PCT hikers find comfort, supplies and angels in South Lake Tahoe

What gained in popularity with the movie and book by Cheryl Strayed, "Wild," people are hiking the Pacific Crest Trail in record numbers, and many of them stop by South Lake Tahoe on their way from border to border.

To date, Lake of the Sky Outfitters at the South Lake Tahoe "Y" has seen about 650 of the PCT hikers stop by. Being the largest city near the 2,650 mile trail that takes most hikers about five months to complete, the community offers what many of them seek on "zero days": supplies, motels, a shower, lots of food and mail.

"Zero days" are days spent without hiking the trail and those enjoying them have been evident throughout town this summer, people, mainly in their twenties, carrying full backpacks, wearing hiking boots and walking around the "Y".

The hikers on the PCT are known as thru-hikers, those walking through which is much different than the weekend hiker which many who live in and visit the Sierra are.

In 2015, Peters Hussman, a 40+ year local and owner of Lake of the Sky Outfitters says about 800 hikers from the PCT stopped by. At his store they can find socks, boots, clothing, packs and items they have ordered or mailed ahead in his care.

"We're working to make South Lake Tahoe a hiker friendly town," said Hussman. "We're succeeding and we get letters back all the time to attest to that."

Part of what makes the South Shore a great experience are Trail Angels, volunteers who pick up hikers from the PCT and bring them into town (or vice-versa). Hussman keeps a list of them at his store, and when they're needed he'll give them a call. Right now there are about 24 volunteers who not only offer rides, but sometimes even offer a spare bedroom or tent space in their yard.

Most of those hiking from south to north, from the U.S. border with Mexico to the one with Canada, have already come through South Lake Tahoe. There will be a few stranglers until September when those hiking from the northern border to the southern border make it into South Lake Tahoe. Those that start in the north normally get a later start due to snow in the Cascades and are fewer in numbers than their northbound compadres.

Those in SLT on zero days find the local buffets a perfect fit for their appetites, and the discounted rooms offered by The Apex, Motel 6 and Mellow Yellow Hostel at Stateline a perfect fit for their wallets. Sometimes, family members meet them in town to make a mini-family reunion out of their stay.

Hussman said he encourages those coming to down to do it on non-holiday weekdays when lodging is cheaper. He's had many hikers stranded with no place to stay on the 4th of July.

At his store, Hussman has one full room of supplies the thru-hikers have either mailed ahead, or ordered online from the trail. To date, he's had 500 packages delivered at the store for hikers to pick up. Last year he saw 187, with the big jump due not only to the PCT popularity but the fact that Echo Chalet stopped taking the "hiker boxes" due to limited space.

He also has a room with couch, cold drinks, a computer, television and other needed items so those coming into the store can sit, relax and connect with home. He opens at 9:00 a.m. on weekends, 9:30 a.m. on weekdays and has come into work and found hikers waiting at the front door.

Another popular feature Lake of the Sky Outfitters has are the lifetime guarantee "Darn Tough" socks they carry. Hussman contacted the company and they allow him to take the trade-in socks instead of the normal "return where purchased" policy. He has swapped out 200 pairs of socks so far this hiking season.

Photos of many of the hikers stopping by are displayed in the store. Hussman creates a poster each year of the hundreds of those allowing their photo to be taken.

Joerg from Germany stopped by the popular hiking supply store on Friday, getting ready to head to Canada after hiking the trail since May 14. His VISA expires August 8, so once renewed he'll be back to finish the trek. Joerg was brought into South Lake Tahoe by local Linda Bellotti who, with a group of friends, are hiking the Tahoe Rim Trail this summer, one day at a time. They had run into each other while hiking and since all were headed in the same direction, Joerg got a ride.

If there are no Trail Angels available, the hikers coming into town will hitchhike, with very few having to make the several mile hike for a shower, food and supplies.

The Pacific Crest Trail Association website (pcta.org) has all the information needed for hikers from permits to strategy and blogs. Social Media has played a big part in the PCT popularity as well, with facebook pages dedicated to each year, known as a "class." The PCT Class of 2016 page has over 5,000 members.

For more information about being a Trail Angel, contact Peter Hussman at Lake of the Sky Outfitters, (530) 541-1027. He is located in the building between the new Crossing and McDonalds at the Y.