2017 PCT thru hike [Ep.8] Kennedy Meadows to Kearsarge Pass

I cannot even begin to describe the beauty of the Sierra Nevadas. I have never been so drained with each grueling step in the snow, but I have also never been so rewarded with the views and terrain. With the dangers of the snowy passes and the raging river crossings, many hikers are choosing to skip this section with or without intentions of coming back. After some extensive planning I think I am ready to go back in for more. Unless the terrain becomes life threatening, I plan on trekking through these mountains for another two weeks.
Instagram: @mitch_lenington

[@asiam7436]

"I am no longer worried about the length of my videos. This is too cool. I'm taking you up to the top" YES! Thank you! You're the only one getting this length and quality of video in a year of historic high snow fall. People will be watching this for many decades to come to see how YOU did it!

[@swatsullivan]

Solo Over 50 yes, Mitch. Don't worry about video length. We are loving it!!

[@mitchlenington5266]

AH I love this comment! Looking back at these videos, I am so glad I made that decision.

[@MomWentBackpacking]

Can confirm! Thank you for sharing these!

[@ImaKnottGonnaTelu]

Absolutely stunning! Beautiful footage. Thanks for taking us along with you!

[@djg5950]

Was going to comment: Crazy. All that SNOW ! but couldn't stop watching long enough to throw in the comment. When you hit Forrester Pass summit you beat me to it with the same comments ! Awesome job of videoing this section. Showed how hard it was to cross the snow fields and once you reached a peak how steep it was looking back down on others (Skittles) coming up. Don't worry about the length of the videos. Everyone really wants to see more. You all are doing a great job.

[@mitchlenington5266]

Thank you for the comment! My only regret it not filming MORE!

[@leslietoohey3499]

This is #3 favorite with Forester Pass- yes it is insane, and beautiful, breath-taking, ominous-a million words wouldn't be enough to describe the Sierra's and these brave men. Dutch Meadow.

[@mitchlenington5266]

This has to be one of my favorite videos as well.. Looking back on this is just mind blowing..

[@azcolby40]

I don't find your videos too long at all, you are giving us an excellent view and experience of the PCT. keep it coming

[@mitchlenington5266]

Thank you1

[@PatKithiraj]

Love your energy!! Awesome views, thanks for sharing. Safe hiking with all your hiking buddies.

[@brandonlenenski]

Absolutely gorgeous views!!! It looked AMAZING! Always look forward to the latest video. The longer the better. Congratulations on summiting Mt. Whitney and making it over Forester Pass. Keep up the good work. God bless and good hiking.

[@mitchlenington5266]

Thank you! The whole thing was just an incredible experience

[@hwbirrell]

Thank you for sharing your fantastic adventure Dutch! This video has some of the most spectacular images captured this year in the Sierras. Be sure to take a fishing pole for Lake Edison. The brown trout there are amazing.... at least, they were amazing 30 years ago when I was there with my Dad. Be safe and please continue to share. 👍🏻😎

[@mitchlenington5266]

Thanks for the support! Ill definitely be bringing a fishing pole for my next JMT hike!

[@KatJim25]

Appreciate you taking the time and energy to take video and sharing!

[@sydneydisissyd2537]

This is such an awesome video!!! Ive been fallowing several of the hikers this year and really appreciate the scope of your videos!!! LOVE the deer encounters! Keep them coming and be safe!!

[@mitchlenington5266]

Thank you for the support. I too love deer encounters

[@potatothorn]

on top of what everyone else is saying THANK YOU so much for filming this mostly Camera Forward, these views are Killer!! great job hiking and thanks for taking us with you //we drove over Sonora Pas the weekend you were filming this, heat wave took care of some of it but still quite a bit of snow ahead of you! (maybe you're thru it by now)

[@mitchlenington5266]

The heat wave was dangerous in the sierras.. I still had tons of snow on the trail at Sonora Pass

[@GrottoGroveGroves]

avid hiker, hunter and fisherman here. grew up on the south fork of the brazos in central/west Texas. my family is from the smokey mountains in Tennessee , where i currently live. just thought i had been in the mountains before. when i had the opportunity to be in the sierra nevadas . had no idea what a mountain really was. have flown in planes lower than some of the summits visited. (GREAT SKIING !) AMAZING. God bless the U.S.A.

[@anit_adventure]

Thank you for not worrying about how long your videos are! I am pretty much convinced you could wear a body cam 24/7 and I would love every bit of it!

[@mitchlenington5266]

Haha now there is an idea!

[@wesdianejones]

Insanely beautiful, wow!!!

[@gregcoyle5234]

I know I've commented before, but thanks so much for sharing your experiences. I've really enjoyed watching your vids. Keep up the excellent work.

[@mitchlenington5266]

Thank you sir! Please comment as much as you wish, I really enjoy the feedback

[@Lokena1965]

Awesome video. Thanks for sharing.

[@ehinee]

Fantastic stuff. Stay smart and safe out there.

[@kellirustin7944]

My God I've got to see that with my own eyes! Absolutely spectacular. The best footage I've seen!

[@carolgage4569]

Kelli Rusti: Do it! 🏔

[@swatsullivan]

Kelli Rustin agree. I've got to get out there!

[@kellirustin7944]

We actually have a trip planned for 4th of July up Kearsarge pass but, parks services just cancelled our campsite reservations for Onion Valley because of snow conditions. Not sure how we're going to acclimate now or if we can even drive up to the trailhead 🙁

[@bekejebe]

We drove up to the trailhead in May. the campground was snowed in at that time, but the trailhead parking lot was clear. You could consider acclimating at Horseshoe Meadow (~10k') www.google.com/maps/place/Horseshoe+Meadow+Equestrian+Camp/@36.452218,-118.1720997,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x80c076481c9d54b3:0x263455263142245d!8m2!3d36.452218!4d-118.169911

[@kellirustin7944]

Beck H which is funny because our original reservations were for Horseshoe meadows but, they said the road is usually worse so, we changed to Onion Valley! Lol Anyhoo, we put everything off until the end of August. Today is a bummer because we were supposed to be up in the Sierras 🙁 right now. Thanks for the info though!

