[pct-l] question about training

[Jim & Jane Moody]

Ann, 

I just read Erik's response, as I sit here drinking beer and reading trail journals.  It's a huge misconception that you need to be in great physical condition to do a thru hike.  It helps at first, if you want to do big miles early, but it certainly is not mandatory.  Just start slow and let the Trail get you in hiking shape. 



Like Postholer alluded to, a more important requirement is to be familiar with and confident in your gear.  I did the AT in 2006 as an old guy in average condition, so I know that being a marathoner isn't a prerequisite. 



I'm planning to do the PCT in 2010 also; maybe I'll see you then. 



Mango 



  
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Erik The Black" <erik at eriktheblack.com> 
To: pct-l at backcountry.net 
Sent: Wednesday, September 30, 2009 2:32:30 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern 
Subject: Re: [pct-l] question about training 

Hi Ann, 

I'd say if you can do a three-day backpacking trip of 40-60 miles, carrying 
the gear that you plan to take on your thru-hike (with a full resupply of 5 
days of food) then you have what it takes physically. 

If you plan a three-day shakedown hike like that sometime before you are 
planning to leave it will give you a chance to test our your endurance and 
your gear, and you'll be a step ahead of a lot of hikers who do nothing all 
winter but drink beer and read trail journals (myself included) ;) 


Happy trails! 
Erik the Black 
www.pctatlas.com 




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Message: 7 
Date: Wed, 30 Sep 2009 10:13:42 -0700 
From: Ann Broman <ahilaryb at gmail.com> 
Subject: [pct-l] question about training 
To: pct-l at backcountry.net 
Message-ID: 
        <d4ca42750909301013k6141b3b4h1d6ae0981cb268d1 at mail.gmail.com> 
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 

Hi there, 

I'm considering attempting a thru-hike in 2010 and I'd like to have some 
training goal in mind.  What do you guys think I should be physically able 
to do before I attempt this? For instance: be able to hike X distance in X 
time for X days with X weight or some variation.  If this has already been 
discussed here, if you could just direct me to the thread that would be 
great too. 

Thanks for your input! 

Ann 


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