Reflecting with some PCT Post-Trail Thoughts – The Greatest Trip of My Lifetime!
Pacific Crest Trail Map
Map of the entire Pacific Crest Trail (PCT)
Elevation Profile of the entire PCT
PCT Post-Trail Thoughts
The Pacific Crest Trail was a journey of a lifetime, and a lifestyle I truly will miss. Walking through nature with an end goal that requires no real-time restraint. Immersing myself into a life where people around me are alike despite our alternate lives.
The feeling of satisfaction from being a stinky, dirty, sweaty person, yet not caring about any judgement as we’re alike, both males and females, in our little extreme hiking sub-culture; something that cannot be replicated in any normal societal standards of today where judgement can be made even for something as small as females not applying make-up or not shaving their legs!
Overall, PCT 2017 – ‘the year of ice and fire’, was a thrilling and challenging hike I will remember dearly. When planning for the trip in 2016, it was daunting to constantly read the news surrounding the extreme and record-breaking winter rainfall. The previous 5 years had been droughts, and comparing past hikes to what I’d experienced was pointless.
I quickly learned on the trail how to basic mountaineer through trial and error – my trusty ice axe and microspikes becoming my life-saving partners in many circumstances! I quickly became confident in my ability and tackled the mountains with an eager mindset. However, the increased snow melt created dangerous circumstances with raging rivers, forcing me to make decisions regarding how much of a risk should I take – after all, at least 8 people died on the trail this year!
If this snow didn’t make things challenging enough, PCT 2017 decided to increase the difficulty level by throwing multiple fires on or near the trail, blocking off several sections. By the time I finished Oregon, I had detoured almost half the state due to closures! It was infuriating and stressful, but you had to take what was given to you. It was impossible to thru-hike the entire trail this year, but I instead managed some 2244 miles (3,611 km) (including some nearby side trail mileage) out of the official 2650 miles (4,264 km).
Statistics From My Trip
Start Date: 29/03/17
Finish Date: 13/09/17
Total Days on Trail: 162 (not including an 8-day break for 4th July)
Zero Days: 21 (no hiking)
Nero Days: 17 (counted as hiking less than 8 miles (13 km) on trail, 5 miles (8 km) in snow)
Miles Hiked: 2244 miles (3,611 km) (including side trips e.g. San Jacinto summit, Mt Whitney summit, JMT to Yosemite Valley)
Resupply Stops: 24 (including top-ups)
Resupply Boxes: 6 (sent whilst on trail)
Pairs of Shoes: 3 pairs (2 x Altra Lone Peaks 3.0, 1 x Altra Lone Peaks 3.5)
Longest Day: 32.5 miles (52 km)
30+ Mile Days: 3
Section Reviews
Section 1 – Southern California (The Desert)
Section 2 – Mid California (The Sierra)
Section 3 – Northern California
Section 4 – Oregon
Section 5 – Washington
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