PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 11- Blizzards, Bailouts, and Beaches

[@classic_peanuts6322]

Still looks better than punching a time clock

[@DarwinOnthetrail]

FO SHO! Hike On, Darwin

[@russellmoore1533]

Sometimes knowing when to bail out is one of the most important things you learn from all the experiences you have had in life, and that includes wilderness hiking. There's always another day to finish off the goals you have set, so why risk your life for self imposed targets. Loving the vid's, keep 'em coming.

[@menohaveaname]

This is so cool. The whole group of people banding together to overcome is just super heartwarming. There's no feeling like that.

[@evanshokoofi5924]

The things that seem the most overwhelming in the moment always make the best memories!!! You'll never forget this section, that's for sure ;)

[@ericcrain2249]

Hey Darwin, just got back from doing an 80 mile section hike on the Colorado Trail and I used your vids to find gear and prepare. Thanks for all the content and I hope your hike is going well man.

[@TheWayOutdoors]

I have been watching this PCT adventure and these sections of the Sierra are phenomenal. I grew up in Southern California and our family camped near Rock Creek Lake just north of Bishop for many years. Your footage is incredible, and you tell a wonderful story. Safe trails.

[@dukemaggiola6036]

The 11th ep, you have brought me from hot to cold, from sand to snow, as before I am in awe of the majestic scenery and a big thanks for taking the time and effort to share, when I see the effort, hear the breathing, I appreciate how serious this hike can be, your lows clearly get wiped by your highs, every step is an accomplishment !

[@bearanoia673]

The Sierras are always good for am impromptu snow storm 😳 one time, we got snowed on at Sequoia in the middle of July. Fortunately, we were on our way down.

[@bw17940]

Darwin, If you haven't past it yet say hi to the mountains when you get up by Pickle Meadows and the Sonora Pass. I used to live in a little town out there called Coleville.

[@turtlejon2002]

Hay man let me know when you get close to Odell lake in Oregon I will bring you some trail magic or any type of food/drink. I live in Springfield Oregon and enjoy watching you hike the pct. it’s my dream to hike the whole thing before I die.

[@matthewscoggins8668]

Tactical Survivalist “S.H.A.A.D” Do you know any good 2 to 3 day hikes out of Springfield? debating on doing 60 mile one out of Oakridge in the fall.

[@turtlejon2002]

Matthew Scoggins the sisters loop is a good one to do.

[@carolinadreamer7601]

What a beautiful country we have! Thank you for sharing and taking us to places that are so incredible. Watching this video was a reminder how dangerous nature can be and how quickly we can be in trouble. Getting out of the severe cold was the best thing to do. Loved the beach, good to see you back on trail. Stay safe.

[@joshfroats839]

Darwin you have quite an incredible skill of making trail videos. Everything is so well-coordinated - the music, the pace, the storytelling, all of it. Can't wait to see what the rest of the PCT has in store!

[@larryguy8606]

Who knew waterproof socks were not fireproof? Really enjoying the videos. Thanks for posting.

[@randylonto117]

Just watched PCT episode 11. THANK YOU!! I sweated my ass off all day today, July 5, in Michigan, and needed to cool down by watching you freeze your ass off. Stay safe and as always, thanks for the beautiful scenery.

[@richardwalker5376]

The first thing I learned from your videos was, "Embrace the suck." Quite an adventure you are having. Being a life long (74 years) Californian, I am well aware of how crazy the weather can get in the Sierras. Hike on.

[@jeffwalmann7244]

Darwin I enjoy you videos. I especially respect your positive attitude even when the cards are not stacked in your favor. You definitely know when to hold 'em, know when to fold'em and know when to run. Keep plugging. Thanks so much.

[@trailcat71]

Glad you all are safe! Holy cow the snow! Hope things lightened up enough to make your hike a little more enjoyable and a little less clenching!!

