Preparing to thru hike the Pacific Crest Trail.
Racouol
Posts: 53 Member
So I have decided that I will be thru hiking the PCT next year starting in late March. The plan is to hike a minimum of about 15 miles per day while still giving myself plenty of time to stop and take lots of pictures each day. The problem is that I am nowhere near in shape enough to accomplish this goal. I am coming here hoping I can get some tips to help whip me into shape.
A little about me. I am 38 years old weighing in at 310lb and am 5'10" tall. I am a very busy person, working about 60 hours a week and commute to and from work by bicycle for a total of 15 miles per day. I am not the healthiest eater living on a diet of frozen meals and food at Seven Eleven. I am also a disaster in the kitchen.
A little about me. I am 38 years old weighing in at 310lb and am 5'10" tall. I am a very busy person, working about 60 hours a week and commute to and from work by bicycle for a total of 15 miles per day. I am not the healthiest eater living on a diet of frozen meals and food at Seven Eleven. I am also a disaster in the kitchen.
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That's an impressive goal!
Do you have experience with backpacking trips already?
I guess if you cycle to work every day, you already have some endurance and fitness base to start. Maybe you can use the commute to get in some walking or running training as well? Sometimes I bike to work and run home, then run to work the next morning and bike home. If I take the shortest way possible it's only 3mi per direction for me, but if you are willing to get up early enough, it should also work for a 7.5mi commute.
This is a nice guide with training ideas: https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/thru-hiking-goal-training.html , and I really like this article a lot : https://www.uphilldesigns.com/post/how-i-trained-for-the-pct-part-i1 -
how many miles hiking do you currently do per week?1
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I have thruhiked the PCT, as well as the AT and CDT. The biking will help you with general fitness, but you really need to be doing more walking and hiking. You need to train your muscles, bones and tendons to carry your weight plus your pack up and down mountains. Walk every day and on weekends get out to a trail with a pack on. Do stairs as much as you can.6
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You probably already know this but you'll need to start at the Mexican border and hike north. March is probably a good time to start.
I think the best thing you can do to get ready is to get used to carrying a heavy pack. You will be carrying everything you need on you back, the beginning of the journey will be through the desert and you'll need to carry a lot of water.
Get the lightest gear you can. You're going to carry it thousands of miles. Use a quilt not a mummy bag. Shoes not boots. Tarp or Cuban fiber shelter. Bring no cotton.
You will home through snow and you will sleep in it. You'll have to navigate in white out conditions. Be ready. You would be wise to carry a PLB or SEND. (The last thru hiker of 2018 was just airlifted out with frostbite.)
Drop me a line when you reach Stehekin, and I'll meet you at Rainy Pass with hot food, trail angel style.21 -
Since you have some experience biking I'd suggest considering biking the PCT instead. I did it a few years back and would suggest reading the book, Cycling the Pacific Coast (even if still intend to hike).2
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That's so cool! Good luck on your goal!0
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Since you have some experience biking I'd suggest considering biking the PCT instead. I did it a few years back and would suggest reading the book, Cycling the Pacific Coast (even if still intend to hike).
This needs to be clarified.
It's illegal to have a bike on the PCT.
https://www.pcta.org/2012/mountain-bikes-and-the-pct-9542/
However there is a Pacific Crest Bike Trail (route really) that follows nearby the PCT.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific_Crest_Bicycle_Trail5 -
If a person can train for a marathon in 6 months, I'm assuming this is doable as well... Are you following a training plan at all? I found this compliments of Google and it looks akin to the running/triathlon training plans I've used.
http://www.adventurealan.com/quick-and-efficient-training-for-backpacking/1 -
Have a look at the shelters, "sleeping bags," and dry bags at Z-Packs. Again, don't get a classic sleeping bag, get a quilt. Not only do they weigh less, they're more comfortable and far more versatile. You'll be passing through a lot of different environments, you can lay a quilt out flat over you on warm nights, and you close it under you like a mummy bag in the cold. A wise move is to get one made without a zipper, with loops instead, and to use cord ("string") to close it. Zippers fail, and you're in for a real cold night if the zipper in your sleeping bag craps out. Ask me how I know this.
I personally wouldn't use a tarp because it doesn't give you respite from the bugs. Six Moons makes great shelters too. If you want to drop a lot of money McHale packs are supposed to be the most comfortable things around. (I use an Osprey and like it very much.) Feathered Friends makes these wonderful down booties that you can wear around camp and to sleep, they don't take much room in your pack.
Join BPL if you're not already a member.
Practice camp cooking if you don't backpack already. Food will be interesting, during the hike you will burn more calories than you can possibly replace. People eat whole containers of iced cream and peanut butter at resupply points, and still finish looking emaciated. You can't out binge a thru hike. Most of the time you'll be boiling water on a single burner you'll have to shelter from the wind, for dehydrated foods.
