Wingin it - Pacific Crest Trail

imported
#1

Hey everyone. So I have been dreaming of long distance hiking for years now. It never seems to work out in my favor. SOmething always seems to come up. Thats life I guess. Anyway, I just had surgery on my foot at the end of December. (I had a stress fracture). The doctor says that I should be fine to start the pct this spring. Im skeptical but I am still desperately training and rehabilitating myself. I had managed to save $1800 over the course of the summer. It was considerably more but I had to tap into my funds for doctor bills.
I have just about all the gear that I need minus a few minor details.
Ok Ill get to the actual questions now. Has anybody had any success just winging it out on the trail? Due to my budget I will not be able to buy the northern cal. guidebook or Ore. and Wash.
Are maps of the pct a must? I am experienced with the outdoors.(for the past 2 years I have lived in the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, and now Yosemite for the winter). I also wouldnt do any maildrops and try to avoid towns as much as humanly possible for me. I do love a good microbrew though. And california is full of them.
So basically I just want to pack my gear and hit the trail until I run out of money. The thought of having to wait another year is torture.

Chad Murtaugh

#2

I can’t imagine going anywhere in the outdoors without a map. Even if the trail is marked, many things can hide it - logging, snow, washouts. There’s lots of snow this year in the northwest. There’s a few people making maps available on line for free or low cost - google or ask on PCT-L.

And, how will you resupply without maildrops while avoiding towns?

AsABat

#3

I probably should have been more clear in what I meant. I am going to resupply along the way while trying to avoid the temptations that come along with trail towns. I have spent some time on the AT so I know how difficult that can be.

chad murtaugh

#4

Dude, I would pay the $25 and get the map books, or just go for the thin and cheap “PCT Data Book,” by Wilderness Press.
Its about 10 bucks. I have read a lot journals and most of them said there are time when the trail gets screwy, and they lose the markers. Get the maps, photo copy them out of the library. Wingin it is ok, that is what I’m doing, no drops except for some shoe changes and other misc, equipment near Kennedy Meadows before I go up into the Sierras.

Megatron3

#5

Don’t know where to locate it online, but Yogi’s Guide to the PCT is a good investment, or just read some past journals and take notes, step one is just taking a step. I hope to be taking that step next year, “ready” or not…

fishngame

#6

Chad, i’m thruhiking the PCT this year too. I did the first 50 miles last month and even on that well-travelled part i was really glad for maps 2 or 3 times. The data book and Yogi’s book might be helpful, but i think the maps from the guidebooks are necessary. See you out there!

markv