I Quit the Pacific Crest Trail... kind of 

Stopping (not quiting) your hike was the smart decision. You had only very limited information on what was to come. If the fires had become a problem on the next stretch, you might have been in need of rescue. And that probably is not what firefighters have capacity to do when there is fire everywhere. Pushing through might just have been selfish. And there was not much to win. The terminus was closed, so those extra miles would not really have made a huge difference. And now you have a nice hike to come back to, and not just a couple of miles. That probably will make it much more authentic feeling to finish the rest in another year. Good on you guys for making a hard decision, and thank you for your wonderful videos. You truly are inspiring.

It’s been an incredible ride, and I feel lucky to have been one of the viewers who cheered you on. Failure begins only when you stop lacing up your shoes for a new hike. You’re going to continue to have amazing adventures, and as long as you put out videos, I’ll be watching them. Cheers mate.

Kyle, you've done what billions of people in the World have been unable to do and you killed it! The videos were incredible!

You didn't really quit. You had to stop because of fires popping up all over the place and roads were closing! Don't beat yourself up, man. You did beyond great! . . . Selfishly, I enjoy the heck out of your vids! This PCT series was entertaining, informative, humorous and enlightening and I enjoyed every minute! I'm looking forward to more of your regular vids and I hope you get back to Trail Tales too!

You didn’t quit you just closed out a chapter. What an incredible journey.

I’m 83 years old and never hiked a day in my life. I clicked on your site one day and I’m hooked. So enjoyable.

You 3 killed it. It’s not always about the destination so much as the journey it took to get there and you should be proud!

Y'all killed it and made the best of many tough situations - awesome to follow you along the ups and downs. And keep the stache

It was a pleasure to follow you guys on your astonishing journey!! Thx for everything!😊

Such hard emotions. Quitting is never an easy choice under any circumstances. I can tell this has been going through your head for a while. It will take awhile to come to peace with it. Perhaps it was a blessing you had a ride to airport and all the pieces fell in place to make the quitting easy. I am looking forward to your new videos in the future. Get some rest and you will be 100% ok with how it ended for you.

Dude as a 2018 PCT thru hiker I feel your pain. I was so close to calling its quits in Snoqualmie (broke up w/ my gf, Northern Terminus was closed, and just not stoked on the vibes) I was over hiking. I waited 2 or 3 days at Snoqualmie Alpine Club Lodge and just couldn't make the decision to quit. My buddy from Colorado was even hiking a section with me at the time and had a vehicle to take me back home. I ended up hiking on and the Northern Terminus opened up and I made it! Sometimes it's just hard to keep going on. don't feel bad about quitting, the experiences are what it's about. Anyway the trail is always there, heck you could even finish if you got back on the PCT tomorrow.. Or just start back again in Campo next year. Smiles not miles! The PCT is always home, even 4 years later. Cheers

I had the sh!test summer as my wife and I lost three of our four parents this year. You boys brought me joy and laughs each week. I loved your bonding and friendship. I can’t wait to meet y’all on the trail someday. Thank you for all you guys did and accomplished this summer. Money will be coming your way.

Kyle, thank you to Flossie, Brandon and yourself for including us as viewers on your hike. Also kudos to Luke for the editing. We’ve been watching you for over a year. My husband and I are occasional day hikers and we really appreciate your humor. We will keep you all in our prayers. Hike on Kyle. We will be watching. A grateful viewer from New Hampshire.

Really enjoyed following the journey 🙌 3 amigos did great. Shout out to Luke 🤟 great editing 👌

You’ve inspired me, friend. I’ve watched the whole trip. The only fail is that the trail failed to be seamless and perfect. You pushed through what you could. Happy trails. Rest and recoup and gain inspiration for the next hike. You/we can only stay away from the backcountry for so long.

What a dope ass adventure…you did what was best and I’m sure it was an incredibly difficult decision…I look forward to watching all three of you finishing the miles you missed…Luke did an amazing job editing your great video…enjoy the aftermath of this awesome adventure!!! Wishing all you guys the best in whatever comes along next!!

Keep your head up. It's not the destination but it's the journey. I feel like yours is only in the beginning, good sir.

You made a good call Kyle. At some point you and Flossy can finish the miles together since you didn't do too much more than him. Almost 2200 miles is not a failure! I thoroughly enjoyed the series and now look forward to regular videos. The parodies are my favorite. Hopefully we will see Brandon in some of them! Welcome home. 🙂

Pushing yourself further to just a different unexpected endpoint most likely would not have been any more satisfying, and it may have even been dangerous. I'm glad to hear you don't regret the decision, even considering how difficult it was. Hopefully you can finish the remainder of the miles another year, with Flossy being healthy, and that'll just be the icing on the cake. Looking forward to all the content coming up!

