FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
A: No. I’ve never hiked anything like this before, but I have been on backpacking trips. I love the outdoors, love to plan things like this, and have plenty of determination. I also have the added benefit of hindsight which means that I know my physical limits much better than I did before I had cancer and thought I was invincible.
A: Usually in the upper teens but I do have several days of 20 or 21 miles. The average hiker will travel about 2 mph. I’m slightly faster than that so I don’t think it is unrealistic to cover the distance in 9 hours of hiking time per day.
A: All food and water must be packed in (and garbage out) with me. However, there are resupply points all along the trail, or at least close to the trail. I’ll have to make pit stops for food every 5-7 days, depending on the distance between resupply points. Virtually all water along the trail will need to be treated. I’ll have a small filter to accomplish this. In case the filter breaks, I’ll have iodine tablets to treat the water as a backup plan.
A: I oftentimes say all of us are in danger all of the time, but that doesn’t keep us from doing the things we need to do like go to work, go to the grocery store, etc.
Personally, I think walking on a secluded trail is safer than crossing the street in a place like
Washington,
D.C.
The dangers are obviously different, of course.
Among other things, trail dangers would include tripping and falling and the injuries that come with that, severe illness due to unfiltered water, insect bites, and wild animals.
However, the trail is maintained pretty well so I’m not very worried about serious injuries due to falls.
I’m planning to keep myself healthy by filtering all my water as well.
Wild animals are less predictable, but most of them are more scared of you than you are of them.
Certainly there are exceptions, but even rattlesnakes and black bears don’t really want anything to do with you.
That being said, you still have to respect your surroundings, and that includes wildlife.
While I’m planning to have a cell phone with me at all times, I’m not expecting it to always have reception.
Therefore, I won’t be counting on it in the event of an emergency.
A: The highest point on the official PCT route is
Forester
Pass at 13,180’.
However, pending permit approval, my plans include a trip to the top of
Mt.
Whitney, which is the highest point in the continental
U.S. at 14,491’.
Despite the fact that I’ll be there in June, the weather at this altitude can always be a surprise, with temperatures dropping below freezing overnight.
Preparation, as always, is the key.
A: Yes, with the proper permits. I’m expecting to have plenty of time on the trail by myself, and would love company along the way. If you are interested, contact me via email.
A: Well, I certainly haven’t walked for 9 hours a day with a 35 lb. weight on my back! What I have done is stayed active and spent about an hour a day doing relatively strenuous cardio exercises. I know that there will be an adjustment period at the beginning, so I’m not planning to push myself as hard in the first few weeks.
A: Yes. Depending on what part of the trail you hike, you must have a permit. Since I’m planning to hike the whole trail, I can get a thru-hike permit from the Pacific Crest Trail Association. They will issue permits for anyone planning to hike 500 or more miles in a single season.
A: Anything can happen on the trail and getting lost is always a possibility, but wrong turns can be minimized with good planning. However, one should always have a compass and a map of the area that you’re in and the knowledge of how to use them both.
A: I don’t know exactly how many people have finished the trail in a single season over the years. However, in 2008, there were 37 successful thru-hikers listed on the 2600-Miler list found at pcta.org. Overall, roughly 60% of those who attempt a thru-hike are successful, according to the PCTA.