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Hike the PCT (Pacific Crest Trail) Thru-Hike
Experiences You Should Have Podcast Show Notes
Listen to the above podcast episode with Angie Holbrook, who hiked the PCT in 2018. Angie hiked the Appalachian Trail with her dog in 2011, and that's when she heard about the PCT. Years later after moving to Phoenix (and not loving it) she decided to move her stuff into storage and head out on the PCT. She tells her story and more on Experiences You Should Have Podcast. Ready to hike the PCT, read (or listen) on.
Angie Holbrook completed the PCT Thru Hike at the PCT Northern Terminus
What is the PCT (Pacific Crest Trail) and How Long Does it Take?
The PCT is the Pacific Crest Trail. It's one of the "big three" national scenic trails in America, and is one of the trails that comprises a jewel of the "Triple Crown" of hiking. It runs from Mexico to Canada through California, Oregon, and Washington. The PCT is roughly 2,600 miles (give or take based on if the route changes due to fires).
The northern terminus of the PCT is on the U.S./Canada border in Manning Park and the Southern Terminus is on the U.S./Mexico border in Camp, California. Most PCT hikers hike a northbound route, starting at the southern terminus and ending at the northern terminus. On average it takes about 5 months to hike the PCT. Remember to get your permit when working out your start date.
When is the Best Time to Start the PCT?
The best time to start the PCT is based on the direction you are headed. For a northbound hike (NOBO), it's recommended to start mid-March or April. If you start to early or too late you could wind up in deep snow that may be impassable or brutal desert temperatures. Hiking a Southbound route is logistically harder and will require more planning. Most SOBO hikers start in June or July, but before deciding on a date, it's recommended to look at that season's conditions and snowmelt.
Difference Between Hiking the PCT (Pacific Crest Trail) and the AT (Appalachian Trail)
The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) and the Appalachian Trail (AT) are the two most well-known thru-hikes in the United States. The PCT is 500 miles longer than the AT, but the AT is considered to be more physically demanding. That said, the Appalachian Trail seems to be more social and less logistically challenging than the PCT. The PCT is harder logistically because you need to plan your day better because of the heat in the desert, finding water, river crossings in the Sierras, and forest fires in California. When you hike the Appalachian Trail, you are summiting every peak on the trail and going straight up, then straight down, but the hiking community is larger.
Budgeting for the Trip
It's wise to budget at least $1,000 per month on top of other costs amounting at home (like rent, self storage, health insurance, etc). This does not include costs for gear to hike the PCT.
Top Skills Needed to Thru-Hike the PCT
* A wilderness first aid course is highly recommended if you are planning to hike the PCT* Navigation skills are also nice to have as phones and GPS units can fail.* Comfortable with river crossings - instead of trying to hop stones (which can get slippery, sending you into the river), it's best to get your feet wet and walk through the river.
Top Things Angie Included in her Pack
View all episodes
By Gail Lovelace MenascoExperiences You Should Have Podcast Show Notes
Listen to the above podcast episode with Angie Holbrook, who hiked the PCT in 2018. Angie hiked the Appalachian Trail with her dog in 2011, and that's when she heard about the PCT. Years later after moving to Phoenix (and not loving it) she decided to move her stuff into storage and head out on the PCT. She tells her story and more on Experiences You Should Have Podcast. Ready to hike the PCT, read (or listen) on.
Angie Holbrook completed the PCT Thru Hike at the PCT Northern Terminus
What is the PCT (Pacific Crest Trail) and How Long Does it Take?
The PCT is the Pacific Crest Trail. It's one of the "big three" national scenic trails in America, and is one of the trails that comprises a jewel of the "Triple Crown" of hiking. It runs from Mexico to Canada through California, Oregon, and Washington. The PCT is roughly 2,600 miles (give or take based on if the route changes due to fires).
The northern terminus of the PCT is on the U.S./Canada border in Manning Park and the Southern Terminus is on the U.S./Mexico border in Camp, California. Most PCT hikers hike a northbound route, starting at the southern terminus and ending at the northern terminus. On average it takes about 5 months to hike the PCT. Remember to get your permit when working out your start date.
When is the Best Time to Start the PCT?
The best time to start the PCT is based on the direction you are headed. For a northbound hike (NOBO), it's recommended to start mid-March or April. If you start to early or too late you could wind up in deep snow that may be impassable or brutal desert temperatures. Hiking a Southbound route is logistically harder and will require more planning. Most SOBO hikers start in June or July, but before deciding on a date, it's recommended to look at that season's conditions and snowmelt.
Difference Between Hiking the PCT (Pacific Crest Trail) and the AT (Appalachian Trail)
The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) and the Appalachian Trail (AT) are the two most well-known thru-hikes in the United States. The PCT is 500 miles longer than the AT, but the AT is considered to be more physically demanding. That said, the Appalachian Trail seems to be more social and less logistically challenging than the PCT. The PCT is harder logistically because you need to plan your day better because of the heat in the desert, finding water, river crossings in the Sierras, and forest fires in California. When you hike the Appalachian Trail, you are summiting every peak on the trail and going straight up, then straight down, but the hiking community is larger.
Budgeting for the Trip
It's wise to budget at least $1,000 per month on top of other costs amounting at home (like rent, self storage, health insurance, etc). This does not include costs for gear to hike the PCT.
Top Skills Needed to Thru-Hike the PCT
* A wilderness first aid course is highly recommended if you are planning to hike the PCT* Navigation skills are also nice to have as phones and GPS units can fail.* Comfortable with river crossings - instead of trying to hop stones (which can get slippery, sending you into the river), it's best to get your feet wet and walk through the river.
Top Things Angie Included in her Pack