“I finally completed all 2650 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail. I started in 2014, and this was my last of five long section hikes”
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Joan continues to amaze me. A dream fulfilled. Looking forward to seeing her Saturday.

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Continue reading Completion of a dream at PMags.com.

Some thoughts about hiking the Pacific Crest Trail in the current snow conditions. Read More ...

Continue reading Thoughts on this #EPIC PCT snow year at PMags.com.

A review of a popular book about thru-hiking on the Pacific Crest Trail. Read More ...

Continue reading Book Review : Thru-hiking Will Break Your Heart at PMags.com.

Looking at Cheryl Strayed's Wild and the often passionate debate about the book and upcoming movie. Read More ...

Continue reading That Book – Cheryl Strayed’s Wild at PMags.com.

Exciting news from Tejon Ranch

I received an e-mail from Scot Pipkin in relation to the news that Tejon Ranch is sponsoring a photography contest and is actively soliciting feed back from PCT hikers as well.   The main prize is being able to walk the new corridor where the PCT will be relocated. Cool!

More info below

In particular, you may be aware that our conservancy just received a 10,000 acre viewshed easement to protect the views from the reroute of the PCT on Tejon Ranch. In addition to being good for the trail, we are excited that our organization now has more than 100,000 acres protected in the ecologically-critical Tehachapi Mountains.

            In celebration of this achievement, we are hosting a photo contest for a chance to tour the trail re-route area on Tejon. Participants can submit up to 3 photos taken between the Angeles Crest and Mt.

Continue reading Tejon Ranch news and photography contest at PMags.com.

A Pacific Crest Trail planning guide. A way to get an overview of this wonderful trail without being bogged down with lots of info! Updated regularly. Read More ...

Continue reading A Quick and Dirty Guide to The Pacific Crest Trail at PMags.com.

Over the years my base pack weight has become lighter and lighter. It took many miles and years of tinkering to get to this point, though!

I have been asked if I had gear lists for the different trails I’ve done. Up until now, I did not.

Since I am dealing with multiple trails and equipment from a decade of thru-hiking, I do not recall the exact weights. The BASE PACK WEIGHT is a guess for the earlier days. I also did not list every item, only the “biggies.”, Obviously, some of the items in 2009 are different from their 1996 or so counterparts. The lists should prove to be instructive, though.  I also have my current gear list posted (as of July 2012).

GEAR LIST FOR THRU-HIKES, 1997- 2006

Vermont’s Long Trail 1997
Appalachian Trail 1998
Vermont’s Long Trail 1999
Pacific Crest Trail  2002
Colorado Trail 2004
Continental Divide Trail 2006

BACKPACK
EMS 5500 (1996 Model)
EMS 5500 (1996 Model)
Camp Trails Scirroco (3500 CI)
LWGEAR -One Pound Pack (all mesh)
LWGEAR -One Pound Pack (all mesh)
Six Moon Designs Essence (2006 Version)

SHELTER
Walrus Swift
Walrus Swift
Walrus Swift
Campmor 8×10 Silnylon Tarp
Oware 5×7 SilNylon Tarp
Six Moon Designs Gatewood Cape

Sleeping Bag
Feathered Friends Hummingbird
Feathered Friends Hummingbird
Feathered Friends Hummingbird
Feathered Friends Hummingbird
Feathered Friends Hummingbird
Feathered Friends Hummingbird

Sleeping Pad
Z-Rest
Z-Rest
Z-Rest
Z-Rest
Z-Rest (cut down)
Generic “blue foam pad” ( cut down)

Cooking
MSR Alpine Cookset
MSR Alpine Cookset

K-Mart Alum Pot

K-Mart Alum Pot (a little beat up)
K-Mart Alum Pot (really beat up)
K-Mart Alum Pot (d-low says it should be thrown away!)

