Monthly Data Update (M-3; 61-90 days)

All data below in italics is for M-1 & M-2 respectively, for comparison.

Distance traveled on PCT: 798 mi /1284 km (631 mi / 1015 km; 554 mi / 892 km)

Total time: 320 (280; 280) hours

Total ascent: 123,951 ft / 37,780 m (117,830 ft / 35,915 m; 99,040 ft / 30,190 m)

Total descent: 123,921 ft / 37,771 m (115,912 ft / 35,330 m; 99,730 ft / 30,400 m)

Highest point: 7580 ft / 2310 m (9407 ft / 2867 m; 13,120 ft / 4000 m)

Average distance/day: 26.6 mi/42.8 km (21 mi/34 km; 18.7 mi/30.1 km)

Average distance/hiking day: 26.6 mi/42.8 km (21.8 mi/35.1 km; 21.3 mi/34.3 km)

Average time hiking/day: 10.7 (9.3; 9.3) hours (incl Zero & Nero days)

Average pace: 2.5 mi/hr (or) 4.0 km/hr (2.3 mi/hr (or) 3.6 km/hr; 2.0 mi/hr (or) 3.2 km/hr)

Number of Zero days: 0 (1; 4)

Number of Nero days: 5 (4; 8)

Number of meals eaten that I hadn't carried on my back: 18 (15; 25)

Number of proper showers taken: 11 (7; 14)

Number of bears seen: 0 (1, 1)

Comments

[v] said…

You are an editor's dream. Well summarized data.

Would like below data too,

- days you felt low for more than an hour : proxy to understand mental side

- miles you did extra: lost, town visits

- no. of trail angels (I see the food data but also incl other trail angels)

- Step counter: give heebie-jeebies to the fit it club :p

- days elements played spoil sport : rain, snow, extreme heat

- Cast Away Days : days with no human contact

July 22, 2022 at 6:50 PM

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...

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...

My gear and my tramily (D-97 @ 2148 - Zero day)

Some of you have asked about what gear I am using. Since today is a Zero day (the last Zero day was on D-57) and there is nothing much to report other than the fact that I shipped the last set of resupply boxes to different places in Washington state and ate substantial amounts of food today, I figured I might as well talk about my gear, and also a bit about the other most essential component on the hike - my "tramily" (trail-family). Tent : 1-person Rainbow Li from Tarptent (bought new). This has worked very well for me and as you know from my earlier posts, Tarptent has given very good customer service too. I haven't had the chance to use the tent in heavy rain or snow (luckily) though and can't comment on it. I use a Tyvek ground sheet (already owned), also from Tarptent. Backpack : Catalyst from ULA (already owned). I started with Zpack Arc Air Robic 60L (bought new) and used it for 700 miles, but it was not comfortable at...

A thru-hike attempt

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