No other thru hiker this year went to the stone fire station. Not even 5 time thru hiker Hawk. That view was absolutely stunning.. You have had the absolute worst weather in the Smokies of any vlogger. Thanks for showing the shelters and standing bear. When I visited the Smokies it also rained a ton. Virginia will be amazing. I also rode the horses. It was so much fun.
We both had great hospitality at Muir Ranch :) ..u got the tour though....I had someone send me there without enough food and promised me supply 'blindly'..I'm an idiot...but upon showing up another hiker had 2 buckets full of food sent there..he was so upset that he could not carry all that and my smile was ear to ear..I was happy to carry what he could not...I felt bad for him but felt better for myself...thank that man who sent me blindly ;)
I just began binge watching these today after seeing many of them two years ago. I am a little surprised you didn't comment on Mt Darwin as you passed by ;-)
Honestly, you and your wife, should 100% create a camping, hiking, mountain climbing nutrition cook book. It's fascinating to see what you eat to have the strength and energy to do your extreme travels. Also how you combat injuries with nutrition and maintain body weight. Hey it's a thought, and would be very helpful for us novices.
Hello D, It's very uplifting to see your smiling face everyday. I will miss you when you finish this trail. Hoping you will continue to do videos afterwards. Make it a great day.
You deserve some kind of award for making these great videos. They are fantastic and I have enjoyed the journey so much. Thanks for letting me tag along. I'm already looking forward to the next chapter. Be safe and thanks for sharing.
My dad did the JMT with his family when he was 8, back in 1968. He almost drowned at this river crossing, list his grip on the rope while crossing, and got swept downriver. Luckily, some boy scouts downstream were able to catch him. That crossing can be intense after a heavy snow season!
Toward the end of the meadows in Evolution Creek, I followed faint trail of of use to the creek bed. Nice sandy bottom, clear water, took off pack, swam across the very slow moving creek (periodically touching the firm bottom) got out the the other bank, and followed a trail down to the official 'stock crossing' that you used. I had almost drowned at the spot previously. The meadow crossing was much easier.
I was in Desolation Wilderness in May this year...the snow was magical. Watching this brings back good memories...loving the videos...wish I could PCT...but 4 kids and a job...you know. At least I can vicariously live through you...Great vids.
Great memories of when I hiked that section of trail over 40 years ago! Thanks for clarifying your daily distance factors. I keep watching hikers on RUclips doing 20+ mile days and thinking wow, we must have been real wimps being satisfied to hike 15 miles a day in the Sierra! We did have one 40+ mile day but it was 20 hours of hiking with a full moon.
I plead guilty to all of these charges. I still have my Svea stove and Sigg-Tourist cookset which was about the lightest thing available back then. :-D
The wife and I completed the JMT last year. Your video damn near had us at tears remembering the hardships and highs we experienced. Thanks dude, amazing work.
I've never been to CA or anywhere out west....so as I watch your videos I have Google maps up on another screen so I get a sense of where you are in relation to towns or the overall scale of the PCT/JMT. All of your verbal descriptions are really helpful and quite interesting. The scenery is just unreal! Someday I hope to see it....
Darwin, I’ve been watching your videos of the pct. I look forward to them so much. So freaking beautiful and the hikers you meet seem so awesome. I started hiking three years ago while living in Portland and now back in California, in the middle of the desert I love exploring the mojave desert and all of its gems. Your videos are so inspiring and get me excited to begin backpacking. I don’t know anyone who would be down to hike/ backpack and I am nervous to go alone. But that won’t stop me! It was super awesome to see you go through the town I grew up in, and the heart and soul cafe. So amazing. Hike on!!!
OK, it's two years later when I watch this video, but had the same question in order to compare the snow situation to 2019 when I hiked the JMT. And Darwin mentions that MTR was still closed, and that it opens at 13th or 15th. Actually, MTR opens at 15th of June every year. So this means he was there at least a few days before June 13. :-)
Love your content. I always find it casual, instructive, and you keep a healthy sense of humor about your situations. All this leads up to this. A couple friends of mine decided we should go to Colorado for a week. Upon hearing this I decided to summit Mt. Harvard. Being from southeast Louisiana this is a daunting task. Your sharing of your hiking gave me the confidence to take this on. Thanks for sharing your passion with us.
Dude you are amazing. The production value is always supreme. I watched a ton of your vids to prep for Pikes Peak! I completed my 1st 14er 6/18!!!! Thanks for the uploads!!!!
