PCT 2023| Episode 6 | SNOW, a breakdown & Apache peak

[@richardross7219]

I'm very sorry that you are having pain. Sunlight damages antibiotics so you have to avoid it on your skin. For added warmth buy a cheap furry fleece throw blanket for about $5 and some hand warmers. Hot cocoa before bed will warm you up. You have to put big rocks on your tent stakes in windy conditions. Sighting your tent behind a wind break becomes very import. Live and learn. Have fun. Happy Trails. Good Luck, Rick

[@ldosucowboy3279]

Brilliant episode. I've just recently joined your journey so am catching up on these early days. Great job with the video and audio.😊

[@jajackso18]

I really look forward to your posts! Your honesty and passion for this adventure really come through, with heart. And the video production is just excellent. Great shots, wonderful musical choices, thoughtful editing. I’m sure it takes a lot of time and dedication, and what a fine end result. I’m glad you’re finding a way through the tough parts, and paying attention to what your body needs to be safe. Thank you! I look forward to your continued journey; lots of great stuff ahead!

[@ashobrienoutdoors]

Hey! Thankyou so much for this message, that means a lot because as you say, it takes so much effort to film and edit on trail. Sometimes I’m editing on a break in the burning sun while others get a nap , or I’m editing at water sources etc. it’s hard work but it’s also a privilege to be here and get to capture this journey. It’s my version of a journal and it makes me so happy to hear others are enjoying following along!

[@willys4947]

Keep going Ash. We're all watching in awe back home.

[@ashobrienoutdoors]

Wow wow thanks :)

[@susanortoleva8193]

Your videos are so well done..really enjoying your journey.

[@DartmoorPaul]

I always look forward to seeing you post a vlog and this one was just wow! As others have said your honest emotions on camera combined with the great editing make it a wonderful thing to watch, Thank you Ash so much for sharing these. As someone who is trying to make the PCT happen your documentary is invaluable. ❤😊

[@ashobrienoutdoors]

Thankyou, this means a lot! I’m taking plenty of notes for you :) you gotta get out here some day, it’s the BEST!!

[@DartmoorPaul]

@@ashobrienoutdoors so kind.🙂 I hope you cleared away all the deadly noodles though 😂

[@rhousto1]

Your honesty speaking of the highs and lows of your experience makes it even more real for those of us following along. It's not easy to deal with the variable elements, high temps, low temps, uphill, downhill...nevertheless you are a tough one and you'll find a way to keep marching ahead. Your attitude will get you through those tough moments on the trail. Your smile alone will keep you moving forward.

[@ashobrienoutdoors]

Thanks so much ❣️

[@gaylewalker4239]

I'm so sorry for the pain that's related to the cold. You are doing amazing. I hope for warmer days. Your joy of the trail is awesome. Yes, take care of yourself. Keep trekking. 😀

[@randysmith6493]

You make wonderful trail videos. Wonder if thyroid supplement and soft buff on the neck would help with warmth and a bigger puffy. Big altitude, real cold. Beautiful up there and I thank you for showing sections other people have not.

[@philipyoho8115]

Wow! Glad to see you back on trail. I was just watching Julia - The Adventure Geek's video this morning and she mentioned she was excited to see you in Idyllwild. Looks like tough going in the mountains, but you're making tough work of it. My friend Brenda and I were climbing Mount Whitney about 4 years ago and she had the same issue with her hands. So, during the hike I gave her my "magic" gloves, as I like to call them. They'll warm your hands in just about any condition. Also, I was carrying handwarmers. I highly recommend carrying a few of those, especially when you know the cold will affect your hands as it did in this video. Turns out Brenda has Reynaud's as well. Anyway, great climb for you on Apache Peak and even greater trek making your way out through Devil's Slide. The part of your video at about 18:06, from the distance looks pretty sketchy. Smart choice too to wait out San J. The mountain will always be there and you'll enjoy if more when the conditions and weather are better. I was up there yesterday, May 13th, for my 23rd summit and the snow level is still crazy high. I even slipped on my arse (as you say) a few times during the afternoon descent. Once again, great job! As one of your other followers said, "You got this!"

