I went SOBO in 2024 (June 28-Nov 22) and it was especially good year I think. The fire season in Northern Ca came a bit early, so both of those closures opened before my slow ass got there. Just had the closures north of Crater Lake, and the one near Wrightwood to deal with. Happy Trails
As a MYTH, getting on and off the trail is part of the fun. So far, I've utilized train, bus, ferry, shuttle, hitching, lyft, and family. I took the county shuttle from Packwood WA to Centerville WA to catch Amtrak, which took forever, but I got to see so much. I usually have to plan 1 to 2 days for entering/exiting.
SOBO 7/10/24 (late start) Wa SOBO was amazing! Zero significant snow, moderate bug pressure (flies) and lots of berries. I experienced two lightning storms and was one of the last to get under the fire closures. Due to injury (started too fast) and fire closures I skipped to South lake Tahoe and did the Sierra SOBO in Sept. I finished and quit at KMS (I was mentally exhausted). Socially Wa was awesome. The Sierra section in September is fantastic, but was socially very isolating. I only saw one other SOBO. So NOBO vs SOBO? Either option will be a fantastic experience, but what happens on your hike is pretty unpredictable. Fire is the big uncontrollable factor. OR, and Norcal will be most unpredictable no matter what path you choose. When I try again I will go NOBO. The desert in the spring is better than in the fall and I would like to see that. Alternatively, I would consider NOBO to Cottonwood, then flip to WA and go SOBO. A flip flop plan will hit the desert in the spring and Wa in the spring and puts me on trail when other hikers are present. My two big take aways from last year are go slow the first 200 miles and social support on trail is very important. Happy Trails.
Thanks for the great perspective!! Now that I have watched your AT hike I know who "Merica is. I'm thinking about doing a smaller thru hike in 2025 or 26 (maybe the Lake Tahoe trail) than then doing a SOBO from WA (live in Seattle). I liked hearing starting in early July since I'm a teacher too. I really like your trail perspectives and I'm looking forward to your next adventure.
The portion of the Tahoe Rim Trail that overlaps with the PCT was awesome and so heard great things about the other sections as well. Definitely on my list to do at some point.
Interesting conversation and perspective! Personally, I think going NOBO give you much "softer" start and you get used to trail life before hitting much snow. On the other hand, if you can handle the first 2-3 weeks (depending on snow levels) going SOBO you get an easier hike for the rest of the trail.
Wow what refreshing perspectives, I think I would consider SOBO now with Murica's perspective. The traditional Mexico to Canada sounds cool but SOBO just seems more practical. Considering this when I hike the PCT one day :)
Hi Jason my thoughts on being purist on long trails is that it differs between trails I am for doing every step but there are unavoidable issues that come up it was 1979 when I thru hike the AT. So my challenges where no technology back then compass and map was my technology. I have not hike the PCT but I believe that that trail holds so much more uncertainty that hikers have to deal with so on that trail you just have to navigate as best you can due to closures as you know. So I also don't think you should feel bad about not having a purist hike in that case. I certainly enjoyed your journey. Take care
Ok, so sounds like Frozen and Murica are both saying SOBO is a better option huh? I understand the caveats that were discussed, but looks like that may be the best way. I agree that being a "purist" is easy when the trail is easy (AT) to do it on, but when you've got so much fire like you do out west being a "purist" is not easy and likely not feasible. I know there are people that do it by either waiting out the closures or taking side trails and road walks. But generally speaking the AT is much easier to do it on vs. the PCT. I imagine the CDT is somewhere in the middle. Either way, the greatest thing about thru-hiking is you hike your hike and do it your way. After 2,000+ miles...you're a thru hiker! Great to see Murica again, what a good dude.
We both thing an early July start would be ideal for a SOBO thru hike. With that being said it is important to note that snow levels in Washington can be all over the place in July but seem to quickly melt. So stick it out for 2 weeks in the snow vs potentially 300+ miles when you enter the Sierra going NOBO.
