Long distance hikers: Any advice? (see details)

Years ago I started the planning process to make that trip, but I just didn’t have the support people I could trust to make the logistics happen. Such as making sure the food and supply drops show up on time at the post offices you’ll pass when you cross highways.

So, the only recommendations I have is to take lots of weekend trips to get the details and kinks worked out with your equipment and food. Use the same trips to break in a couple pairs of boots. Try to do your practice hikes in as much different weather as you can, since you’ll be starting out in the snow, then into the hottest part of summer, and when you get to the PNW you may or may not get pissed on every day!

I hope you have a safe trip that provides pleasant memories for a lifetime. That’s one of the few things I regret not doing when I was young, healthy, and had few responsibilities.

Find the best socks and footwear you can, you can’t afford to come up lame on trail.
A good sock is a must, “swiftwick” or other brands that absorb moisture, help prevent blisters and are antimicrobial. Be sure to pack a 1st aide kit with antibiotic ointments, bug repellent and other, lightweight first aide items. gauze bandages, small scissors, medical tape, pain relievers etc.
It’s the small stuff that will make your day like instant coffee and cocoa and candy and bug repellent and happy feet. :-)

Watch the movie “Wild.”

Eliminate weight. Cut off unneeded parts of tooth brushes, rip out unneeded pages from a book, cut off sleeves of a t-shirt so it folds easier. Avoid anything made of cotton. Consider wearing running shoes instead of hiking boots. It is a personal choice, but I prefer running shoes 90% of the time: http://www.cleverhiker.com/blog/ditch-boots/

Buy tightly rolled duct tape or make your own by rolling it around a broken pencil. It can be used for many things including blisters: http://walking.about.com/cs/blisterschafing/a/blisterbegone2_2.htm

Hook wet clothes unto the back of your pack so they can dry when it is sunny and you are on the move. Use zip lock bags to individually isolate dry clothes from moist clothes from soaking wet clothes. This way you avoid the problem where you end up with one heavy sack of wet clothing…

I imagine you’re looking for advice specifically about the PCT; wish I could me of more help there.

Colin Fletcher wrote a book called ‘The Complete Walker’, as well as other books about difficult, long-distance hiking trips. That book was my backpacking bible; lots of weight saving tips.

One of the best ideas I used was to carry a cross-country ski pole to use as a walking stick; it was very versitile. I was amazed how much easier maintaining my balance was on difficult, or slippery terrain. At break time or in camp, I used it to prop up my pack so I could sit down and relax leaning back. I used it as a tent pole, and fishing pole too.

Thank you for all the great ideas.

We plan to make the trip next year because we are both going to be too old to do it soon.

It’s now or never.

I prefer running shoes for hiking too. They aren’t as brutal on your feet and you can get some with a sturdy sole for those sharp rocky spots.

Take lots of wool socks.

No cotton anything. I’ve been hiking and camping for decades. I wear wool socks and t-shirts and a big wool shirt/jacket for the cold. Nylon or polyester everything else.

I was quite serious about seeing Wild. Apart from the scenery, you’ll also get lots of ideas about what not to do.

I had a friend who did most of it—he had to bail at Washington because he ran out of time. I don’t know how experienced a backpacker you are, but you need to do a lot of research on ultralight equipment and techniques on saving weight. I have a ULA backpack and a Tarptent (first hits on Google), but even those may be too heavy. It’s a completely different style of backpacking than most of us are used to. Most PCT hikers I know carry less than 20 pounds on their back.

You’ll need to plan your days very carefully, and be ready for some 20 milers. Speed and mobility is of the essence. Go to PCT forums, read books, and train train train. A little prayer won’t hurt either. :-)

Here’s a good source for more info. and a good list of first aid items and, something else I forgot about, Bear mace. You may come across black bears and cougars as well. Usually they will not be aggressive but you never know.
Not a bad idea to have some mace hanging off your pack.

www.planyourhike.com/gear/safety.php

I have gone goat packing before and ridden endurance horses on long trails but have always wanted to do llama packing too. You could buy a mule to carry your gear. lol

Care for your feet is crucial as has been echoed on this thread. Trail runner shoes are very nice, depending on the terrain. I opted to spring for a pair of Limmer’s when a buddy of mine talked me into section hiking the AT. My ankles aren’t as strong and were probably a low bid component when I was constructed. I spent a lot of time on the stair steppers at the gym with a rucksack full of sand. It really paid dividends on my cardio health for the less level parts of the AT. Never completed it though, only got a couple hundred miles in. (sigh)