... and I believe your story, so I will grant you the visa!"

Get in! Yesterday was a rather long and mentally draining day as we had to head down to London to visit the US embassy to try and get our B2 visa. Well we got it first time! Which means that our PCT through hike 2012 is on!

Kit lists have nearly been finished and much of the kit tested. Visa has been sorted. Now just need to book flights, apply for through hiker permits, CA fire permits etc. I am planning on being at the ADZPCTKO, so if anyone else is doing it next year, I'll see you there! :D

Congrats! Great to hear it worked out for you!

Why the fire permits??

In California you need a fire permit in order to have a campfire or operate a stove while on the PCT in the state.

By the way, fire permits are a good idea. PCT hikers have started a shameful number of wildfires over the years. Human-caused wildfires are a bad deal, can result in enormous fines, and can land someone in prison if the fire kills somebody. It is very, very easy to start a wildfire under dry conditions. Things can go from perfectly fine to an out-of-control fire in 2 seconds. Literally. Alcohol stoves and campfires should be used with extreme caution if conditions are dry, (I'd forgo the campfires entirely) especially associated with wind.