[pct-l] Starting a thru-hike in January from San Diego

[Erik Turnberg]

I've done the AT and the PCT as thrus and I'm generally a proponent of early
starts on either trail.  I just don't see January being a possibility on the
PCT.  Even if you had the mountaineering skills to navigate serious
unconsolidated snow over much of the trail I don't know if you'd have the
mental stamina.  Nothing against you, I just think you'd go crazy if you
didn't die in an avalanche.

If you really, really, really want to do one of the "big three" and start in
January do the AT.  It's going to be much harder and you'll be alone much of
the way, but it's possible.  People do start in January and make it.  I had
planned a Feb 1st start but wound up starting March 15th.  You'll need to
prepare for snow in parts of Georgia, The Smokey Mountains, and the Rhone
Highlands.  I would be careful about this if you don't have winter camping
experience though.  The southern appalachians are dangerous in the winter.
 It's cold, and it can be very wet.  March 16th my second night in Georgia I
was involved in evacuating a couple who were trying to start a thru hike,
didn't know what they were getting into, and got hypothermic.  You're also
going to hit mud season up north and blackfly season, all of which is going
to be less than ideal but possible.

I would suggest that you revise your goals.  If you have a limited amount of
time, then plan a limited, but fun and challenging hike.  Do a smaller
trail, or several smaller trails like others have suggested.  Also consider
doing long section hikes of the AT, PCT, CDT.  The community on the trails
can also be part of the experience and being there for part of it with other
thrus is great.  I have some really good friends from both trails that were
out for long sections because they were being realistic about their
schedules.  They had a great time with everyone else, did a large piece and
then got off.  Several have finished up later with a couple more long
sections.

As a side note that's how my wife and I are planning on doing the CDT
because we're trying to avoid quitting our jobs again.  We're going to break
it down to 600-800 mile chunks.

Peace,
Granite