This Rookie Mistake Could Cost You Your PCT Thru-hike

This rookie mistake could cost you your PCT thru-hike — and I learned it the hard way.

In Episode 2 of my PCT walkthrough series, I take you from the Oregon/California border through Ashland and all the way to Crater Lake — one of the most memorable (and mosquito-filled) stretches of the trail.

This video is all real miles, real terrain, and real lessons from my Pacific Crest Trail journey. No cinematic cuts — just the unfiltered experience with picture-in-picture commentary where I break down what’s happening on screen.

0:00 Intro
0:44 Map
01:25 Onward through Oregon
02:33 Trail Magic
04:33 Hitch into Ashland
07:05 The worst water
08:30 Back to the trail
16:04 My rookie mistake
16:54 Crater Lake
27:49 Meet Diva
29:49 Views of Crater Lake

In this episode:
• The rookie mistake that left me getting eaten alive
• Mosquito swarms and how fast things can go wrong
• The deep blue rim of Crater Lake
• Long ridgeline miles through Oregon forests
• Trail culture and zero-day life in Ashland
• Gear talk, trail tips, and what I wish I’d known

In this video you'll get:
• Trail tips
• Trail life updates
• Gear insights
• Hard lessons

If you’re planning your own PCT hike, curious about long-distance backpacking, or you just want to experience the trail as it truly is — this series is for you.

Watch the full PCT series here:    • Pacific Crest Trail - Back To The Start  

If you enjoy the video, tapping LIKE or leaving a COMMENT helps more people find the series — and I genuinely appreciate it.

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Hiking gear mentioned in this video:
• Atom Packs Pulse Custom: https://atompacks.co.uk/products/the-...
• Altra Mont Blanc: https://amzn.to/48jPETE
• Sony ZV-1: https://amzn.to/4od7a1T

You can see my full kit list for my PCT hike on my LighterPack: https://www.lighterpack.com/r/7ux1a6