Have dreamt about the PCT since high-school(1977). Will finally get my opportunity in '08. In the little bit of research that I have done so far it seems as though I will be walking with a horde of people all the way to Manning. It’s not that I am anti-social, it’s just that I enjoy the solitude of the outdoors. Am I over reacting to the “crowd” concern?
pete
Don’t start at the ADZPCTKO and you’ll be okay. We started a week earlier and though there were a lot of people around us, we didn’t see them much except in towns. Since there are no shelters, hikers tend to spread out on any section of trail. It’s just the resupply areas where they get concentrated again.
There are, however, a lot of weekenders out there once you get past the Sierras. In the more popular areas (i.e. Sisters Wilderness) we were seeing 50 or more hikers/horses a day.
If you want solitude - go for a southbound hike on the CDT.
Ginny
Thanks for the info Ginny. Didn’t plan on attending ADZPCTKO, (not good w/crowds), will probably start a week before or after. I did consider the CDT but my heart is set on the PCT this time around.
pete
You will always run in to the most people at the water sources. You can hike by yourself pretty much all day (just passing other hikers occassionally), but the water sources tend to dictate where people stop for breaks or the night. Dry camps usually make for quieter hiking.
Jeff and I camped by ourselves on all but a handful of nights, and then we saw other hikers during the days and in towns.
I think you might be surprised at how much you will enjoy meeting your fellow hikers, though. It’s a small and welcoming community.
Chipper
Start before the KO. Or walk south. And if not, eventually the mob will disperse into globs and you can find your own place in between. Either way, don’t sweat it, 2600 miles of hiking is quite a long distance in which you have the chance to meet many awesome people and develop friendships AND have plenty of time to yourself for reflection and wilderness appreciation. Happy hiking!
Smack
Well, for me, my experience have been pretty much alone. I started at the KO. It’s true there’s a lot of hikers on the trail, or where you stop for somes night, but you can stay away of the crowds, if you want and you’ll get a lot of solitude. The time that I was hiking with the people, was because I wanted to. It’s lot of work when you want to hike with someone too. Each of us got is own pace. I mean that is, you got more chance to hike alone, during the day. And after th high sierra, there will still have some people in town, but pretty much spread out on the trail. I have been 1/3 alone (no body) to camp, to hike, to see or to talk in town (almost), etc.
Just me, the nature and the magic in the air!
Stomp
Yes, at times, there may seem to be a lot of hikers but there are also times where we hiked up to 10 days and did not see one other person. A bear tagged some of our food, and Madwoman, was not very happy with my “wild onion and cattail soup”.
The hike can be as lonely or as social as you want. A funny thing is to start after Kick off (after you attend ) and when you wander through deserted Moreno Lake, “dang, where did all those people go?”, it is an experience, I do not have a word for. It is nice to hang with other hikers for a bit, sometimes so go, have fun but you can hike by yourself too.
Evil Goat
Thanks to everyone who responded to my concerns about crowds at the beginning of a NOBO hike. The comments went a long way in dispelling fears I had of huge crowds. I have waited so long for this opportunity so I honestly don’t believe it would have stopped me from going anyway, but the words of encouragment sealed the deal. Thanks again!
Pete