PCT California Sierra’s SOBO
3 weeks in the Sierra’s in August 2025. The experience continues to deliver warm memories. To much terrain, lakes, trail, wild flowers, and camaraderie to put to words. Fly to Reno, walk to REI from airport for fuel, Uber or Bus to Donner Pass, head south 375 miles, exit at Kearsarge Pass or Cottonwood to Bishop. Catch shuttle back up to Reno, fly home.
PCT Washington Section K
Known to some as the crux of the PCT, I found the perfect PCT section in July of 2025. 127miles, 4 nights, and just over 4 days, this section blew my mind. Chezwick was to meet up, coming up through section J, but due to an injury needed a zero in Stevens Pass. Amtrak Bus Seattle to Stevens Pass, head north 123 miles on PCT, hitch hike from Rain Pass Hwy 20 to Burlington, take city bus South on I-5 back to Seattle.
Grit. Determination. Drive.
It all begins with an idea.
What’s it take to hold the continuous trail, calendar year, triple crown FKT? It’s hard for many to register, 7000 plus miles, 35 miles a day, for 230 days, everyday despite weather, resupply, and other challenges. The very few that complete this are truly world class athletes, and have the grit, determination, and drive to make things happen. Will a new record be set in 2025? Watch closely, I think it will. chezwicktreks.com
Solar Charging. Does it Really work?
It all begins with an idea.
Yes, it works, and can add about 10pct per hour charge to an iPhone 15. Some battery reserve still recommended. Ok in full sun environments like California PCT. Is it worth it? Depends. If you will resupply often it’s easier to carry more battery and simply charge. If your resupply’s are spaced out, or you like the feeling of being independent from the grid then go for solar.
Behind the gloss
Thru hiking has its ups and downs. Storm weather in San Jacinto produced major wind and and rain, that turn to snow and hail. We found shelter at 5pm, losing more than 4 hours of mileage that day. Everything soaked, the pack that normally serves as a pillow at night turned to an ice block. So pillow was improvised as shown in the photo, while food served as extra insulation under feet below. Lesson learned, humans are ingenious and adaptable.
Thru hiking has its ups and downs. Storm weather in San Jacinto produced major wind and and rain, that turned to snow and hail.
We found shelter at 5pm, losing more than 4 hours of mileage that day. Everything soaked, my pack that normally serves as a pillow at night turned to an ice block. So a pillow was improvised as shown in the photo, while food served as extra insulation under feet below.
Lesson learned, humans are ingenious and adaptable.
Still Processing…. California Sections A & B
It all begins with an idea.
Fly out of Seattle at 7am, arrive San Diego 9am, Uber to Campo, and on trail at noon. 20 miles to camp. Then 26 miles per day to I-10, fly out of Palm Springs. 209 miles, 8 days of incredible PCT, the terrain from desert, to 10,000 feet elevation in San Jacinto national forest does not disappoint, and the PCT trail community, the class of 2025, such great people.