So you want to do a thru-hike?
In the spring of 2020, I plan to set out and attempt a hike of the 2600+ mile trail that winds its way from the Mexico-California border through the deserts of Southern California and into the mighty Sierra Nevada range and beyond–all the way North to the Washington-Canadian border.
I’d like to take you along for the journey and share my experience. I’d like to explain Why I would do such a thing, the mindset that I’m able to maintain which will allow me to carry this from a silly spark of a dream that any responsible father, husband, “career man” would quickly snuff out and promptly get back to living their ordinary life. I will share the many mistakes I will make along the way in order to help other aspiring thru hikers avoid them. It should be a fun ride, and I anticipate the preparation for the trip to be as challenging, exciting, daunting, and rewarding as possibly the trail herself.
If this sounds like fun—or, you want to watch some middle-aged white dude suffer—then please follow along and join in the conversation through the comments section.
What is the PCT and why am I hiking it?
The Pacific Crest Trail(PCT) is a long-distance hiking and equestrian trail which begins—for North-bound hikers—in a remote area Southeast of San Diego, CA on the Mexican-American border near the town of Campo, CA. It was designated as a National Scenic Trail in 1968, but it was not officially completed until 1993. The idea was conceived by Clinton Churchill Clarke in 1932.
The trail is one of America’s “Triple Crown” trails along with the more well known and established Appalachian Trail(AT) in the Eastern US, and the Continental Divide Trail (CDT) which dances along the Continental Divide deep within the rugged Rocky Mountain range.
My first decision: if I am to do a big thru hike, which one?
After hearing a handful of people recount their first-hand experience with hiking the Appalachian Trail and how transformative it was in their lives, I felt this was the obvious choice.
As I began to research it in earnest, it seemed quite compelling—there are plenty of water sources, it is well hiked and well marked, I shouldn’t have any problems staying on trail, there are numerous re-supply options. Heck, the AT provides many a shelter along the entire trail to keep me protected from the elements should the need arise.
Okay, we have a winner, right?
I ultimately decided against the AT for a few reasons. First, it was farther away from home, meaning the chances of family and friends temporarily joining me from CO were slim, this is important to me and something I wasn’t able to easily dismiss. Next, it’s wet. Those delightful rain showers that keep the streams, creeks, and rivers running with plenty of life-sustaining water can also keep an AT hiker soaked—being from Colorado this is foreign to me, I’m used to a quick, Summer afternoon thunderstorm, but I am not used to a wake-up-in-the-a.m.-with-a-soaked-tent, soaked pack, soaked clothes, and soaked shoes type of experience and I don’t think I am looking for it just yet. Finally, the AT is often referred to as the Green Tunnel. The majority of the hike you are encased with the rich vegetation and foliage of the riparian ecosystem. I love nature, I love plants, and there are times I wish I didn’t live in the high desert; however, my experiences that I love the most on trails are cresting a high-mountain pass and then having my breath taken away with a beautiful, expansive view into the valleys and ranges that dot the horizon for miles to come. While I am looking for new experiences in life, those views are so transformative and a critical piece of replenishing my spirit. Sorry AT, it’s not you, it’s me, but we’ll get together in the future, okay?
It was then down to the Continental Divide Trail (CDT) and the PCT.
My consideration of the CDT went something like this:
It traverses through my home state of Colorado for a significant portion of the trail, it will give me all sorts of expansive, high-altitude views and will provide plenty of thrills. It is rugged, tough, remote, and any real mountain man would relish in the opportunity to test himself in such environs. Ultimately, I think the CDT is a step above what I’m ready to tackle. Its remoteness and ruggedness which would normally have me turned on was enough of a challenge that I felt I needed to graduate into it by first experiencing a hike that can be more accommodating in regards to re-supply options and fellow hikers to share the experience with. If all goes well with the PCT, the CDT will be high on my list for the next big adventure!
And then there was one.
Having been swept away in Cheryl Strayed’s novel–and subsequent movie of the same title–Wild, I felt like I already knew the PCT and all the wonders she may have to offer me. As I watched videos on YouTube of hikers sharing their own PCT journies, I became hooked. This trail seemed to offer me both the familiarity and unfamiliarity I seek. I would be crossing high-mountain passes with my trusty ice axe and crampons–which I have much experience and love doing. I would be tramping across the harsh Sonoran Desert in Southern California amid the saguaro cactus and have many miles in between water sources–this would be new and challenging. I would get to be part of the hiker community and have ample opportunities to socialize with my fellow thru-hikers; I would be able to get away from the crowds when need be and find solace with nature. I would still have access to towns, hotels, showers, and beer! I could easily avoid them as well. All in all, the PCT really sang to me, and I am delighted to learn all she has to teach me.
This decision is made. It is but one in a long series of decisions that remain, but it feels really good having this one in the books!
What's Next?
- Begin to build my gear list of what I have and don't have
- Come up with my PCT budget $$$
- Look into how, when, and where to do my re-supply (food and other trail consumables)
- Snag my permits in November
- Purchase food and prepare the re-supply boxes
- Come up with a thru-hike training plan and begin to implement it!
- Do you have a long thru-hike on your bucket list?
- Have you done a thru-hike or sections of one before?
- Do you have any questions about planning for the trip you want to make sure I include?
- If so, drop a comment below and let’s chat!