[@ashobrienoutdoors]

Hey! Thanks so much for your comment! I’m interested to hear more about those gloves, do you have a link handy? Oo and I met Julia in Idyllwild , such a legend! I got catch up on her videos whenever I get a chance :)

[@philipyoho8115]

@@ashobrienoutdoors These are what I have. Gordini Mens 4G2174 Stomp III Glove, Black/Bright Blue - L They have a zippered pouch for putting handwarmers in, but I find it works better if you put the handwarmers directly in the glove. At least to start. They are a bit bulky, but worth their weight in gold for the colder/freezing temperatures in the mountains. I hope that helps!

[@elainesmith-koop4968]

Go girl!

[@stephenszalay]

Amazing. Huge respect. Congratulations on your achievements so far. It’s bloody hard!

[@michaelkamph727]

Great video!

[@ondinekuraoka4151]

Glad u are safe after that incredibly challenging hike! Enjoying following yr journey!

[@heyitsmelisa]

You're kicking butt. Keep it up! And keep remembering to hike YOUR hike.

[@ashobrienoutdoors]

Thanks 😊

[@denisedoering2265]

So happy you persevered and really toughed that out. I am loving following your journey and cried through the honesty you share of all the highs and lows. Keep up your amazing attitude. I will be sending good vibes your way and honesty anxiously await these posts. Be strong.

[@ashobrienoutdoors]

Thankyou so much for following along and for the good vibes :) means a lot to hear that people are enjoying these videos! I make them for me, but knowing other people enjoy them makes me put in a little more effort to make them come together nicely :) Ash

[@glenn2017]

Lookin Good Ash, loved that video. Bet that was the best pizza you ever tasted lol. Proud off you. xx Dad

[@adelevickers2120]

Great video. Appreciate you keeping it real. Another Raynauds person here; I really felt for you. Amazing grit and determination. Go girl!

[@ashobrienoutdoors]

Thanks ❣️ it’s a right pain in the arse ain’t it! Maybe this will be the year I finally find a solution! And Thankyou for watching :)

[@jakeharv]

Great job Ash! Your positive attitude to challenges is stand out. Keep it up! Loving these videos :D

[@ashobrienoutdoors]

Thanks 😊 and hi!! Hope your keeping well :)

[@glennpaton8283]

That looked dicey, well done.

[@stewartjarvis3384]

Good work Ash,you toughed out the hard days. Dig deep,you can do this. Nothing beats a hot cuppa tea at the end of a tough day(with milk powder and sugar).Calories are king in the mountains,adding some oil to a big dinner helps get thru cold nights.Magnesium is great for muscle tiredness. Good luck!

[@ashobrienoutdoors]

Thanks for the tips :) that night I couldn’t even use a lighter to light my stove so I gotta get something sorted before the next cold section. Was wearing my down socks on my hands today and that was actually great haha

[@stewartjarvis3384]

@@ashobrienoutdoors Get your trail mates to help you light that stove if needed. Survival means never being too proud to ask for help, your are a family/ tribe on trail. As for food, dont rely on sugar, its heavy. You need fats and protein to survive long term, or your body eats itsself. You are long distance athlete. Coconut oil, macadamia oil are best, followed by olive oil or butter. Dry cheese powder is awesome to add to meals. I spent a number of seasons in the himalyas, cold is brutal. Wool socks as mittens are smart. Keep learning and adapting, you can do this.

[@trexinvert]

When the going get's tough just remember the feeling you had when you got Covid, airline lost your backpack, and so far away from home. Nothing worse than that. Keep on.

[@ashobrienoutdoors]

So true! Thankyou!

[@bvermie]

Thanks;be there in one week.

[@ashobrienoutdoors]

Goodluck!! It’s magical!

[@AMZHikes]

That was some Great video thru Apache Peak to the Saddle! Enjoy the Pizza and Idylwild. Hike 0n

[@ashobrienoutdoors]

Thanks 😊 the pizza was amazing!

[@debsmith7050]

Tough times tougher you ❤

[@maureenobryan6141]

Looked like a bit scary adventure you had, but you are strong Ash, and resilient, and you made it through! I'll PM you re: gloves.

[@rgallion]

I find that possum or alpaca gloves work well for me to keep hands warm. I don't have Reynauds but hypothyroidism and arthritis so joints and fingers can be painful in cold.

[@ashobrienoutdoors]

Thanks for the suggestion, I’m gonna try order some possum gloves to my next town. I got hypothyroidism too so maybe I’m just not built for the cold haha

[@three-cats-photography]

Type 2 fun! Nausea or cramping in the stomach/bowels can also be a sign of altitude sickness. I grew up in the Sierras, but when I moved back after ~20 years away I could get altitude sickness symptoms as low as 6-7,000 feet.