[@Chris-mf2gj]

SW of devils postmile monument is the Lions fire currently 60% contained at this moment. No restriction on pct, could see air quality changes as you get closer to mammoth. I live up near trinity alps, russian, marble wilderness areas. I was just at the etna summit area, and going back very soon. The wildfires are starting already sadly up here in the north. Nothing along the pct for now though. Happy trails!

[@stevenews5910]

Thanks for another fabulouse PCT video documentary. I'm sorry to hear that 2 fellow hikers got off trail bit am glad you had 6 days odd trail to enjoy Ysemite and other area attractions.

[@elvisexplores7768]

I’m doing this loop this coming week. I was hoping to catch you on the trail! I hope the snow melts before our start date. Good luck. Happy trails!

[@hikerJohn]

Loving all your PCT videos.

[@peterkennedy1311]

Living vicariously through you. Hate that snow! Hopefully, next week is clear sailing.

[@willcutler1646]

Bummer about the snow, keep trucking, can't wait for you to get to Oregon and Washington.

[@ponderinghiker]

Awesome video Darwin..... very much enjoyed it.... as we have always said about the Sierra weather.... If you don’t like it at the moment, wait an hour and it will change..... be safe and here is to good weather for future travels in the Sierra Mountains.... Cheers

[@MarkDParker]

I'm always learning new stuff from you, Darwin. Waterproof socks! I honestly had no idea any such thing existed. Sorry you lost yours. But I appreciate learning from your travails.

[@mjack333]

Love the tips and status updates. inspired to hike sections of the Colorado trail..I can't do the whole thing in 1 thru-hike, but i'm going to get out there.

[@domo3552]

Good call Darwin.. As the saying goes "You either bend with the rules of nature, or be broken by them". Keep on going!

[@k2thah286]

Any day getting your ass handed to you on trail is better than the best day at work. This footage is amazing! Thanks for taking us along.

[@davidterrie7661]

I bailed out down Sawmill last September. Crazy trail, but beautiful. No water at trailhead. Paid another hiker for a ride to Lone Pine. Weather has been better. Hope you made up some lost time.

[@DAAC86]

nice videos and they are really giving me the spirit to hit the trails might not be PCT yet but yeah a dream could be fun to try but i guess better start slowly on some smaller and easyer trails and work my self up and who knows maybe one day im standing at the start of the PCT ready for a life time experience

[@8Throtl1]

Wow, what an awesome story. Glad you were able to get off, enjoy some time, and now back on. Hike on! 👍🏻😁

[@SweetTone76]

Safe hiking kind sir, the Sierras snow rain ice is bad news bears man... I was stuck in Colorado once bad snow hail storms too... just take it slow and rest when needed brother.

[@griz795]

It's great to see this part of a thru hike. So much to overcome and the need to adapt. Looks like you're leaning to safety first. Up there it is beautiful but can get dangerous fast. Thanks for taking the time to post this. Stay safe, Griz.

[@Pack.Leader]

Wow. Just "wow." You're still at it, though! Snuggles to the rescue. How great it was to get off the trail and even head to Yosemite and the beach! I hope you feel renewed and can refer to those feelings to get you through the tough times that lay ahead. So amazingly beautiful there. Sorry you lost a few of your compadres. Somehow "embrace the suck" just doesn't cut it. I really admire folks like you. Keep on keeping on.

[@fastcircuit]

Mammoth is amazing, my favorite mountain for snowboarding. Enjoy it, and don't give up! I need my weekly vids! Lolz

[@KJ4RMZ]

Darwin & Dixie all in the same day...awesome.

[@classic_peanuts6322]

KJ4RMZ my wife and I both love dixie and darwin best to hikers to watch

[@jamieingels1190]

Yes, but don't forget IBTAT.😉

[@Lue_Jonin]

Check out Stella Hikes... Shes on the PCT hiking like a boss with a smile and an awesome positive demeanor.

[@d00dEEE]

I know, Wednesday is my favorite day of the week now!

[@tammymartinez7488]

I’m loving these thru hike videos. I’ll definitely go to some of those other channels too!

