These are some of the questions I am asked most frequently.
Are you taking a gun?
I get this question more than any other. The answer is no. First, a gun and ammo are too heavy. Remember, I cut my toothbrush in half to save a couple of ounces. Second, gun laws are complicated across states and federal territories. Finally, I just don’t feel the need. There aren’t any wild animals on the trail that worry me that much other than rattlesnakes, and a gun won’t be all that useful for those creatures.
Aren’t you worried about bears or mountain lions?
No. The only bears on the trail are black bears and they want nothing to do with people. As long as you manage your food carefully, you won’t have any problems with bears. As for pumas, they are not very common. I hope to see a mountain lion, but the chances of that happening are extremely small.
Where do you sleep?
Unlike the Appalachian Trail, there are no lodges on the PCT. I also don’t plan on using hostels as much as I did on the AT. And I’m not a fan of cowboy camp. Too many rattlesnakes. Therefore, I will spend most of my nights in my tent.
How do you get food?
Wherever convenient. The lowest common denominator is a gas station convenience store. Every once in a while, I can find a Dollar General or a real grocery store.
How much water do you carry?
I usually carry 2 liters of water. I carry another empty 1 liter bottle that I will fill on longer stretches of water transportation. Worst case scenario, I have a 3 liter water bag I can use, bringing me to a total of 6 liters. I really don’t want to carry that much weight, but there are times I have to. If I’m camping somewhere without water, I’ll fill the 3L water bag and take it back to camp so I have enough water to make dinner and start the next day.
What things worry you about leaving the PCT?
The first thing I’m worried about is rattlesnakes. I hate those things. I had 7 encounters with rattlesnakes on the AT and hope to have more than that on the PCT. Number two is hiking alone in remote places, like the High Sierras.
Are you excited or nervous about your hike?
As I write this, I’m 4 days away from starting my hike and I’m not particularly nervous or excited. I was much more anxious than this at the beginning of my AT hike. I hope that once I get to California, that will change.
What will Pit Crew do while you’re away from home?
I gave him the Lego Titanic set for Christmas. That’s almost 10,000 Lego pieces to assemble into a 5+ foot model of the Titanic. I hope that keeps her busy for a while.
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