With the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) hiking season underway, Kahtoola, and the Trevor Spikes Program are doing more than talking about hiker safety.
In a tribute to the late Trevor Laher, his family, along with Idyllwild, California-based outdoor retailer Nomad Ventures, the Fowler-O’Sullivan Foundation and Kahtoola are partnering to deliver Kahtoola’s MICROspikes to a section of the PCT near Apache Peak, the snow-covered section of trail in the San Jacinto Mountains where Laher slipped to his death in 2020.
“The Trevor Spikes Program takes our family’s hiker safety advocacy efforts to the next level, from educating PCT thru-hikers about the dangers of the San Jacinto Mountain range to physically putting these life-saving traction devices into the hands of hikers – safety when they need it, where they need it,” said Doug Laher, Trevor’s father. “We’re grateful to Kahtoola and the Fowler-O’Sullivan Foundation for their partnership.”
Launched in 2021, the Trevor Spikes Program provides PCT hikers a discount on MICROspikes purchased from Nomad Ventures for pick up at the Paradise Valley Cafe, a popular hub for thru-hikers near Idyllwild.
Nomad Ventures will deliver MICROspikes to the cafe for hikers to pick up as they arrive in the area and before they navigate the section of trail near Laher’s fall. This portion of the PCT is the earliest section where hikers might need safety equipment such as traction due to snow and ice.
In 2020, Laher’s MICROspikes and ice ax were shipped ahead to Idyllwild and unfortunately not with him when conditions warranted. The Trevor Spikes Program’s mission is to save lives by delivering safety gear where it’s needed before it’s needed.
“We are honored to help raise awareness and keep the memory of Trevor alive by assisting hikers with safety gear before they encounter this treacherous section of the PCT,” said Danny Giovale, founder and owner of Kahtoola. “Educating hikers on trail safety is near and dear to our hearts and the impetus for launching our company over twenty years ago. We are hopeful that by offering easy access to MICROspikes before Apache Trail that we can avoid preventable accidents this hiking season.”
For additional hiking safety tips and information, visit the Pacific Crest Trail Association website.
