Thanks for sharing! I like you saying that choosing comfort over weight. KZfaq is flooded with ultra light gear stuff and it made me insecure about my own "normal" gear. Nice to hear that is not necessary to complete the PCT! I hope to hike in 2024 🙌

Thank you Mary Watching your videos I saw that you had two pockets attached to the straps of your bag. I was just looking for something similar and I couldn't find anything. Because you have an Osprey and I do too, I said to myself bingo! that's what i need! I researched and found it in Canada on an online bike site. It is a pleasure to watch your journey day after day. You are very inspiring, your good humor is a real pleasure to see. I was vegan for 5 years and I return to vegetarianism sadly, but your videos inspire me to return to veganism. In addition, I note that you can eat vegan very well when hiking. Thank you so much!

What a pleasure to see you again. I’ve really missed your daily check in.

MARY…I want to let you know that I’ve been watching your PCH videos. I started at #1 and now up to #100!. What an adventure you had and I want to thank you on your recordings! I think it’s the best record for hiking the PCH. Your decision to tackle the HIGH SIERRA was quite brave! Even though you are done with the PCH, I was worried about you going alone at the beginning . When you teamed up later, I felt relieved for your safety. Love Ya.

This was very informative but I would really love hearing up dates about life after the PCT. What you experienced physically, emotionally and how it was to resocialize reentering the hustle and bustle of daily living. Not meaning to pry, Mary, but these things concern me because you mentioned while on the trail that it was a relief to leave town and be back on trail. That you slept better, etc. I know from past experiences that there were times I Could hardly wait to be in the peacefulness of the countryside again. Having to live in a city again was a big adjustment. It becomes a catch twenty two. Could you at some point share how you overcame your long battle with chronic pain? That gave me great hope as it is something that I have dealt with and your sharing gave a sense of possibility that it could be overcome. So good to see you again Have a wonderful Christmas.

Good to see you.... Miss " Good Morning"

The sun glasses were a great choice. I like that style on you. I may get them for myself. I met quite a few SOBO's that had gotten rid of their head nets and were suffering for it in Southern California. . . . I ate all my coconut oil LOL

Thank you Mary for taking us along on the journey and sharing your experiences. You rock.

Impressed that beanie is still in one piece, I wear mine just for commuting and day hikes / climbing trips and they only seem to last me 6 months at a time!

Sweet Mary.... soooo nice to see you again. You've been missed. Hope you are settling in to the "real world" and your "real life", LOL. Keep us informed if you plan any additional adventures. We do miss you and your delightful smile. Best wishes.... Ax

Nothing like experience to change your pack list ! Xellent video ! Crocs rock 😄. I'm using the new 2022 version of the Osprey Exos 48 ( Eja 48 female) which is a great update to the previous model, for me its the ultimate backpack but I would'nt carry 40lbs in it.

Great to hear from you. Love the update gear list. What have you been up to for the last month. Boy do I miss your daily post. So much laughter, positivity and the best videographer on trail. Your mom and mate much be over the moon to have you home again. Until your next video...stay healthy and happy as always. 😊

Great video to close the PCT hike. And it made my day to see you release a video after some down time. Most of your gear at the end of the hike matches my selection for Oregon shoulder seasons. You sleep colder than I do, but that's probably due to your very petite size, some thing we don't share since I''m 6'3" and can fill up much of the empty airspace in my sleeping bag.

Great, comprehensive gear review video informed by real world situations, one of the best I’ve seen.

Thank you Mary. Very informative for the next group of PCT hikers. Blessings and safe adventures. x

It was very helpful. Thank you. My start date is in March. I'm working on a lighter sleeping bag. I like the Western Mountaineering but it is so expensive. I've had a marmot precip and just recently bought an OR helium 2. Then realized that I like the precip better. I like the torrentshell that you got in Oregon. I didn't get it because of the weight but I think I'll get it sooner or later. It has everything I like about a rain shell besides the weight. I'll look into those gloves. I like gloves that keep my hands warm and can be used for grabbing things as well. Hope to see more of your videos.

I liked the video that showed your trip through airports and bus stations to get to the trail start. Few vloggers show that part. Similarly, can you make a video of the return trip after finishing the trail?

Love the tips for vloging and more - I live 50 miles from White Pass Washington PCT. Ed Becker Yakima Mountain Goat.....I have been hiking the Washington Mountains since age 10, 1960

Just as point of interest - there are absolutely responsible goose down options available to those sensitive to such things. I don't know of a particular manufacturer but I am aware of the practice of gathering down from nests of the geese. The geese "self pluck" in order to provide warmth for their young. The "farmers" simply provide suitable nesting sites for many geese and wait for them to leave the nest before they clean it out, collect the down, and wait for next year. The geese seem to appreciate the regular safe nesting sites provided by the farmers. Just a thought.

