[pct-l] mistakes I made while hiking the PCT

[Jeffrey Olson]

I think this trail wisdom of Scott's is invaluable.  I haven't hiked 
south of the southern Kennedy Meadows, but have hiked in 95 degree heat 
north of Burney Falls and in southern Oregon.  It's brutal...


The one thing I would add to his list is to plan on fewer miles per day 
from the start.  I've done lots of section hikes which means I've 
started long hikes numerous times.  It turns out (for me) it doesn't 
matter what kind of shape I'm in.  I need to start slow and build up the 
miles.   There are plenty of places to hike 30+ miles per day later in 
the hike.    To be sure I get up there more quickly if I'm aerobically 
fit prior to the hike.


That and zeros taken liberally in the first six weeks as your body 
adjusts to a different kind of life.  I don't care how many day hikes 
you take, or runs you make, unless you've spent week after week on the 
trail your body is going to freak.  Whether it's blisters or a sprain or 
a muscle strain or pull, or complaining joints or emotional wondering 
"what the hell am I doing and why am I doing this?" - the mind/body 
system is going to be in high anxiety for a while.


I've found that I stay in trail shape for about two weeks after stopping 
hiking.  After that it's a pretty quick/steep decline.  I started hiking 
after a three week layoff after a seven week section hike and it was 
like starting all over again.  Groan...


Just some thoughts...


Jeffrey Olson
Martin, SD




On 3/9/2010 11:58 AM, Scott Bryce wrote:
> In a nutshell, the three biggest problems were:
> 1) Inadequate pre-hike training.
>
> 2) inadequate foot care during the hike.
>
> 3) inability to remain adequately hydrated in the SoCal heat.
>
> Judging by my condition when I arrived in Idyllwild, I would guess that
> I was low on electrolytes as well.
>
>