Hello. I'm planning on the PCT next year. For the desert, I'm looking to take a tarp of some kind to use as a groundsheet for cowboy camping, and a shelter if it rains - no tent. I'd be grateful for suggestions from anyone who has done this - what did you use, and how did you set it up? Thanks!
Hi everyone! I'm starting a SOBO thru-hike in a couple of days and am starting to regret my decision to hike the PCT. I've realised the enormity of what I'm trying to do and how incredibly unprepared I am.
I'm not even 100% sure why I'm doing this. In the weeks leading up to the trail I started to feel nervous but this is a whole other thing. At least then there was a bit of excitement mixed in. Now I just feel a bit sick. I don't think I've ever felt so nervous in my life.
I've only ever gone on one two night solo hiking trip and it destroyed me. I'm fairly young and have never lived away from home before. I'm not in bad shape but I'm definitely physically under prepared. Ultimately, I have zero clue what the hell I'm doing and am going to be starting in what is termed the most remote and physically challenging section of the trail with a pack that feels too heavy. I'm going to need to be slow so I'm almost certain I won't make it to the Sierras in time and am worried about being lonely. My budget is very tight.
If we're counting markers for success I think I've totaled at zero.
I came here from the UK and made it to Seattle a couple days ago. I had a bit of a rough experience getting to my hotel from the airport without data at night and ended up getting flashed- which didn't detract from my anxiety. This brought back some unpleasant memories of a similar incident that happened to me a few years back and has just made me more nervous about hitchhiking as a solo female traveller. I can't help but feel like I stranded myself 7,000miles from home
I'm sorry, I know this is a very negative post. The fact that I even have the opportunity to do this trail is an incredible privilege and despite all this I do still want to try hiking the trail. Maybe just trying to hike Washington and Oregon would work better for my budget/sanity?
Anyway, thank you so much for reading! As much as part of me wishes I was at home right right now watching the mentalist and eating bonbons, I'm still going to give the trail a chance. I just wanted to see if there was anyone (especially SOBO hikers) who had experienced similar feelings or had any advice for me? If any of you guys could also recommend any potential bail out points for international hikers, I would be really grateful.
Edit: I have no words. I just want to thank you all so very much. I'm so touched by everyone's support and all the great advice given in the thread. I think I just needed to share with people who understood what it feels like to start this journey. Usually I'm quite an anxious person so doing something like this goes against every physical instinct that I have but I just need to remember the me a few weeks ago who was so excited to start. Like people have said, no matter what happens it's going to be the adventure of a lifetime so I just need to take this opportunity and run with it. Thank you to this amazing community!
I have started to plan a 100 mile stretch from hwy 49/Sierra city to echo lake in Tahoe. I’d love to do more but ya know, bills don’t stop and work calleth
However! I am trying to figure out what the best time of year to go would be (I’m planning to do this 2027). I don’t want to deal with a lot of snow (or any really) or get eaten alive by mosquitos so I was thinking early September?
I know there is a site to check current water conditions but has anyone done that stretch or near it around that time of year? I’m mostly wondering what the water situation is like in the streams since there’s a bit of a stretch where I’ll have to carry quite a bit of water (after Mount Lola to middle Velma Lake; ~28/29 miles)
Thanks!
Im starting my Oregon section hike soon and I want to track my hike. I don’t have a smart watch. I typically track my hikes through the Strava app but that will drain my battery. What is everyone using? Thinking about getting a Garmin watch
Hello all!
About to start a section of the PCT in Washington!
I just downloaded FarOut and have been trying to get the hang of it before I head to the trail! I downloaded my section and have been looking at the waypoint comments but all of the comments are from fall of 2025 or before, nothing recent. I have already tried to sync the guide, so it should be updated, especially since recently bought it.
Is there something else I need to do to get the right information?
Hi everyone!
I’m planning a 2027 PCT northbound thru-hike from Campo to Pasayten, and I’m incredibly excited to be joined by my younger brother for this adventure!
A bit about us: we’re originally from Florida/Costa Rica, though I’m currently based out of Arizona. While a full thru-hike has been a lifelong dream, we are both relatively new hikers and are focusing heavily on preparation. Because we're still building our experience, we’re looking to find a group or a few like-minded people to start the trail with while we find our trail legs. We’re very easygoing and open to sticking together longer if the vibe is right!
I know it’s early since the 2026 class is currently out on the trek, but I wanted to get a head start on connecting with the 2027 community.
Our Current Plans:
Excited to connect with anyone else eyeing a 2027 start to chat about gear, planning, or potentially forming a small-to-mid-sized group for the beginning of the trail.
Happy Trails and Pura Vida!
Hey everyone! Looking for some feedback to see if my line of thinking is on the right track.
I started the PCT this year NOBO back in April. I had an amazing first month on trail and made it 454 miles to Agua Dulce before I unfortunately had to get off trail due to a stress fracture in my foot. I’ve been home over a month, and Blaze and the orthos I’ve been seeing at home are optimistic I should be healed up and able to get back on trail likely in late July.
Due to it getting later, I’m planning to flip flop and go SOBO when I head back. I’d originally thought to go all the way to Canada, but if it’s almost August by the time I’m able to get back on trail, I’m already getting late in the SOBO window. Plus, it’ll eat up a few days getting to Hart’s pass and hiking to the border. I’m also not going to be ready to crush big miles right away and make good time. When I got off trail, I was averaging around 20 miles a day and now I’ve been much less active (though still doing what I can). I’ve basically accepted that I likely won’t get the whole trail done this year, but I’ll plan to finish up sections in the future.