[@isabelllowenherz2213]

When something happens like that, it starts to become really interristing. I'm looking respectfully up on what you're doing there. Very nice that you're going on whith the trail. Thanks for sharing and God bless you :-) Greetings from Germany.

[@sassye.4816]

I was in Bishop in May for a Geology field camp with University of Wyoming. I had a night with the hubby before I met up with my class and we saw you at Mountain Rambler Brewery! Hubby wasn't convinced it was you so I didn't say "hi". But I definitely recognized you. I watched your videos to get ideas for field camp-since it involved 5 weeks of camping. I now have the hubby watching your PCT hike :D

[@Sklallamstrong]

It's nice to finally see some of the footage of your adventures in the sierras, I'm glad you played it smart and took care. Hike on.

[@peterfrigeri4495]

Wow, so bizarre to see so much snow at the beginning of the video. I hit Kearsarge June 28th with zero snow, I thought I was looking at 2017 video. Went all the way to Mammoth walked through maybe 300 yards of snow total proving timing is everything.

[@DarwinOnthetrail]

It melted FAST! Even between the week yhat we took off. Pretty Crazy! Hike On, Darwin

[@zenrhees9083]

Love your videos, glad to hear you didn't bail on the PCT. Then again, hard to imagine you not finishing it. Keep at it, happy trails!

[@spurgecochran2738]

Hopefully Oregon will be soon for you and the offer still stands of dinner and craft beer at Three Creeks Brewing in Sisters. Thanks Darwin for the video

[@martinpalagi3374]

Awesome update and good luck with the weather.

[@Matt-cw7gu]

Enjoy it, man. You and the chosen few got to experience that wild weather. Consider yourselves blessed.

[@santiagohills3321]

Sawmill is not on my bucket list, though I expect I’ll need to use it someday as part of my JMT section plans...all those passes north of Onion Valley are no joke. June can be that way, we had a cool moist June in SoCal, I wondered how all you PCTers were doing...that was some serious drama.

[@johnganshow5536]

Wow, What a week, got to see a lot of cool places!!

[@zachgoss1695]

Hey I did this trail like a couple weeks ago camped at flower lake beautiful trail

[@evilstratton]

Narrator: In the frozen land of Nador, they were forced to eat Sir Robin's minstrels. And there was much rejoicing. All: Yaaaay.*flags come up and wave* -Monty Python and The Holy Grail Awesome reference!

[@kellyjohnson3617]

I've been wondering when the next adventure video was coming. I know the sierras have some pretty bipolar weather. Glad you took care of yourselves and showed reasonableness. And got to enjoy keough hot springs. We were just there camping a month ago. I love the eastern sierras. Glad you got to do a few touristy thing and see big sur too! Awesome! Two of the best things about CA:big sur and the sierras. Looking forward to more of your adventures

[@joshyancey7666]

Dude... I want to be in your shoes so bad right now! I love the videos, keep it up for all of us couch hikers. You rock man! Hike on!

[@hikerwoody182]

interesting to see the conditions late may, very helpful and honest vid 👍 Setting fire to your socks did make me laugh 👌Looking forward to seeing the rest of your journey, take your time, you're well ahead of schedule

[@kellirustin7944]

Dude nobody does the Sawmill! I’d love to see that video. My boys did Baxter pass a few years ago and it was really rough. Glad you got to see Yosemite and Big Sur in the same trip. Carry on...

[@JKarle]

Another great video. Thank you for taking us along on your through hike, and sharing the experience! Edit: Wow, that waterfall coming out of the low clouds at 11:42!

[@salsanacho]

Nice way to make lemonade out of lemons. This video is a great example of how plans can change pretty quickly when thru hiking. Sorry that you lost a couple of buddies from the trail.

[@flashmanv3260]

Wow, that was a bit of a detour. Smart to wait it out. I'm sure it seems like a long time off/delay from the trip, but in the end it's a very small block of time for such a long trip.

