What does it take to keep the Pacific Crest Trail clear of debris for decades? A guy like Pickaxe Pete.
![The Sharpest Tool In The Shed](https://magarticles.magzter.com/articles/6123/229546/5954e3c018e8f/The-Sharpest-Tool-In-The-Shed.jpg)
Eighty-six-year-old J.L. “Pickaxe Pete” Fish opens the door of his workshop to reveal a murderer’s row of trail tools, all weathered handles and gleaming edges. “I can’t abide a tool with a broken handle or a dull blade,” Fish says. “I’ve always been that way.” If you’ve ever set foot on the Pacific Crest Trail in Southern California—or even dreamed that you might someday—you are in Fish’s debt. It’s been 24 years since Fish first took up the Pulaski in the name of trail improvement, and in that time, he’s maintained the first 700 miles of the PCT (from the border with Mexico to Kennedy Meadows) and built a reputation for his hard-working crew of several hundred active volunteers: the Trail Gorillas. In January, Fish retired as the Trail Gorillas’ coordinator, but he hasn’t laid down his chainsaw. We caught up with him in April after he returned home to Ventura after clearing downed trees in the Angeles National Forest.
BACKPACKER: When did you start doing trail work?
FISH: For many years, my family had a cabin up near Lake Tahoe. I spent summers there and started helping my grandfather do trail work in 1940 or so. During World War II, when most of the Forest Service personnel were in the military, there would be an occasional ranger in the backcountry. Several of us kids would pack food supplies back to these remote places, then pack out garbage or barbed wire. In the process of getting back there, we’d have to do some trail work to get through. This became a habit as we grew up. We worked on trails during the summer. It was a way of life.
How did you get started on the PCT?
Denne historien er fra August 2017-utgaven av Backpacker.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra August 2017-utgaven av Backpacker.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
![IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF HORROR](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/6123/1201578/edwpGCIsv1675335002656/IN-THE-FOOTSTEPS-OF-HORROR.jpg)
IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF HORROR
CANADA’S MOST REVERED BACKPACKING TRAIL WAS BORN OUT OF A GHASTLY MISFORTUNE
![TRUE NORTH](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/6123/1201578/MtNUky6CG1675333520000/TRUE NORTH.jpg)
TRUE NORTH
In pictures, Greenland's backcountry ski terrain looks spectacular. In person? It's even better.
![WHEN THE FOREST IS AN ESCAPE](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/6123/1201578/V-ZqS3Mgb1675332061580/WHEN-THE-FOREST-IS-AN-ESCAPE.jpg)
WHEN THE FOREST IS AN ESCAPE
The Outdoors Is Powerful Medicine And The Refugee Women's Network Is Helping Displaced Hikers Get Back To It
![The Gear that Changed Backpacking Forever](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/6123/1201578/LBe-L6-nA1675329799311/THE-GEAR-THAT-CHANGED-BACKPACKING-FOREVER.jpg)
The Gear that Changed Backpacking Forever
Trend-setters and trailblazers from the last 50 years
![Timeless Adventures](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/6123/1201578/Z8H8z1oCs1675326731586/TIMELESS-ADVENTURES.jpg)
Timeless Adventures
In celebration of 50 years of trail beta and inspiration, we look back on our favorite spots through the moments we chose to capture.
![Let The Rivers Run Free](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/6123/1025490/6IBHMqi-31659352580263/crp_American-waterways-Wild-and-Scenic-Rivers-Act-Backpacking-Destinations-Outdoor-Skills-Gear-Reviews-Camping-Lifestyle.jpg)
Let The Rivers Run Free
A set of 10 bills currently in Congress will protect 7,000 miles of American waterways— if they pass.
![Thru-Hiking, Canadian Style](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/6123/1025490/ojB42e_NB1659353252688/crp_British-Columbia-Tin-Hat-Mountain-Sunshine-Coast-Trail-Hiking-Dolomites.jpg)
Thru-Hiking, Canadian Style
When the pandemic shut down my plans to hike Europe, I found a world-class trail right on my doorstep.
![Training Station](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/6123/1008193/qumBjAX--1657693683585/crp_Backpacking-Destinations-Outdoor-Skills-Gear-Reviews-Camping-Lifestyle.jpg)
Training Station
There's a great new wearable for every kind of athletic goal
![CBD for Your Pain](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/6123/1025490/9eUn-6HPU1659352627271/crp_Zebra-CDB-Knee-pain-Stress-Low-energy-Sleeplessness.jpg)
CBD for Your Pain
Everyone feels the hurt as we age, but CBD can help you deal with it.
![Home Base](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/6123/1008193/tpGJ6oy6y1657692567113/crp_Shelters-Big-Agnes-Wyoming-Trail-2-NEMO-Aurora-Highrise-4-REI-Wonderland-X-Backpacking-Destinations-Outdoor-Skills-Gear-Reviews-Camping-Lifestyle.jpg)
Home Base
These shelters score major comfort points