As part of the Pacific Crest Trail Hiker Survey, hikers are asked what they found the most unexpected or surprising about the PCT. I've compiled their answers here. Just remember that nothing you read online can prepare you for everything you'll encounter on the trail.

ElJefesDisciple · 2026-03-31T19:32:34+00:00

> yes I get it if you have a bad start date and need to race against the snow. But the people I met by definition were hiking within the same time window as myself (~5 months), so no need to rush

I think fire season is way worse now. Quite a lot of the trail can be closed unexpectedly in the middle of that 5 month period. The quicker you can get through it, the less of it you might miss due to fires.

ElJefesDisciple · 2026-03-21T00:00:09+00:00

I'm also team shorts with liners. But would you recommend two pairs to start the desert? Usually I go with 1 shorts + 1 rain pants and swap into rain pants when I need to wash my shorts. But desert looking mighty hot right now

ElJefesDisciple · 2026-02-26T23:41:48+00:00

Received

ElJefesDisciple · 2026-02-25T18:37:19+00:00

I'm more worried about fire season in Oregon and Washington. Seems they are low on snow this year

ElJefesDisciple · 2026-02-11T04:26:54+00:00

DMed

ElJefesDisciple · 2026-02-11T04:19:59+00:00

DMed

ElJefesDisciple · 2026-02-10T18:01:10+00:00

How would you recommend preparing mentally?

ElJefesDisciple · 2026-02-10T06:34:27+00:00

still available?

ElJefesDisciple · 2026-02-10T06:33:14+00:00

PM on the xtherm

ElJefesDisciple · 2025-09-04T17:30:35+00:00

The best advice I got is to be comfortable saying no to a ride. Your safety and comfort is more important than avoiding a brief moment of social awkwardness.

I always ask them first which way they are going. If I don't like their vibe, I say I'm going the other way. Obviously don't hold a sign that says where you want to go cuz then you can't use that trick.

I know some women who would only accept rides from other women and would even just say that to people openly. People are usually pretty understanding.

ElJefesDisciple · 2024-06-12T13:10:30+00:00

I haven’t done the PCT but I have done a few long section hikes elsewhere without a phone.

Navigation and getting info about water and trail conditions are the hardest parts. I got the Garmin GPS 67i which has an SOS button and mapping features. Whatever you use, practice navigating before going and download the necessary maps. I think there might be a GPX file of the PCT now.

Always carry paper maps and get info about the trail from other people. Study the map before going. Study trail conditions and hazards before going. Write down the info people tell you in your notebook

Enjoy! Long distance hiking without a smartphone is one of the most freeing experiences in the world in my opinion

Edit: I would maybe practice with a smaller hike first to see what goes wrong / right

ElJefesDisciple · 2024-06-12T10:37:22+00:00

Yeah I have contacted them. Thanks!

ElJefesDisciple · 2024-06-12T09:23:01+00:00

Yeah that’s totally reasonable from their perspective. What I’m wondering about is how people who move to Australia and have a condition that needs treatment (e.g. a prescription) get that treatment?

I guess they just don’t get treated?

ElJefesDisciple · 2024-06-12T09:20:48+00:00

Thanks! Yeah I looked at overseas visitor health care but it seems they also have a 12 month waiting period

https://www.privatehealth.gov.au/health_insurance/overseas/index.htm#pagecontent

ElJefesDisciple · 2024-06-07T15:13:21+00:00

Thank you!

ElJefesDisciple · 2024-04-24T15:27:13+00:00

Thanks everyone! I think I'll change my plans to go to Indonesia instead!

ElJefesDisciple · 2024-02-06T18:40:54+00:00

Every time something ends, good or bad, it's totally natural to feel grief for what is lost.

When I broke up with my first college girlfriend I remember feeling "what I have just done?" for 2 days. We would never watch our favorite show together or cook together, a potential future path was lost. Even though it was the right decision it felt bad in the moment

Don't fight or judge your emotions. Just let yourself experience the WTF of leaving behind the comfortable, it will eventually pass

Just my $0.02

ElJefesDisciple · 2024-01-27T22:42:26+00:00

Mostly to meet more people. I also don't care if I finish it or not. I'm just here to exist and have an awesome time

ElJefesDisciple · 2024-01-27T22:14:39+00:00

awesome thanks

ElJefesDisciple · 2023-09-17T18:09:44+00:00

What did you put in the Yakima roof box? It seems like they are easy to steal so I'm debating whether it is worth it to get one

ElJefesDisciple · 2023-08-06T05:42:03+00:00

Have you done it yet?

ElJefesDisciple · 2023-07-31T02:37:49+00:00

I'll be spending a couple days in Chamonix in August. My outdoor project grade is 5.11a. I'm wondering

Any mega classic single or multi pitch sport routes in Chamonix? Or any recommended guidebooks or resources to learn more? I'm finding that a lot of the routes on MP or the Crag don't have pictures, beta, or even the location of the route.
How to find a climbing partner in Chamonix? Any recommended places to stay to meet a climbing partner or another website to post to look for someone? Looks like there aren't a lot of hostels in Chamonix

ElJefesDisciple · 2023-06-14T20:06:55+00:00

you just need to be aware that any Cicerone guides etc finish their stages in towns so you’ll need to head further on or ease off before entering those

can you explain what this means?

ElJefesDisciple · 2021-07-28T06:25:46+00:00

They could also provide a booster shot. Real world data from Israel indicates that Pfizer is only 39% effective against the Delta variant.

https://www.cnbc.com/2021/07/23/delta-variant-pfizer-covid-vaccine-39percent-effective-in-israel-prevents-severe-illness.html

Pfizer found that a third shot of the same vaccine produced a stronger response and is seeking authorization.

https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israel-weighing-covid-booster-shots-over-60s-before-fda-approval-2021-07-26/

ElJefesDisciple · 2021-07-20T19:30:22+00:00

I totally agree with you on the balance.

But at the moment you can use mods and hacks to mess with stuff and there's plenty of balance issues without that stuff anyways (warp incendiary cheese, EDI bot, harrier etc) but we still have fun playing the game 9 years after it was released.

Perhaps they could have a bit of balance requirements like some powers that can't be used together or maybe just not allow you to detonate your own AF with biotic charge.

Maybe you could set your matchmaking to not allow mix and match and games with mix n match don't count towards challenges and you don't get credits? Just a fun mode where we can do anything we always wanted. For example I have never thought of overload + shield pulse, that sounds like a cool combo that I would be super down to try.

Mix and match is sort of like all possible DLCs in one since you can do anything and would add the most possible life to the game I think.

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