I’m hoping to hike the PCT in 2008 but I don’t have tons of time, so I’ve been wondering . . . how plausible is a 100 day (May 20- September 2) thru-hike? How is the terrain compared to the AT? Anything like the whites? How much does snow slow you down?
lost
It can be done (actually, sounds like you have 3.3 months), but you’ll really have to cruise. Starting that late, you should be OK with the snow in the Sierra, unless there’s record snowpack this winter. The trail is generally graded for stock, so not usually too steep. But there are plenty of challenges along the way, it’s long, remote, dry at times, can get quite hot and quite cold, etc…
Another option to consider is to do just a “large section” of the trail. If you started at say Agua Dulce or Tehachapi on May 20, you’d meet more people, and have a more relaxing hike.
Jonathan
Big Bend may be 300 miles away from your location…but, hands down worth the drive to check out the views, solitude and night sky.
The Outter mountain Loop is a 30-mile, three day hike that combines meadow with mountain, canyon, stream and desert.
Also, there are plenty of day hikes and cheap prices in the park and nearby towns.
Check out my pics to confirm.
Peace
Wind-up
Ran into some guys who talked to a guy named Tatu Joe at White Pass Wa as he zoomed through. Tatu is/was trying to do the hike in in 80 days. He was at day 60 with 300 miles or so to go, and there are/were people in front of him (who started who knows when)?
Daniel Smith
According to him, he beat Squeaky’s record of 81 days - 8.5 hrs. by doing it in 79 days 21 hr. and 42 min. He’s back home now in Huntington Beach resting up his tired dogs.
Squatch
walkpct.com
Squatch
Cool. Wish I could have met him. I was hiking my favorite section of the Goat Rocks with my kids & just missed him as he zoomed past. Any idea of where “the pack” is BTW? I plan on leaving some trailside goodies over the next few weeks & wonder when the majority of the thru hikers pass by White Pass?
DSmith
I recently finished my thru hike in 90 days, 7 hours. (on a schedule from work) It’s totally doable. the advice i would give is to consider what kind of experience you want to have: do you just want to go out and hike for 90 days, or do you want to thru hike?
just be aware that though a 90 day PCT thru hike is within reach of most determined, strong hikers, it will not be a leisurely experience. there were many times when i really wanted to rest or take it easier, but had to keep moving to finish on time. i also had to severely limit my zero days (i took 2) and had little time for off-trail excursions.
just ask your self if you’re willing to hike like this in order to thru hike. you may just want to consider hiking the ca section or something.
Just Dave