Two years in a row?

imported
#1

I’m thinking that I will return to the PCT this summer. I hiked from Mexico to Dunsmuir last year. But I skipped a little in the Sierras, some places because of forest fires and others because I couldn’t hack it.

The PCT just won’t leave me alone. The economy sucks. I have no will to forge ahead career-wise. I feel that I have to put this trail behind me somehow in order to move on. What better time to do that than now?

Has anyone else here done the PCT in consecutive years? My feet still hurt. Am I doomed to ruin my body? Will I be disappointed when I return, having blown my experiences out of proportion by fond memories? Will I get it out of my system? Am I nuts?

Piper

#2

PCT in consecutive years is crazy. Your body will be ruined. It will never stack up to your fond memories, and you won’t have the same drive to go on that you did the first time. It will never be out of your system until you denigrate the experience and pretend you’ve grown out of it. And yes, you’re nuts.

So, i’ll see you out there! When’s your start date? I’d like to start earlier this time, but more likely i’ll start after Kickoff this time. I think i’ll probably do more mailed resupplies this time. :cheers

Cuddles

#3

I did almost 2000 miles in '05, another 300 in '06. What’s leftover has been nagging at me ever since, so I say go for it. I’ve met a lot of people who have hiked consecutive years (or at least done other thru-hikes) and no one ever says it was the wrong thing to do. I think the answer to all your questions is yes, except for being disappointed and getting it out of your system. Once it’s there, it’s there to stay. After all, there was a reason why you went out the first time, right?

If you decide to do some of the Sierras or resume your hike at Dunsmuir, let me know and I might be able to help you out getting to trailheads. I live in Sacramento, only 1.5 hours from trailheads at Donner Pass, Echo Pass, or Sierra City. Also can help transport to/from airport, train station, bus.

Ducky

#4

I hiked the PCT, CDT and AT in consecutive years and my body was fine. I never had foot problems though but you still have about 4 months to recover. I’ve also repeated sections of trails and it is definitely a different experience, I lost a bit of the ‘epic voyage’ feeling (partly because I was just doing sections) but I always met new people and noticed different things which kept the hike interesting. I actually enjoyed the desert section more the second time.
If you find a way to get ‘it’ out of your system let me know. I find myself saying I ONLY hiked for three weeks this summer. I’m heading out to start the AZT tomorrow.

Apple Pie

#5

On my second AT thru hike I found that while the experience was similar there were many differences. Even though I left at the same time of year I found the weather conditions were not the same in any particular location. I enjoyed vista’s that were hidden in the fog on the previous trip. I also noticed that many of the climbs I remembered as being difficult were often much easier. The main reason being that those climbs occurred at different times of the day and/or weather conditions. I also had a more laid back attitude. I knew by putting in the time the miles would take care of themselves. Finally, I also was able to observe how other hikers coped with the demands of long distance hiking in style and substance on my first hike and I incorporated several of those strategies on the following adventure.
I highly recommend another thru as I believe you will find it easier and in some respects more enjoyable than the first.

Happy hiking…:slight_smile:

Stealthblew

#6

My plan is to start my 2nd journey from my front door in Santa Barbara. I will walk up and over the Santa Ynez mountains and aim myself into the Matillija Wilderness. I’ll follow Sespe creek and a bunch of trails until I rejoin the PCT near Liebre Peak. Then I will sally forth, redoing what I already did in the Sierras. I could not hack the Sierras and bailed out after Mather Pass. I want a do-over.

I may try to hop a bus in Mojave to Lone Pine or something if I’m running a bit late. Or I might enjoy a later-than usual tour of the Sierras and skip ahead to where the fire last year closed the trail near Quincy. I would be starting my journey in June, after my classes end sometime in May.

I couldn’t get it together enough to go back to corporate life so I’ve been sailing by on part-time temp gigs and taking college classes to, er, improve my marketability. Even though I’m afraid I’m hopeless in that department anymore.

Cuddles, will I really maybe see you there? Are you going again?

Piper

#7

It could be worse, you could be me.:oh
I’ve about used up all my savings and started my own business this year but have you seen the economy lately???
When I go to a temp agency (especially in Holland) and show them my resume they look at me like I’m from outer space.

Apple Pie

#8

Piper, it’s getting to the point where i don’t even know what i mean myself. But i have another “If A-B-and-C all happen then i’m hiking the trail this year” oath in place. It seems like only a 1% chance it would actually work out that way, but then again last year it seemed like only a 1% chance, yet everything magically fell into place. So, we’ll see. I’ll definitely be at Kickoff either way.

Cuddles

#9

I do worry about eating up my savings on hiking. But the alternative is to fritter away my savings not hiking, and that would be terrible. At least you gave it a go starting a business. That looks better than dropping out like me, as I’m sure my resume reveals.

I’ve attempted freelancing but it appears that rare is the person who will actually pay their freelancer.

It’s really tough mapping out a route to return to the PCT from Santa Barbara. They don’t keep up the trails in this neck of the woods. You might map out a good route on the topo only to find out the trail isn’t there anymore.

Piper

#10

…he did say that the time for childish things is over, but also to follow your own American dreams…therein lies the dilemma…

fishngame