PCT start point/

imported
#1

I have decided that I am going to quit my job and attempt a hike on the PCT. Starting in Campo in early June doesnt seem too smart. Where along the PCT would be a good point to start around first week of June?

I decided this yesterday and I have yet to fully read the guide books. So some other questions… Where do I find snow pack info for the sierras? What IS a good book to purchase that will give me a quick, concise explanation of what I am putting myself in? I was in love with Wingfoot’s book and the at companion from the AT, anything similar?

Thanks

njw

#2

Yogi’s book is the PCT equivalent of the ALDHA Companion/WF Handbook.

You can check it out at www.pcthandbook.com

I strongly sugest you look at PCT-L for a more active PCT forum as well.
www.backcountry.net
Archives at:
http://mailman.backcountry.net/pipermail/pct-l/

Finally if you want a June start have you thought of going SoBo? This may be the best year in a while for SoBoing on the PCT. The snow levels are absurdly high in the Sierra, rather low in Washington. If you can wait a week or so, from an early June start (call ~June 10th), going SoBo would work well. Depends how much time you have, naturally.

Mags

#3

if you are really serious about quiting your job and hiking the pct this year, i would strongly suggest hiking southbound. you deffinately wont be alone if you did this this year!

  or maybe it would be better if you just started planning a hike for next year.

anyway it happens i hope you the best for your hike and hope everything works out awesome for you.

i am in idyllwild right now with about 25-40 other pct’rs waiting out this horrible rain and snow that is falling on us!!

have great day!

Tyvek

tyvek

#4

“quit my job and attempt a hike on the PCT” - what a lovely combination of words!

toes

#5

I know Northbound is more popular on the AT…but what about the PCT and CDT? Is northbound also more popular on those?

Leki-Less

#6

We’re thinkin’ about an eary June start in Campo. We don’t want the xtra expense of flip flopin’ and with a sobo we’re thinkin’ our weather would be questionable when we hit the Sierras 1750 miles into our journey. What’s wrong with a little HEAT?

LB&F

#7

This is turning out to be the IDEAL southbound year. Usually, only about 2-3 people attempt a sobo PCT thru-hike. No kidding, 2-3 people! But 2005 looks ideal. With the Northwest as dry as it is now, the potential for late summer fires is high, which could affect northbound hikers. All speculation, of course, but this year’s nobo hikers are in for a real strange ride.

Since you’re starting in June, I’d highly recommend a sobo hike.

“A little HEAT”??? Seriously, it’s not a little heat. SoCal in June would be unbearable in my book. I started the PCT on May 6 in 2001 and it was crazy hot. Tha Wookie started in Mid-May in 2003 and he said the heat was crazy. This is the desert, ya know.

yogi

www.pcthandbook.com

yogi

#8

What about weather when we get to the Sierras around the beginning of Oct.?

LB&F

#9

you should reach the sierras with by mid to early Sept. And chances are you will be doing bigger days through Oregon and No Cal.

Munch

#10

Heat’s relative, what’s unbearable/crazy for one is acceptable to others. If we have to, we can trek during the early morning/ evening hours. Water-wise, an early June start this year may not be any worse than a Apr. start in other years. We’ve hiked a lot in the “desert” in the summer and although the temperature is not ideal we still have had fun and enjoyed our adventures. Besides, a long days walk can nearly always get you to a town where one can re-think plans. Looks like many of the nobo’s who started out earlier are holed up waiting out snow, road/alternative walking, or will be flip-flopping. A later start nobo may be “smart”. We are however,looking at both nobo and sobo and love opinions without the sarcasm …ya know!

LB

#11

I live in Idyllwild. The high country is impassable as of yesterday, and the Sierras got walloped. Enjoy the mild snow year in the Cascades and head south.

Bankrobber

#12

Thanks Bankrobber…we are leaning that way. NJW, maybe we’ll see you there! NJW, there is no “1” book like Wingfoot’s that I am aware of for the PCT, however, I do know hikers who have used only a data book or Yogi’s (both great sources of info.) and have gotten by with no major problems. You may want to get both of them as well as the guides and pick and choose what you want to take with you. Unfortunately, just as with the AT, everything is written from the nobo’s perspective. The data book is fairly easy to follow sobo but Yogi’s is a little more tricky and the guides nearly impossible! I can’t blame them though…they have to market to the masses! Going sobo we would likely encounter far fewer people so we may not be able to rely on other hikers info (books, maps etc.) as much.

LB

#13

I thank everyone for their reponses.

I am hesitent to plan on a sobo hike, mostly because when I hiked the AT (yes, I know they are different.) I really liked the company of others. That is why I was asking where I should start. While I enjoy hiking by myself during the day, I like camping with others at night, so I was looking for where other PCT hikers would be around then.

Also, from what I have found, many sobos are Flip Flopping(starting in canada.) Is this true? WHile there might be more Southbounders this year, will there be as many as those heading north?
Also, what is the water and weather situation like in Southern California in septmeber? When would be the last time to hit The sierras?
Are there any out there that has some light to shine on the experience of a South Bound PCT hike.

Thanks in advance!!

njw

#14

In a normal year less than 5% of Pct thruikers hike SoBo (and about 50% on the CDT).
This is not a normal Year! This year looks like one of the most diffcult Northbound year ever, and probebly the best southbound year ever.

I won’t be surprised if by June 21st more than fifty hikers will have left Manning heading south, the first starting around late May.

roni