[@livinglike_lisa7954]

What an ordeal! Glad you are safe... looking forward to your next video.

[@CMIC]

I'm just getting into backpacking and I'm already looking forward to doing the PCT someday

[@Mtnsunshine]

Wow. What a journey. So sorry to hear about Tang's injury. That's tough. Tell her we are hoping her foot heals quickly! It's great that Snuggles can provide such wonderful back up. Good job, Snuggles! Safe travels on the next section. :-)

[@Frankers5]

Looks like spring in the Sierra mountains is closer to winter.

[@emiremirus]

Hey Darwin, keep on doing the great job that you do, love to see updates of your hike and the conditions on the trail. I was on the PCT last month and probably met a bunch of people you hiked with as well, so if ever you see Flowers, Longstride, Dylan and Quoi or Cuppajoe, you can say hi from Late Bloomer and Bill, the two Canadians (; Happy trails!

[@denimlabels7315]

I think you should still be riding Yaks in May up there.

[@vonrollveeg]

Please understand, in no way is this intended as a sexist comment! I'm in my 70's. When I was actively hiking (40-50 years or more ago) there where absolutely no women on the trail (zero - I don't think I ever encountered a women). It does my heart good see see men and women hiking together and solo. What a change for the better. This is true equality. Times have certainly changed for the better, despite all the negativity we encounter today.

[@jbarn49]

I hiked in the Kings Canyon, Forester Pass, Roaring River area a couple of times in the early '70's and met several on the trails. My sister was another. Times have definitely changed for the better. Especially lighter equipment!!

[@Lue_Jonin]

A lot of sound wisdom shown on this video... Outstanding hiking Darwin. ✌ 👣 👑 👑 PS... I pack snowshoes.

[@DarwinOnthetrail]

Thanks King! I try...lol. Snowshoes are great & I have used them alot in the past, however, would not be as effective out here. As you know, Snowshoes work best on flat surfaces. 90% of the trail going through the Sierra is Steep, Rocky, & Off Camber. Snowshoes seem like a good Idea, but you would only be able to use them about 10% of the time, which wouldn't be worth the trouble of taking them. Thanks for Watching! Hike On, Darwin

[@johneason6540]

Wow! What a vicious environment this week. Looked impossible. Good time off trail, glad you took the break. Good luck this week. Amazing amount of snow in the sierra's still, then the white out conditions, brutal. You are a tough dude.

[@DarwinOnthetrail]

Overly Vicious, but def not impossible! Embrace the Suck & Hike On! Hike On, Darwin

[@Louisvilledc]

Another outstanding video. Thanks for sharing your journey with us!

[@theodorerzepski8491]

Fantastic production quality. You're the best!

[@DarwinOnthetrail]

Thanks Theo! Hike On, Darwin

[@RogueVikingQueen]

That is one heck of a week! Great job pushing through and shout out to snuggles for being there! ❤️❤️❤️

[@josephchamberlain3681]

Damn Darwin, stay safe out there, the Sierra's are no joke. I grew up in Reno and did a lot of winter camping around Donner pass and the surrounding areas. Wouldn't be caught dead without proper gear in snowy conditions... Or I WOULD be caught dead. Anyway, glad to see you're back on trail. Much love and luck your way.

[@davidsplan4409]

Great side trip and even better that you are back on track!

[@tuckbecky1]

the US is cooking from all the heat and you guys are in a blizzard. Smart choice to stay safe.

[@prachiagrawal2424]

Amazing videos...what an adventure...loads of strength to you..hike on!

[@gaylewalker4239]

you guys are real troopers. wow. what was the date that this all happened?

[@enriquediaz7547]

Ok. I spoke too soon with episode 10. This episode showed how tough it could be. ! Wow!

[@hazelgracelancaster2595]

😂On my first longer hike on the Kungsleden, last year I also burned a pair of socks in the fire by accident on the second day. They were completly melted! I only had two pair of socks with me so I had just one at that time. Luckily another hiker gave me a pair of socks. I WAS NEVER EVER MORE HAPPY TO GET A SIMPLE PAIR OF SOCKS! 😂😂😂

[@genewest7690]

another great video Darwin... continued success on the adventure, stay safe and peace!

