Another reason van life is great: It’s easier — logistically and financially — to go on other adventures. We spent roughly a month hiking the length of Oregon on the Pacific Crest Trail.
This is the longest backpacking trip we’ve ever taken. (We hiked the Tahoe Rim Trail in 2014 , which was a fraction of the length.) And though it was challenging, it was awesome to spend so much time outside. If you ever decide to do it and want advice, just let us know!
By the Numbers
Miles hiked: 407
Days of hiking: 27
Rest days: 5
Longest hiking day: 20 mi.
Shortest hiking day: 12 mi.
Total elevation gain: 62,166 ft.
Total elevation loss: 68,015 ft.
Highest point: 7,560 ft.
Longest stretch without water: 20.5 mi.
Number of resupply stops: 7
Average calories consumed per day: 1,800
Blown down trees traversed: 800+
Photo Tour
Setting out from Callahan’s Lodge where the PCT intersects I-5 10 miles south of Ashland, OR
Looking south to Mt. Shasta in California
Pearl, an 8-year-old dog who also thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail
Climbing over blown down trees in the Sky Lakes Wilderness
Trail crews report more than 800 downed trees!
Mt. McLoughlin in the background
The aptly named Shale Butte
Mt. Thielsen
Cleaning away the grit in icy Thielsen Creek
Tamara’s dad, lounging at camp
Sunset at the southern border of Crater Lake National Park
Tamara’s dad and Chris, putting the “rest” in “rest day”
The blue waters of Crater Lake
Looking like a real hiker
Loading up on water at a spring
The highest point on the PCT in Oregon and Washington
Sharing a smoky fire with some weekenders and our friend, trail name “Alright,” to try to keep the mosquitoes away
Hikers are always charging!
Tamara’s dad’s typical camp
Our typical camp
With South Sister in the background
The sun rising behind North Sister
Obsidian — we saw lots of it, along with lots of lava rock in the Three Sisters Wilderness
Tamara’s dad posing in front of more beautiful volcanoes in the Cascades
Four days of food for Tamara and Chris
Handwashing our DUSTY clothes
Climbing around Three-Fingered Jack, hidden in the clouds
Mt. Jefferson from Olallie Lake
Timothy Lake, a great swim spot
Little Crater Lake
Tamara’s dad and our friend, trail name “Just Mike”
Making the climb up Mt. Hood
A portable shower in the parking lot of the Timberline Lodge
The lifts still run, even in the summer! We saw lots of skiiers
Our PCT MVPs, Jon and Eliza, came to visit us
Climbing around Zigzag Canyon — see that little bit of trail carved into the mountain on the right?
A helpful, hiker-made bridge to cross the fast-moving Sandy River
Ramona Falls
Left: Mt. St. Helens, Middle: Mt. Rainier, Right: Mt. Adams
Hiking the Eagle Creek Trail, a popular alternate when descending to the Oregon/Washington border
About to walk behind Tunnel Falls along the Eagle Creek Trail
At the Bridge of the Gods in Cascade Locks, which crosses the Columbia River into Washington
407 miles hiked!