How more difficult is a SOBO PCT hike?
I understood that the guidebooks and databook are orientated NOBO? Is it still doable to find your way?
I am asking because I might not make it this year to start early may. Not before june, which is a good time to start SOBO I thought…
Paul
Every year there are a few southbound hikers on the PCT. A lot of them don’t finish the trail, and I’m not sure why. Maybe it’s because the trail in southern California is a real anticlimax after the beauty of the north. There is very little water and you don’t have the spring flowers that make hiking S.Ca. in spring interesting. Also the short days in November make it harder to get the miles in between the water sources.
As to difficulty - you will have snow the first few weeks. That can be a hard way to start a hike, especially since you are in wilderness. The four southbounders we met had had to do detours because of the snow in Washington.
If you can’t start until June, you might consider starting at Kennedy Meadows or Walker Pass and hiking north with or a little behind the crowd. Then flip in Sept/Oct when you reach Manning. You still risk the emotional let down of hiking S. Cal in the fall - but your start will be a little easier since you would be hiking with others and navigation wouldn’t be an issue.
Ginny
I concur with Ginny. I would add a hardship of a SOBO hike is the lack of comradery. As a SOBO PCT hiker, I bet you would be one of just a handful.
Bob
Thanks, that’s some usefull advice.
I guess starting 1 june NOBO is too late?
Too hot?, less water?, in too much hurry to reach canada before snow?
Paul
Rain Queen and I just finished a southbound hike of the PCT from June 15th to November 10th. We truly enjoyed going SOBO and had a marvelous time on our trek. This year was the year to go SOBO as the Northern Cascades recieved around 30% of normal snowfall last winter, and the Sierra recieved 150% of normal snowfall. What this meant for us was good, snow free trail for most of the hike. We were able to start much earlier in the Cascades than normal years and by the time we reached the Sierra most of the snow had melted. Our goal was to be out of the Sierra by Oct 1 to avoid early season storms and with our start date we were able to to this. We also had a bunch of flip floppers to travel with which was nice. Whichever way you decide to travel I hope you enjoy your trip as much as we enjoyed ours.
jym beam
So it depends a lot of the snowfall next year.
Was it easy for you to find the route jym beam? Where the guidebooks very usefull?
Thanks for your insights
Paul