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Reasons why I want to hike the PCT

This is the post excerpt.

So what is the PCT? The Pacific Crest Trail a scenic trail that is 2650 miles long, it spans from Canada to Mexico, and passes through Washington, Oregon, and California. So what makes a person desire to thru hike the Pacific Crest Trial? I love the calming feel of nature, and the views are beyond what any picture can capture. So as I retired, I began a dream about what life of thru hike would be like. And after reading the blogs, watching the vlogs, I committed to doing it as well. So with full understanding I have decided I will thru hike the trail. Starting on 23 June 2018 I will start my own adventure, with a good friend of mine. Follow along if you like but know that this blog is mostly for myself. Here are a few reasons I listed for my hike.

  1. my wife said I could, if she wouldn’t support my dream it would only be a dream.
  2. I enjoy the company of my hiking partner
  3. it soothes my soul
  4. the views
  5. enjoy the freedom of trail
  6. spend time remembering the good times of those not here anymore

And with the sixth reason I will not list the people I intend on remembering. But know that anyone who has passed away and has sacrificed for the greater good is on my list.

So with that enjoy the hike, I know I will…

“Few places in this world are more dangerous than home. Fear not, therefore, to try the mountain passes. They will kill care, save you from deadly apathy, set you free, and call forth every faculty into vigorous, enthusiastic action.”

-John Muir

“Lest I keep my complacent way I must remember somewhere out there a person died for me today. As long as there must be war, I ask and I must answer was I worth dying for?”

-Eleanor Roosevelt

Gear for the PCT

Gear, gear, gear… so much of my time has been spent researching and deciding, than changing my mind on gear. So I bought three different backpacks for this trip, over a two year planning period. And made many changes to my gear and gear selection over the course of that time. Here are my resources I used to make my gear choices.

So I started by using Google and found a few BLOGs and VLOGs about thru hiking (you may have found mine like this). Several Facebook groups have “groups” that only require you to join. But, its facebook and public posts…. so I stayed away from social media hiking groups as a resource.

The best resource I used was a book written by Jackie McDonnell, “Yogi’s PCT handbook”. The book has five different perspectives, of five hikers have completed the PCT. This book has everything you will need to consider to thru hike. This is a must have in my opinion for anyone considering a thru hike of the PCT.

YouTube was another main resource I used. I followed a few hikers their whole trip for insights. And of course to get their feedback on gear they used. I mainly used “Homemade Wanderlust” and “Darwin on the Trail” but I am sure you can find someone who speaks to you. I liked the way these two channels presented ideas.

My only complaint is that most resources only talk about walking from the North Bound (NOBO) point of view and planning considerations. Finding a South Bound (SOBO) resource was hard to do since so few thru hikers go SOBO. I don’t think there is much difference on gear going SOBO… but I’ll do a recap when I am done just to confirm.

My best advice is you will change and evolve, and so will your gear and thought processes.