What a score on food. That was at least 40 bucks worth of free stuff. Great video Darwin. Your a huge inspiration to me. I have been using all your advice and exp. To section hike the 1220 mile ice age trail (IAT) here in Wi.
Hiker house. I left some behind in 2015 when I attempted to hike the JMT. Had to bail out after only a few days and because I hadn't sent my resupply bucket via Priority Mail, MTR wouldn't return it. I always hoped someone enjoyed the bounty left behind.
Great video once again Darwin. Yeah, its a toss up with the Sierra...would you rather deal with snow, snow, snow or crazy river crossings. Looking forward to seeing your next installment.
I'm loving this series. I have wanted to hike this trail for a long time. This might be as close as I get. I think you will make a great public speaker some day.
We must have just missed you! A couple friends and I went to 1000 island lakes for a quick backpacking trip. Have fun in mammoth. The Eatery has some delicious food and beer!
How on earth are you avoiding frost bite or at least bad cold damage to your feet and legs hiking through that much snow!? Great video as always, total inspiration!
Hey Darwin, I always enjoy your videos. They are the perfect mix of filming and talking! I'd like to request a future video topic if I may: Trail Recipes! I don't think it's covered as much as it should be. So many people show all the rest of their gear with in depth videos, but leave out their personal favorite recipes. What i mean are those ingredients you add to the standard backpackers fare that makes it more enjoyable. And with regards to cold soaking; there is a very noticeable lack of information for recipes as well. I'd also like to share one of my recently perfected meals, Ramen Pad Thai: Ramen noodles, ramen rescue (pack it gourmet) or dehydrated vegetables of choice, tbsp milk powder (soy or almond milk also), tsp thai peanut sauce, tbsp peanut butter, 1/4 cup peanuts. Cook ramen with less water than normal (I use about 50-75% of what the instructions suggest), mix in flavor packet and all other ingredients right after turning of the stove but while there is still a bit of water left in the noodles.
I’m a newbie and trying to learn all I can. I really appreciate all of your videos! Very informative, I love the stories and great footage! How do you build a fire when there is snow all around and the wood is likely wet? Also how do you know where the trail is when there is snow?
It looks like you will miss the massive tortoiseshell butterfly migration going on last week and tailing off now in the Oregon Mt Jefferson Wilderness. The butterflies are going westward and as they are forced up the valleys and creeks to the PCT, they have gotten concentrated. Last week, I saw at least a million butterflies in the few days I was hiking the in area. I hope you get to enjoy this stunning phenomenon.
No, he would have to go to a lower elevation in south-western Yosemite, or further north then west down into the foothills to see Sequoia Giagantia (the larger in diameter). The Sequoia Sempervirens are the taller redwoods which grow in the Coast Range of California.
Darwin where are you in live time as of today? Wow, your are the first one out of many that I'm am following on the PCT that has captured a 🐻 Bear on video! The Sierra's are a natural wonder in this country of ours... 🍺🇺🇸👍
Always outstanding Darwin... So cool to see you guys getting it done again after having to bail. Such a beautiful section y'all just hiked through. ✌ 👣
Love your videos! Also love the JMT section of the PCT.! How does the JMT compare to the White Mountains?. I’ll be hiking the Whites in two weeks and I’ve never hiked any of the AT. I’ve been told the Whites are slow going???
Wow on the post holing. Major props to you Darwin (that looked absolutely miserable to me!). Views are absolutely gorgeous!! Glad you got some more food. Thinking of you and rooting you on! - 💁Chica & 🌅Sunsets
Nice shots of the outdoors and what the hike looks like. Nothing personal but the mountains are nicer to look at than just your face all the time so a balance is nice. Plus for those of us that won't be able to hike the entire PCT it's great to see what it looks like.
Thoroughly enjoying this series Darwin. Would be interesting to see a "lessons learned" video after you've finished it all to see what you found useful and where etc. Also what's the story with all the nicknames? All the best Andy
Great video as always Darwin! I recently tried fording in my hiking shoes in Maine in July, but couldn’t get the shoes/socks dry after that and I think that’s why I got wrinkly feet and a few blisters. I use trail runners, injinis, and darn tough. Want to avoid the extra weight of water/camp shoes if I can. How do you have fording in your trail runners work for you?
No other thru hiker this year went to the stone fire station. Not even 5 time thru hiker Hawk. That view was absolutely stunning.. You have had the absolute worst weather in the Smokies of any vlogger. Thanks for showing the shelters and standing bear. When I visited the Smokies it also rained a ton. Virginia will be amazing. I also rode the horses. It was so much fun.
No matter what trail you're on, the hospitality of the people on the trail is always great.
