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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.
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
- Camera
- Lightning/Fast Charge Charger
- External Battery for your Phone
- Shelter (don’t ship your tent, you will need it)
- Rain Gear (Helium Rain Jacket and Helium Pants)
When thinking about what to pack, it’s best to go ultra light if you can afford it. Use this handy tool to calculate the weight you’re taking on in your pack.
Top Tips for Successfully Completing the PCT Thru-Hike
Realize that you will learn as you go… don’t get discouraged if, at day six, your cheap ass Walmart tent collapses in a wind storm and you have sand blowing in your face all night. Just regroup, buy a better tent in the next town, and shake it off.
Have a realistic budget set, and don’t forget to factor in bills back home that still need to be paid in your absence (ie mortgage, car note, storage, student loans, etc.). I spent roughly $6k on the PCT, but that gave me a buffer for two weeks of travel after the PCT to relax and go visit friends and family instead of jumping right back into the daily grind of work.
Don’t go home for an extended period of time. If you have a wedding to attend, fine, bail for a week, and then come back. But if you hit a very snowy section, instead of going home to wait it out, stay on the trail and just bounce up a few hundred miles, and then come back to the section that you missed. Once you leave the trail for the creature comforts of home (a warm bed, shower every night, your partner to cuddle up with), it makes it very hard to return to the trail.
Note on Accessibility
This is not an accessible hike and there isn’t much information online about ADA friendly trails on the PCT like there is on the Appalachian Trail.