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The Basics:
The Pacific Crest Trail is approximately 2,650 miles (this changes a little every year as the trail is routed away from roads and areas that have been overly used). The trail runs from a location near Campo, in Southern California, to Monument 78, on the border between Canada and Washington. Approximately 300 people attempt to thru-hike the Pacific Crest Trail each year. It is estimated that in a good year, only 50% of these will succeed. Most thru-hikers average more than 20 miles a day to finish the trail in 5 to 6 months.
The trail climbs 60 major mountain passes and descends into 19 major canyons. Water can be notoriously scarce on the PCT, especially in California. The longest stretch without access to a water source is over 35 miles. With water weighing about a pound per liter, the significantly adds to pack weight. It is common to have 100 mile stretches between reliable re-supply points on the PCT, but it is possible to get into town roughly once a week.
The Timeline:
Northbound hikers leave Campo in May, hoping to miss all but the very beginnings of winter when they get further north. By leaving in May, hikers get through the california desert before the worst of summer hits and water sources dry up. In addition, it is necessary to wait until after June 15th to enter the Sierra Nevadas or there could be too much snow to successfully get through them. Very few people attempt a Southbound hike of the PCT because it is very difficult to time a southbound hike to avoid heavy snowfall, snowmelt, and bad desert conditions.
The Records:
The first person to ever thru hike the PCT was Eric Ryback. He accomplished this in 1970 and carried an 80 pound pack most of the way. He resupplied only 5 times during his hike, loading up with 40 pounds of food at each resupply point. When he ran out of food, he either foraged or went hungry.
In 2001, Brian Robinson became the first person to complete the Triple Crown in one calendar year by hiking the AT, PCT and CDT. He resupplied almost every 4 days and his pack averaged 13 pounds plus food in summer conditions.
In 1997, Joy Turner hiked the PCT with her dad and became the youngest person (at 15) to thru-hike the PCT.
Links:
www.pcta.org--This is the website for the Pacific Crest Trail Association. It has good info about the basics of the trail and how to start planning a hike.
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