I've enjoyed the ride. Thank you for taking us along. For me, as long as I'm entertained by the content, and the topics stay relevant to me, I'll stick around.

Yeah i remember waking up September 10th, 2022 at 10 am at my girlfriends house in Goldbar that Saturday morning of the bolt creek fire. Orange light was pouring in through the curtains, felt like living in the apocalypse. Its actually pretty crazy to have a big forest fire like that west of the cascades and that close to Seattle. That weekend, western Washington had the worst air quality in the world, and over the passing days the wind would shift back and forth sending smoke both directions over the pass. Y’all would have been suffering on the trail, and forest fire smoke effects everyone differently. For most it was okay, but others had sore throats, headaches, and asthma like symptoms. I cant imagine hiking through that, It was a good choice to end it there. Another small fire would pop up northwest of the bolt creek fire closer to the trail.

I enjoyed the journey you took us on. PCT is so tough, especially with all the fires/smoke etc etc Look forward to continually follow you.

Ya'll made a good decision. Sometimes people make risky decisions and get lucky, and sometimes not. Ya'll made a smart, common sense decision that hopefully other people will follow. Live to hike another day! You probably saved a few lives just by sharing your journey. Thanks!

I just found your channel and it's been awesome living vicariously through you as a former hiker and backpacker (injured back wont let me do it any more... for now) You remind me so much of my avid outdoorsman son, who started backpacking as an 11 y/o boy scout. As far as your journey...What an amazing accomplishment! you didn't quit... you chose safety and common sense over ego and being foolish.

You guys did great. Next year start north to south. Thanks for all the entertaining vids...

Always a bummer not to complete something you've worked so hard on and wanted so much. But don't beat yourself up, sometimes things just aren't right and when your gut tells you that it's best to listen to it. I've really enjoyed experiencing the trail through your videos. Kudos to you, Flossy, Brandon and Luke for producing a great record of your trip. Take it from an English senior - you all killed it.

Thank you so much for sharing your story! I was in that area of Washington on my thru hike at the same time as you and we were getting chased around by wildfires and landslides too. I totally understand the challenges you were facing out there. Congratulations on such a huge accomplishment!

you made the right choice.. so glad you two are safe and can't wait to hear the complete debrief from the trip.

You’ll always be a winner in my heart😘

I wouldn’t consider this quitting, I really wouldn’t. You literally could not do what you set out to do, which was to walk from point A to point B. Wildfires and trail closures prevented you from doing that. You made the right choice, which was not to put yourself or others who may have to rescue you into a bad situation. And at that point in the game, the logistics and finances of finishing even the trail that was open would have been overwhelming. I don’t blame you for making this choice and honestly, most people I know had to make the exact same one. Doesn’t take anything away from your accomplishment of hiking all of those miles! Every day you were out there was a success.

Kyle, I want to thank you so much for taking us along for the ride. I'm from the PNW and I absolutely loved watching you hike through my backyard. Sadly massive wildfires have become our new normal and that really changes what is smart and healthy to do outside. You really shouldn't spend a single moment telling yourself that you quit. You and your crew made a smart decision. I appreciate all the content that you make and I can't wait to see whats next.

Due to circumstances in nature beyond your control or choice AND the fact that the PCT Terminus was already closed, you made a good choice of when to exit the trail. With all that you accomplished, witnessed, experienced and the friends you made during this adventure...you have nothing to feel bad about. Your living life and living it well. That's more than most can say. Best wishes to you.

Quitting is not the same as rolling with the punches. You rolled well. The universe is right on time, as much as we may hate to accept that now and then; you made the right choice. Hope Flossie, Brandon and you are all OK. Thank you for taking us along. Thank you for all you taught us on this hike. Looking forward to your further videos.

Loved following your hike and looking forward to whatever is next!

So proud of you, Kyle. You got a Helluva long way, & then you took the smartest out when the universe presented it to you. Also, ppl refer to Flossy's & your bromance, but I feel like you guys got serious a long time ago; you have officially been united in matribrony for quite some time.

Greatly enjoyed following along with you and Flossy and Brandon!! Be proud of what you all accomplished!! Looking forward to the return of Trail Tales and all that comes next!!!

No failure on your part. There are conditions on your thru hike you have no control of. Thanks for taking us along and look forward to your upcoming content. Hike on Bro.

