[pct-l] Brand New Hiker from NorCal

[CHUCK CHELIN]

Good morning, Emily,

If possible, include some hill hiking in your training schedule.  The first
miles north of Belden Town are almost all relentless uphill, but remember
the PCT is designed to nominally not exceed 15%, which isn’t very steep.  At
the beginning of a hike everyone is full of vinegar, but try to pace
yourself early.



Most of the PCT hikers should have passed through Belden by mid-July, hoping
to be in Oregon in August, but there will be hikers.  It’s always fun to
visit with the long-distance hikers, and maybe camp with them, but avoid
stretching yourself trying to keep up with them on the trail.  Even if you
hike “alone” there will usually be some kind of company, off and on.    Among
intended PCT thru-hikers usually 25%-30% are female.  Some prefer to hike
with a companion or in a group, but many hike nominally alone.  The decision
of accompaniment is personal based upon preference and experience, but
there’s nothing out there that requires other people to assure you’ll be
safe and secure.



Bears aren’t a serious threat anywhere, but they are of greatest concern in
the big Natl. Parks in the Sierras where they have lost most of their
respect/fear of humans.  On the remainder of the trail – specifically in N.
California where they are hunted – bears have learned to keep away from
humans.  I can’t say there has never been an incident between PCT hikers and
bears or cougars but considering the number of casual hikers, section
hikers, and long-distance hikers every year the likelihood of an unfortunate
encounter is extremely low.
http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?id=167914



Enjoy your planning and your hike but beware:  PCT hiking can become
addictive.  Often a short summer hike can set the hook past the barb and
there’ll be nothing for you but to finish the entire trail.



Steel-Eye

Hiking the Pct since before it was the PCT – 1965

http://www.trailjournals.com/steel-eye

http://www.trailjournals.com/SteelEye09


On Mon, May 17, 2010 at 11:34 PM, em ozzy <ozzyemm at gmail.com> wrote:

> Hi!  I am fairly new to hiking, and new to this list.  I hiked the grand
> canyon from the North Rim in High School (9 miles round trip), and hiked
> ten
> miles each way once in jr. high.  I have done short hikes with my family
> several times a year (1-2 miles).  We have lived in Northern California
> (Plumas County, in between Quincy and Chester) for three years, and I have
> gotten it into my head that I want to hike the stretch between Belden and
> Hwy 32(?).
>
> I have gleaned from here that I would be wise to go in August.  I am
> training for this hike, and am aiming for 10 miles a day, giving myself a
> week to complete the section.
>
> My questions right now are: Since this is my first hike, should I have
> someone come with me?  I am a 31 year old woman, on the hefty side, but no
> health problems.  If I have been reading correctly, many thruhikers come
> through in August, so I guess I could join up with some, but I don't want
> to
> hold people back.
>
> What is the bear danger?  In the three years I have lived in Plumas County,
> I have seen two live bears, and one dead one (roadkill).  I am kind of
> terrified of encountering a bear or mountain lion.
>
> I am trying to read before I post, because I don't want to ask dumb
> questions or questions everyone asks.  In my mind, these two questions are
> valid, so please be nice to me ;).
>
> Also, are there any trail angels in the area?  Depending on the day, I
> could
> probably shuttle people to Chester or Quincy.
>
> Emily
>
> Norcal Newbie
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