01-Pacific Crest Trail

2024

Stretching from the US-Mexico border in Campo, California, to the Canadian border in Manning Park, British Columbia, the Pacific Crest Trail, or PCT, traverses California, Oregon, and Washington.

The Pacific Crest Trail is 2,653 mi (4,270 km) long and ranges in elevation from roughly 110 feet (34 m) above sea level near the Bridge of the Gods on the Oregon–Washington border to 13,153 feet (4,009 m) Forester Pass in the Sierra Nevada.

The route passes through 25 national forests and 7 national parks. Its midpoint is near Chester, California (near Mt. Lassen), where the Sierra and Cascade mountain ranges meet.

The overall elevation gain for the Pacific Crest Trail is approximately 489,000 ft (149,000 m) which is about 17 times the height of Mount Everest.

‘Thru-hiking’ is a term used in referring to hikers who complete long-distance trails from end to end in a single trip.
Thru-hiking the entire trail typically takes hikers 5 to 6 months. Thru-hiking is a long commitment that requires thorough preparation and dedication.

Water scarcity, physical fatigue, injuries, mental weariness, and rapidly changing weather are all common challenges. Many hikers experience blisters, repetitive strain injuries, or illness, making self-care vital.

The Pacific Crest Trail Association estimates that it takes most hikers between six and eight months to plan, train, and get ready for their trips. It is estimated the average completion rate is around 14%

source: https://www.ukclimbing.com/articles/destinations/how_to_hike_the_pacific_crest_trail-16678 / https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific_Crest_Trail

PART I

The Desert

20.04.24.
Mile 0

Campo -> Kennedy Meadows South

23.04.24. Day 4
Elevation 4914 ft.
Around Mile 60.

Anxious sleep, cold, worried about my skills, my ankle, blisters, if I belong here. Moon incredible bright. Some leaving at 2am! Got up when Coco did, made breakfast and shivered a lot. Popped blisters as good I could but leukotape was limp. Got neeosporin from ‘High Jump’. Hiked out with Coco and went surprisingly well. Views quickly were UNREAL. Made it past 50mile marker. Took it slow and steady. Met Joe and Matt at snack break picknick tables, Joe low in energy so gave him electrolyte. Hiked on and again stunning vast desert views, loved the climb along the cliff with the memorial plaques. Stopped at creek and loved daydreaming looking at mozzie and thinking about ‘Scout’s’ ‘strong fist and water’ philosophy. Shared it with Joe which he liked. Made it to campsite early and was getting busy with other hikers. Hiked out to get water from green tank of sludge and loved seeing Anza Borrega sign. Went back and got Kara message, made dinners, stretched and nice early sleep. Hoping tape stays on until Julian. Feeling super happy and optimistic right now.

07.05.24. Day 18
Elevation 8031 ft.
Around Mile 135.

Nice clean dry morning, getting ready and into Mission Creek again. Tough going and hopping over rocks and logs again. Went fairly smooth, made song about ‘Mission Creek Water Blues’ in my head. Went up over the gravel ridge and slipped into a cactus . Painful cactus needle stuck right through shoe into bottom of foot. Carried on and went okay. Some point alone in the creek bed. Followed ‘Killdeers’ FarOut comments and made it out, then nice stretch but again trail was washed away at corners and gravelly, slipped few times, made it through. Saw Dutch couple filling water down below in river bed, and so did I, 3.5L then saw Coco dehydrated and I filled up bladder for extra. Carried on landscape became beautiful alpine sick views still some sketchy turns on loose ground but made it to wide open spot. ‘Camp here?’ ‘Beer?!’ Pitched up, Czech guy, Coco, Washington lady, 2 girls from Connecticut and New Hampshire. Noro Virus on my mind when stomach fumbles. Talked about startups, Pecan, beers, New England fall etc. Ice cold toes!! Confused about tomorrow; early night.

PART II

The Sierra (coming soon...)

PART III

NorCal
(coming soon...)

PART IIII

Oregon(coming soon...)

PART IIIII

Washington(coming soon...)

TDD