by Z_Mountains | May 22, 2022 | Safety
River crossings are one of the most dangerous activities you can do on a long distance hike, so (needless to say) it’s good to be prepared. Ned Tibbits is a wilderness skills instructor for Mountain Education, Inc. and has nearly 50 years of experience as a...
by Z_Mountains | Sep 15, 2021 | From The Trail
6/8 Tuesday, day 57–We started hitching into Salida at 9am and were fortunate enough to have an easy time. A nice couple from Lake City picked up Muir, Honey Badger, and I first. They know our friends Betty and Grant who work at Castle Lakes Campground! It was fun to...
by Z_Mountains | Sep 10, 2021 | From The Trail
6/1 Tuesday, day 50–zero…made our way to Creede with the help of NoID and her friend, Michael (a phenomenal photographer, check out his website: ,https://www.michaelunderwoodphotography.com/) 6/2 Wednesday, day 51–We were waiting an extra day in Creede to see if our...
by Z_Mountains | Sep 7, 2021 | From The Trail
As I write this I have nearly 400 miles through the north and middle Cascades, that means two things! I’ve reacquired my trail legs and trail hunger is starting to peak!nnToday started with a snap in our step- town days always do, the excitement for food, showers and...
by Z_Mountains | Sep 3, 2021 | From The Trail
5/25 Tuesday, day 43–Left camp at 8am because it was too cold to wake up early! We were set up perfectly so that the morning sun hit our tents and melted the ice. We left the CDT at Guthook mile 767.3 in order to avoid over 8 miles of deep snow which still blankets...
by Z_Mountains | Aug 31, 2021 | From The Trail
I haven’t written one of these in a bit! Hello from Puffy the Trail Slayer. Just out here being obscured by beauty and overwhelmed in all of the best ways. My routine is very consistent and my step is the same. Volumes of thoughts coming to the surface in these recent...
by Z_Mountains | Aug 27, 2021 | From The Trail
5/18 Tuesday, day 36–Zero day! 5/19 Wednesday, day 37–Zero day! 5/20 Thursday, day 38–Just as we were realizing it was going to be very hard to get all 7 of us back to the trail via the bus, I got a message on IG from a hiker who wanted to help us! Top has hiked the...
by Z_Mountains | Aug 24, 2021 | From The Trail
Day 15th, found us with thumbs out and a stylish sign for hiker to Trail courtesy of Louskis Deli in Skykomish . It took 30 minutes, but a friendly fellow in a run down RV picked us up and brought us back to Stevens, he dropped us off and brought another hiker to...
by Z_Mountains | Aug 20, 2021 | From The Trail
5/11 Tuesday, day 29– Ruby’s birthday! We left camp at 7:25am, saw OT and Jacobie at the first water source (it was a .4 one way hike to Los Indios Spring). It took so long to get and filter water that we just decided to have an early lunch. While we were there,...
by Z_Mountains | Aug 18, 2021 | From The Trail
So here I am, updating not on time. I’m so glad the rest of my wonderful team are very active because you guys deserve it! I appreciate your patience with mine. My love for this trail grows daily. My love for my trail family is boundless. Every face you see on this...
by Z_Mountains | Aug 13, 2021 | From The Trail
5/4 Tuesday, day 22–Long water carries are not for the faint of heart! We left Pie Town with (hopefully) enough water to last 22 miles to the solar well at mile 436.1. While we were taking a siesta, we were passed by Lone Wolf, No Keys, and Dog-gone. Later, we saw...
by Z_Mountains | Aug 11, 2021 | From The Trail
My travels to the west coast went smooth enough and Gandalf picked me up in Marysville, Washington on June 29. I would have a day to acclimate to the elevation and climate. Instantly I met my two other house mates and fellow hikers- Salty (triple crowner) and Nom, a...
