[pct-l] PCT '03 & Lonely Trail in OR, WA

[m.karon@attbi.com (Marshall Karon)]

Hi Karen,

If you hike when most others doing a through-hike are coming through
(August-September), the chances are you will find others to hike with. As
you know, hiking with a partner can work - and not work. Different paces,
different meal times, etc.

Everyone is different - I happen to like the solitude, so not seeing anyone
for days is OK. But, I haven't hiked the trail without running into someone
else sometime during the day.

Again, if you are doing the trail when other are there you will run into
hoards of people, especially at every resupply point. You may not be able to
avoid meeting people even if you try.

In the south, drop into Callahan's restaurant south of Ashland for a few
hours. Then Crater Lake at the Mazama Campground Store. Ditto for Shelter
Cove at Odell Lake, Elk Lake Resort, Big Lake Youth Camp, Ollallie Lake, and
Cascade Locks - all in Oregon. Some folks take off at McKenzie pass to go to
Sisters and Bend.

Then, in Washington, people get a little more spread out. But, White Pass,
Snoqualmie, Stevens Pass, and Stehekin get groups in  at the same time. The
hiking is much tougher than Oregon - the scenery beautiful. Just watch out
for the hunters (in Oregon too).

So, if you want to hike - go for it. You will find people to hike with.

Marshall Karon
Portland, OR
m.karon@attbi.com
(503) 232-5271
----- Original Message -----
From: "Karen Borski" <kborski@yahoo.com>
To: <pct-l@backcountry.net>
Sent: Wednesday, June 05, 2002 4:03 PM
Subject: [pct-l] PCT '03 & Lonely Trail in OR, WA


> Hello,
>
> I was wondering if there are a lot of folks on the
> list planning a 2003 PCT thru-hike?  Anyone going
> solo?  Just curious!
>
> I'm currently planning either a full thru-hike or
> possibly a completion of everything beyond the 700 or
> so miles that I hiked in 2000.  It's going to depend
> on whether my job offers the option for a leave of
> absence.  If they do, and the leave is less than 6
> months, I'll just be finishing up the sections that
> I've missed.
>
> I hiked with a partner in 2000, but his presence in
> '03 will depend upon his job as well.  I left a bad
> job for my past two long distance hikes, but I'm
> finding it harder to choose to leave the job I have
> now.
>
> Even though I've hiked a good bit of the PCT and the
> entire AT solo, I still find myself a little nervous
> at the prospect of a solo PCT thru-hike.  I guess it
> goes back to previous trips I've taken into the
> Cascades where it can get pretty lonely.  Any input
> into the issue of loneliness for the PCT thru-hiker in
> Oregon and Washington would be appreciated.
>
> Nocona
>
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