Long distance hiking advice?

[RandyRhoads]

New plan. Tough Mudder was weak, I want to hike the Pacific Crest Trail.

Obviously I need to do a lot of training/practice. It's a goal. Maybe not a close one, but one I want to accomplish before I die of AIDS (haha, just kidding...)

What "level" survivalist would be the minimum for this quest? Do most people attempting this sort of thing have years of harcore survival training? Or just hiking a lot using the supply drops?

Any good tips or pointers for training for this? More boots in the field and some long practice hikes? I can't imagine hiking over 2,000 miles. 25km rucks in basic left me hurtin'. Is doing this sort of thing alone extremely stupid?

To be even more specific, anyone know of any nice good trails in California to hike? Ones you can go way out in, have fires, sleep, and such?

Thanks.

[1stimestar]

Here ya go. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific_Crest_Trail

You really don't have to do HARDCORE training. Hike every day you can, throw in a few long distance backpacking trips to test your gear and see what you like/don't like, need/don't need and ascertain how you did physically.

[randyt]

a journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step

[Rick]

People hike the Appalachian Trail in all kinds of shapes, all ages, all sexes, all everything. There is a saying on the trail. "If you need to lose weight you will. If you need to gain weight you will." Surprising how that works.

[RandyRhoads]

1stimestar I read the wiki, still had a lot of questions.

So mainly it's just having a good plan and using supply drop points? I don't see anything about where people sleep. I guess with so many people doing it there's no issue with making a camp, and having a fire? I'm just trying to picture this trail and how it would work. They say there are towns and post offices along the trail. So I guess it cuts through places that aren't to wildernessy a lot. Seems extremely hard to me to set up a plan to have supplies mailed to myself at the perfect times through a couple month adventure. What if I don't make time one day, where does my stuff sit....

I need to find someone who's done this or something...

[pete lynch]

http://skywalker-pct.com/pacific-crest-trail-book/
If nothing else, it's a good read.

[1stimestar]

Have all your drop shipments prepared and marked. Get some one to be your expediter back home. You can keep in contact with this person and have them mail the next box you have packed as you approach the town you had planned to pick it up in. They can send it General Delivery. Post office will normally keep general delivery items for at least 10 days.

[RandyRhoads]

Thank. What kind of meals should be packed on long journey like that?

[1stimestar]

Depends on how many drop points you are planning and how long you are hiking, total and per day. Here's a site I like, with lots of great ideas.
http://www.wildbackpacker.com/backpacking-food/recipes/

[crashdive123]

This looks like a good planning guide for a through hike of the PCT. Click on the tabs for specifics. http://www.planyourhike.com/

[Rick]

Actually, the post office will hold your supply packages for 30 days. Write on the face of the package, "Please Hold for Pacific Crest Thru-Hiker" and the expected date you intend to arrive to get it. It doesn't have to be exact it just gives the post office an idea. Obviously, your route has to be planned out so you have some idea of when you will arrive at each location.

Word of advice. Purchase two pairs of hiking boots and break both of them in. Leave one pair at home. If your boots break down on you and they can't be fixed you will have another pair that can be sent to you and they will already be broken in.

[hunter63]

How much hiking and camping have you done to date.....the times before, the needle trip?
Start slow, try stuff out, build up knowledge and skills........

You have taken the first step in asking.....most people crawl before they walk, then run.

[RandyRhoads]

How much hiking and camping have you done to date.....the times before, the needle trip?
Start slow, try stuff out, build up knowledge and skills........

You have taken the first step in asking.....most people crawl before they walk, then run.

I remember reading something about it in a book once.

I found one i'm going to try first. John Muir Trail is 211 miles and I believe it's part of the PCT.

Thanks for all the replies, lots of good information to go over.

[finallyME]

Check out backpacking forums. They have lots of people who have done the PCT.

[Paracord Monkey]

One million starts with one. That's the best advice i can give. The most I've ever hiked straight is about 15 miles in one day nonstop. Which isn't a lot but for a 13 year old like me it is. Just don't give up

[1stimestar]

It's a lot for most of us PM, especially if carry a pack.

[RandyRhoads]

Granted my pack would be a lot less than military ruckin'. A 15-20 miler in full kit often destroyed my feet. I can't imagine picking up day after day after day for weeks/months without a break to heal. That sounds like permanent foot damage.

[RandyRhoads]

WTF. I wanted to hike part of the John Muir trail, but I need to get a permit 168 days in advance. Can you do anything in this damn country anymore without a permit. Can't a dude just take a walk through the forrest to enjoy nature anymore....

That was the easier practice trail. WTF I can never find anywhere to hike and camp....

[thefemalesurvivalist]

I hiked the Pacific Crest Trail and am happy to answer any questions. After completing the entire trail during a 14 month period (did the JMT concurrently, approximately 27 miles of which do not share the same tread way as the PCT)....I did the Appalachian Trail in 2002, a thru hike. Then, the Colorado Trail. So, I'm an ultralighter and buy much of my food in towns ( a hitch hike sometimes) along the way. This way you chose the town, and if you get off schedule, say by a month or so, your box is not sent back.

The right shoes is paramount, along with the best and lightest gear you can afford. You'll carry lots of water in the first 6oo miles, going through the desert on the PCT. Then, when there's lots of water in the Sierras, you'll be carrying lots of food cause its a long ways off trail to town. Back in northern California, you'll need water again, and most folks who see you hitching for a ride won't know what the **** you're doing. If you have a chance, pick up a PCT sew on emblem for your trail cap. It helps.

I do have my journals online. If I'm allowed to post the link to that page, its at a website owned by a past trail partner.

Five months for either PCT or AT is about right. You can start out sorta slow, using the trail for some of the training. I was a cook just before heading to the trail and training was short and sweet.

again, happy to help in any way I can

[1stimestar]

I hiked the Pacific Crest Trail and am happy to answer any questions. After completing the entire trail during a 14 month period (did the JMT concurrently, approximately 27 miles of which do not share the same tread way as the PCT)....I did the Appalachian Trail in 2002, a thru hike. Then, the Colorado Trail. So, I'm an ultralighter and buy much of my food in towns ( a hitch hike sometimes) along the way. This way you chose the town, and if you get off schedule, say by a month or so, your box is not sent back.

The right shoes is paramount, along with the best and lightest gear you can afford. You'll carry lots of water in the first 6oo miles, going through the desert on the PCT. Then, when there's lots of water in the Sierras, you'll be carrying lots of food cause its a long ways off trail to town. Back in northern California, you'll need water again, and most folks who see you hitching for a ride won't know what the **** you're doing. If you have a chance, pick up a PCT sew on emblem for your trail cap. It helps.

I do have my journals online. If I'm allowed to post the link to that page, its at a website owned by a past trail partner.

Five months for either PCT or AT is about right. You can start out sorta slow, using the trail for some of the training. I was a cook just before heading to the trail and training was short and sweet.

again, happy to help in any way I can

Oh there ya go. Just the kind of expert advice you need. Score. Hey, I'd love to see those blog entries.