by Z_Mountains | Jun 26, 2021 | From The Trail
Catmando, one of our 2021 Trail Team members, is preparing for his SOBO Pacific Crest Trail trek by shaking down on the Long Trail (and also on the Benton MacKaye Trail which you can read about here). Below, Catmando gives us a run-down of each day on trail, and what...
by Z_Mountains | Jun 11, 2021 | From The Trail
4/27 Tuesday, day 15—I forgot to bring in my Sawyer filter last night, fortunately it felt like 40 degrees when I woke and not the forecasted 33 (if our Sawyers freeze they no longer filter water properly). I did wrap up my wet shoes and socks in a plastic bag and put...
by Z_Mountains | Jun 1, 2021 | From The Trail
4/20 Tuesday, day 8–Getting out of town proved to be more difficult than we hoped. I guess the hotel room was just way too big for us because we lost several important items therein. Finally, by 8:30am (2 hours after I woke the children) all the backpacks were packed,...
by Z_Mountains | Apr 28, 2021 | From The Trail
4/13 Tuesday day 1 —We got dropped off at the southern monument at 3:30, siesta-ed till 5:30, 4.5 miles in till camp, cows playing games with hikers by making a plethora of paths, lots of signs to follow tho, Andrea told us we only needed 4 liters, not 7! Camped at...
by Z_Mountains | Apr 15, 2021 | From The Trail
That’s the first picture. That is a mountain that I found myself at my limit. I nearly died. We entered the Jacinto Wilderness. All the mentioned dangerous sections conquered, and we crossed towards Taquitz Creek. These miles were long and slow. My body wasn’t used to...
by Z_Mountains | Apr 1, 2021 | From The Trail
We may travel different paths Our feet, torn asunder but may we find water from the same source. Every drop, a pleasure Every moment, treasured So please, sit and have some water. The day is long. This experience is partly just the people. All the intricacies of every...
by Z_Mountains | Mar 31, 2021 | From The Trail
We are so happy to introduce our next 2021 Trail Team member! Remember to look at our blog as we feature the hikers who give us updates as they hike thru. Next up is “Apocalypse” who has made her dream of hiking the Pacific Crest Trail a reality! : Hey! Hey! My name...
by Z_Mountains | Mar 29, 2021 | From The Trail
One of our 2021 Trail Team members, Catmando, is preparing for his Pacific Crest Trail trek by shaking down on the Benton MacKaye. Here, Catmando gives us a brief history of the trail, how it is intertwined with the Appalachian Trail, and what to expect if you find...
by Z_Mountains | Mar 12, 2021 | From The Trail
In this video, THRU-r founder and long distance hiker, Cheer introduces the 2021 Trail Team and also gives insight into the 30 thru-hikers that will be giving updates while hiking along the PCT, CDT, AT, and the Sierra High Route. She also introduces herself as part...
by Z_Mountains | Mar 9, 2021 | Trail Tips
If you’re a PCT hiker or hiker hopeful, you likely know the names of these trail angel legends: Scout and Frodo. Since the pandemic has been lingering in 2021, they won’t be hosting hikers as they normally do near Campo. However, they’ve created a...
by Z_Mountains | Feb 25, 2021 | Food, Gear
We’ve put together some great holiday gifts for that backpacker in your life (or…for yourself). Each one of these picks have been tested and recommended by us and thru-hikers in our community. Big thanks to Snickers, Calzone, Jukebox, Magneto, Wake N Bake,...
by Z_Mountains | Feb 8, 2021 | From The Trail
Wondering what it would be like to hike Southbound (or “SOBO”) on the Pacific Crest Trail? If so, check out this video from Michelle – or “Jukebox” – who hiked Southbound on the PCT in 2019. During her journey, Jukebox documented...
by Z_Mountains | Nov 20, 2020 | Gear, Trail Tips
Gear hacks: A highly talked-about subject amongst long distance hikers. If you are new to hiking or just want some more hacks to add to your repertoire, read on! *If you’d like to purchase anything in this post,* click the underlined links in green....
