1.
Wait, what is the Pacific Crest Trail again?
​
Well, the P.C.T. is a 2600 mile trail from the Mexican border in southern California up to the Canadian border in northern Washington. Doing the whole thing in one go is a "thru-hike"
2.
How long does THAT take?
​
It totally depends. Largely on the hiker. The fastest known time (FKT) for a self-supported thru-hike is 60 days and 17 hours... and 12 minutes. I plan on taking 5 months.
Ill save you the math... that's 153 days
3.
How many people have done it? How many people a year?
​
As of this year, 2,607 people have completed the PCT. About 750 people try each year.
4.
Why in the hell are you trying to do this?
​
I mean, that's a tough question to answer succinctly. To test myself. For the adventure of it. For a break from what we call the "real" world. Maybe a little bit of indecision about my life. Because I love living out "in it". There's even a slight chance I meet the badass adventure girl of my dreams out there, who knows?
5.
There's no way you can carry 5 months of food and water, I've seen you.
First off, ouch. Second off, you're right. I'll be refilling my water bottles with creeks and streams along the way. I'll filter out all the cooties with a portable water filter. The desert section in Southern California will be a particular challenge when It comes to water. As far as food goes, I'll be hitchhiking into and out of the small towns near the trail about once a week to resupply. Typically, I'll grab a shower and do some laundry in town too... if there's beer and high calorie food, I'll be all over that too.
6.
Hitchhiking? Really? That sounds scary even before COVID.
​
Yeah, once again... you're right. I've done a bit of hitching on some of my other travels, and there is never a normal hitch. Something is always a little off. Sometimes its in a really endearing way, sometimes just sad, but occasionally it's downright scary or dangerous. You get good at trusting your gut on which car (or truck bed, or RV) to get into. And yeah, COVID complicates it all. I figure, if they stop and are comfortable with the associated risk, I can make the call if I am too. I'm vaccinated and can assess the signs/symptoms easily, both thanks to my work as a Registered Respiratory Therapist. It's a risk, but a life without risk is also a life without challenges to overcome.
7.
If you've got any more questions, feel free to reach out to me. I really will take the time to answer you as soon as I can.