AT miles Vs PCT mile

imported
#1

Hey all I am a PCT hiker (class of 07) and I am gearing up to do the AT this year (a bit backwards I know). I did the pct in 5 months with a whole lot of zeros (20 or more). When I finally got in shape 25 miles a day was pretty reasonable, although I had plenty of days that were more or less. I am just wondering what a conservative estimate would be for miles per day I could do on the AT would be. I have plenty of trips planned this winter and I expect to be in much better shape this time. Is 20 a day crazy on the AT. i would greatly appreciate everyones opinion.

thanks alot everyone

-Moose

The Lucid Moose

#2

I would say is conservative. I did the AT in five months, four days with fifteen zero days. Twenties are a norm after a month or so, but so was a 2.3 after leaving some trail bar.Take your time once north of New York because its so worth it. Some were even known to just hike hut to hut in the Whites for the pleasure of it.

fishngame

#3

20 miles is not a crazy day on most stretches of the AT. It’s a long, steady day, but definately doable for an experienced thru-hiker. Good luck.

Matt

#4

Lucid moose’s email address is : oldbitters@gmail.com

stuffy

#5

In 2002 I did my first AT section hike and averaged 17 miles a day between Springer and Damascus, but most of the days for the last 300 miles were 20+. This wasn’t especially difficult. On the PCT, I averaged 25 miles per day over the whole trip, but much less in the beginning. Over the first 1150 miles, I averaged 22 miles per day. In 2004, I went back for an 1150 mile section on the AT and averaged about 24 miles per day. This was Damascus to Manchester, VT.

People end up averaging fewer miles on the AT because they take a lot of time off, not because it is any more or less difficult than the PCT. While the AT has steeper graded climbs, they are shorter than those on the PCT. For example, how many 3000+ foot climbs are there on the AT? About 4 south of NH. 3000+ foot climbs are common on the PCT. Even though the grade is moderate, going up hill for a long time can be tiring. The AT does have very brutal sub 1000 foot climbs and these add up.

Again, though, there are towns everywhere, hostels everywhere, shelters everywhere on the AT, which encourages people to take a lot of time off. Some will call it “smelling the roses” but it is really just down time. 20+ miles a day is pretty easy on the AT, just be aware of the short, savage climbs. You may have to really work for 20 or 30 minutes to get up to a viewless lump and then come down the other side, only to repeat it six or seven times that day. This does add up.

Suge

#6

This is good info for me. I think I will plan on 20 mile days, (not neccessarily average). I think I shouldnt have too much trouble pulling that off. As far as down time goes, I sure do love it but finances are one of the driving forces behind a quick thru-hike this time. I definately dont have the money to blow in town, so I am going to try to avoid the spending as much as possible.

Thnaks all

-moose

The Lucid Moose

#7

I did the AT in 5 months and 4 days and took only 4 zero days. But plenty of Neros :slight_smile: I think i averaged 17 m/day.
And I’m an old Geezer if that helps you decide how many miles to do. Anybody have an idea of reasonable PCT Geezer miles? Also is there much hand over hand no pole climbing on the PCT?

bamboo bob

#8

The PCT is a wheelchair trail - graded for horses. Except for a few areas in Washington, the trail is about 5% grade (the AT is a 10% average grade). You can climb and climb without ever breathing hard.

As to miles - I did the AT in 5 1/2 months, averaging about 12 mpd. The PCT I averaged 19 mpd - if that gives you a clue. Lack of water forces big miles, but because the trail is so well graded, the miles come pretty easily. We tried to slow down, but couldn’t.

Ginny

#9

I also hiked the AT after the PCT (and CDT). Your hiking style will be so different from the typical AT hiker, it will be completely foreign. Yes, it is possible to hike a PCT pace on the AT, if you want to. In fact, I increased my pace a little, finished the AT in 106 days for just over 20 mpd. And it was a very fun hike, I fell in love with the AT in the first week and enjoyed every day. On the PCT, I hiked about 19 and have to say it was more difficult (but in fairness it was my first thru hike and I learned a lot).

The AT is a much more difficult trail per mile. In parts of NH and ME, it’s actually dangerous with slick roots and rocks and some Class 3 scrambling. That will slow you down. But it is 500 miles shorter and the season is 3 months longer.

But resupply issues are almost negligible. I never carried two liters of water or more than 4 days of food. After the western hikes, this was very easy. So the average pack weight is lower and that equates to easier miles on the average.

Be sure to enjoy the AT, and good luck!

Garlic

#10

I thru-hiked the AT in '06 in 144 days (135 hiking, 9 zero’s). That’s an average of 16.9 mpd. I was 59 years old and in barely average shape when I started. I had to learn a lot about supplying, packing, etc. as I went. You should have no trouble doing it in 120 days or less. Good luck.

Mango

#11

I’d like to see you get a wheelchair over Forrester, Mather and Muir passes.:slight_smile:

Bill

Bill