How to get started planning

imported
#1

hello everyone, i just have a couple of questions about where to begin planning a thru hike northbound, here is a quick run-down, im 27 years old, decent shape since i work on my feet and have commuted by bike for almost a decade, i am born and raised in portland or. and have been camping and hiking all my life, i have always wanted to to this trail and after a couple years of serious consideration and waiting for a “good time” to go i have decided that its time to make it happen, i just have no idea where to being planning, and as i dont make much higher than minimum wage cost is a concern, i own most of the expensive gear already like a good lightweight backpacking tent/backpack/water filter/cooking gear/ cold and warm weather clothing and plan on buying a quality lightweight sleeping bag soon. i plan on starting in late april or early may of 2014, so what i need help with is figuring out the cost of food and shipping, and how to organize all of my re-supply points, i’m not the type to stop in towns and stay in hotels or eat in restaurants along the way, and im not picky about what i eat, i am just in it purely for adventure and an accomplishment i can be proud of so any advice would be awesome, thanks all

ceeroy jenkins

#2

You’ve got everything you need.
Only really need mail drops at a few places. If you’re planning lots of mail drops, I’d say don’t bother, since mail = town = supermarkets nearby in most cases. Buying your food is much more cost effective than prepping drops, as well, unless you have special dietary needs. Even out of Fontana, you only need to pack four days then hitch into Gatlinburg from Newfound Gap.
You can carry stretches of week-long supply but you don’t need to.
Get the ALDHA Companion.
Lightest most cost effective gear you can carry is money.

bandolier

#3

Ceeroy: I’ve thru-hiked the PCT three times. Here are some of my observations/experiences with planning for the trail. The PCT is fairly straightforward (compared to the CDT for example).

Here are some books & online resources I would recommend:
(1) Yogi’s PCT Handbook (www.pcthandbook.com): a wealth of info here including great town info.
(2) Halfmiles maps: ( www.pctmap.net) These are the most accurate maps I’ve seen so far & they are free!
(3) PCT Data Book: You can buy a hard copy or download a free printable PCT data book from (www.postholer.com)
(4) Water Report: (www.pctwater.com)

As far as actual planning goes, my first piece of advice is to not OVER-plan. There are too many factors on a long walk that can interrupt the best planned hike. An easy way to look at a thru-hike is to just plan until the next town (if you are ‘buying as you go’ - resupplying along the way which I would recommend on the PCT). All you need to to is to see how far it is to your next resupply, check on water availability and walk to your next resupply point without concern for the rest of the trail.

Take each day as it comes and treat it as potentially the last day of your walk (enjoy it to the fullest) and you will have a wonderful walk. I don’t worry about getting to Canada. If I do, great, if not that’s OK too since long-distance walking is the Journey, and obviously not the destination (since your FINISHED, which is very bittersweet).

As a general guideline, the best time to start north from Kennedy Meadows is in early to mid June (depending on snow depth).

One last piece of advice, I much prefer t start before the Kickoff and hitch back (or get a ride from the ‘rider board’) to Lake Morena. An earlier start gives you the luxury of cooler desert temps, more water, and a more relaxed pace for through Southern CA. Early April is a good time to start. If you enjoy walking long distances every day without ‘zero’ days (day off), then you’ll have to start later or else you will get to the High Sierra too early.

Have a wonderful hike. It might just change your life!

Happy Trails,
freebird

freebird

1 Like
#4

“Not the type to eat in restaurants” - Believe me, you will EAT those words once you’re burning 4000 calories a day on Ramen and peanut butter. You will begin to fantasize about restaurant meals, how many miles to your next restaurant meal, and what you will eat (or more easily, won’t it) when you get there. The best way to learn, they say, is by hanging around with people who know more than you. And what you don’t learn now you will learn on the trail. So plan on that rather than going with what you think you know now, in the planning stage.

fern