PCT : My Dream Hike.!

First of all,
I’m far away from being a thru-hiker ; a hiker who finishes the trail in a single trip. 

But one day I want to hike all three trails of Triple Crown Hiking; The Pacific Crest Trail, Appalachian Trail, and Continental Divide Trail : with my sketchbook and pencils. 

That’s the moment I feel that my life is complete.....

This picturesque and challenging Pacific Crest trail descends from U.S Mexican border to U.S Canadian border. This trail is 4286 km long and estimatedly it takes 4-6 months to complete . 

This scenic trail runs through 3 states; California, Oregon and Washington , 25 national forests and 7 national parks.

Most of this trail is in wilderness. Throughout the hiking time it will be like living, listening and speaking to the nature while tuning ourselves to the tone of nature. So this is like a bonding moment along with the scorching sun in the Mojave Desert, the hasty snow of Sierra Nevada and perfectly lonely; yet beautiful wilderness.

I first read about this trail in, Wild by Cheryl Strayed. 

Ever since I fell in love with that enchanting trail and awesome challenge.

Hiking specially thru-hiking depends on commitment, dedication, determination and preparation.

It says that hikers spend 6-8 months planning and preparing for getting on the trail. 

Hikers fix to a plan in their hiking period because some weather conditions can make it impossible to pass through certain sections in the trail. (hmmm fixing to a time frame , first challenge! For me)

Early June , there is a high snowpack in Sierra Nevada &  low snowpack in Northern Cascades. 

So the hikers are cautious not getting Sierra too soon, nor Cascade too late.

 They normally keep up a average of 32 km per day. 

(yeah! that’s another reason PCT is too far for me.! yet) (My latest hike is only 15kms.)

But despite all these difficulties and challenging situations,180 of 300 attempting hikers who enter the PCT, thru-hike the trail annually.

In 2013, Heather “Anish” Anderson of Bellingham, Washington completed the entire trail by setting a record of 60 days, 17 hours & 12 minutes.

In 2014, Joseph McConaughy of Shoreline, Washington set a new speed record of 59 days, 8 hours & 14 minutes.

But my personal PCT hero is Cheryl; Cheryl Strayed the solo hiker who thru-hiked PCT in 1995.

These people proved, through determination and hard work, PCT thru-hike is possible , just like everything else.!

photo credit: wonderland view via photopin (license)
photo credit: Pacific Crest Trail, National Scenic Trail via photopin (license)