PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 6 - Water and Windmills

[@powercourageandwisdom]

Doing this thru hike is hard enough but taking the time to film it so that we can live it through your lens Is just awesome of you. Thank you.

[@Fullboomers]

Thanks to you guys I’m enjoying this adventure, please, keep those videos coming. To the folks who provide water and food on the PCT, you are a God send!! Thank you.

[@Katharine848]

Love that the trail angels are truly trail angel on the PCT, anonymous and not asking for money. Such pretty views and WOW with the wind farms.

[@ponderinghiker]

Again, another AWESOME video.... Thank you for sharing.... the water cache there at mile 549 is put together and maintained by Daniel, Robert and Patty Burns.... GREAT PEOPLE..... their love of the trail and the hikers that wander the trails is why they do it.... its a true labor of love for them.... they saved my ass on the 25th of May.... I limped into the cache after two solid days of stomach cramps and everything associated with it..... they picked me up, took me to their home and helped me out then dropped me in Tehachapi.... after a couple days and not getting better went to the doctor and found I had Giaria..... they were life savers.... hike on.... be safe

[@hoytfjell]

Your voice is so soothing, I feel like you are the Bob Ross of hikers

[@cheekyzuu]

I've been watching through this series tonight and I just gotta say I'm loving the vibes. Feels very freeing to watch during this time.

[@leonardspetstop]

I am loving watching these. Thanks for taking the time to document your hiking/backpacking adventures.

[@loubob73]

Totally digging your videos. I dig the mellow vibe. With how animated you are in your review videos, it's surprising to see you so chill when you're hiking. I'm glad the leg is, apparently, doing better. Yours are my favorite videos this year. I'm hitting the JMT this August for my first thru hike,, and your videos are really inspiring. Keep it up Darwin!

[@izbiz671]

you have thousands of fans Darwin...we support you all the way....can't wait for the next vids..thanks

[@randylonto117]

Had to go drink a liter of water after that one. Still living the videos, thank you.

[@davidson_oldbull_sectionhiker]

I am truly enjoying your PCT episodes. This is an understatement but such a change from the AT. Take Care

[@stalecornchips9968]

Your documentation of your hike is amazing, and only inspired me more to one day complete it. Thank you so much for taking the time to video all of the beautiful sights and good people!

[@madrejonimiller1658]

Darwin you are amazing. I have watched others video their journey, but you actually set up your camera and walk coming and going! Which means you are walking a lot more than your logged miles when you are doing that bit of camera magic! Thanks for such great video!!

[@artiruswandi4739]

Bless all those people who set all trail magic. You guys are really awesome!

[@gpk7683]

Many thanks. The choice of background music, the cinematography, your dialogue are simply superb. Most enjoyable, most entertaining.

[@billderinbaja3883]

Great video editing, capturing the Mojave in bits and pieces... it's hard work hiking in daytime desert heat, but AAHHhhhhh, so nice and cool at night. Glad you found plenty of water... trail magic is good.

[@samfletcher93]

Thanks for these videos man. I find them so relaxing and warming to watch. Glad you're enjoying yourself. Stay safe stay healthy and keep these videos coming. Adter watching this I think I'll grab my bag and my dog today and go and stretch my legs...

[@JaredHikes]

I've done the off road version of the Mojave Trail, LNT with friends. Its a gorgeous place, we typically start right after the superbowl. Hope we cross paths out there. Keep on trekking. 🤠

[@josephgeddes7320]

Love following your journey. I started distance hiking in the uk. Because I want to hike the pct after watchin a few videos on it Years back. Hoping to get over in 2022. All the best with your journey I’ll be watching.

[@Braxton252525]

Hiked the PCT in 2014. You have amazing stamina and I really enjoy your videos. Thanks

[@jamesstein5952]

Thanks for taking the time....Keep pushing all are with you !

[@palmettopastor]

This is a great video I went through that desert as a child in the car. How many miles do you add to your trip by walking past your camera and then walking back to get it? Stay safe.

[@AndrewBarickman]

Thanks Darwin for sharing this trip with everybody. I’m really enjoying watching your progress. I would love it if you talk a little bit about what food you’re eating while on the trail. I think that would be super interesting.