Great video to you both! It was really nice hearing a SOBO's perspective. I went NOBO figuring I'd get a jump on fire season, but sounds like some SOBO's faired better. Durston haha...so many areas I could squeeze in my Plex Solo...so glad I went with that. Crazy how much water Merica had to carry...ugh!
I live in San Diego. I have been section hike NOBO/SOBO. I lot of out and back day and over night hikes. I thin I may do a SOBO through hike to home. It would be a great feeling it think. Thank for the great information. When I see NOBO's starting the trail. I often tell them "Canada, is just around the corner, up the next hill" I love see all the fresh starts in the spring on Mt.Laguna.
Nice job fellas. Washington is beautiful. Frozen I’m looking forward to seeing your WA miles. Hit me up if there is any way I can help. Merica, I can’t believe how quickly you made it through CA. Watching the typical NOBO hikers I was surprised how different the timeline can be.
Water was definitely a concern in the desert. I had a 6.5L capacity and most to all of it a couple times. Fortunately there were water caches that helped prevent me from needing the full capacity even more. I think the furthest I went between sources was 25-30 miles but without a few crucial caches could have been 40ish
I went SOBO in 2024 (June 28-Nov 22) and it was especially good year I think. The fire season in Northern Ca came a bit early, so both of those closures opened before my slow ass got there. Just had the closures north of Crater Lake, and the one near Wrightwood to deal with. Happy Trails
As a MYTH, getting on and off the trail is part of the fun. So far, I've utilized train, bus, ferry, shuttle, hitching, lyft, and family. I took the county shuttle from Packwood WA to Centerville WA to catch Amtrak, which took forever, but I got to see so much. I usually have to plan 1 to 2 days for entering/exiting.
SOBO 7/10/24 (late start) Wa SOBO was amazing! Zero significant snow, moderate bug pressure (flies) and lots of berries. I experienced two lightning storms and was one of the last to get under the fire closures. Due to injury (started too fast) and fire closures I skipped to South lake Tahoe and did the Sierra SOBO in Sept. I finished and quit at KMS (I was mentally exhausted). Socially Wa was awesome. The Sierra section in September is fantastic, but was socially very isolating. I only saw one other SOBO. So NOBO vs SOBO? Either option will be a fantastic experience, but what happens on your hike is pretty unpredictable. Fire is the big uncontrollable factor. OR, and Norcal will be most unpredictable no matter what path you choose. When I try again I will go NOBO. The desert in the spring is better than in the fall and I would like to see that. Alternatively, I would consider NOBO to Cottonwood, then flip to WA and go SOBO. A flip flop plan will hit the desert in the spring and Wa in the spring and puts me on trail when other hikers are present. My two big take aways from last year are go slow the first 200 miles and social support on trail is very important. Happy Trails.
How's Bigfoot doing? Love your videos Frozen!
Well that was really fun! It was great seeing you two and hearing your experiences. Thanks for the “cameo” 😉 Im convinced, SoBo is the way to go!!
It is haha
So happy to see you and Murica together again. Happy new year
Happy new year!
Thanks for the great perspective!! Now that I have watched your AT hike I know who "Merica is. I'm thinking about doing a smaller thru hike in 2025 or 26 (maybe the Lake Tahoe trail) than then doing a SOBO from WA (live in Seattle). I liked hearing starting in early July since I'm a teacher too.
I really like your trail perspectives and I'm looking forward to your next adventure.
The portion of the Tahoe Rim Trail that overlaps with the PCT was awesome and so heard great things about the other sections as well. Definitely on my list to do at some point.
Interesting conversation and perspective! Personally, I think going NOBO give you much "softer" start and you get used to trail life before hitting much snow. On the other hand, if you can handle the first 2-3 weeks (depending on snow levels) going SOBO you get an easier hike for the rest of the trail.
