You Think Your Winter Was Rough?

"Perhaps it feels a little self-indulgent to celebrate two guys who took a long walk. But what a walk! Like the 4-minute mile or the free climb of the Dawn Wall at Yosemite, this is something that seemed beyond human capacity — and then humans did it."

— Nicholas Kristof

First-Ever Winter Thru-Hike of the PCT

“What Shawn and Justin have done is really remarkable,” said Jack Haskel, trail information specialist for the PCTA. It’s not just their willpower that is impressive. The outdoor skill and planning involved in such a feat push Forry and Lichter into the upper echelon of long-distance hikers.

— Shelby Carpenter

Hikers complete winter thru-hike of the Pacific Crest Trail

Justin “Trauma” Lichter and Shawn “Pepper” Forry completed a winter thru-hike of the Pacific Crest Trail today…. They started their hike on October 21, 2014 and finished March 1, 2015 for a total of 132 days. That's a remarkably fast hike considering the conditions and the fact that they took time off around Christmas.

— Jack "Found" Haskel

Duo Completes First PCT Winter Thru-Hike

"Plenty of hikers have completed the Pacific Crest Trail, the 2,650-mile route stretching from the California-Mexico border to the Washington-Canada border. None, however, had dared attempted it in winter, when sub-freezing temperatures and deep snowdrifts complicate an already-difficult endeavor."

— Nick Elges

The Season's Best Gear—  Winter Guide: Camp Kitchen

 " Most people don't think you can use alcohol stoves in the winter, but with the Trail Designs Sidewinder Ti-Tri Stove System, Justin "Trauma" Lichter and his partner Shawn "Pepper" Forry were able to sustain their 131-day [winter PCT traverse] trek on denatured alcohol, even in temps well below 0° F"

Winter of Their Snowbound Tent

"Masochism comes in many colors, and for Justin Lichter and Shawn Forry that color is white — the color of snow.  As if trekking the entire Pacific Crest Trail wasn’t daunting enough, these two California-based ordealists just complete the first-ever winter thru hike of the PCT."

— Chris Emery

Across A Continent In Winter: Gear For The PCT

"We thoroughly tested and researched all of our gear before the trip,” Lichter said. “As a result we greatly minimized our gear failures. We went into the trip with a good feeling that our equipment would succeed. We had two failures and they were both because of our oversight."

Record Book: The First Winter Crossing of the Pacific Crest Trail

"It's definitely a personal journey," says Forry. "Just being able to dream up ideas like this and go out and live it."  — Shawn Forry

Greatest Record-Breaking Feats of 2015

It takes heaps of fortitude to tackle the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail in its entirety. But to hike the length of the continental U.S. from border to border in the dead of winter… takes something else entirely.

Doubt and Triumph on the Pacific Crest Trail in Winter

"I was filled with a cocktail of wonder and worry that would loom over me for the next 2,660 miles. Had we considered every variable? Had we calculated every risk? Had we honestly assessed our own level of skill and delusion? Only time would tell. "

— Shawn Forry

Debate: Is PCT winter hike 'asking for a death sentence'?

"This guy is asking for a death sentence," Tibbits said. "I simply don't have the faith he is going to have a safe and successful venture. If we have even a normal winter he is going to have trouble."

Meet the two guys that are on a winter thru-hike of the PCT

"Shawn Forry and Justin Lichter are doing a winter thru-hike on the PCT this year. As you read this they are nearing Lake Tahoe, making their way towards Mexico. They’ve walked so far that the metal on their snowshoes is wearing thin. Soon, they’ll switch to skis."

— Jack "Found" Haskel

Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail like no one before

"What Shawn Forry and Justin Lichter are doing is unheard of. Forry, 33 and Lichter, 34, are hiking the PCT from north to south, and they’re doing it during the coldest months of the year. They started at the Canadian border in late October and expect to make it to the Mexican border around March 1. No other hikers are known to have accomplished this before."

— Katherine Davis-Young

Interview with the two guys that are nearing then end of a remarkable winter thru-hike of the Pacific Crest Trail

"Justin Lichter and Shawn Forry are 180 miles from the Mexican border and the completion of their remarkable winter thru-hike of the Pacific Crest Trail. They started in October and have been snowshoeing, skiing and hiking ever since."

— Jack "Found" Haskel

Winter thru-hike of the PTC

Two gentlemen this year are attempting a thru-hike during the winter months. Some might say they are crazy but if they complete the hike it will be a monumental achievement. To date, their is no data that suggests that anybody has ever tried to thru-hike the PCT in the winter months.

— Adam Keeney

Forry and Lichter Take on the High Sierra in Winter

The high Sierra may be one of the most challenging portions of their journey due to the inaccessibility of the entire stretch, making it difficult to obtain provisions and for assistance in the case of an emergency. This may be the only winter attempt of this stretch of high Sierra.

Hiking 2,650 miles on Pacific Crest Trail too easy? Try it in winter

"We've been thinking about this trip for five years," said Lichter, 34, of Truckee, during a recent interview.

"If it is a weak winter it increases our odds," added Forry, 33, of Midpines, Calif. "But it also takes a little away from it."

NPR NW News Network's Tom Banse did an article half way through the trip that was picked up by a few NPR outlets.   Below are links to that article

• Northwest Public Radio—  Adventurers Attempt Winter Thru-Hike Of Pacific Crest Trail
• NW News Network - Adventurers Attempt Winter Thru-Hike Of Pacific Crest Trail
• KUOW.org (Seattle)—  Adventurers Attempt Winter Thru-Hike Of Pacific Crest Trail

About 2 months into the hike, Justin and Shawn did an interview during a few "zero days" in Truckee.   This story ran in a few different outlets.   Click on the links below to read the interview.

• The Oregonian—  2 hikers attempting to be first to finish Pacific Crest Trail in winter
• Reno Gazette-Journal —  Fighting frostbite to make Pacific Crest Trail history
• Great Falls Tribune - Fighting frostbite to make Pacific Crest Trail history

Trail Designs congratulates Forry and Lichter on Winter Traverse of the PCT!

"The Trail Designs stoves are so efficient we were able to use them on the entire winter traverse of the Pacific Crest Trail! In fact it was great to have the versatility of the stove in case we decided to start using it as a twiggy stove too."

FITS Ambassador Completes Historic Trek

"What started as just a lofty dream five years ago is now another notch on Lichter’s belt of ultra-hiking accomplishments. FITS® is proud to support inspiring athletes such as Justin and we commend him on this historic accomplishment."

Miles in Merino

“Often the trail tread will be buried under 15 feet of snow. Gear is a very important part of their travels – not only does it have to be lightweight for backpacking, but it also has to perform well.  Icebreaker is stoked that we were able to outfit Justin in merino baselayers.”

Lichter and Forry Complete First Winter Thru-Hike on the Pacific Crest Trail

"… with over 55,000 miles of trail experience between them, Lichter and Forry were able to meet the conditions with safety and confidence. Detailed packing and preparation also played a major role in the safety of their trek, and Lichter and Forry are pros at packing the best ultralight gear. On the trail, Lichter and Forry carried various Granite Gear backpacks and stuff sacks.