Thanks for taking us along! I wasn’t watching to see you hit the end, I was enjoying the journey. Hope you did, too

I had to turn around 900 feet from the summit on the highest mountain in South America. I had cerebral edema symptoms and it was the right decision. There is always a thought deep down that maybe I would have made it. The doctor at base camp shook my hand and assured me I made the right choice. Hindsight you could have kept going but the safe bet was to turn around. That fire could have got out of control and caused injury or death to the hikers that kept going. It really shows strength that you turned around.

I really appreciate you sharing your trip with us. I'm sorry that it didn't go to plan, but it still looks like an amazing journey. I look forward to your future adventures.

That’s a wrap! Congrats and thanks for the inspiring entertainment along your PCT journey. So much can happen over 5 months/3,000+ miles. You did the PCT. That’s ALL 👊

You did not quit. You made a very wise and responsible decision to be safe. What if that fire had gone differently and suddenly you guys were trapped and needed to be rescued? That just wouldn't have affect you, but also the first responders who would have had to risked their own lives. And breathing all that smoke may have some serious health consequences later down the line. Living here in California, I know how bad that smoke can get. I've had to change my own hikes and outdoor plans because of it. Don't consider leaving the trail to be a failure, but rather consider it unfinished business. You, Flossy, and Brandon can finish that business up next summer when it's safe again, and you can truly appreciate your surroundings. Great job to all 3 of you and thank you for taking us along for the hike!

People like you because it's clear you are a genuinely good person! With a funny sense of humor 😀. Thanks for filming your journey!❤

I love the raw truth, you kept yourself safe and made a hard choice. You should be so proud of All you did accomplish. That’s amazing!

Your hike was incredible! Flossy, Brandon, Luke-really, Luke! The entire hike was a PCT original, just like it should be. Unlike other trails, the PCT is fluid. Snow, rain, wildlife, cold, heat, fires, water-did I mention fires?-these all combine to heighten the capability of the hike. With the PCT, you finish the hike when you finish. There's always something more, something different, to hike on the PCT, so you get to declare when you finish. Some people take years, others do it all at once. Some of this year's finishers missed almost 100 miles of Oregon due to an old fire closure that opened up right after PCT Days. But they finished and did did you guys. Now, come back after the snow melts next July and link the sections you want to hike before the fires start. The trail is waiting.

I've really enjoyed following along. I hope that the 3 of you can finish the trail together next year!

hey, It was such great fun to watch the three of you hike! You 3 killed that trail and should be very proud of all you've accomplished! You Kyle, Flossie, and Brandon were fantastic backpackers! Thanks for the awesome show! I'd say the beard shave was a win!!!

You guys CRUSHED the PCT, I don't care what anyone else says. What an epic journey. Can't wait for the new Trail Tales!! 🤠🖖

Hit that final section though. It’s a good one 👍. You did good bro 😎. You can get it later and you know you killed it this summer. Congratulations 🎉🎉🎉🎉

We loved watching each and every episode! Thanks!

You’re a legend Kyle! Thanks for sharing your journey! ❤

I loved following along, the videos were awesome and raps were dope. I look forward to seeing what's next! Best wishes to you all.

It's quite a gorgeous ending! Best to do it in the beginning of the sunny season.

you guys absolutely killed it. it's been such a joy to watch the series. thank you for doing what you do!!!

I've enjoyed coming along for your journey. You did fall. You will fail at more things in life. The secret to life is falling down seven times and getting up eight times. The word is as long as you finish it within a 12-month period you completed it, so rest up get back in the gym and hit it hard in the spring. I expect to see a PCT part 2 by late spring next year

Agreed with all the rest of the comments. You didn’t quit, you did what you could and made the logical decision to be safe and not make things unnecessarily complicated for yourselves in having a way home readily available. And although this trip has been captivating, entertaining, and incredibly inspirational to follow, I’ve missed all your other videos and look forward to the new content you’ll be releasing post-PCT. You’re still a champ. Not as big as Flossy, but still a champ to some degree.

I just want to thank you for stopping when you did. That fire, the Bolt Creek Fire grew to 8k acres in ONE day! On the west(wet)side of the Cascades. My son and I were planning on Hiking to Valhalla that day. It would have been so great to see you guys but when the Red Flag Warning came out we canceled. Thankfully the Trail has not been directly affected in the area, but that day and the days that followed were so in predictable. You made the smart decision. You guys had an epic hike!

I must have just been a few days ahead of you because I was 2-3 days into that stretch when we heard about the new fire and the road closure. We woke up that morning to crazy wind and when we got up on the ridge could see the HUGE plume from that new fire. It was so smokey when we got to Stehekin that you couldn't really even see the other side of the lake! I feel you SO much on the confusion about what to do. This year I had soooo much of that mental battle about what was the "right" choice to make especially when sections of the trail were technically open but still felt unsafe due to smoke and fire proximity. I know that every year has its challenges but this year definitely felt like a wild ride!

