[pct-l] Hitch-hiking

[David Thibault]

The PCT is not as hitch friendly as the AT -  but it is still not that bad.
On the AT I think everyone that I got a ride from knew of the AT.  On the
PCT only one ride giver was aware of the trail.  It was actually interesting
to talk with the folks who pick up PCT hikers cause they are so unaware of
the trail and long distance hiking.

I did find the hitch waits a little longer on the PCT - again I think it is
just the drivers are a bit less aware of the trail.

And yeah as Iceaxe said the hitch into Etna was 3+ very hot hours without
water.  Fill up before you get to the road as there was no water anywhere
near the road, it was miles forward or backward on the trail.  I must admit
that the beer I got when I finally made it to Etna was probably the best of
the trail, and I think it was a Coor's.  Now that is thirsty!

Day-Late



> Sometimes people knew a thru-hiker when they saw one and sometimes
> not. In Ashland I was told that on Highway 20 the residents know when
> hiking season is and try to help out. I suspect that's typical of a
> lot of places. Most of the time the people I got rides with had no
> idea about thru-hikers or the trail. Telling them about it made both
> our days.
> Diane
> On Dec 14, 2010, at 6:10 AM, pct-l-request at backcountry.net wrote:
> > I hiked the AT a couple years back and hitch-hiking was part of the
> > culture
> > and the norm for getting into towns more then a mile from the
> > trail. It
> > seems most towns that hikers enter people are welcoming and know a
> > thru-hiker when they see one and don't mind giving them a lift. I am
> > wondering if the same is true out on the PCT because in looking at
> > the info
> > so far there will be resupplies that would be much more enjoyable
> > with a
> > good ol'hitch. Thoughts on the hitchin' situation? (ie places where
> > hitchin
> > is easy and other places were don't even bother to use my energy to
> > raise my
> > thumb, also suggested towns to hitch into would be helpful) Thanks
>
>