I can hear the cold and tired in his voice. Nice
We both had great hospitality at Muir Ranch :) ..u got the tour though....I had someone send me there without enough food and promised me supply 'blindly'..I'm an idiot...but upon showing up another hiker had 2 buckets full of food sent there..he was so upset that he could not carry all that and my smile was ear to ear..I was happy to carry what he could not...I felt bad for him but felt better for myself...thank that man who sent me blindly ;)
Your videos are the highlight of my week. Thanks for letting us come along. My 7 yr old grandson also loves them. Hike on.
I just began binge watching these today after seeing many of them two years ago. I am a little surprised you didn't comment on Mt Darwin as you passed by ;-)
Honestly, you and your wife, should 100% create a camping, hiking, mountain climbing nutrition cook book. It's fascinating to see what you eat to have the strength and energy to do your extreme travels. Also how you combat injuries with nutrition and maintain body weight. Hey it's a thought, and would be very helpful for us novices.
Hello D,
It's very uplifting to see your smiling face everyday. I will miss you when you finish this trail. Hoping you will continue to do videos afterwards. Make it a great day.
You deserve some kind of award for making these great videos. They are fantastic and I have enjoyed the journey so much. Thanks for letting me tag along. I'm already looking forward to the next chapter. Be safe and thanks for sharing.
My dad did the JMT with his family when he was 8, back in 1968. He almost drowned at this river crossing, list his grip on the rope while crossing, and got swept downriver. Luckily, some boy scouts downstream were able to catch him. That crossing can be intense after a heavy snow season!
Yes, use the meadow crossing upstream.
Toward the end of the meadows in Evolution Creek, I followed faint trail of of use to the creek bed. Nice sandy bottom, clear water, took off pack, swam across the very slow moving creek (periodically touching the firm bottom) got out the the other bank, and followed a trail down to the official 'stock crossing' that you used. I had almost drowned at the spot previously. The meadow crossing was much easier.
I was in Desolation Wilderness in May this year...the snow was magical. Watching this brings back good memories...loving the videos...wish I could PCT...but 4 kids and a job...you know. At least I can vicariously live through you...Great vids.
This has truly become must see "TV" for me. Look forward to it every week! Be safe, Darwin. Until next time...
Great memories of when I hiked that section of trail over 40 years ago! Thanks for clarifying your daily distance factors. I keep watching hikers on RUclips doing 20+ mile days and thinking wow, we must have been real wimps being satisfied to hike 15 miles a day in the Sierra! We did have one 40+ mile day but it was 20 hours of hiking with a full moon.
I'm guessing you wore cotton clothing and carried 50 or more lbs.
I plead guilty to all of these charges. I still have my Svea stove and Sigg-Tourist cookset which was about the lightest thing available back then. :-D
As always, can't wait for the next video!
Same
The wife and I completed the JMT last year. Your video damn near had us at tears remembering the hardships and highs we experienced. Thanks dude, amazing work.
I've never been to CA or anywhere out west....so as I watch your videos I have Google maps up on another screen so I get a sense of where you are in relation to towns or the overall scale of the PCT/JMT. All of your verbal descriptions are really helpful and quite interesting. The scenery is just unreal! Someday I hope to see it....
Ha! I do the same thing! I'm also following Dixie the same way as she hikes the CDT. :)
Darwin the type of guy to let you know that he hustled himself some free food.
Thanks for letting us follow your journey. You’re getting closer to our main stomping grounds in the Oregon cascades, maybe we’ll see you out there.
Darwin, I’ve been watching your videos of the pct. I look forward to them so much. So freaking beautiful and the hikers you meet seem so awesome. I started hiking three years ago while living in Portland and now back in California, in the middle of the desert I love exploring the mojave desert and all of its gems. Your videos are so inspiring and get me excited to begin backpacking. I don’t know anyone who would be down to hike/ backpack and I am nervous to go alone. But that won’t stop me! It was super awesome to see you go through the town I grew up in, and the heart and soul cafe. So amazing. Hike on!!!
Awesome video. I do wish you would say what date or at least week it is, since we don't really know how many weeks behind we are seeing the videos.
OK, it's two years later when I watch this video, but had the same question in order to compare the snow situation to 2019 when I hiked the JMT. And Darwin mentions that MTR was still closed, and that it opens at 13th or 15th. Actually, MTR opens at 15th of June every year. So this means he was there at least a few days before June 13. :-)
Love your content. I always find it casual, instructive, and you keep a healthy sense of humor about your situations. All this leads up to this.
