Planning

Most sources suggest allowing a year for planning a PCT thru-hike attempt.  I started several months ago, reading and researching, walking and running, shopping and purchasing.

Of course every past and hopeful PCT hiker has most likely read "Wild" by Cheryl Strayed.  A great book, but more about the story than the trail.  Bill Bryon's "A Walk in the Woods" is his account of a partial hike of the Appalachian Trail and is worth reading if only for the parts with his hilarious hiking partner.  Another favorite was "AWOL on the Appalachian Trail" by David Miller, probably because it was one of the first I read.  There are many other books on the subject--parents hiking with kids, couples, those from other countries, those with tips, motivation, and lessons learned.  Another thing I enjoy reading is trail journals from past hikers.  Erin "Wired" and "Funnybone" are two of my favorite bloggers from the trail.

Along with the reading came a lot of research which is ongoing.  This pack or that one, this sleeping bag, that sleeping pad, what stove???  Clothes, food, shoes, socks???  And throughout the searching was the common criteria of size and weight.  Most thru-hikers carefully watch every ounce that makes the trip.  My goal is to keep my base pack weight (backpack with everything except clothes worn, food, and water) below 15 pounds.  This means, backpack, tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, stove, clothes for temps ranging from 20 to 100 degrees, camera, maps, headlight, knife, first aid...  And I will by no means have the lightest pack on the trail!

They say the mental part of the hike can be tougher than the physical, but I know the physical demands will be great.  I have also read that nothing can prepare a body for 20-mile hikes day after day after day other than actually hiking 20-mile hikes day after day after day.  I know that any conditioning I do has to help though, so I'm trying to lift weights 3x/week and run an additional 3x/week.  Before the hike last fall I supplemented with walking in the neighborhood wearing my pack.  I will be doing a lot more of that soon.  Hiking opportunities near me in Houston are limited to flat with no altitude, and oh yeah, it's hunting season so you need to wear bright orange!  So for now, I need to be content walking in the neighborhood.

Because I started planning with plenty of time on my side, I have been able to be patient and purchase many items for the trip on sale.  Some items haven't made the cut and have had to be replaced.  I'm sure others will fall victim to a better/lighter product between now and the first day on the PCT.