[@halltrader]

Darwin did a video previously on trail food he takes. Check it out.

[@emcee2555]

Go Darwin! sending you much love and can’t wait for the next episode!

[@tony_r_pierce]

Doing great, Darwin. Hike on!

[@EverythingThereIs]

Excellent. Thanks for making my morning subway commute less awful.

[@fullsquish]

Thanks for sharing this journey. Ya know, your videography is so good...it’s easy to see the beauty in such a ruthless environment. Appreciate the time you took to do it!

[@Mtnsunshine]

Best episode yet. Bless those trail angels. You've shown in clear detail how important it is to keep stocked up on water. And very cool footage of you walking past the wind farm. Hope you enjoyed the Chinese food, beer, pizza and the movie!

[@TashinavanZwam]

Can't wait to travel to the USA next year and walk the PCT! Great to see what is coming and follow your journey along this amazing trail. Love your videos! Keep up the good work :)

[@reganrobin]

Thank you so much for showing us your trip. I’ve watched your channel for awhile now and it’s great to follow you along the PCT. Keep it up. Your doing great.

[@jae.m.luna2023]

Thank you for the awesome video! I always enjoy watching them. It amazes me how far you hike in a day.

[@hidilley]

I drive through the Mohave often for work and boy oh boy I admire those who walk it! Thanks for sharing your trek with all of us, and helping us to see the beauty in the desert as well as the mountains. :) Hike on!

[@grege1441]

You are doing a great job to document all of this.

[@rainbowhiker]

Glad to see you back on trail. You look strong and doing well. Yup! Long stretches in between people sometimes. Thank goodness for those trail angels. Keep walking.

[@MrDAXY44]

All the way from the UK, good luck and hope you keep on enjoying the hike !!

[@michaeldehart648]

Hope the shins are holding up. Thanks for sharing...really enjoying your trip, vicariously of course!

[@debsmith7050]

...so glad to catch up with you!!! Storm left me without internet; 5+ days..... Looks like you are doing well @ this point. Hope your bum is better & that you have new poles

[@lindaselover2536]

It was cool to see you in Saunter's video -- in Bishop, I think. Waiting to see your videos of trekking through the snow. It is good to hear that people are coming out to be safe, some flip-flopping, and others doing side trips til the snow melts. We don't want to lose anyone in the Sierra this year. Take care.

[@SomewhereOutside]

So glad your leg is feeling better man! Happy trails to you sir, and thanks for taking us along 😎

[@TROJAN6961]

Great videos!! Just waiting on the next episode..

[@TheRollingBasti]

By the clouds I saw I think you were pretty lucky in that section... Love your videos! Keep going! Free Refill, class of '07 and' 14

[@ruleofthirds6499]

Strangely this was one of my favorite parts of the desert. Hikertown was rather odd though. I loved the aquaduct hike, but remember the consistent flatness actually being hard on the feet. Thanks for the videos! Keep posting them!

[@atlantaguy762]

Another great video. Whoever is editing this is doing an amazing job. Thanks for sharing.

[@DebCampos]

Great episode Darwin, I hope your leg is feeling better 🤗 Thank you for being such an inspiration 🏞️🏞️

[@luckyhiker3434]

Hey Darwin, before I started watching your current CDT hike I only watched your Q&A type episodes which I enjoyed very much! Now to see you on the trail your perceived persona (as I observe) has changed. I have alluded to that in a previous comment when you were experiencing the shin pain. In your Q&A vids you seem like such an authority, very independent or self reliant, expert backpacking teacher and all those other characteristics that make a man a "man's-man" if you can understand what I mean. Now on the trail you are much more human: saddled with physical maladies although not debilitating or permanent, subject to the tortures of Mother Nature, dependent on others and just a softer speaker. As life rolls on these things take there place and the truly wise trekker adapt accordingly. I really like your vids! From your cyber space friend, an old timer.

[@Racnmasn]

Mojave the most boring part of the PCT but it’s where I grew up and lived! Thanks for showing us this part. I’ve always wanted to see this part of the PCT! 👍

[@zachdehaas5064]

I follow from Redding, California!! I know you’ll be going through Larsen mountain sometime...I can see it from my house! Very exciting, happy trails!!

