[pct-l] What do you wish you had done before your thru?

[Diane Soini of Santa Barbara Hikes]

I loved my long distance hikes. There is something you can get from  
such a long time out there that you can't really get from shorter  
distances. But I think sometimes we revere the thru hike too much.  
When I have gone back and done section hikes the thing that I wish I  
had done before my long hikes was understand that doing lots of  
section hikes is almost better than one big thru. I mean, you CAN  
make getting out there into the backcountry who you are now, you  
don't have to wait for a big giant long hike.

I overlapped a lot of the trail on my 2nd long hike, and I've section- 
hiked parts I've already seen, so one thing I learned was how great  
it is to hike parts of the trail I've already seen. I know where the  
water is and what it's like. So much fewer worries about water. Some  
parts are totally worth seeing again, and seeing them again at  
different times of the day or in different weather can turn a hated  
section into a loved one.

So my advice to you is section hike! Do week long trips, weekends,  
overnighters. And if you can't get to the PCT just hike a lot in your  
own local area. It's all good. Playing with your gear is a lot of  
fun, too. Make every trip a gear testing adventure.

Diane


On Mar 2, 2012, at 10:00 AM, pct-l-request at backcountry.net wrote:

>
> Hi PCT-L,
>
> I've got a bad case of trail lust. There is nothing I'd rather be  
> doing
> right now than living in the backcountry with other hikers, free from
> workaday concerns. That said, my finances aren't yet in proper  
> shape for a
> thru-hike, and I recently started an interesting job that's  
> treating me
> well. So, I'm looking at 2013.
>
> Now that you've completed your thru-hike, what do you wish you had  
> done
> more of beforehand, aside from the obvious activities? What can I  
> do now to
> get the most out of a long foot journey? I'm already hiking on a  
> regular
> basis (a wet but mild winter in upstate NY), and reading as much  
> about the
> PCT and lightweight backpacking as possible.
>
> My greatest apprehension is that the PCT is very linear and very
> well-documented. There are up-to-date maps, waypoints, water  
> reports, and
> trail journals. Most of it is just a few taps away on a smartphone, so
> significant decisions can be anticipated well ahead on the trail,  
> or even
> before setting foot on the trail.
>
> While on your thru-hike, did you feel that following a  
> predetermined path
> removed the sense of adventure? What significant elements of the  
> unknown
> remain on the PCT?
>
> When hiking, I like to explore places off the beaten path, e.g.  
> "That gorge
> looks interesting, I'll spend the afternoon walking up it". I've  
> found some
> of my favorite spots just by following my curiosity.
>
> During your thru-hike, did you have time and energy for such  
> diversions, or
> did the desire to complete on time keep you focused on the trail?
>
> Thanks to all for any wisdom and advice.
>
> Chris