[@EmilioExploring]

Fantastic shots!

[@rebo1841]

Thanks for the update...greetings from Holland

[@chrisk4827]

Enjoyed the video, happy to see you are forging ahead. !! Keep it safe.

[@JuanGonzalez-qg3oc]

Thanks for sharing Darwin, best of luck and wishes for you and your fellow hikers,

[@sinfonianbarelytone9191]

Wow. Sorry man. That's some nasty weather. Funny that my 12 year old son and I were on an 11 mile day hike Sunday that eventually led to the PCT by Steven's Pass in Washington (Section J). We said no way would anyone walk 15 miles to a remote trailhead as a way off the PCT. And today I find you did something similar 3 times. Wow! Sorry. Love your channel.

[@mlwiz950]

Meanwhile, I gain 2.5k elevation over a little less than 7 miles and I am OUT for the day. I'm living vicariously through your videos Darwin. Great stuff.

[@garygoeshiking1619]

Ack! That was a spot of hard luck, but I think I figured out the problem. You started hiking too soon! With the miles you are logging, you're beating the change of seasons! The average hiker wouldn't have made it far enough to get caught in that weather. :)~

[@JohnVLaw1]

Following you from the U.K. great determination. More scenery video if possible please. Yo

[@Annettec457]

That is just crazy, be safe stay warm, it will get better hopefully soon.

[@kevingumfory]

I try to watch all your vids. i dig the freestyle shit far more than the sales pitches. this was a great vid. glad you got a break. sorry to hear about vicious and tang.

[@Ranger24]

Great job being flexible and smart. This is a very good video series.

[@thiagowaldhelm]

nice! I thought we'd have an entire video of your road trip side quest haha cool that we got to see a bit of that anyway. keep on, sir!

[@shawncoleman2088]

Hey Darwin, I'm a rogue valley Oregon resident. In Medford. We have a HUGE wildfire raging just south of us that is just shy of 10,000 acres. Not sure how far in advance you update videos but I'm curious if you are on trail and snuggles uploads for you. They just closed a leg of the PCT south of the border coming into Oregon. Was wondering if you were or have been detoured by the time you get this. Safe travels friend be safe!

[@stoutcraftworks1854]

Love Love Love your videos. Drive on! Thank you for sharing.

[@willardwooten9582]

Yeah May was tough their for awhile. People flipping, some went through and so many waiting bottleneck not only in Bishop but everywhere. Was a slow time cause of no Vids. So this is got to put you close to Oregon.

[@jamessmith8617]

Hey Darwin! You da man! How is that Enlightenment jacket working out? I been looking at their website an$ the jackets look nice. I hav3 one of their quilts which is light and warm. Really cool the way they let you customize them ! Stay safe bro and hike strong😎😎🤙🏻🤙🏻

[@davemorland9452]

Really enjoying your videos of the PCT Darwin. Shame about your socks and the weather, but all character building ;) Hope you make better progress next week.

[@Astukart]

I love these updates Darwin, good luck and stay safe!

[@High_Key]

I love your videos man, truly inspirational

[@malenanapalporpiglia7127]

Absolutely amazing! Blessings and good luck!

[@Darignobullseye]

Great video. Glad everyone is safe.

[@sdreefsurf]

Well done! Way to play relatively safe!

[@adamcope1876]

Glad you're alright after that, hang in there!

[@stevenews5910]

After being trapped indoors on day 7 of the NewEngland heat wave I don't feel sorry for you having to get off the trail due to the weather. It mentally cools me off to watch from my AC living room. Thank you

[@334milesoffun4]

Before my 10 year old daughter and I began our last bike tour, the trail we were going to ride had flooded and damaged large portions of the the trail, I told her, "We can't direct the wind, but we can adjust our sails". This video is the perfect example of that.