Monthly Data Update (M-2; 31-60 days)

All data below in italics is for M-1, for comparison

Distance traveled on PCT: 554 mi / 892 km

(631 mi / 1015 km)

Total time: 280 (280) hours

Total ascent: 99,040 ft / 30,190 m (117,830 ft / 35,915 m)

Total descent: 99,730 ft / 30,400 m (115,912 ft / 35,330 m)

Highest point: 13,120 ft / 4000 m (9407 ft / 2867 m)

Average distance/day: 18.7 mi/30.1 km (21 mi/34 km)

Average distance/hiking day: 21.3 mi/34.3 km (21.8 mi/35.1 km)

Average time hiking/day: 9.3 (9.3) hours (incl Zero days)

Average pace: 2 mi/hr (or) 3.2 km/hr (2.3 mi/hr (or) 3.6 km/hr)

Number of Zero days: 4 (1)

Number of Nero days: 8 (4)

Weather-related breaks: 1 Zero & 1 Nero (incl in above)

Number of meals eaten that I hadn't carried on my back: 25 (15)

Number of proper showers taken: 14 (7)

Number of bears seen: 1 (1)

*Most of the trail was above 8000-9000 ft in M-2, unlike in M-1.

Comments

Why you shouldn't (or should) thru-hike the PCT? (D-115: 2592.1 - 2613.1 - Nero @ Mazama, D-116: 2613.1 - 2642.6)

Over the last 116 days, I have had plenty of time to think about what's good or bad about this thru-hike and just in case, one of you is thinking about doing a PCT thru-hike, here are my thoughts about why you shouldn't or should do it. Why you shouldn't do a PCT thru-hike - It is very tough physically and mentally - There is less than 50% chance that anyone starting it will finish - Almost everyone seems to have negative physical effects including weight loss, muscle loss, days & days of tired legs & feet etc - You will definitely get scratches, bruises and cuts, if you are lucky. If you are unlucky, major sprains, muscle tears & other hike-ending injuries. Btw, most people who stop do so 'cos of injuries. - You will trip & fall down multiple times (when the avg number of steps is 50000 - 70000/day over uneven paths, the law of large numbers takes over and some of those steps will lead to falls) - It is an expensive activity, with a bulk o...

Resupply (4 days to go)

(Finally gave up on HikerFeed app which seemed good on paper, but never worked properly for me 🙁) 10-day resupply in the bear canister, ready to ship - 7.6 kg / 16.8 lbs (gulp!) Already shipped the first box last week

Gratitude (D-114: 2577.8 - 2592.1 - Nero @ Mazama)

As the last town day on the trail ends and a few dozen miles left to the end point, I would like to speak of gratitude. Every so often on the trail, there are moments of "why the heck am I doing this?" and that's when I have to compel myself to remember that this is an option and an opportunity given to me. I am fortunate enough to be able to hike on this trail for a long period, which is essentially a vacation (albeit, a physically & mentally demanding one). Not everybody gets the option of taking such a long vacation from work, family and other commitments. It may be a cliche, but I am full of gratitude for this. I am also deeply grateful to a bunch of people who made this hike possible and I would like to use this post to mention those people. Ravin & Deepika opened their home and hearts so that I could do all the preparatory work before the hike. They were generous to a fault and I used (& perhaps, abused) their generosity. Even during the hik...

A thru-hike attempt

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