I am breaking the posts up by sections according to this map, roughly 100 mile chunks. The tiny East Coast states on the AT made section-chopping pretty easy but out here, obviously, the states are larger. So luckily this section breakdown was created. Subcribe at the bottom of each page to get an email when a new post is up, or, if you want more off-the-cuff and frequent posts, follow me on Instagram or Facebook
Gear for Sun Protection
I much prefer hiking in my Space Jam shorts but I don't want to lather my legs up with sunscreen all the time so I've been hiking in convertible pants. I usually have the zipper and knee zips open for maximum ventilation and, I must say, it is nice to have pockets.
I got these sunsleeves originally thinking I'd wear a T-shirt but then I got a Columbia Silverridge shirt (which is great!) so now these sleeves became makeshift gloves to keep my hands protected. Since I hike with trekking poles my thumbs and hands are constantly in the sun so it is nice to be able to keep them covered.
I added buttons to a bandanna and my hat so I can block the morning and evening sun when it's at a low angle. This can get annoying along the many switchbacks on the PCT because I constantly have to rotate my hat at each turn.
When the sun is high, the heat is up, and the wind isn't too harsh, I mount a sun umbrella to my shoulder strap and it is amazing how much cooler it is underneath. It has also been great for making shady hideouts in bushes during siestas. I would say this is a must have piece of gear in the desert.
Shoes
I have been rocking Altras for over 3,000 miles now and I still love them. They have been catching on and really cornered the market of PCT through hikers, if you ever think you're off trail you can just look for Altra footprints. At mile 454, in Aqua Dulce, I retired a pair of Lone Peak 3.5s which last until the tread was all but gone. It was great to see that Altra fixed the side-blowout issue from the 2.5s which hit me on the AT.
I wore the tread down to nothingness.
Throwback from the AT, the sides of Lone Peaks used to be susceptible to blow outs.