Dude, 2,187 miles is friggin amazing!! Nothing to feel guilty about. You boys killed it! Peace

Glad you got home back safe man. You guys did great! You'll crush that PCT next time and I'll def be watching! Cheers!

I ran into a couple PCT thru hikers that also had to get off trail on the Superior Hiking Trail. They came out to Minnesota to finish their journey to Canada in some form. My heart goes out to you and all the others. I can't imagine walking all that way and then not being able to finish.

I think you made the right decision at the right time. But you will now need to get the podcast up and running. You have met so many people you can talk to. Kyle, you don't need to justify yourself to us. You are a thru-hiker. The Trail was shit this year. The only way you could have done it was an earlier start or SOBO. But you crushed it Kyle. I hope Flossy is better. I hope you, Flossy and Brandon hike together again. Way to go Kyle.

I think that you guys did the right thing you weren't going to be able to finish because of closing of the trail. So you shouldn't be ashamed of it. Great job to all three of you. You guys are awesome !!!

You did not fail you can always come back... Im suprised you all didn't stop when flossy stopped and then just made plans to come back... With all the fires im glade you all are safe and off the trail can't wait till you get to come back and finish it up... But can't wait to see you get back to your regular content too.. but this was fun to watch... Love can't wait to see your next video... Can't wait to see Brandon and flossy in your videos again... You guys our awesome 👍😎

I am very late to this party, but I just finished watching the whole series. what a wild ride! Congrats on your accomplishments! i am excited to watch the rest of your adventures!

Dude! As many others have said, that was not a failure. It's the journey, not the destination. Your previous videos prove you had a great time. I look forward to more videos from you!

You rocked it, proud of u ❤

The shortness of your shorts disturbed me this entire video. Just wanted to let you know. Good luck on finishing the PCT next year. Love watching your vlogs. I am thru-hiking the AT next year. God Bless

Nicely done, so psyched that you guys got that many miles in. It was looking grim for the May starters. Honestly, getting off before “section k” was a wise choice if you are planning on going back. I’m imagining what it would be like to not be burnt out and just trying to crush miles and get on trail at Steven’s pass. That section really is one of the most beautiful places we’ve seen. To do it with a good/fresh mindset would be amazing. Goat rocks and section k are places we will definitely be back for !!!

great effort, was in floods of tears hearing flossy pour his heart out when he dropped out. dont beat yourself up about leaving it how you did its clear to see how that experience was valuable foe you all. my only qualm is this particular video wasnt on the PCT playlist on your channel so it just ended pretty randomly and this video popped up randomly today.

Kyle you are my favorite RU-vidr. I would like to document my journey with hiking and I don't know where to start. But you have shown me that anything is possible

I’m no longer able to hike but I LOVE it! Thank you for sharing your hike✌️🤘🫶

Loved the PCT series 👍🏻 bummed it’s over but job well done guys

I watched the whole trip. It was a great journey to get to see. Awesome job guys.

watched you guys entire trip on the PCT . It felt like i was there with you 3 and what a adventure hope Floss is doing better

Really sucks. Just a terrible year for all you hikers. You probably would have regretted staying on trail as much you are feeling like regretting leaving. Plus, you can’t forget that you made a new life long friend, which is the real reason for these hikes. Thank you for the videos.

Congratulations to you all! I enjoyed watching these videos! Thank you for taking us along with you

You. Did. Not. Quit. You were smart to get off when you did. The fires are no joke here on the west side. Kinda like the storms on the east. I love you and your videos and can’t wait to see what’s next. Bring on the gear review and what you learned! Xoxo Rene (a backpacker, a mom, and a huge fan)

Sorry that you had to stop… watched the healthy gamer just complete the PCT. hope you can get back and complete next year.

IMHO, hiking in those stunning locations spending time doing something you love with people you love should not be viewed as a failure. Best of luck with the new chapter my bro

You did what you could given the situation. You didn’t fail. You can always finish next year

It has been fun to enjoy your videos and your adventures. Looks like you made the right choice for you so good for you! I live near the Bolt Fire and it is no joke and the smoke is yuk- still is. I look forward to your future content.