Most people doing the PCT don't carry paper maps and compass, it would be one paper map per day. The trail is very well marked and maintained, and basically impossible to lose except in snow or fog. There's an app called Halfmile that's basically a guidebook to the trail, with waypoints, road access, resupplies, etc. Also get an app for topo maps, OSMand+ is popular for this.
This will be the adventure of a lifetime - enjoy it!5 -
Do you have any nice hilly terrain close to you that you get out to at least on weekends? When training for anything one of the key concepts is specificity (train for a road race by running...) in this case you want to walk, preferably on terrain that closely resemble what you may be facing and you want to be carrying a pack.
Not in shape for it yet is not a problem as long as you can get out walking/hiking consistently and for progressively increasing distances and increasing pack weight.
My only gear advice is something I learned in the Army.....wool socks and change them a couple of times a day. As to the other gear I'm so far behind the times that I can't offer anything useful.1 -
I'm so jealous! That thru hike is on a short list for me.
I'd like to know if you having hiking/backpacking experience. Although I've hiked for more than 20 years, I still have a difficult time mountain hiking more than 8 miles per day due to being overweight.
I would recommend you start hiking right away if you aren't already and hike with a pack. Keep increasing your distance, elevation gain, and pack weight if possible.
And please come back on to update us of your training progress.0 -
If you can get a permit, try for one in late April rather than March. (Go to the PCTA website for information.) March starts get you to the Sierras while there is still a lot of snow. Since this is supposed to be an El Nino winter, the snow won't be gone until late June or July.
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Practice by carrying a heavy pack on trails (make sure you use poles). I put blankets and dumbbells in mine on the weekends when I would hike. Be safe and smart as I hurt myself 6 weeks out and only last 10 days on the AT. I've since done several section hikes. Wishing you all the best.0
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How far do you typically hike now, carrying how much weight?0
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I have some hiking experience and even attempted an AT thru hike back in 2009. The problem right now is I don't have a lot of time available to hike due to my job. The plan is to try to hit the gym after my bike ride home from work. The problem is I am not sure what exercises would be most beneficial for me to do to prepare myself.0
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_nikkiwolf_ wrote: »That's an impressive goal!
Do you have experience with backpacking trips already?
I guess if you cycle to work every day, you already have some endurance and fitness base to start. Maybe you can use the commute to get in some walking or running training as well? Sometimes I bike to work and run home, then run to work the next morning and bike home. If I take the shortest way possible it's only 3mi per direction for me, but if you are willing to get up early enough, it should also work for a 7.5mi commute.
This is a nice guide with training ideas: https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/thru-hiking-goal-training.html , and I really like this article a lot : https://www.uphilldesigns.com/post/how-i-trained-for-the-pct-part-i
Those article have just what I need, thank you. Also while I have gotten good with riding my bike I am still rubbish when it comes to running (more of a waddle for me). Have a really hard time going over one mile. I could walk the whole way to work but I fear it would take too much time. I have increased how much I walk while at work.0 -
I have some hiking experience and even attempted an AT thru hike back in 2009. The problem right now is I don't have a lot of time available to hike due to my job. The plan is to try to hit the gym after my bike ride home from work. The problem is I am not sure what exercises would be most beneficial for me to do to prepare myself.
As much hiking as possible, i would imagine3 -
I have some hiking experience and even attempted an AT thru hike back in 2009. The problem right now is I don't have a lot of time available to hike due to my job. The plan is to try to hit the gym after my bike ride home from work. The problem is I am not sure what exercises would be most beneficial for me to do to prepare myself.
Read to the bottom of the article I posted above--he has suggestions for cross-training that don't involve hiking.0 -
If you have access to a treadmill, do that as much as possible if you can't walk outside. Use the incline feature, including the negative incline if it has one. ?Stairmaster will also help strengthen your legs. Do the TM with a heavy daypack to get your back and shoulder muscles used to walking with weight. You don't need to be a runner, just a good strong walker.1
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It's hard for me to give advice because I don't know what "hiking" is to you. I'd do exercises that replicate the type of walking/hiking/climbing you'll be doing. My guess is that a combination of treadmill and stair climber is a good place to start.0
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Pardon me for saying this, but 15 miles a day at your weight, plus the weight of a full pack, is an ambitious goal. Especially the longer the hike goes. One thing you should do for sure is train with a heavy pack. Like 30 pounds. You can do this on a dreadmill in the beginning, but eventually you are going to want to hit some more aggressive terrain to get the feel of what you are up against. Good luck to you, sounds like a lot of fun!! I'm hoping to do similar hikes once I retire!!
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I have no advice just wanted to say that this is an awesome goal and seems like it would be a lot of fun!0
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I would suggest practicing a few day hikes first. Figure out how far you will walk in 1 session, and try to do that. I do mostly day walking in the midwest at forest preserves, so its not that technical. I can say after 2.5 hours I'm really looking forward to finishing my walk. 3 hour walks can be a little brutal on the knees, and for me that is about 12 miles.
