The Sierra Pelonas (PCT) | Pacific Crest Trail hiking near LA, California

[@IreneTivz]

Awesome shots. You've done a great accomplishment. I hope to see the 4 of you hiking the PCT.

[@AdventureArchives]

You've really been bingeing our vids lately :)

[@IreneTivz]

@@AdventureArchives indeed💯🙂 I love all your videos. Still catching up. I am so much inspired and motivated by the way you guys edit. The production is exquisite. You guys deserve a millions of views. Looking forward for your success. I watch all the ads for my contribution to your channel 😃

[@bryanhikes7248]

the end monologue in this video was one of the most beautiful and insightful things I have ever heard. I have been the one in your shoes, who forgets to appreciate the trip because the goal overtakes your thoughts.

[@AdventureArchives]

+Bryan Formica Thanks Bryan! Can never focus too much on the end goal, otherwise what's the point?

[@BoomstickNick88]

I live north of LA in Southern California so these are always a pleasure. Thomas does a great job and I'd love to see a full length PCT based episode!

[@mulchies]

I love this one Thomas. I've done so much hiking on my own the end result seems less fulfilling because there's no one there to share it with. Still amazing experiences but it's so much more nostalgic later in life when you can talk about the feelings that particular place evoked. As Alexander Supertramp said (in the movie), "Happiness is only real when shared."

[@sierratango7364]

Thanks for taking us along Thomas. I love your honesty at the end. Whenever I'm out with anyone I always remind them to stop and enjoy your surroundings as when you reach your goal, you tend to be above everything else looking down on it. Instead of being submerged in nature and enjoying the changing views etc.

[@Paceaper1]

Thomas, Have I got a hike for you and your boys. Catalina Island. The Trans Catalina Trail is 37 miles, but deceptively hard. I took a similar trail about 30 years ago (this was before the TCT was created) with my college buddies. I remember it being steep, hard, hot but well worth it. We took a water taxi to the north end of the island and made our way back over the next few days. Keep an eye out for the wild buffalo and boar. Had an absolute blast in Avalon when we finished. A trip to remember. Watch some other vids posted about it. If you are new to CA, then it is a GREAT trip. I highly recommend it. Thanks for posting your video.

[@AdventureArchives]

I was actually hoping to do a trip like this in Catalina! I can't tell you how much I appreciate you insights on this. Once I work up enough vacation days and save some money to afford the boat trip over, I'd love to do this. Would it be cool if I contacted you later on about the route you took? Thanks so much! -Thomas

[@osufan002]

Great video Thomas. Those mountain top shots are stunning!

[@AdventureArchives]

Thanks Alex! Next time you're out here in Cali we'll hike a few -Thomas

[@CentralOregonSurvival]

Nice, PCT is always a great trail to hike, a lot of up hill!!! LOL Great shots..

[@AdventureArchives]

Just watched the movie Wild and I gotta say- the Oregon part looks beautiful. Thanks! -Thomas

[@CentralOregonSurvival]

Yes, it is beautiful, I don't go up there as often as I should, but our section gets hiked a lot and like to go where there is no people... I haven't seen the movie yet, but I hear it is pretty good, smart idea heading up there.. Good stuff and take care. Todd

Beautiful video!!

[@AdventureArchives]

Márcio Floripa Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@BrosephRussell]

That was awesome

[@TheSunkenGrave]

I have hiked mountains. I have never entertained the thought that I "conquered" the mountain but I have entertained the thought that I survived them. "Glad I survived that" is my usual quote after a more difficult hike on a mountain. Two videos of mine especially; 1: Savage Gulf, Suter and Horsepound Falls and 2: Daddy/Daughter Hike to Virgin Falls illustrate the point. In the first, it was my girlfriend who was struggling mightily to make it back out and she waxed philosophical about it afterward but at the time, it was increasingly becoming a scary situation as to whether or not she could make it out of the gorge. I was tremendously worried about her and, quite frankly, wasn't sure what to do. In the second referenced video, it was I who was unsure as to whether or not I could make it out of the gorge. The hike to Virgin Falls is mostly downhill but the hike out is 4.5 miles of steep, rocky incline and while I didn't know it at the time, I had a full DVT(Deep Vein thrombosis) in my left leg (full leg blood clot) which is, in and of itself, a potentially deadly situation. The DVT kept me out of the gorges for a long time and it is difficult to get myself back to the point where I can handle that kind of rigorous terrain. Just a little insight as to why I appreciate the Adventure Archives so much. It has been a way to live vicariously these beautiful places which I could no longer go without serious risks. Pleased to report that the blood clot has dissolved but other health issues remain. I'm easing my way back into it. Thank you guys for your adventures. There is a another video of mine which I do wish you would watch even though it is nowhere the quality of an AA video but, like AA, it involves some philosophy. It is titled "Lessons From The Trail" where I took my girlfriend on a hike which I knew would be difficult for her but I also knew she could do and applied some lessons from that hike to an impending situation in her life.

[@rodroberts1601]

Enjoyed your video Thank you

[@AdventureArchives]

Thanks for watching! Glad you enjoyed it! -Thomas

[@alexanderweaver4838]

Speaking of mountain lions, Thomas, did you hear of the mountain biker that met his demise when a mountain lion charged him from above the trail and killed the poor unsuspecting rider? I think it was the very trail you're hiking, too; in that area anyway. I normally hiked with a bamboo pole and had wide duck tape wrapped around the bottom of it. I would tape a Cold Steel knife with the hollow handle onto the pole whenever I felt uneasy. It's amazing how one's hearing improves when fear hits. The only time I faced a mountain lion was on the Mogollon Rim near Flagstaff, AZ. Fortunately my two Air Force buddies were nearby in camp when they heard my yells for help. Sometimes even doing your business off the trail requires bringing a weapon for those JIC (just in case) moments.

[@laketahoeoverdose4387]

Beautiful man. That ending and mountain talk was Kafkaesque or Thoth-ish rather and motivating

[@yewsengcheong1637]

I remember having to move far away from friends once too. Hope you guys get to get together and make a video soon.

[@AdventureArchives]

Haha- I'm so grateful for Skype and IM. Thanks for watching Yew! -Thomas

[@TailEnd88]

I wouldn't personally say that reaching the summit of a mountain is about "conquering." Because like you said, it is ignorant to think that a person has any power over something like a mountain. I tend to think of it more of an "accomplishing." Being able to complete the task that you have set for yourself. When something is hard, it is easy to stop and turn around and go back. But then the task is incomplete. Whenever you think about that mountain you think about how you never did quite make it. It's much more satisfying to take your time and push yourself just so you can say "I did it!"

[@brianpowell3657]

I believe that summitting a mountain is an achievement, but in agreement with McFarlane, I believe that reaching the summit is not a conquering of the peak, but visiting the peak. I look with reverence at each peak I summit or wish to summit, whether only 1,500' or 10,000' in elevation. The journey is also just as important as the destination, and most of my best times alive have been on the hiking trail seeing wildlife or rare plants, or the incredible views up to or down from the mountains!!

[@jb0258]

It's crazy to think Yucca's are native here. I live in Ohio and have a few by my house. Just never knew where they originated (:

[@jonesmr30]

How do you feel about now being in the channel profile pic?

[@pilgrimcarolee7294]

Thomas, it is pronounced Yuck a. You know like when you do not like some thing slimy, Yuck And then a on the end

[@allisonm9047]

i don't either :(

[@AdventureArchives]

Allison M yeah.

[@AdventureArchives]

AdventureArchives -andrew

[@Rgrrgr175]

Yuck-uh.