Difficulty of the PCT

imported
#1

Much that I have read here would indicate that the PCT is less of a physical challenge than the AT. 400 more miles but completed on average in 5 months vs the AT average of 6 months. I appears that the BIG issue is the weather with the weather being a much greater factor on the PCT. Are PCT hikers just more experienced and trailworthy (many have already done the AT). Is this a situation of the AT weeding out the weak and the survivors move on to the PCT? I’m not trying the pick a fight between AT vs PCT hikers but I am trying to compare my AT experience to what I might expect on the PCT.

Two Step

#2

The trail itself, the walking, is much easier on the PCT. The trail was built for horses and is wide, smooth and gently graded. Much of it was ‘wheel chair trail’. You don’t have the short steep ups and downs and rocks and roots to trip over. Although some of the climbs are very long - 7000’ - they usually are spread over a very long distance, 15-20 miles, so you hardly notice. It wasn’t really until Washington that we felt that the climbs were at all steep, except when we were bushwhacking over snowy passes.

However, you have very long water carries, sometimes 25-30 miles. We carried a gallon apiece, almost every day for the first 700 miles. That’s heavy. This is not just in southern California, but quite often in northern California and Oregon as well. The distance between water sources means that you have to be able to start the trail able to hike 20 miles a day - unlike the AT where you can start with five mile days and built up gradually. Towns are farther apart on the PCT, especially in the north, so you don’t get as much time off trail for R&R. In the Sierras, if you are there early, you are literally risking your life for a while between snow travel and river crossings. In a high snow year, you may have snow for a lot more than just the Sierras - it makes route finding and daily travel much more challenging than anything you’ll find on the AT. On the PCT heat is a constant - except in Washington where hypothermia was more of an issue. Hiking all day in 90-100 degree heat can get very wearing. There are stretches where good shade is scarce - Joshua trees don’t cast a very wide shadow.

And finally, on the AT hikers tend to hike shelter to shelter - 8 -12 miles a day. On the PCT hikers hike sunrise to sunset, or longer. Hiking 20-30 miles a day can get wearing, both physically and mentally, even when it is ‘easy’.

Spirit Walker

#3

Different trail, different challenges.

Yogi’s book has an entry of how past AT hikers quit the PCT because it doesn’t live up to their expectations that they carried from the AT. I’ve done the AT and I am about to find out what the PCT is about (in 49 days).

One hiker has pointed out that the PCT is more of a logistical challenge than physical. Where AT is just the opposite.

One reason that it is done in shorter time in five months is because of the tread and terrain. PLus, you have to keep moving if you want to make Canada before the snow starts.

I’ve done the AT and I am about to find out what the PCT is about (in 49 days).

Ganj

#4

I have done both and I would say the PCt is much harder mentally. You don’t have the road crossings, phones,blazes, shelters and constant trail angels. I like all those challenges. The scenery is outrageous and not nearly the amount of folks hiking. You still get the trail comradery just not in the volume of the AT. Yes, I think everyone learns from the AT and brings the skill and experience to the Pct and that helps. We KNOW how hard and draining it is to walk every day. I love both trails. You can’t lose doing either one . But, the Pct is an awesome hike.

yappy

#5

Both are excellent if you are willing to take them on their individual terms.

The PCT tread is generally less rugged, but Spirit Walkers “wheelchair” trail comparison might be a little misleading. There are some kick-ass uphills that aren’t stretched out. The middle fork of the Feather River is a great example. Extended sections of the trail are very difficult hiking. The desert, generally, is not, but it’s the desert. Where there are trees, there’s gnats or those giant honking deer flies that bite HARD. The PCT is far more diverse environmentally, and with each of approximately 9 distinct “life zone” ecosystems, there’s a new set of plants, bugs, temperatures, ect.

Yet, somehow, packs are drastically lighter on the PCT on average than on the AT. A lot of the thru’s look more like dayhikers -just a little scruffy.

But hitting the shelters is a good feeling, and it’s great to meet so many people enjoying nature. The springs on the AT are enough reason alone to go out there and hike! I would have killed for one of those springs a couple times on the PCT, like on the San Felipe Hills day at 110 degrees -ouch! We were leaning into the walls for shade, which only covered half of our bodies. Thanks to Ray for the umbrella idea!

yappy nailed it -both are jems. Each carries its own power and magic. At heart, I’m an Appalachian. But I’ve recently made a big space in there for the wide and dynamic west.:boy

Tha Wookie