[pct-l] Early start on PCT on 2013 and then back to Morena for AZDPCTKO

[Scott Bryce]

On 8/5/2012 8:01 AM, Anne Estoppey wrote:
> So I thought to hike Campo-Warner Springs right before the kickoff.
> Then hitch-hike back to Lake Morena for kickoff and start again from
> Warner Springs after kickoff.

We don't know if there will be a Warner Springs next year, but this is a
very workable strategy. Several people attending the kickoff will
probably stop by Warner Springs to pick up hikers and bring them to the
KO. Getting a ride back to WS from the KO should be easy.

> I will walk this very first part as slow as a desert turtle, I know
> that. I don't think that I will manage more than 10 miles per day.

Actually, you will do more than 10 miles per day. Here is why.

Hiking 10 miles on the PCT is pretty easy. You will find yourself
stopping early, getting bored and hiking another 5 miles just for
something to do.

There are two stretches before Warner Springs where reliable water is
more than 20 miles apart. You really don't want to carry 2 day's worth
of water on these sections. You will be better off if you determine to
hike these sections in one day. One of them has a water cache near the
midpoint, but relying on a water caches is risky.

Resupplies will force you to put in extra miles. There are 70 miles from
Mount Laguna to Warner Springs. If you average 15 miles per day instead
of 10 miles per day, you can save yourself having to carry 2 day's worth
of food.

> Has anybody started PCT in this way? Like slow mo hiking to Warner
> Springs and back to kickoff? Is it realistic?

Yes, but not at the pace you are planning. If you really need to limit
yourself to 10 mile days with a couple of zeroes to hike 110 miles, you
aren't in good enough shape to hike the PCT. Work on getting into shape,
then plan for 15 mile days with no zeroes, except maybe one in Mount
Laguna if the trail is really beating you up. You will probably want to
hike Campo to Lake Morena in one day and Scissors Crossing to Barrel
Spring in one day to get to reliable water. This will cut the amount of
time the first 110 miles takes to about 7 days. A lot of people start
out this way.