[@o.g.2716]

Thanks for posting another great video! Love watching them and I can’t wait for the next one!

[@MrMikevw]

Nice camera work! Following you is one of the things I'm really enjoying as summer comes. You on the PCT, Dixie on the CDT, good times! Hope your leg is better. This vid I hear no comments about it so figure it's better or your just taking your mind off it as it's slowly getting better. Keep on hiking man!

[@johneason6540]

Great to see your post. Glad you are doing well. Looks like your leg is better. Following you and another girl on the cdt. Funny you hiked cdt last year and she hiked pct last year. You both are about sixty days in. Wishing you happy trails. Be safe and stay well. Be waiting to see next weeks episode. Yeah I think last week was the hottest there this year.

[@markdenney3903]

Good luck and keep it up. Love these videos. Take care of yourself, and take care of the ankle. Bless you and keep you safe.

[@bobbyboombeck]

Tehachapi day sounds awesome! I just finished up a hike and did the same thing on one of the days. I think I enjoyed the movie so much more having put in all the miles that day.

[@Laufield]

Next year I'm going hiking PCT on Mojave, CA! I can't wait! I love PCT

[@tednottodd]

Really enjoying your videos. I appreciate the vibe you are putting out there while hiking. I was starting to wonder if the PCT was just a big party, I'm encouraged that you can have a solitary experience if you want it.

[@martinaufdemweg4653]

Thank you for the great video. I follow from germany

[@robertcombs8664]

Enjoying the show!

[@gregstoller1229]

Thanks for the video work. Keep up the great work on the trail!!!

[@milmil5350]

Hiker Town @1:59 the cardboard cutout of a lady in black in the window is *Elvira* ✨💖😆 what is she doing there?! That was so out of nowhere -- totally caught me off guard. lol💕

[@NickInNature]

Look forward to your videos every week, keep it up man!!

[@spurgecochran2738]

Thanks for video...sitting here in Sisters, Or. enjoying your trek here. Maybe see ya in August.

[@wyatt92563]

Hey Darwin, you’re hiking thru my ‘neck of the woods’! I live in Temecula CA and backpack the San Jacinto area in the summer and Joshua Tree in the Fall, winter, spring. Hike on my Brother. See ya on down the trail :-)

[@SidekickJoe]

Very nice video! Nice work to whoever did the editing too!

[@PhilSallaway]

Nice vid l love the desert... usually go there after Nov and before Apr... keep on hiking.!

[@johnschmalbach8243]

Darwin, I don't know if you have read Thoreau but I am planning my first long distance hike (long distance being relative of course) solo. I have called this when asked my "Walden moment." Regardless if you get the reference, drive on sir, drive on.

[@ds2k15]

Awesome cinematic music towards the end!

[@MrCrispinlevy]

Hi Darwin. Thank you for posting these. Inspiring stuff. When you are potentially taking 5L of water and 5 days of food do you ever find you are approaching the 16Kg load limit of the ArcBlast? Does it ever feel like the pack isn't handling the highest loads you carry as well as you'd prefer or say your atmos would?

[@Oz.DeLorean]

Thanks so much for the ongoing vlog. Amazing to watch and a genuine inspiration. Looks like the ankle issue is mostly revolved? Nothing here and you haven’t mentioned it for a while on Insta. Just wondering about that huge Australian flag in Hiker Town, got some Aussie reprobates living out in the desert there? 🤔😆🇦🇺

[@jimwarden9617]

I'm really enjoying your posts!

[@Darignobullseye]

Wow. Some kind people putting water, first aid and snacks on the trail.

[@kellycarlen9605]

Would like to hear more about how your gear is working out. How's the Vecto holding up? What are you eating? How are you liking the Vargo pot?

[@Hiker63]

If there’s one climate I hate it’s hot and blazing. Much respect there Darwin. Keep on, keepin on brother.

[@gogiya41195]

Hey man I love your videos! Can I ask what day of the trail was it when you got to hiker town? Like how many days overall have passed since the beginning of the trail up until you got to hiker town?

