Growing up, many of us were taught that axes, hatchets and saws are a natural part of camping. Upon arriving at camp, the bushcraft tools come out to process trees for firewood and benches, move limbs out of the way for tents and hammocks or harvest boughs to whittle, build ... Read more
At this point, it’s become obvious that the PCTA has been sharing a great deal of information over the course of the last year regarding Leave No Trace principles and strategies for limiting your impacts upon the PCT and your fellow trail users.
As use of the PCT and the ... Read more
By Ben Barry and Blair “Cat Lady” Dietrick
Navigating your first few weeks of a thru-hike can be overwhelming as your body and mind adjust to high-mileage days and a new and challenging lifestyle. The first few hundred miles of desert that you’ll encounter when leaving the Mexican border are ... Read more
By Arthur McMahon
Share your wilderness experience and knowledge with others. Inspire future generations of adventurers and grow the outdoor community. Lead friends on a day hike or motivate them to visit a national park by sharing your experience. Be a trail mentor.
My greatest mentor was my fiancée, Jill. ... Read more
Hikers dedicate months, if not years, to readying themselves for their shot at thru-hiking the Pacific Crest Trail. They dump thousands of dollars into state-of-the-art ultralight gear. They cook, dehydrate, pack and ship dozens of boxes full of food. They adopt strenuous workout regimens to ready their bodies for the ... Read more
Planning ahead and preparing is a key Leave No Trace (LNT) principle. Having well laid plans in outdoor endeavors can make the difference between being comfortable or being uncomfortable; in more extreme adventures, planning ahead and preparing can be the difference between having a safe trip or ending up in ... Read more
Hi class of 2016,
Join us at pcta.org/tv on March 29 at 5:30 pm PST for a live webinar! It’s directed at long-distance hikers who are setting of on the trail this spring. You’ll see a live broadcast right here on our website.
We’ll talk about stuff that’s important, often ... Read more
The first principle of Leave No Trace is to plan ahead and prepare which, when done thoroughly, can help ensure a safe and enjoyable trip into the backcountry that also minimizes your potential to damage sensitive landscapes and ecosystems.
When planning for a backcountry adventure, one of the first things ... Read more
Welcome to the blog of the Pacific Crest Trail Association. Check back often for news about the trail.