There's a trail that runs from the Mexico-U.S. border north through California, Oregon and Washington, ending at the Canadian border. A grueling test of grit and endurance, it's no surprise those that attempt some or parts of the Pacific Crest Trail are changed. Long after blisters heal over, hammies stop aching, shins come back to normal, the stories of the trail linger in the minds of hikers. Is it the hours alone? Or the silence? Or the senses that become sharper watching for shifts in weather and wildlife? Or something else, like a hitchhiking ghost, that stays with them after leaving the PCT?
The west coast of the United States is one I know well, like the back of my hand. But as I've been learning about trail angels, trail pirates, hitchhiking, and uncovered the people that have gone missing on this stretch of trail? It's become a place I don't recognize, that fascinates and scares me.
Grab a Bobo bar and a glass of water!
Let's get into it!
This episode covers:
Pacific Crest Trail 101
Hiker Horror Stories
Hiker Cautionary Tales
Cascadia High Strangeness
Halfway Anywhere's PCT Hiker Survey Information
A Tribute by a Father Who Lost His Son on the PCT
Show Sources and Materials
Pacific Crest Trail Horror Stories 2024, HalfwayAnywhere.com
The Cult That Lived Next Door, Jack Neath, Medium.com
Creepy Pacific Crest Trail Stories, Ranker.com
Anza Borrego's Haunted Desert, DesertUSA.com
Trevor's Eternal Trail, Doug Laher, thetrek.co
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That's why I've been shining a spotlight on Derek Condit at Mystical Wares. He is both talented and generous with those gifts. Please give his books a look on the Mystical Wares website.
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