[pct-l] PCT 2015

[John Abela]

Hey Erin/Anne,

As for your question about training.... yeah, go hiking ;)

As for any further suggestions... in 2015 there will be totally
different gear, probably completely different guide books, and whole
new approaches to hiking the PCT.... so, really, beyond "get out and
start hiking"... very little suggestions that can be made at this
point, beyond, as has been suggested, save all the money you can!! If
you can save 10k in the next four years, that should be a good place
to start at, if you are looking to buy all new gear, cover 6-7 months
of being without a job, and costs of being on the trail. Can be done
cheaper, but at this point, most folks I have asked are spending
1500-2000 per month, when all calculated out on a cost per month
basis. Figure five through six months to hike the trail (especially if
you and your partner do not get into shape) plus a few weeks before
and after to deal with issues. Of course, if you are hiking with a
second person (guessing a spouse, you did not clarify) than you will
face additional food expenses, additional transportation expenses, and
more gear you will have to buy (two packs, two sets of clothing) but
one less tent, one less cook set, and so forth.

Four years gives you plenty of time to be able to hike 500+ miles to
get the both of you in shape. I would set that as an initial goal. 500
miles each year, for the next four years. That is 25 weekend trips of
20 miles per weekend. That means that 1/2 of each years weekends
should be planned to be on the trail.

Is such necessary? No, of course not. Every year people with very
little (and sometimes no) hiking experience hit the PCT. Of course,
every year 75%+ of the people who start, do not finish... so, let that
be the guiding principle/thought on what you do with your weekends for
the next few years :-)

(for the record, I have not yet hiked the PCT... it is planned next
year... but, I do have 500+ trail miles planned between now and than -
one being 400 miles by itself - and have a few years of experience
already under my feet)

Best of luck and hope you keep us updated over the next few years!

John B. Abela
www.RedwoodOutdoors.Com


On Fri, Jun 3, 2011 at 6:12 PM, ErinAnne Hess <erinanne685 at hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> Hi all,I have been considering doing the PCT thru hike for a while now, but the hard part was finding someone to do it with me. now that i have that settled it looks like we are planning on doing the thru hike in 2015. I know its a ways out there but I'm interested in any information you all may have as far as where I should start with the planning. and any good suggestions as far as training?any help is much appreciated.
> Thanks,ErinAnne
> _______________________________________________
> Pct-L mailing list
> Pct-L at backcountry.net
> To unsubcribe, or change options visit:
> http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l
>
> List Archives:
> http://mailman.backcountry.net/pipermail/pct-l/
>