[pct-l] What do you wish you'd done more of before your thru?

[Eric Lee]

Chris wrote:
>
While on your thru-hike, did you feel that following a predetermined path
removed the sense of adventure? What significant elements of the unknown
remain on the PCT?
When hiking, I like to explore places off the beaten path, e.g. "That gorge
looks interesting, I'll spend the afternoon walking up it". I've found some
amazing spots just by following my curiosity.
>

I haven't thru-hiked yet myself but I've been section-hiking for fair number
of years now and I'll offer my perspective.

The PCT is certainly getting pretty dialed-in if you want to take advantage
of all the materials that are out there.  If you don't want that kind of
experience, you can either switch to a different trail like the CDT that
isn't quite so meticulously documented or you could hike the PCT and just
not take any documentation with you.  Well, I'd encourage you to take some
kind of maps for safety reasons, but you don't have to carry everything
that's available to you.  You can choose your own level of adventure.

Also keep in mind that while there is a lot of documentation available for
the PCT, each day on any given stretch of trail is an experience all its
own.  One day it's blazing hot, the next day it's trying to snow, the day
after that there's a forest fire nearby, etc., etc.  I guarantee you'll have
your own unique adventures no matter how much preparation and study you do
ahead of time.  That's just the nature of the trail.

Based on my observation of thru-hikers over the years, I don't think many of
them do a lot of exploring off the beaten path.  There are a couple of
popular side-trips like summiting Mt. Whitney but those tend to be the
exception rather than the rule.  The time pressure to get to Canada before
the snow flies is just too great.  I say this a lot but each person needs to
decide what their hike is really all about.  If you want your hike to be
about exploring off the beaten path, there's nothing wrong with that.  Go
for it!  Wander all you want to.  Just be aware that that approach is
somewhat incompatible with finishing a one-season thru-hike. Getting to
Canada is a pretty all-consuming goal and it doesn't leave a lot of room for
other kinds of pursuits (i.e. hiking with small children, hiking with dogs,
foraging for wild food, exploring off the beaten path, earning money in
towns, <insert your favorite diversion here>).

On the other hand, even if you decide that your primary goal is a one-season
thru-hike, you still have to take care of your mental health.  It's a good
idea to take "vacations" from hiking every once in a while, whether that be
a lazy afternoon of fishing or a trip to a music festival or just wandering
up an interesting-looking gorge.  Just plan on that being an occasional
thing, not an all-the-time thing.

Eric