All that being said, I’m thinking of flying into Seattle and starting south from Snoqualmie pass. I’d then get as much of the trail done as I can this year, then save the stretch from Snoqualmie to the border to be the final section of the trail that I do in the future. That means I can still finish the trail at the northern terminus like I’d always pictured. It also means I start in slightly easier terrain than jumping right into the north cascades and I can use southern Washington and Oregon as a little more “training” time.
So, does that all make sense? Are there things I’m not considering? Is it worth taking the time/effort to go up to the border and start there instead of skipping ahead to Snoqualmie? Any advice/thoughts would be much appreciated!
I’m currently hiking the PCT NoBo. I’ve been tossing and turning almost every night because I can’t seem to get warm.
Current sleep setup:
I add the fleece jacket last week and Puffer this week. I’ve also started taking iron supplements and I’m eating ALOT, so I don’t think calories are the main issue.
For those who naturally run cold: what gear or sleep set up do you use or actually helped you stay warm at night?
Hey r/PCT, hello from Ashland OR! I spend quite a bit of time up in the Cascades and Siskiyou Mountains and I run across PCT hikers up there all summer long. I want to leave out some goodies for y'all right on the CA/OR border, but the bottled water and gatorades I already leave on trail seem kinda boring. Any suggestions in regards to lesser thought of goodies/supplies a day hiker wouldn't think of? I want to level up my trail fairy game.
Saw a comment on far out that the bridge is out. I’ll see soon enough. Anyone been through section J this year that can comment on whether microspikes are worth bringing at this point?
I have been hiking with an REI Magma 15 sleeping bag through the desert and the Sierra. Most nights I have the sleeping bag unzipped and draped over me like a quilt so it’s not too hot. I’m thinking about switching to my 40 degree quilt that I have for Northern California and Oregon. Is this a stupid idea? I would switch back to the warmer bag for Washington.
Hi! My husband and I hiked about 2 miles of the trail yesterday when we were staying at Panther Creek Campground in Gifford Pinchot NF and there were a few washouts from trees falling. Who do I report that to?
Hi everyone!
My dad and I are flying into Seattle on July 22, and after that we're hiking PCT Section J (7 days) starting a few days later.
That leaves us with about 4 free days before the hike, and we'd love to explore Washington (or somewhere reasonably close to Seattle). We're thinking of renting a car during those days so we're not limited to the city.
I asked ChatGPT for ideas (please don't roast me 😂), and it suggested:
Do you think those are good choices after hiking teh PCT? Or would you recommend something different?
If you only had 4 days in Washington after a backpacking trip, how would you spend them?
Thanks so much!
(we're mexican lol)
I’m leaving to hike the Oregon section soon and wasn’t planning on bringing a footprint for my tent but now thinking about bringing a sheet of Tyvek if I cowboy camp and to double as a footprint. Just wondering if it will be worth it or not
My buddy had to cancel so I'm possibly doing a solo NOBO from Cascade Locks to Canada (then back to Hart's Pass and out). Planning on 35-40 days depending on the early pace and long-term stamina.
Questions:
Thanks!
I am doing a 235-mile section hike of the PCT in Washington in August. I am wondering how necessary it is to wear trail shoes with a rock plate? My most comfortable trail shoes are Topo Mountain Racers, which fit my feet very well, but lack a rock plate. I could also wear Topo Traverse trail shoes, which have a rock plate, but don't fit my feet quite as well as the Mountain Racers (the Traverse has a slightly narrower toe box). How important is it to wear trail shoes with a rock plate? Thanks in advance.
Hello Everyone !
Currently prepping for my SOBO hike starting on the 16th July from Hartspass. As I'm slowly getting more "nervous" and excited, I’m looking for a quick sanity check on my Washington resupply strategy, mail drops, and pacing
Will arrive on the 14th of July in Seattle and planning to immediately get ready my boxes for stehekin and stevenspass. One thing I'm unsure is, if the mail arrives in stehekin on time (21/22th July) if I send it on the 15th July.
Planning to hit 15-17 miles a day in first weeks, but that might be too ambiguous?
In general this is my rough itinerary:
July 16: Harts Pass (Start)
carrying 5–6 days of food.
July 21/22: Stehekin (Box)
Picking up 6–7 days of food.
July 28/29: Stevens Pass (Box)
Picking up 4–5 days of food
Aug 1/2: Snoqualmie Pass (Lets go shopping)
Picking up 5–6 days of food
White Pass to Trout Lake
picking up 3–4 days of food - hitching into trout lake
Trout Lake to Cascade Locks
Picking u 4 days of food
A quick lookup of my gear (8.14kg / 17.94lb):
https://lighterpack.com/r/yrv6hc
Thank you a lot !
My tramily just finished Bishop pass. We haven't used our axes yet and used our spikes once on Forester. How's the snow going forward? Do we need our axes and spikes or should we mail them home?
Hi there, I am planning to head from Snoqualmie Pass to Seattle on the 16th July and I was wondering if anyone was heading in this general direction. Travelling to North Bends or Snoqualmie then taking a bus would also be a great option. Otherwise, is it hitching likely to work around here? Best, Hiker from Scotland.
This is the weekly thread. It's for wide ranging discussions in the comments. Do you have a question or comment, but don't want to make a separate post for it? This is the place.