[@Radnally]

I used to hike sections of the PCT 40 years ago and not see another person for days.

[@joestagner7817]

Great 👍🏻 job Darwin videos are awesome. How are your cnoc poles working out

[@Visaliaipa]

Great video Darwin......I've followed you since the start, as well as your other videos. What brand are those black compression socks or leggings....?

[@vertikom]

amazing video, thanks for showing us this all

[@extremelydave]

Hey Darwin, what kind of bladder are you hooking up to the Squeeze? By the way, your video skills are doing quite well these days. It is appreciated when someone takes their time doing a panorama instead of flashing across and ripping my eyes out of their sockets. : ) It will be interesting to see your reaction to the high Sierras when you get there. OMG that is just SO beautiful up there it takes your breath away! Keep on trekkin'!

[@alexmarchica5264]

I believe he uses a CNOC.

[@jems143143]

It is a CNOC vecto . I have two of them. A must have!

[@CC-CODER]

darwinonthetrail.com/2018/04/19/darwins-2018-pct-thru-hike/

[@jems143143]

Cheaper if you buy from cnoc.

[@standriggs2420]

I wish the cap on the CNOC was captured, but the good news is that a smart/life water bottle cap makes an excellent replacement.

[@midwestoutdoors3286]

Awesome job Darwin! So cool that you're a Marvel fan. Hope you got to see the movie

[@AWalkOnDirt]

I was based in the area as a young stupid marine. I want to hike this section so badly! Odd someone is looking forward to the desert. Love the Joshua Trees!

[@8Throtl1]

Great video Darwin!

[@oliverwarren1074]

These are called Wind Turbines :) a mill is something which mills grain (or other things)!

[@mikeboone4425]

Pick up a full brim hat it will save you on sunny days . Happy Trails

[@chrisk4827]

Great job brother, you rip those miles, take care of that shin & stay safe.

[@ryaari]

Great job sharing the journey... can barely get any work done here deskside! Hey, do you carry a stuff sack for the tent or just stuff at bottom of pack?

[@jasontracy150]

Watching your videos makes me insanely jealous! I wish I had the brain power to let go and go on a thru-hike!

[@mikethorn6155]

Thanks you brother I do this as a life choice so yeah this is amazing and very beautiful, peaceful

[@jordanl7459]

Top class videos. Sooooo great to follow you

[@friarrodneyburnap4336]

The American Discovery Trail would be a great thru hike for you...

[@334milesoffun4]

Thanks for another great video and inspiration.

[@cbmathews0440]

I bet you really appreciate a movie at a movie theater in the middle of a crazy long hike

[@erichagen7627]

Great update. Stay safe.

[@enlightenedlotus336]

Hello from hiker heaven Darwin! - Your thru hiker fans

[@quickscopedmofo]

Worked on an Americorps NCCC team doing trails in northern California. A friend of mine who worked another team, worked for ten weeks on the PCT.

[@dennydiaz5080]

Backcountry trails program? 2011 Stanislaus crew here. Best summer of my life

[@timobrien7554]

Hay great videos love them just wondering if I have a steady income of 500 600 a month would that be enough for the pct or the at thanks

[@CncObsession]

I remember driving that area a few years back and being so disappointed in those windmills, their placement and to whom they served. Nobody near them. Few were spinning. A quick calculation projected a minimum of 35000 units to power LA's population alone, if running at 100%. When the wind isnt blowing you get no power.

[@Kickasaurus13]

this section was brutal last year, we ended up doing a 36 miles day and night to get to that bridge, night hiking under a blood red moon was pretty intense.

[@richardbarrett2625]

All I can say is “WOW”

[@egjr0765]

I have been following you for a year or more and you are an inspiration. Be on the lookout for Rabid Rabbit who is just ahead of you on the PCT. I have been following him and you both on the PCT. The Woodlands, Texas.

[@stevefaculakiii9720]

Your mileage is insane. It is one of the best of most the big name hikers. What is your average time per mile???

[@stevenj6070]

What type of compression socks are those? I need a pair of over the calf socks like that.