The PCT is ideal for those looking to crush miles (Its ideal for a lot of things!) With your previous thru-hike experience and a 7lb base (!) you’ll work right up to 25-30 miles pretty quick. 26.5mi / day = 100 days, earn your zero’s by exceeding that. Supposedly a 6-month AT = a 5-month PCT so you should be fine.
Link may have linked this, but this is your schedule friend https://www.pctplanner.com/
This will tell you where the herd stops: 2015 survey
Towns are few and far between, so the most hotel-ing you can usually do is every 100 miles or so. I slept in a bed maybe 8 nights out of my 162 days.
You can do a 50 going into Timberline lodge (lots attempt a big day here).
Regarding snow, its a judgement call you can’t make til Walker pass. Plan on having microspikes and an ice ax ready to be sent to KM, but don’t be surprised if you don’t need them.
Skip the towns in the Sierras to save days, long hitches will eat up your whole rest day. Just carry from Kennedy Meadows to Reds or VVR. First few days sucks. Also carry from Tehachapi to KM (good training). It feels really great to stay out for 180 miles.
I did a LOT more near-0’s than zero’s. Camp outside of town, wake up and 10×10 in, resupply, demolish a burger, and head out. Plan at least an afternoon/night at Drakesbad Resort (camp nearby or book a cabin), this was one of my favorite stops you won’t hear about, mineral hotspring pool and awesome dinner (don’t tell the party crowd who has been ruining stops for others).
Send yourself boxes for Oregon from Ashland, and for Washington from Cascade Locks, most places are super expensive candy bars and ramen (if you’re lucky). Both of these towns are good recovery spots. California is a little better for buying as you go, but I sent most of these from home (mom taped and dropped off my pre-packed boxes). If you need to send yourself everything, Home and Tehachapi are good spots.
All that said, I took my time and wished I’d went even more slowly. Consider slowing down and doing Washington next year or something.