Super impressed that you hiked the PCT with a synthetic bag.

Thanks, Mary. Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

I miss your good mornings. lol Thank you for sharing. This video was very informative. You were so inspirational when you hiked, I so admire how you just powered on no matter what the trail threw at you.

This was so helpful! In particular, I’m agonizing about a new pack purchase and was considering the Osprey Eja. Your review and ultimate choice is really great to hear. I think the trade off of a bit more pack weight for comfort will be my choice too.

Great to see you again Mary! I enjoyed this video!

Eventually my feet got so tuff I did not need any camp shoes but even before that my Lone Peaks were very comfortable with no socks on so I wore them to git up in the middle of the night the first 600 miles.

Very helpful gear review. Thanks Mary.

Really helpful, like the gloves and booties info

Very cool to see what worked for you and didn't! Also, randomly, I'm pretty sure I met you in South Lake Tahoe when we were shipping our ice axes at the post office! Cheers from the US!

Hello mate!! first off you hiker hero..much respect, its been amazing following your PCT adventure and welcome back to the sunny UK he he.... interesting to see ya kit list, really keen to hear how your sleeping bag performed....thanks Mary big smiles

Another very good video! I’ve enjoyed following your journey. You should add “PCT Thru Hiker “to your description bar .😁👍 You are one tuff , brave Lady .👍💪👏

Arc’teryx absolutely best rain gear and wet socks awesome! Good idea over darn tuffs which are fab! Enjoy your videos!

Thank you, Mary! 🙏🏼. This was a great post-trail gear review. 🙏🏼👍👍👍. And thank you so much for the comprehensive list of the gear along with the links . When I am ready to purchase, I will definitely click through the links here.

Ah, so glad to see another video. Thanks. Blessings

Hi Mary good to see you got home safe. Really enjoyed the video and good information.

You definitely went for a seafoam green/teal/turquoise/etc look!

Very very well done Mary 👍 I'm glad you mentioned about the footprint for the tent because they are not designed for water proofness only resistance ..they're designed to just protect the floor of the tent from pokey items etc..Tyvek or similar material works much better in constant wet conditions. I wrestled with weight and pack ability of down vs synthetic. But I can say you've resolved that issue ☺️ If it's not too personal, and you don't mind. Because of your diet, how much did you weigh when you started out and how much did you weigh when you are done, when you got home?? Happy holidays Mary God bless you and Derek and all of your family ❤️!!!

I've never seen those mini just-add-water paper towels. Better not store those with the vitamins or they might inadvertently become another supplement. Like a couple of other commenters, I'd be interested to hear more about the behind the scenes making of the PCT videos... technical, artistic elements, you name it. And how you keep a straight face for the scenes where you set up the camera next to the trail and re-walk a stretch of trail for the camera while pretending it's not there. Just kidding, I like those. It mixes up the first-person view that makes up most of the videos. Pretty much a necessity when you don't happen to have a videographer tagging along with you.

very informational...thank you Mary and again, congrats on your grace and strength you demonstrated to us all along your journey...hope to get out there in 2021...u r inspirational...please do another hike and show us again how it's done!

Great and thorough "gear review" Mary!! - James

Great job on post hike gear. Very thorough! Thank you for taking time to share your information.

Brilliant! Thank you for sharing the stories behind those gear changes. Yay for bugnet!

Thank you for the information....Mary I was wondering at some point if you were planning to do one of those question and answer sessions through hikers often do after they have completed their hike to answer questions viewers had in the comment sections of your videos?If so I have the following questions: Do you recommend the regular in-reach like you carried or the in-reach mini on the PCT?Did you hang your food in a tree beyond the section that required bear vaults?I really enjoyed your 3 photography videos they really helped me understand those topics and was wondering if you could do the same regarding the process to create videos while on the trail? Happy Trails

Wonderful video sweetheart, it was so informative and the video quality was amazing including the transitions 😘

Hey, so nice to see a new video from you, and a very informative one at that! Looks like you're doing well being back home :) And since you asked for questions, I have a couple of somewhat boring ones.. I'd really like to hear more about the logistics on trail. Things like uploading video/pictures and/or mailing or backing up SD cards ? I imagine all that video took up quite some gigabytes? Challenges of keeping electronics charged between towns? Neccessity of mailing resupply boxes to yourself and did you use a bounce box? Also, it sounds like you mailed stuff back to the UK during the hike. If so, how troublesome was that? (Thinking about customs, import tax, postage and so on) Right, can't think of more right now. Merry Christmas Mary, and again, thank you for all the videos!

