[pct-l] Thru-hiking in 3 months?

[Michael Chamoun]

Hey Magda,

Nano here. I'm in the same situation you're in...kind of. I am graduating
and my last final is May 14th/15th and if I get into graduate school that
would mean a 3.5 month hike. I think it's doable if you think you can handle
it and are truly prepared for the things you mentioned.  It's one of those
things you'll only find out when you hit the trail just because each trail
is unique to every single person.  It's a completely different lifestyle and
if you think you can go for weeks hiking high mileage, feeling ok, mentally
prepared for anything, and actually somewhat *enjoying* the hike then give
it a shot.  Remember that there is always a time for a thru-hike if you
prioritize it in your life.  Hope this helps.

Nano

On Tue, Nov 18, 2008 at 5:29 PM, Magda <himagda at gmail.com> wrote:

> Hi, I'm a long-time list-lurker but first-time poster, and a class of
> 2009 hopeful.
>
> I'm also trying to figure out how to plan a thru-hike around my summer
> break from college. The school I go to is on a quarter schedule and
> doesn't get out until mid-June. I had originally been thinking that I
> might just not take any classes during spring term at all, which would
> give me more time to plan and to work up the cash, and also more
> flexibility as to when I can start my hike (so that I could start and
> hike with everyone else). But lately I've been thinking about trying to
> go for it without skipping any school, which means that I wouldn't have
> much more than three months to complete the trail, so I'd definitely
> have to power through it. I realize that it's going to mean a lot of
> training before I get out there, much, much longer days, no zeros, and
> mostly hiking solo, but it's either that or just taking it easy and
> hiking the Oregon section this year, and I really don't want to compromise.
>
> It doesn't seem like very many thru-hikers finish in under four months
> (except the honorable record-holders, of course), but I'm wondering if
> there are any other hopefuls out there trying to work around a similar
> schedule or looking to thru-hike at a faster pace, or if there's anybody
> who's already done a 3-month thru-hike who has any good advice to share.
>
> Also, if I want to start as late as mid-June, is a northbound hike still
> feasible? I know that it's been done before, but I'm mostly concerned
> about the heat and water availability in the desert sections in the
> middle of summer... If it's going to be drastically less bearable than a
> southbound hike, it may not be worth it.
>
> Thanks in advance,
> Magda
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