Elite athletes who are experienced on the PCT have finished the trail in as little as two months
. The few who achieve sub-100 day hikes average well over 30 miles per day. That’s an incredible achievement. More average hikers take the entire season.
How much money do you need to hike the PCT?
The average cost of a PCT thru-hike, including gear, food/resupply, and other end-to-end trail expenses, is
$4,000 to $6,000 per person
for an average thru-hike. That said, it’s not uncommon to hear stories of some people spending close to $10,000.
How do you make a career out of hiking?
- Start a Hiking & Travel Blog.
- Become a Park Ranger.
- Write a Book About Your Hiking Adventure.
- Lead Guided Hiking & Backpacking Trips.
- Become a Wildland Firefighter.
- Get Sponsored by an Outdoor Company.
- Start a YouTube Hiking Channel.
- Write for a Hiking Publication.
Is hiking the PCT worth it?
As hard as hiking the PCT will be,
it’s 100% worth it
. The Pacific Crest Trail is notorious for having the lowest completion rate of any long-distance trail and you’ll see why when you’re on it. If you’re planning to hike the PCT, it takes commitment. Don’t give up on yourself too quickly when the going gets tough.
Is the PCT crowded?
So, is the PCT crowded?
The PCT can feel crowded depending on which month you start and in which direction
. The Pacific Crest Trail Association estimates that somewhere between 700 and 800 individuals attempt the complete thru-hike each year, with a 60% completion rate.
How many miles is the PCT trail?
The Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail (PCT) is
2,650 miles
(4,265 kilometers) long.
How hard is the PCT?
“Hiking the PCT is hard,
sometimes very hard
. But compared to the life off-trail, the life on the trail is easier. There are fewer concerns. You still have some, but they are very basic.
How do I prepare for PCT?
A shelter, rain gear, and a simple first aid kit along with some basic first aid knowledge
can go a long way in helping you manage an unexpected situation. Something that is expected is hunger. And repackaging food before your trip can significantly decrease the amount of trash you’ll have carry out.
Is the PCT safe?
Although the Pacific Crest Trail is
safer than most places
, it is not immune to criminal behavior, including crimes of violence.
Are there Grizzlies on the PCT?
So, are there grizzly bears on the Pacific Crest Trail?
Yes, there are still technically grizzly bears (also known as brown bears) on the PCT
, your chances of coming across one are slim to none.
Are there professional hikers?
Basically,
professional hiker
. As I embarked on my own journey of professional, “adventurepreneurship”, one thing that I hear quite from others is, “I wish I could just get paid to hike.” We live in a world that tells us that we can’t do certain things – and being paid for hiking is one of them.
Can you make money off hiking?
It is Possible to Make Money Hiking
While it may seem to good to be true, you can make money while hiking, backpacking and camping. As long as there are people purchasing outdoor gear, and taking on hiking trips there will be companies and groups willing to pay experts for information and content.
Who is a famous hiker?
- Grandma Gatewood. I would never have started this trip if I had known how tough it was, but I couldn’t and wouldn’t quit. …
- Andrew Skurka. © JustTooLazy (CC BY 2.0) …
- Buddy Backpacker. …
- Heather “Anish” Anderson. …
- Bill Bryson. …
- George “Billy Goat” Woodard. …
- Jennifer Pharr Davis. …
- Earl Shaffer.
What is the hardest section of the PCT?
By far the most difficult stretch of PCT in Washington,
Section K
puts hikers through a grueling 127-mile trek over harsh terrain and treacherous conditions.
Is the PCT Open 2021?
The long-awaited announcement from the US Forest Service and the Pacific Crest Trail Association is finally here. After not issuing any 2021 permits at the end of 2020 (as would have been done regularly), the PCTA has announced that
on January 19 they will be issuing PCT permits for the 2021 thru-hiking season
.
How long does it take to hike the PCT?
Expect the Hike to Take
Five Months
to Complete
Covering more than 2,650 miles will take a considerable amount of time, even at a rapid pace. That said, it generally takes most hikers roughly five months to complete the entire route, which is relatively fast considering the PCT’s length and challenging terrain.
Can you camp anywhere on the PCT?
Can you camp anywhere on the PCT? The answer is:
No, you cannot camp just anywhere you want on the trail
. While the PCT might sometimes look like one big campground with plenty of flat spots, you cannot make any place you want your campsite.
Can you hike the PCT in winter?
The Pacific Crest Trail can be wonderful year-round if you’re a hiker who also likes to backcountry ski or does other snow sports. Truly,
the PCT is a world-class place for winter recreation
! But if you’re only a hiker, you’ll generally aim to head out during the snow-free months.
How do you flip flop PCT?
Before you go on, let us examine the term flip-flop (which also encompasses the individual terms flip and flop) from the Pacific Crest Trail lexicon. Basically
when a thru-hiker skips a section of trail (the flip) and then later returns to hike the skipped section at a later point in the hike (the flop)
.
Where does the PCT trail end?
The Pacific Crest Trail ends at the
Northern Terminus monument about two feet south of Boundary Monument 78 on the US/Canada border
.
Who is the oldest person to hike the PCT?
A little research revealed that person to be
Al ‘Al’ Learned
, who completed the trail in 2018 (and also in 2003) at the age of 81 years and 58 days.
Does the PCT go through Joshua Tree?
Along the PCT you first encounter Joshua trees as you approach Big Bear from the south
. However, it is not until you leave Hikertown and cross the edge of the Mojave Desert that you see them in abundance. By the time you reach Walker Pass, you will have seen Joshua trees for the last time on your walk north.
Is the PCT flat?
Although the desert does not typically coincide with the image of a mountainous landscape,
the first 700 miles of the PCT are far from flat
(generally, if you are not going either up or down, chances are you have wandered off-trail). Water sources are few and far between; I carried as many as six liters at a time.
Is at or PCT harder?
Physical Difficulty. Many people assume that the PCT is the harder of the two trails because it goes so much higher in elevation. The PCT has a highest point of 13,153′ versus the AT’s measly 6,643′. While high altitude itself can pose some difficulties, the truth is that
the AT is way steeper than the PCT
.
What its like to hike the PCT?
Over the course of the trail you are guaranteed to experience many of each:
amazing days, a lot of average days, and some “what the hell am I doing” days
. But if the trail has taught us anything, it’s that adaptability and perseverance (and water) are the keys to survival in the wilderness.
