[pct-l] PCT planning questions

[Eric Lee (GAMES)]

Starting in late August or early September, it would be almost impossible to complete the trail northbound (no one ever has, to my knowledge) and very difficult to do southbound (though a few people have done so).  Winter weather would close down too many high mountain areas starting in approximately mid-October.

Seasonal considerations put pretty firm constraints around the start dates for "normal" thru-hikers.  Northbound, you'd want to start in late April or early May.  Southbound, you'd want to start in late June or early July.  It's hard to start earlier than those dates because the snow hasn't melted yet, and it's hard to start later because you'd likely hit the next winter's snow before you finished.  Extremely strong hikers can start later and still make it, of course, but don't fool yourself about what "extremely strong" means.  They're not common.  :-)

Eric

-----Original Message-----
From: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net] On Behalf Of Sam Harbuck
Sent: Tuesday, July 10, 2007 5:59 PM
To: pct-l at backcountry.net
Subject: [pct-l] PCT planning questions

Hi,

  I've never been on the PCT before, but I am planning to thru-hike it starting in late August/early September. Is this too late a date to start from the south and would it be better to do the trail in reverse?

  Also, I don't know anyone else that is wanting to do this with me and while I know it is safer to do it with a partner, is it possible to do this solo?

Thanks,

  Sam


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