Cool, I've been waiting for your list; you are a stud! I could never hump that much weight and why I luv my Exos 38 with a 20-25lb load. Over that not so much. Fair to say, we're all missing Snow aka the Animal Whisperer aka Bell on the trail:(

Cool review and journey. Can you make a video how you packing all your stuffs to your bag? Thank you! Love from Indonesia

Great video-I would have liked if you showed you clothes unfolded. For example, I wanted to see how the bottoms stretched out, how something g wore out, etc. Great job presenting g your gear and very informative. 🌿

Why would an old man want to watch minimalist videos before following you on the PCT . Their was something bringing me back to Mary , What was it ? I now know through a DNA test besides my 50% Japanese their is 31% England/Wales in my blood , my ancestry is calling .

Yay! Tinkerbell is back! I miss those teal shoes.

Hey Mary, thanks for the review. Hike On!

Nice to see you Tinkerbell! You talked about your food but maybe a summary video about what worked the best and also about best and not so great resupply places. How did you feel without fresh fruits and vegetables. I think that must have been hard.

Informative video Mary. Well presented and so helpful for any through hiker. x

How about a video about how you used the Garmin inReach Explorer? It would be especially helpful for people who are still in the planning stages of their PCT thru-hike.

Great to see you again, good video. Would like hear some after trail stories and what your next adventure may be.

I was happy to see your video! Im sure it was informative for all the hikers out there. My question is, you let your umbrella go. I saw Restless Kiwi carried hers through the entire hike, using it for shade and shelter from the rain. I always thought it made sense to just stick the handle down between your back and pack lol. (perhaps she had a pocket made for the handle on her pack) she was able to hike hands free. With all the annoying rain in Washington it was always somewhat comforting to see her head,shoulders and top of pack sheltered as she barreled through her miles. Did you regret not having it during those rainy times? Merry Christmas to you! Ps...wanna see more of you skating lol! I used to be a skater but would break my fanny if I did that now...tried it after a 30 year break from it and dang, I could not get back on that bicycle lol!

Great Video! Thank you!

Thank you. Happy Holidays Mary.

Super helpful. Thank you very much. Yeah, more videos! Happy Trails

Thank you for this video and this very detailed lighterpack sheet

Love your videos!!! Your personality is awesome!!!!

Mary - thanks so much for the gear video. It was very informative. Possible to post a future video on how you produced your on trail videos? Please include information on the camera you used, your video editing software, music, how you stored your raw footage, and anything else related to the video production. Regards -

Yeah Mary is back!!!!!

Good one again miss u but glad ur home n safe God bless n happy holiday s miss Mary

Thank you! Its so cool that you not only took this adventure and did it so great but also stayed VEGAN! Love your videos

PS: Looking forward to your Q&A video x

Thank you! This was very helpful, especially the gear for vegans. In some of the books I've read, the hikers talked about condensation inside the tent but didn't discuss remedies. Did you have issues with your sleeping bag getting wet from condensation?

Hi Mary. Great to find you and watch your videos on the gear before and after the PCT as I’m planning it for 2024. But my first question which came within moments of watching was how were you on trail for over 6 months, did you get a visa extension as I was hoping to see friends after my hike but the US visa only stretched 6 months (I thought)? Many thanks

Good job thanks

This video is very helpful! Thank-you very much for al the details. I appreciated them. Sheila

Mary, I've been following your videos since your practice hikes. I've seen almost all of them since. But truthfully I haven't watched your video on completing the trail yet. In my mind, if I watch that one, the trip will be over and so will the journey. Concerning the toothpaste, might have baking soda have been a better substitute then coconut oil? Would a warmer, but slightly heavier sleeping bag have been a overall lighter option then all that extra sleep wear? Congratulations on completing the trail (as I predicted almost a year ago.) Interesting thought for a youtube video, going back to some of your warmup trails and re-hiking them, them comparing them from a pre PCT outlook to post PCT. Just an idea.

I normally use the Osprey 70 AG which I really like but normally detach the top section from the pack , I suspect you can do that with the 65 also. Simply keep stuff you use during the day on the top of the pack and /or hipbelt pockets . Even winter wildcamping in Ireland with all its bulk I normally do not take the top section. PS Love your videos.

Awesome kit list. I’m hoping to hike the PCT next year so starting to get my kit together so this is super useful. Thanks. Also Christmas is a good time to ask for kit 😁 I found your channel on the second last day of your videos so working through them at the moment. There getting me really excited. I’m hoping to film some of my trip too and have a question on how you managed to edit and post your vlogs whilst on the trail? What did you use to do the editing and uploading? If you answer this in one of the videos I apologise, I am only on week 4. 😁☺️

Hi Mary. Many congratulations on completing your hike. I'm very jealous! I have one question. Sorry if you've answered this and I've missed it on your vlogs. By my estimate you were in the US for over six months. How did you get around the visa time limit? While it's possible to do the trail in under six months I hope to be able to have the flexibility to take a week or two longer if I need it. Thanks in anticipation. Uncle Pete

Glad for the catch up video :)

The review of the tiger wall 2 should be interesting she was freezing her "Bum" off near the end of her trip a winter tent could have saved her that as well as the emergency hike out in itself a serious risk.