A couple friends of mine decided we should go to Colorado for a week. Upon hearing this I decided to summit Mt. Harvard. Being from southeast Louisiana this is a daunting task. Your sharing of your hiking gave me the confidence to take this on.
Thanks for sharing your passion with us.
Another great video. Nice of the caretaker to help you out with some food and a very cool old building
Thank you for sharing these beautiful images and memories with us Darwin. I'm amazed at the natural beauty out there that you are experiencing.
Awesome scenery! Great videos! Look forward to watching every week.
Glad to see you back! Please be safe and keep on trucking!
Glad you are pushing and keeping it together Darwin. We are rooting for you on the side lines!
FYI if you were planning to head to Manning Park after finishing, the Greyhound bus route to that town was cancelled
Great photos and videos. Love following you on the trail. Can't wait for the next one. Be safe.
Dude you are amazing. The production value is always supreme. I watched a ton of your vids to prep for Pikes Peak! I completed my 1st 14er 6/18!!!! Thanks for the uploads!!!!
Thank you so much for showing me the awesome views of the PCT! Gorgeous!
Awesome footage Darwin. Absolutely beautiful scenes. Thanks again for posting this hike. Stay safe. Griz
What a score on food. That was at least 40 bucks worth of free stuff. Great video Darwin. Your a huge inspiration to me. I have been using all your advice and exp. To section hike the 1220 mile ice age trail (IAT) here in Wi.
Hiker house. I left some behind in 2015 when I attempted to hike the JMT. Had to bail out after only a few days and because I hadn't sent my resupply bucket via Priority Mail, MTR wouldn't return it. I always hoped someone enjoyed the bounty left behind.
Great video once again Darwin. Yeah, its a toss up with the Sierra...would you rather deal with snow, snow, snow or crazy river crossings. Looking forward to seeing your next installment.
I’m no thru hiker, but to me it sounds awesome to camp and do your passes and climbs in the morning. Love your vids!!!
always enjoy the updates Darwin! another great video... stay safe in the high country... peace!
I'm loving this series. I have wanted to hike this trail for a long time. This might be as close as I get. I think you will make a great public speaker some day.
We must have just missed you! A couple friends and I went to 1000 island lakes for a quick backpacking trip. Have fun in mammoth. The Eatery has some delicious food and beer!
Excellent photos and extraordinary landscapes. Hike on bro
Just terrific. It's like we're there.
This video was amazing thank you so much for taking the time to bring it to us. Your efforts are truly appreciated. God Bless
Nice scenery. Love the streams and the trees. Thanks.
Very cool!
You are getting to the good stuff.
Next couple of weeks are most of my favorite parts of the PCT.
Really enjoying your journey Darwin; always look forward to your next video...God bless my friend!
So good Darwin! Excellent editing! You got some mad skills.
Beautiful video, and I love the posts that you and Snuggles put on Patreon. Well worth it!
Great videos! Fun to see the JMT early in the season.
the morning shot before muir pass was great
So happy to see your newest video ..
How on earth are you avoiding frost bite or at least bad cold damage to your feet and legs hiking through that much snow!?
Great video as always, total inspiration!
just keep moving
Awesome week! You guys have it down, hike the snow passes early, good thinking. What a great food haul. Gotta get a break! Thanks for the episode.
drop a note when you're getting into WA. I'll be out hunting around the PCT in August and September. I can always pack some extra food.
So inspiring! Thanks for taking us on your adventures!
Hey Darwin, I always enjoy your videos. They are the perfect mix of filming and talking! I'd like to request a future video topic if I may: Trail Recipes! I don't think it's covered as much as it should be. So many people show all the rest of their gear with in depth videos, but leave out their personal favorite recipes. What i mean are those ingredients you add to the standard backpackers fare that makes it more enjoyable. And with regards to cold soaking; there is a very noticeable lack of information for recipes as well. I'd also like to share one of my recently perfected meals, Ramen Pad Thai: Ramen noodles, ramen rescue (pack it gourmet) or dehydrated vegetables of choice, tbsp milk powder (soy or almond milk also), tsp thai peanut sauce, tbsp peanut butter, 1/4 cup peanuts. Cook ramen with less water than normal (I use about 50-75% of what the instructions suggest), mix in flavor packet and all other ingredients right after turning of the stove but while there is still a bit of water left in the noodles.
I’m a newbie and trying to learn all I can. I really appreciate all of your videos! Very informative, I love the stories and great footage! How do you build a fire when there is snow all around and the wood is likely wet? Also how do you know where the trail is when there is snow?