[@ashobrienoutdoors]

Haha type 2 fun for sure! It wasn’t altitude sickness although I’m aware of its nastiness as I’ve been to everest basecamp and summited Kilimanjaro. Thankfully taking the antibiotics with food helps the nausea and it also passed super quick :)

[@1adamuk]

Really cool watching these. Just wondering, at ~10 miles/ day you're not going to finish until early next year and you'd hit winter conditions.

[@ashobrienoutdoors]

Thanks for watching :) I always planned to start slow. It’s a loooong trail so I wanted to ease in, condition my body before increasing the miles to 20-25s and as a result I have zero blisters and all my joints feel great. Some days are shorter than others due to river crossings, assents, snow etc but I’m aiming for 15 at the moment, sometimes more sometimes less. The number of days in the video include the zeros also. Currently there is no rush to the Sierra due to the snow. And last excuse, I had covid when I got here so wanted to really ease in 😂

[@jillaubin481]

Looks for hand warmers or heated gloves. My husband has the same thing as you. This is some of his solutions.

[@ashobrienoutdoors]

Thanks 🙏 I considered a rechargeable handwarmer but with my baseweight being higher than average I’m trying to hard to cut weight but I will have to consider these for the Sierra I reckon and Atleast by then I should have legs of steel and maybe won’t mind the extra weight :) do you have a link handy for the heated gloves?

[@KevinSteelePlus]

The difficulty of that section is easily underestimated. It's epic, but scary and exhausting - so many annoying deadfalls to go under, over, around, and emotionally draining snow slopes to cross. Yet you're still 😃smiling! Because of your attitude I'm looking forward to watching the upcoming (and epic) challenges ahead of you on the trail. It's been a delight for me to follow along. PS - Good call heading back down to Idyllwild to regroup, no need to push it - the trail isn't going anywhere.

[@ashobrienoutdoors]

Thanks so much :) I have to say I regretted coming down and still do, but the pizza certainly helped make me feel better!

[@MT-HikerGirl]

I think you listened to your body. That’s what is most important. Great job pushing through. ❤

[@gtronn74]

❤

[@nerakdane]

OMG you would have to have a head for heights wow

[@ashobrienoutdoors]

Haha yea defo not for the faint hearted!

[@lennyhikes2781]

This was epic! I was gasping in fright. Thanks for your honesty! Is San Jacinto on the PCT?

[@ashobrienoutdoors]

Thanks 😊 San Jacinto and apache peak are not on the PCT, they are side trails as bonus’s that many hikers do :)

[@jessietheron6329]

If your trail name isn't "Amazing', it should be! Loving your videos

[@daniel_bray]

Was that Cedar Spring camp at the beginning? Was there water in that spring?

[@panhandlejake6200]

FYI - animals (rodents, deer, etc) like the salt left embedded in your trekking pole grips from the sweat off of your hands. They will eat the cork to get at the salt. Rubber grips are less prone to attack. Depending upon your poles, you should try to protect the handles so that pests don't damage them.

[@ashobrienoutdoors]

Ahh yes, I met a guy on trail called rat strap who got his trail name from what you describe haha I’ve just been chucking them outside but maybe I’ll start being a bit more careful :)

[@panhandlejake6200]

@@ashobrienoutdoors Rat Strap ! LOL !

[@elisaadams2292]

Next resupply try to pick up some hot hands to carry with you.

[@therealestategirl]

3 weeks later do you need micro spikes?

[@adventureswithfrickandfrack]

Are your tramily members willing to take turns filtering your water so you don't put your hands through that? Yes always drink your recovery drink. Do you drink something warm at night so you can warm your hands holding the cup?

[@ashobrienoutdoors]

A fellow hiker offered to filter my water that night, but me being me I said no because I hate to ask for help, but also if I’m out here I want to be able to cope on my own because you never know when you will wind up without other hikers around. The warm drink would have helped but I couldn’t even use a lighter my hands hurt so bad. I’m going to start researching some options because it’s making things really difficult. Ash

[@woodchip2782]

NEVER camp on top of a hill nor at the bottom of a valley…

[@ashobrienoutdoors]

Hey! I get you but in the case it made sense for us. It’s a popular camp site due to the water source in a fairly dry section and the next camp spot was a fair few miles away and we wanted to set up before dark. I get that these spots weren’t ideal but they made sense for us. Ash