Learnt so much thanks. Why only synthetic?

Why you didn't buy the 55 Aura bag? Wonderful video, very informative and you're lovely 💖

They make the Osprey Aura in a 50. I'm surprised they didn't tell you to get that.

I think maybe unfolding the clothes so we could see them - especially the top - would have been helpful

Love this video :o) . . . Your putting me to shame - I'm 6'2" and I cannot carry the weight you carried, your pack and sleeping bag alone is 4 pounds heavier than mine. My pack weighs 26oz and my bag weighs 23oz and my tent weighs 22 oz with stakes. Maybe I can carry more but just refuse to . . . :o)

Thanks so much for all of this information!!

Hello Mary 😊 Today is 12/19/19 And I'm writing this to you to ask if you would do a video log of just your likes and dislikes of the inreach. How much did you use? Was it really useful for you? Battery life? What plant did you have and was a sufficient for you on the trail? Any and everything u can think of that may be helpful to others thinking of purchasing it and using it! I don't think I have ever heard of anyone doing this after they've completed their hike. And I truly believe that a comprehensive ,( 20 min? ) Vid would be great. I've never used one. Never had device's other than map n compass. And I would, am, interested in e mapping. But would like to hear other people's experiences with such technologies. Thanks, Traky boy

Hi Mary so glad your hike was a success. I would like to know how much money you anticipated spending and how much you actually spent. Also your video is well done, I would suggest you carry a signal mirror because you can not rely on electronics or I wouldn't. Good day

Thank you for all the great info.

Thanks, Mary XO

Great video. Thumbnail looks especially pro. I’m also British and also a PCT hiker from 2018. Did you use your compass at all?

At the end of your video you showed the PCT permit. Did you have to register or obtain further permits along the trail? If yes, were the easy to obtain? Free? Thanks Mary! We greatly enjoyed accompanying you on your scenic and challenging adventure.

Great video , very informative. I am looking forward to a video on food . How much weight did you lose? I bet you have noticed more strength on the skates? Best!

Mary, Thank you for the video of your gear list it was very helpful. I am looking at doing the trip in 2021 or 2022 and particularly interested in your thoughts / lessons on the logistic aspects of the trip from the perspective of of someone living in the UK (visa's, insurance, buying vegetarian food etc). Do you plan to do such a video?

Nice seeing you. One thing I was wondering was what was your starting and ending pack weight? John from MI

Hi, Just found your channel, could you please let us know how you found the process of getting your 6 month US Visa ? I’m planning an AT thru-hike for April 2021 and not sure how long in advance I’ll need to apply for it ? Cheers, Steve

Thank you for your comments on your pack. I am going out for 2020 and have been struggling with do I keep my pack or go lighter. I love my osprey but it is heavier,( same pack as you switched into) it feels so comfortable when on and fully loaded but thought maybe I needed to shave off those extra pounds, I am now more confident with my choice not to go ultra light.

Osprey is the best.

Mary, can you please make a video on how you packed your pack (when you had the smaller 45L pack)? I am curious to know the best way to fit everything in (including food and water). Thank you!

Aren’t those darn tuff socks wool? You just said you only choose synthetic products....

Just found your channel. Well done on the PCT. just curious about the Patagonia baselayers you sleep in... are they the Capilene Air? If so, did you hike in them as well? Now it’s time to deep dive into your thru diary. That’ll keep me busy for a few weeks

What interests me much more than what you carried: How many minutes were you angry or upset on the entire hike? One entire minute? Once you made a video titled "total melt down" and this was because of some insects, however to the untrained eye it seemed that you still enjoyed yourself and even the company of these lovely little bugs. Or have you simply learned to act as if you were incredibly happy in front of the camera and as soon as it is switched off you swear, act as mean as possible, insulting everyone? I know a lot of others who would have sued Osprey because of their injuries and probably they would have claimed a lot of damages. I am sure, they printed out your e-Mails in the customer service department of Osprey, because every second word in them is lovely. When they feel depressed because of their outrageous clients, their boss plays them some videos from you, afterwards productivity is on a new record level because everybody is simply happy as well. Before your videos they needed to distribute prescription grade medicine to stop their employees from crying all day long, now everybody feels much better.

Thanks!

Honestly I desperately want to thru hike the PCT but if I'm being honest the two things I'm most concerned about are the bugs and the cold and it seems as though those might be very legitimate concerns.

great gear loadout review and tips... (New subscriber) :)