Erik The Black's Backpacking Blog

Download my free custom Backpacking Itinerary Planner Spreadsheet tool. This will help you plan a long-distance hike on the Pacific Crest Trail, Appalachian Trail or any other long trail.

Why water is so important
Water is essential for survival in the backcountry, but it is also one of the heaviest things you will have to carry in your pack. One quart of water weighs in at a whopping 2 lbs! So, it doesn’t make much sense to spend so much time and money reducing your [...]

I just finished filling out my permit applications to thru hike the Pacific Crest Trail again this year. Here is some information about the various permits you will need to backpack the Pacific Crest Trail:
Thru hiking permit
Thru hikers can get a permit that covers camping in all of the different jurisdictions the Pacific Crest Trail [...]

Maildrops vs. Buy as you go
There are two methods of getting supplies on the trail.
You can buy everything in advance, package it up before you leave home, and recruit someone to mail the packages out to towns along the way so you can pick them up. Maildrops are typically sent “General Delivery” to Post Offices [...]

Places where you may find isobutane fuel canisters on the Pacific Crest Trail
Southern California
•    San Diego (Many sporting goods stores)
•    Mt. Laguna (Mt. Laguna Store)
•    Idyllwild (Nomad Ventures)
•    Palm Springs (Big 5, hitch here from I-10)
•    Big Bear Lake (Equada Outfitters)
•    Wrightwood (Trail Angel: Mollyann Tretter)
•    Agua Dulce (Trail Angel: The Saufley’s, big hiker box)
•    [...]