Backpacking the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT)

I’m 59 and heading out next month to try to hike across Colorado and maybe also New Mexico. I’m pretty worried about my fitness for such big mountains but I do have all the time I need without worrying about making big daily miles. The PCT is so beautiful with the desert flowers and views. The CDT amazes me with the sky. As a life-long Southern Californian I rarely see such amazing skies.

Looking forward to reading more of your blog.

This is great Manfred. I don’t know if you remember running into me and my sons on the JMT in 2012, we talked for awhile approaching Crabtree Meadow. Great to see you still hitting the trail with your wife, and on the PCT no less!

I think by the time I get to NM it will be September. I will probably save NM for next year.

I’m about to turn 60. I wish I was in shape enough to do the PCT. Maybe I could still get there. But I’ll enjoy all the hikes and backpacking trips I can do, no matter how long.

I’m really enjoying your blog Manfred. The post on Reverse Diet is really interesting. I hope you will post more about how the long miles affects your weight and energy level, and any strategies you resort to.

“People in shiny new cars were speeding by, but these poor people stopped to help someone who was worse off than they.”

I have experienced this more times than I can remember. Whenever I have hitchhiked, it is never the rich who pick me up, even as a solo woman. It’s working class or clearly poor people who lend a hand. Most of the time those offering a ride have to clear space, because they have lots of stuff, kids, dogs, etc. in the vehicle too. But they find room. I once got passed by multiple giant RVs and people who waved at me, until finally a rusty little pickup stopped filled with an entire family and all their belongings (or so it seemed). I wonder why it is that those who have more are even less generous? Perhaps those with less know what it’s like to be on foot, and know what it means to have someone help.

Wow, CA and OR done already.  Congrats, Manfred!

Congrats! Happy to see that you finished the trail!

It was nice talking with you the few times we ran into each other out there in N. California. We both had quite different hiking styles/perspectives, but I can surely appreciate how you did it. Thanks for including me in your blog!

“Another PCT hiker who showed up was intent to hike another 14 miles in the heat and didn’t want to wait for hotdogs. He just took a bag of chips and moved on. Go figure.”

I got the ride around Etna to Seied Valley but did continuous footsteps from there to the border. Only missing those 60 miles.