The following is a simple step
by step synopsis for the average
hiker planning a northbound
through hike on the PCT. Additionally, you'll find many answers in
the PCT FAQ. Check out the hike planner to see what's involved.
Simply put:
Synopsis
Section
1 - First Steps
1.1 Learn as much as you can
If you're reading this you
have probably dreamed of a long hike. You've also probably
viewed many books/journals/forums/maps on the subject, knowing
your subject matter gives you a big advantage. Absorb as much as
you can from all available sources. There are plenty of
good
journals
and
gear lists to
learn from.
1.2 Take a
walk
Some will insist that you can
start the trail without any training, that
is true. Taking long walks regularly will prepare your body and
mind for those many miles on the trail. You don't need a pack or
anything special, grab your water bottle and a snack and head
out the door. The more you invest in training, the
better you'll be prepared the first day on the trail.
1.3 Gather
experience
Having backpacking &
hiking experience is also a huge benefit, but not required.
Knowing your gear preferences, weather and terrain abilities and
having developed your own hiking style can only be developed
from doing. Without this experience you'll start the not optional, hands-on learning
process the first day on the trail.
Section 2 -
Things to know
2.1 Documentation
Get your
PCT through hiker
permit and your
Canadian
Entry Permit. Estimate your start date and Canadian border
crossing date, neither has to be exact. Begin the process about
mid-February or 2 months before your start date. You can also
print out your self-issued
California
Fire Permit.
2.2 Start date
Assuming a 5 month hike, start late enough to avoid snow
pack/spring storms and get to Canada before winter sets in. Be
completely flexible with your start date if at all possible. The
single most important criteria for a start date are the
Sierra snow conditions
and
your ability to deal with
mountainous spring snow conditions. A big winter snow
means a later start date, a mild winter means an earlier start
date
. You must also
consider snow conditions in the Southern California mountains,
particularly Mt San Jacinto, Big Bear and Mt.Baden-Powell. The PCT
northbound departure window is typically April-May with the
majority leaving about
May 1st during a
normal snow year. This means an arrival at
Kennedy
Meadows in the southern Sierra about mid-June. April 1st is
a good time to set a hard and fast start date, scheduling air/bus
transportation
to the southern terminus,
2+ weeks in advance.
2.3 Water
Your daily actions will be dictated by
reliable water sources
or
unreliable water caches
for the first 700 miles of trail. The importance of this cannot be
overstated. You must make it to the next water source without
running out of water. This has a direct impact on your
daily mileage and thus your overall
plan.
2.4 Resupply
2.4.1
What constitutes a resupply package?
The main criteria is enough food to get you to your next
resupply. Less obviously, it may contain map/data book pages,
socks, shoes, medicine, fuel, etc. Be sure to
label your packages correctly!
2.4.2 Resupply as you go
Resupplying as you go is by far the most efficient and requires
the least amount of planning. Many towns exist on or near the
trail. Many of these have stores that range from full-service to
adequate for resupply.
(Yes, they know you are coming!) You may find these depleted
from time to time though. Only on a few occasions will you want
to mail a resupply. These are some places,
depending on your plan:
Warner Springs, Agua Dulce,
Kennedy Meadows, Vermilion Valley Resort, Hat Creek, Burney
Falls SP, Hyatt Lake, Shelter Cove, Big Lake Youth Camp, White
Pass, Snoqualmie Pass, Skykomish and Stehekin.
2.4.3 Resupply by mail
This is the most cumbersome. This requires you (or someone at
home) to create all of your resupply packages and then mailed at
the appropriate time. This can be dozens of packages. Every year
a few hikers like to dehydrate food and mail it. This is the
preferred method for them.
2.5
Bounce Box
A bounce box is a moving storage container you keep mailing ahead
of yourself. It can be very handy for storing items you're not
sure when or if you'll need, such as, hiking pole tips, water
filter parts, extra fuel, maps, clothes, etc. You can also use it
for resupply with food, then just mail it ahead to a post office
somewhere up the trail.
Be sure to
label your box correctly!
Section 3 - Making a plan
3.1
Keep it simple
Your plan is a guideline, not a set of rules. Think generally in
terms of
daily mileage and
days between resupply. You don't need to plan every camp
site or where you should be precisely on day X. There are many
options and no 'right' one. If you don't want to bother with
developing your own plan,
select a plan that suits
you.
3.2 Daily mileage and days
between resupply stops
How many miles a day can you hike? How many hours of the day do
you want to hike? How aggressive is your hiking speed? Is the
terrain full of ups and downs? How hot will it be? Is the snow
coverage intense? How many days food do you want to carry (2.5
pounds per day @ 4500-6000 calories)?
All of those questions need to be considered. If you're not sure,
use our
dynamic planner. It
will give you a very good idea of your daily mileage and number of days
between resupply stops.
3.3 Zero mileage days and partial
days
Every hiker loves taking a day off from hiking; a soft bed, hot
shower, laundry, ice cream and pizza for breakfast. Life is good!
You'll want to build those into your plan as well. Also consider
post office hours/holidays as they might not be open when you get
there. Plan to arrive earlier or later.
3.4 Putting it together
Once you have an idea about your preferences you can start to nail
down a plan. Some folks use a spread sheet, others write it down
once and that's their plan. There are no
rules, have fun with it. Planning is part of
your journey.
Have a great hike!