Frequently Asked Questions

With two weeks to go before my flight to San Diego, CA, I’d like to take a moment today to answer the top ten frequently asked questions (in descending order) regarding my summer plans to hike the entire length of the Pacific Crest Trail.

10. What does the PCT stand for?

Answer: PCT is short for Pacific CREST Trail (not coast…poor form).  The trail follows fault lines that include deserts and mountains.  No coast hiking…at least for this summer!

9. How long will this take you? variation…Will this take you a couple of weeks? 

Answer: I would really like to complete this trip in 4 months, which would equate to averaging 20 miles per day.  Keep in mind that’s an average.  I can start with lower mile days (10-15 miles) as long as there are longer days (20-30 miles) later down the trail that will produce a 20 mile day overall average.

8.  Are you bringing a gun? variation… What about protection? another variation… Will you bring your dog for protection?

Answer:  I would LOVE to bring Dudley, but he would die.  He’s a great pyrenees mix and is governed by natural laws. His heavy coat would be the death of him through the desert. No gun…EVER! They’re heavy to carry and I’m more likely to accidentally shoot myself.  I will be carrying a personal (small size) container of mace.

7. How long is this trail?

Answer: 2,650 miles, which is longer than the Appalachian Trail (2,178.3 miles when I hiked it in 2009).  The PCT, however, is graded for pack animals.  This means that the trail is not as steep, making the miles less arduous. This should allow me to complete more miles per day compared to my average daily mileage along the AT. For those that live in and or around Boone, NC, it’s very similar to the conditions on the carriage trails at Moses Cone Manor.

6. Will you be able to journal? variation… How do you keep your battery charged in order to use your phone to journal?

Answer: I am carrying an 11ounce battery charger that can recharge my iPhone 7 times on a full charge.  This should allow me to continue to journal while I’m far from any chargeable devices.  I will journal directly on my phone, then email the entries to Rachel (aka Katchup/AT 2009er) when I have cell reception.  She will then update them online.

I decided not to go with a solar charger because of mixed reviews.  The solar charger will become dead weight once I hit canopy cover in Oregon and Washington anyways so I opted for a rechargeable battery.

5. These two questions go together: (a) Where do you start? variation… How are you getting there?

Answer: I am hiking Northbound, and the starting point or trailhead is a marker by the Mexican border in California. The nearest town is called Campo.  I will fly into San Diego, CA where this wonderful Trail Angel couple (Frodo and Scout, PCT 2007 thru hikers)will pick me up at the airport, run any errands I need, take me to their house, feed me, shelter me, and then drive me to the trailhead without accepting a single monetary gift. What wonderful people!

(b) Where do you finish?

Answer: If all goes well.  I will finish at a similar marker at the Canadian border just North of Washington state.  I will then proceed 8 miles on the side trail to Manning Park in Vancouver, British Columbia. From there….?

4.  Are you scared?

Answer:  Scared of what? Scared of failure that my body will crap out on me like it did in 2008 on my first attempt to thru hike the Appalachian Trail ?  Scared of  dying from thirst, mountain lion attack, bear attack, PEOPLE (gasp), and/or an early snow event? Scared of  getting lost? Scared of spiders or scorpions crawling on me at night? These things do not scare me.

To be honest, what does scare me is my  flight out to San Diego. I’m TERRIFIED of flying. The thought of it makes me break out in a sweat. The crazier part is I use to fly. Although I was never comfortable with it, I could do it. I’ve flown on everything from an international flight to Saudi Arabia to a puddle jumper in Panama.  I understand that I have an illogical fear of flying, but for reasons I cannot begin to explain, I purposely have not flown since 2004. So this cross country flight to San Diego will be difficult to say the least.

Other than the flight, I am very excited for this opportunity.  This will be my first trip out West.  I just wish I had more time to memorize the local flora of the area before setting one foot on trail.

3. Have you read that book Oprah recommended? variation… Have you read “Wild” by Cheryl Strayed?

Answer: Yes, I have. Just like I read “A Walk in the Woods” by Bill Bryson prior to hiking the Appalachian Trail.  That is NOT how my hike experience will read. Strayed’s book should be viewed as entertainment value only.  She is an excellent writer, but a poor example of a thru hiker.  I didn’t even use that book to prepare for this hike. I would highly recommend Yogi’s PCT Guidebook () to best prepare for a thru hike of the PCT.

2. Are you hiking alone? variation… Who’s going with you?

Answer: I am starting on the 25^th of April with no strings attached to any one particular person.  In 2009, I had the opportunity to start my AT thru hike with 5 wonderful women. To my surprise, 3 (myself and two others) out of the 5 made it 1,800 miles together before the group dynamics took a toll. Let me make this clear, I would not change that experience for anything.  This year, however, I want to see what it’s like to hike without any commitments except to myself. 

I will never be “alone.” I have read that there are approximately 1,000 individuals attempting to hike the PCT this summer.  On my first night of the trail I will be sharing a ADZPCTKO (Annual Day Zero Pacific Crest Trail Kickoff)  with 10 other individuals.

1.  And the most frequently asked question thus far is: Will Rachel be going with you?

Answer: Unfortunately, she will not be accompanying me on this trip.  She, arguably my better half, will be with me in spirit and in logistics.  She’s in charge of updating my blog entries, shipping me maps and food, taking care of the dogs, and keeping up with all things house related while I’m gone.  I OWE HER BIGTIME. J

So there you have it!

The top ten most frequently asked questions regarding my attempt to thru hike the PCT.  If I didn’t answer your question, please feel free to leave a question in the comment/guest book section.

Wanna learn more about the PCT or donate to their association?  Please visit: The Pacific Crest Trail Association (PCTA)