MSR Whisperlite
MSR Whisperlite
Alcohol Stove
Alcohol Stove
Alcohol Stove
Alcohol Stove

Hydration
2 Nalgene Bottles
2 Nalgene Bottles
2 Gatorade bottles
2 Gatorade Bottles
2 Gatorade Bottles
2 Gatorade Bottles

1 Gallon Plastic jug

Nalgene Cantene
Nalgene Cantene
Nalgene Cantene
Nalgene Cantene

PUR Microfilter
Polar Pure
Polar Pure
Polar Pure
MP-1 Tabs
Iodine Tabs

Jacket
Generic Fleece Pullover
Generic Fleece Pullover
Generic Fleece Pullover
Marmot Driclime Windshirt
Marmot Driclime Windshirt
Montbell Light Shell Jacket

Rainwear
Windpants
Windpants
Windpants
Windpants
Montbell UL Rainpants
Montbell UL Rainpants

PVC Rainjacket
PVC Rainjacket
Generic Nylon Rainjacket
Generic Nylon Rainjacket
Golite Wisp
Golite Wisp

Footwear
LL Bean Cresta Hikers
LL Bean Cresta Hikers
Asolo 535s
various running/trail shoes
Nike Air Pegasuses
various running/trail shoes

BASE PACK WEIGHT (Estimated)
30 lbs
28 lbs (weighed at Boiling Springs ATC office)
17 lbs
13 lbs
10 lbs (I had a digital scale for this kit)
9lbs (I had a digital scale for this kit)

NOTES:

• I did not include most of my clothing as that has changed very little from the second LT hike in 1999. 

Continue reading The Evolving Gear List : 1997 – 2006 at PMags.com.

Paul Magnanti’s 2002 Pacific Crest Trail Trail Thru-Hike: Photos, journal and planning information

Five months and 2160 miles of backpacking on the Appalachian Trail let me experience a much different life style than what I grew up with in Rhode Island. For five months was able to experience a life style of simplicity. A lifestyle where everyday brought something new and even more beautiful than the day before. A lifestyle that was absolutely the most satisfying five months of my life.

In 2002, I was ready for another thru-hike. I had moved to Colorado in 1999 and that was an adventure in itself. But, was now ready for another long distance hike. The hike this time would be the Pacific Crest Trail.

This western counterpart to the AT is almost 2700 miles long. It is more remote, isolated and diverse. From desert to alpine, from sea level to over 13000 feet, it is a trail of extremes.

Continue reading Another Long Walk: Paul Magnanti’s 2002 Pacific Crest Trail Trail Thru-Hike at PMags.com.

Here is my 2002 journal of my Pacific Crest Trail thru-hike. It was four years since I took a long walk on the Appalachian Trail, so the theme of this hike was "Another Long Walk"

And a long walk it was. From desert to alpine, from sea level to over 14000 feet it was a journey that I will not forget.  The Pacific Crest Trail was just not 2700 miles of hiking, it was 2700 miles of unforgettable memories.

Fri  February 22   Boulder, CO    Mileage 0.0

Typing this entry brings back many of the feelings I had at this time four years ago. Before I started my hike of the Appalachian Trail, felt a mixture of anxiousness, happiness and excitement.  Could not wait to begin my walk

on the “AT”. But, some feelings are a little different. Unlike four years ago, I am not as anxious to leave my current life behind.

Continue reading Pacific Crest Trail Journal 2002 – Part 1 : California at PMags.com.

Mon  July 29 and Tues  July 30  Ashland, OR  1721.5 miles

Though the border was crossed a few days ago, it now truly feels as if I am in Oregon. Ashland is a psychological way station for most hikers. A chance to buy new gear, rest up and prepare for the next step of the trail.

Yesterday, did all the town chores. Today is time for some relaxation.

As I explore the town I can’t help but think of my home in Boulder. Ashland, like Boulder, is a college town with an active outdoor oriented community. Many book stores and coffee shops and both towns have an odd cross between tourist area and a liberal, hippie-like atmosphere.

From a hiker’s standpoint Ashland is better. Smaller and easy to get around on foot.

Continue reading Pacific Crest Trail Journal 2002 – Part 2 : Oregon and Washington at PMags.com.