Things you will want to consider:
1. Knees, lower back, and upper back area (lats) if you are carrying anything. Again, if you practice a few walks you can find out if there is pain and make adjustments as necessary. You may have sore knees and ankles after a day or two as well.
2. Perhaps consider splitting up the hike into phases, maybe 2-3 sessions. Then you can walk 5 miles, take a break, walk 5 more, another break, etc...0 -
I would say map out a 20 mile route at a local state park and start doing it with a 50 lb pack until it becomes easy.
There are also a lot of things you will need to know in preparation, so go to the PCT website and start preparing.
I have been wanting to do this ever since i saw the movie "Wild".2 -
Mostly you need a full body weight lifting and cardio program. I don't think the specific exercise matters too much, there are so many effective ones. Hit all body areas and major muscle groups and core. Squats, lunges, deads, rows, curls, and presses, plus core work. You can't say a goblet squat will make you a better hiker than a back squat, or a bent over row is more effective than a single arm row, etc. It would be perfectly fine to switch up the specific variations as you go along. Check out the thread in the Gaining forum, "Which lifting program is right for you?"
Try to get out for as much hiking on your off days as possible and do a couple of short backpacking trips. It will help your conditioning and to shake down your gear and routine.
Nutrition is an important part of your prep before the trip. Protein helps build muscle. Nutritional planning for the trip itself will keep you going through long days. Cooking isn't that hard because I would get a bunch of freeze dried meals from REI, etc., but you might want to try some out to see what you like and what agrees with you. I find my taste changes on the trail and food I like while out tastes disgusting to me at home, so keep that in mind too.
I don't know what you have for gear. Get some well fitted hiking boots and a pack fit to your body. These two pieces make all the difference in a happy trip. Try them out before you go. Also consider getting a hydration system as part of your pack. If you don't have trekking poles, get some!
Have fun preparing and going! I hope you will post pics!
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OldAssDude wrote: »I would say map out a 20 mile route at a local state park and start doing it with a 50 lb pack until it becomes easy.
There are also a lot of things you will need to know in preparation, so go to the PCT website and start preparing.
I have been wanting to do this ever since i saw the movie "Wild".
This is way too heavy. Ultralight backpackers have a 10 pound base weight, meaning everything but food and water. That's not enough for a long distance thru hike, but the OP is going to hike up and down 5,000 vertical feet every day and ford swift creeks. The importance of pack weight just can't be overstated. A 50 pound pack will pull you off balance on a log crossing.1 -
About balance.
This is the Kendall Katwalk, about 6 miles north of Snoqualmie Pass on the PCT. People died building this section of the trail. You might be here on a gorgeous, dry, sunny day, or in the rain. Have shoes you're comfort in, and a pack you can manage. (But you'll already have hiked 2,000 miles of trail by this point.)4 -
NorthCascades wrote: »OldAssDude wrote: »I would say map out a 20 mile route at a local state park and start doing it with a 50 lb pack until it becomes easy.
There are also a lot of things you will need to know in preparation, so go to the PCT website and start preparing.
I have been wanting to do this ever since i saw the movie "Wild".
This is way too heavy. Ultralight backpackers have a 10 pound base weight, meaning everything but food and water. That's not enough for a long distance thru hike, but the OP is going to hike up and down 5,000 vertical feet every day and ford swift creeks. The importance of pack weight just can't be overstated. A 50 pound pack will pull you off balance on a log crossing.
Exactly.
If he prepares for a 15 mile a day hike (PCT), training to the point where he can do 20 miles with a heavier pack will better prepare him for being able to hike 15 miles a day (every day for months) with a lighter pack.1 -
On training with a heavy pack: DON'T.
DON'T. EVEN. THINK. IT.
You already have the equivalent, that is, your excess weight. As it is you could injure yourself if you don't increase your walking mileage gradually. You probably don't have the greatest bone density for your weight now, so build it up in baby steps. Work yourself up to walking 5 miles 3-5 days a week (ballpark figure) by your start date. Know that the first camp is 15 miles in at Hauser Creek and that you can bail out 5 miles after that at Lake Morena Park.
Your feet support you, not your footwear, so heavy boots are NOT the foot gear of choice. Build up your ankle strength so you can begin training (and hiking the trail) in trail shoes.
On pack weight, aim for 15-20 lb before food and water. Zpacks IS a great place to get ultralight gear to get you to that kind of pack weight. On a few stretches (including the first leg from the US--Mex border) through the deserts you'll need to carry 4-6 liters of water. That's 9-13 lb of water that you'll hate to add to a 40 lb pack. You can be safe and comfortable (not coddled)with 15-20 lb. Getting to 10 lb. is possible but requires more compromises.
.. If you make it to Laguna with a heavy pack and want to rethink your gear, the camping shop there has a great selection for the tiny space they occupy.
.. You can do it, if you keep your eyes on the prize. Stay mindful. Know why you're eating and make sure it is because you're hungry, not because your hands are idle or because you crave salt, sugar, grease, etc.12
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