I'm 33, I come frome France and hiked the PCT this year (only 100 miles skiped on the entire journey because of fires in Oregon, I was so lucky) but I had to stop at Stevens Pass too. It was on september 7th. I managed to hike 15 miles after the pass but I decided to turn back because of the smoke. It felt too dangerous. After more than 2 weeks home in France it's still difficult to accept, I feel sad sometimes, but I know it was the wise decision. Better safe than sorry. It was'nt the end we wanted. It was a sad decision, a tough decision. We had no clear ending point, no chance to see the monument because all was closed. I know we would have finish it, I know we would have done it. I'm sure we would have had the strenght with proper conditions. But the fires decided other way. What an incredible end to and incredible journey... I feel you so much. But you are safe, and you were brave enough to follow the path of safety. When I came black, my father who did a lot of mountneering in the Alps told me it's the hardest thing to learn, when you have to recognize that you can't go further, that the weather, the mountain is stronger, when making one more step would put your life in danger, and you have to call it an end. You chose the wise path. And we will come back in the future to finish it safely. We hiked the Pacific Crest Trail. Maybe we had to quit but we know what it is to face its reality, we know what it is to be alone, to face greater challenges. And it was to me one of the greatest happiness of my life. Thank you for sharing your story, I feel better to know that we are a lot who had to face this cruel ending. I wish you the best for all that's to come. Cheers. Gaspard "Yoshida"

Safety first. You made an informed "best decision" based on live information. That was smart. No failure on your part. So many fires and closures this year. Get back out there next year if you want and finish what you missed. Great job! Looking forward to your post PCT gear review.

dude, I m from EU and I ve been following you for some time now.. its an amazing thing you ve achieved with your friends. You all should be proud.. thank you for the ride during your trip. I know I ll never be able to see the PCT and I m grateful for your content. Take care boys

Awesome job Kyle ! 2100 miles of memories. Cant wait for your reviews. Aloha !

Thank you for all your videos of the PCT. Looking forward to seeing were this channel is going and seeing more of your future trail adventures. The 45k+ subs are coming soon I can sense it.

I feel all of this! I ended my hike at Stephen's Pass for the same reasons, also after a zero. I'm still trying to feel fully at ease with the abrupt ending and feelings of failure, but I do know there's no question that physically and mentally I (and you, and Brandon) could have made it to the terminus, and that was the goal. I think this year was the ultimate test of being at peace with what is. It's been great to relive the trail through your videos since being home, thanks for putting in all the extra work to document and congrats on your thru hike!!!

Tough trail under very hard conditions this year with all the fire 🔥 closures. The videos on RU-vid make it all seem so fun, but the reality is that it’s extremely hard out there. You did great. Thank you so much for sharing. Be safe.

I am so impressed with you boys. My husband and I followed you throughout your journey. So impressive! It’ll be epic next year when you all (Flossy and Brandon) can come back and finish up! Rest and re-energize! Best to you all!!!

Honestly, I was waiting and expecting this one. I could hear it in your voice, plus I thought now you can finish all the way to Canada next year, maybe all three of you, that would be perfect. Can’t wait to see the new videos! Rock on!

Had a great time watching your journey. Not many other channels I get as excited to see updates.

Sorry to see this come to an abrupt end. Come back strong next year and crush the remainder.

I think your decision was the right one to make. The signs were showing up that tells me it would get worse than it already was. Im glad you are safest home and can continue another time. Get ready for ski season and stay in trail shape because I know you will be wrapping this thing up sooner than most people think. Great job with the footage and Luke really killed the edits. Thank you Kyle, Flossy and Branden for all you've done and sharing your experience with all of us. Cant wait to see your next adventure.

I followed your whole adventure on the PCT and you guys have NOTHING to be down about. Easier said than done, I know. But you guys are incredible and put out an amazing series of videos. Thank you for taking all of us along. My hat is off to you guys. I love your videos and your content. I look forward to watching what adventures you tackle next.

First I need to say making those hard decisions on trail is never easy. I had to make one not too long ago on a backpacking trip and it’s hard. You made the right decision and you should be proud of your accomplishments. Second, I someday hope to be able to hike of these beautiful trails; however, if I don’t I’m appreciative for your videos which took me along on the adventure! I look forward to the next video, keep them coming.

Thank you so much for letting us in on such an intense and beautiful journey. I’m sure, when you have your heart set on something like finishing at the northern terminus, the sudden end can feel like a failure - but as an outsider who has so enjoyed following along, I encourage you to look back and at least ~try~ to see all that you have accomplished. In my eyes y’all have done anything BUT fail!! Major kudos and congratulations to the three of you for not backing down against such a big feat. Looking forward to following along for future adventures!!

Excited for Trail Tales to come back!

Just finished watching your journey! What an amazing accomplishment. Yall didn't fail, the trail will be there for yall to finish! Great job guys!🤙

It has been great to follow you along on your journey! t is a bummer but that's life, plans change and we adjust. Fantastic job to you all, you should be bursting with pride. Thank you for taking us along. Hike on.