Krysta Norwick also did SOBO on PCT. It was worth watching. 🥰🥾🥾😎
Great to see merica again.
Happy New Year Frozen and Murica!!! Thanks for sharing!
Happy New Year to you as well!
Wow what refreshing perspectives, I think I would consider SOBO now with Murica's perspective. The traditional Mexico to Canada sounds cool but SOBO just seems more practical. Considering this when I hike the PCT one day :)
Hi Jason my thoughts on being purist on long trails is that it differs between trails I am for doing every step but there are unavoidable issues that come up it was 1979 when I thru hike the AT. So my challenges where no technology back then compass and map was my technology. I have not hike the PCT but I believe that that trail holds so much more uncertainty that hikers have to deal with so on that trail you just have to navigate as best you can due to closures as you know. So I also don't think you should feel bad about not having a purist hike in that case. I certainly enjoyed your journey. Take care
Ok, so sounds like Frozen and Murica are both saying SOBO is a better option huh? I understand the caveats that were discussed, but looks like that may be the best way.
I agree that being a "purist" is easy when the trail is easy (AT) to do it on, but when you've got so much fire like you do out west being a "purist" is not easy and likely not feasible. I know there are people that do it by either waiting out the closures or taking side trails and road walks. But generally speaking the AT is much easier to do it on vs. the PCT. I imagine the CDT is somewhere in the middle.
Either way, the greatest thing about thru-hiking is you hike your hike and do it your way. After 2,000+ miles...you're a thru hiker! Great to see Murica again, what a good dude.
We both thing an early July start would be ideal for a SOBO thru hike. With that being said it is important to note that snow levels in Washington can be all over the place in July but seem to quickly melt. So stick it out for 2 weeks in the snow vs potentially 300+ miles when you enter the Sierra going NOBO.
@@FrozensAdventures That is a fair assessment!
Great video to you both! It was really nice hearing a SOBO's perspective. I went NOBO figuring I'd get a jump on fire season, but sounds like some SOBO's faired better. Durston haha...so many areas I could squeeze in my Plex Solo...so glad I went with that. Crazy how much water Merica had to carry...ugh!
Yea absolutely nuts 6.5L! On the flip side he didn't carry anywhere near the layers and winter gear than NOBOS though.
I live in San Diego. I have been section hike NOBO/SOBO. I lot of out and back day and over night hikes. I thin I may do a SOBO through hike to home. It would be a great feeling it think.
Thank for the great information.
When I see NOBO's starting the trail. I often tell them "Canada, is just around the corner, up the next hill" I love see all the fresh starts in the spring on Mt.Laguna.
Thanks for the video! Considering a SOBO PCT in 2027!
Do it!
What an awesome video! Answered that question for me, thx guys!!
Glad we could give you the info to get your questions answered.
Hype, cant wait to watch this vid!
Any plans for a long version of your PCT Hike and Thanks for all the videos you have done. ❤
I'm starting NOBO March 27th. Frozen, you videos made me finally jump in!
Awesome! I hope you have a great hike.
Merica baby
Nice job fellas. Washington is beautiful. Frozen I’m looking forward to seeing your WA miles. Hit me up if there is any way I can help. Merica, I can’t believe how quickly you made it through CA. Watching the typical NOBO hikers I was surprised how different the timeline can be.
Thanks Bryan! Hey I sent you a message a while back on instagram as I lost your # when I transitioned back to my old cellular provider.
For going SOBO, did you have any problems with obtaining water in the desert section? Are any of the water sources dried up for the year?
Water was definitely a concern in the desert. I had a 6.5L capacity and most to all of it a couple times. Fortunately there were water caches that helped prevent me from needing the full capacity even more. I think the furthest I went between sources was 25-30 miles but without a few crucial caches could have been 40ish
Right on
PCT SOBO 2026!! Here's to the dream, thanks to your video for some amazing discussion on this topic.
Might see you out there when I collect my fire skips!
Wanna go south!