with small Swiss Army knife + built-in scissors

Of course, I can also always just bring it all and mail the stuff I don’t need back home. I’m going to take it all on a shakedown trip sometime in this next week and hopefully learn a thing or two in doing so.

That’s it! Thanks for reading this far.

I took a one-day mountaineering course to learn self-arrest and snow travel basics. It was super helpful, and I'm obviously still a beginner at snow travel. During the course, I only used my ice axe and crampons - no trekking poles.

I've seen videos of people using an ice axe and one trekking pole while traversing ridges with a steep drop.

My questions are: wouldn't using the trekking poll potentially hinder you from grabbing the ice axe and properly self-arresting OR lead you to drop/lose your pole if you fell? I know self-arresting is the last/bad option. Is using the pole and ice axe (despite the above concerns) preferable because it'll give you a better chance of not falling? As to that, I generally don't put much weight on my downhill poll in order to prevent a topple downhill.

What do you do? Thanks!

Redditors on the PCT Week 7 (22 APRIL 2024)

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Welcome to our next group of hikers starting this week; u/ieremv, u/BackpackingReddit, u/witchybrew62, u/Beardedmaple, and u/fandorf. Have a great start on trail!

PSA: If I haven't seen any updates from a hiker in the month since their start date, I will start taking them off the list to keep things neat. If you are posting on a different social media than you sent on the form, please do let me know :)

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If you are hiking the trail this year (Thru or LASH) and would like to be added to these posts, please fill out the survey linked here and we'll get you added into future updates. These updates will come on a weekly basis and be put out on Monday AM.

If your socials are set to private, you will get an invite from me (Andi) so I can watch your progress!

If for any reason you'd like to be removed from these updates or if something does not look right, please message me directly.

Happy trails!

The usernames are clickable links that take you to that hiker's social media page for those who choose to share it.

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I’m about to buy insurance for my PCT hike and found an offer that is very satisfactory when it comes to cost, conditions and flexibility but there is one catch - it includes trekking only up to 3.500 m/11.500 ft and they don’t have an option to buy a „higher” option. I know that there are 3/4 passes in Sierra that go above, but other than that (and Mt Whitney) do you ever travel above this threshold?

Just for context, I’m from Poland and some options that were recommended here insurance wise are not available in my country

Thanks in advance for your help!

To clarify this is CA Section L.

I'm planning on doing my first thru hike/section hike and was planning on doing section L since it is short enough and close enough that I can take some time off work. My plan was to leave my car in Sierra city or the end of Section L and then some how get a ride back to the beginning of the trail. That way my car is ready to go when I finish.

The only thing that's worrying me where exactly to leave my car and how to get to the beginning of the trail. I've only done loops or there and back trails before. Is parking at the trail head/end of section L cool or would that be a dick move? Is there somewhere is Sierra City that no one would care if I left my car at for a few days?

I'm also guessing Uber isn't really a thing out there. I saw some transportation companies out there but not sure if they would drive up to Sierra City to get me.