[@jameswarren3733]

Fantastic footage Mitch! Truly unbelievable scenes!

[@mitchlenington5266]

Thank you! I agree

[@stevenews5910]

Mitch, this video is epic! Thanks for filming and posting. It inspires me to get out and hike. I did 10 miles yesterday on the AT in CT and plan on doing 15 tomorrow to complete CT. Then it's on to MA, VT, NH and Maine. It's a rainy day here in CT today so I'm hoping to catch up on posting videos of recent hikes to my YT channel. - LightWalker

[@mitchlenington5266]

I love hearing that I can inspire someone to get outside and explore. CT was great and the last three will really blow your mind! cheers!

[@limulus61]

I'm watching this one a couple of days late, but please don't shorten the length. Some videos you wish were shorter, but these I could watch for an hour.

[@mitchlenington5266]

Thank you for the positivity!

[@MarthaJaneify]

Thank you for taking us to the top!

[@mitchlenington5266]

It was my pleasure!

[@kenk2345]

wow, great footage Mitch....thanks for filming Forester Pass.

[@kathyt7344]

Enjoying the stunning and spectacular views! That climb up Forester was intense! I could hear your breathing and when I saw 13,200 ft I knew why!!! 😳 Rest up and chill. 👍🏻😀

[@mitchlenington5266]

It was probably one of my most favorite memories..

[@joekucera1707]

Hey Dutch ! Happy to see you guys back on the trail ! We followed your AT hike all the way , even left you some trail magic in NJ ! Hope your knee is holding up - our friend Karma , AT 2016 , wants to do the PCT next year. question..... your pack looks so much smaller than your AT pack, are you carrying less ??

[@mitchlenington5266]

Always happy to be back on trail friend. Thanks so much for the trail magic! I switched from my Granite Gear Crown VC 60 to the Granite Gear Virga 2. (which is 54 liters) not much smaller but I was carrying significantly less weight. I think I will carry a 35 liter on my next hike

[@swatsullivan]

Wow. Just stunning!!

[@lynlandham3779]

Amazing! Thanks for sharing. Be safe.

[@Twobarpsi]

This is incredible!

[@MosquitoFood]

Great job!! So epic.

[@chrisbunow9297]

Be safe!! Are you hiking in wet shoes after the river crossings? You guys are such troopers!

[@mitchlenington5266]

Hiking in soaking wet and cold shoes was part of my life for a full month probably..

[@jasonmills4842]

You can tell you are at altitude with your breathing .loving these vlogs

[@mitchlenington5266]

Thanks for the support!

[@therealjeff-0459]

keep going this is awesome

[@nanaa4593]

amazing views....just wow...

[@HurlgoatHiker]

Epic Video Buddy, You guys ROCK!!!!!

[@mitchlenington5266]

Thanks man!

[@wheresMikFinne]

Another awesome video! Stay safe!

[@DRSJawsCo]

Sir Lenington'I just saw this and, I rarely ^ any of all I see of these Vids on PCT. I grew up West coast up and down, in and out, and all throw-out; and I gotta admit> U are the best Exploiter of this* Beauty of these segments. Good Job Dude! Kick ASS and "Love our Mother Nature as She Lets past who not interrupt her" (Learned that on a Mt Philmont Az trip back in the day). And, I have NEVER seen a PCT Video, So Dedicated to what Is there. Show the other crap on a B-reel LOL I'm rooting for ya ALL ! sO bEAUTIFUL ! (menT It)

[@mitchlenington5266]

Thanks for the support man!

[@harrisevo]

Dutch wild ride. I know lots of folks are pushing up to Belden. From the video it looked difficult as hell but not too sketchy. Did you even feel unsafe? Glad you and Skittles are safe. I'm doing an AT section in a couple of weeks. So jealous. - Evo

[@mitchlenington5266]

A lot of people decided to skip around this year, which is totally understandable. That being said; I never truly felt unsafe but for maybe a handful of time in the water crossings. But THIS video.. I just felt on top of the world (or maybe just the U.S.)

[@WestShoreMan]

Great Vid! Thanks!

[@emcd1956]

Incredible.

[@cwalter24]

That view!!!!

[@23Sheldog]

Watching this wondering if this year is very similar. What type of crampons did you use?

[@scidso456]

awesome

[@shawnnn3]

Too much snow. This year 2018 a better year I think. Heading that way in July.

[@bobbycobbler1598]

did Skittles swap out his pack for good or just for the Sierras?

[@mitchlenington5266]

I believe he only wished to take his bigger bag for the sierras

[@iwazzabadboy1982]

Nice video... Why no Whitney video?

[@mitchlenington5266]

I uploaded Mt. Whitney as a separate video

[@SandCrabNews]

I would bring a 360 cam and SD cards..

[@domcars]

Same

[@Jpetrakakos]

Epic

[@coolwheelz5190]

0 video from Mt. Whitney???

[@mitchlenington5266]

I made a separate video for my Mount Whitney climb!

[@coolwheelz5190]

I must have missed it.....I will go back and find it! Thanks!

[@lbjackson5179]

Your a month early.

[@MountainFisher]

Dude, why didn't you buy some cheap children's snowshoes? But that snow isn't bad really. I've been watching a lot of hikers flip-flopping because of snow. We never backed off, we prepared for it, circa 1972.