Be safe my friend, the High Sierras river crossings can be intense, take your time and safety first. Cheers 🍻 happy hiking kind sir...
I need to quit my job...
I'd have a hard time hitting a major pass at the warmest time of day.
Oh well. Rock on, Darwin!
Absolutely stunning, thank for sharing.
This section looks like a real adventure:)
Had to look up the little Muir Hut, interesting history. Nice video.
It looks like you will miss the massive tortoiseshell butterfly migration going on last week and tailing off now in the Oregon Mt Jefferson Wilderness. The butterflies are going westward and as they are forced up the valleys and creeks to the PCT, they have gotten concentrated. Last week, I saw at least a million butterflies in the few days I was hiking the in area. I hope you get to enjoy this stunning phenomenon.
Crazy eyes at 14:03! Love your channel Darwin! Thanks for the videos!
Excellent videos, Darwin. Always look forward to the next. Thanks so much 😊
Great videos, I enjoy seeing the progress. Your an inspiration, I can only hope I can do this one day.
Thanks Darwin, really enjoy your videos! Enjoy the adventure!
Those pine cones were enormous!
hey just want to let you know I just started watching. ur channel. awesome vids. like the videotogrphy. can't wait til the nxt episode
Will you encounter Redwoods or Sequoias? Spectacular images.
No, he would have to go to a lower elevation in south-western Yosemite, or further north then west down into the foothills to see Sequoia Giagantia (the larger in diameter). The Sequoia Sempervirens are the taller redwoods which grow in the Coast Range of California.
Hey Brother loving your posts from here in Washington DC and wishing I was out there. Take care and be safe.
Darwin where are you in live time as of today? Wow, your are the first one out of many that I'm am following on the PCT that has captured a 🐻 Bear on video! The Sierra's are a natural wonder in this country of ours... 🍺🇺🇸👍
Always outstanding Darwin... So cool to see you guys getting it done again after having to bail.
Such a beautiful section y'all just hiked through. ✌ 👣
Thank you Darwin, your vids are always making my day extra great!!!
Have been long time viewer. Happy good sunny days my friend! God bless and SMILE!
Amazing views! Stay save Darwin. I’m enjoying your videos!
Love your videos! Also love the JMT section of the PCT.! How does the JMT compare to the White Mountains?. I’ll be hiking the Whites in two weeks and I’ve never hiked any of the AT. I’ve been told the Whites are slow going???
Thanks for let us a part of u hike via video..
Wow on the post holing. Major props to you Darwin (that looked absolutely miserable to me!). Views are absolutely gorgeous!! Glad you got some more food. Thinking of you and rooting you on! - 💁Chica & 🌅Sunsets
Do you think bringing snowshoe would be worth it vs potholing?
Nice shots of the outdoors and what the hike looks like. Nothing personal but the mountains are nicer to look at than just your face all the time so a balance is nice. Plus for those of us that won't be able to hike the entire PCT it's great to see what it looks like.
Rubicon V check out Mike Lawerence on RUclips
Good job, I bet that break did good for your shins!
Please forgive my ignorance, but why no snoeshoes??
Sounds like you made a major score on the food.
I'm going hiking the PCT next year!
TheGarfieldxx30000 as solo? From North to south or vice versa?
This is gorgeous, but also the part of the journey I'm most afraid of.
hey! I have a question: why do you not use snowshoes to avoid postholing? thanks for your answer:)
Always the best Darwin
You did not mention the bear at 9:16! I had to rewind to be sure that it was a bear!
I miss the trail more then i express
Loved this one. As always I look forward to your vids.
As a shorty (5'0') some of those river crossings sound a bit intense...I'm not scared away from the idea but...damn.
Thoroughly enjoying this series Darwin. Would be interesting to see a "lessons learned" video after you've finished it all to see what you found useful and where etc.
Also what's the story with all the nicknames?
All the best
Andy
Great video as always Darwin! I recently tried fording in my hiking shoes in Maine in July, but couldn’t get the shoes/socks dry after that and I think that’s why I got wrinkly feet and a few blisters. I use trail runners, injinis, and darn tough. Want to avoid the extra weight of water/camp shoes if I can. How do you have fording in your trail runners work for you?
I love this channel.
You go man! Love your videos! As always looking forward to the next one. Keep going stay safe.
Nice post. Keep it safe and keep on trucking.
Great video! Fantastic views!
Nice Video, love your stuff. Keep wondering how you edit and upload these videos on the trail?
I luv the snowy terrain.....camping in the snow looked like fun.....was it cold at night where you camped past Mather pass?
Excellent! Stay safe. Love the videos!