Frequently Asked Questions

As a potential thru-hiker, you get to talk about the trail pretty often. That means you also get to answer the same questions over and over. Here are the most common questions we hear and some quick answers.

Question: Where are you going again?

Answer: Hiking on the Pacific Crest Trail. It is a 2650-ish mile footpath that stretches from Mexico to Canada through California, Oregon, and Washington.

Question: And you're going to do the whole thing?

Answer: We're going to try.

Question: What do you have to keep yourself safe out there? (i.e. what gun are you packing?)

Answer: Nothing. The trail is pretty safe. Guns are too heavy. Yes, even the little ones. Trails pass through multiple states, public and private land; it would be a logistical nightmare of permits. A gun would be nearly useless packed away under two liters of water and three snickers bars. Also, did I mention guns are heavy? If I wanted more weight, I’d carry more socks...or more snickers bars.

Question: How do you get water?

Answer: Reference apps/guidebook/maps. Locate water source (spring, stream, lake, mudpuddle, leaky spigot, abandoned well). Collect and treat/filter water. Drink.

Question: How do you get food?

Answer: Hike until reaching a road, hitchhike until catching a ride or walk until getting to a store. Buy high calorie, low weight foods. Rip apart bulky store packaging and squish everything into food bag. Eat.

Question: How are you going to physically prepare for the hike ?

Answer: We probably won't be prepared. We'll start slow and the trail will get us in shape. We could go on a lot of long practice hikes with heavy backpacks on, but let's get real: we are going to be doing enough of that on the trail. Plus, ain't nobody got time for that.

Question: How long is it going to take you?

Answer: I don’t actually know. A few months? Six? We're just going to start walking and see what happens.

Question: Are you just going to quit your job? Walk away from your family? Leave your house and car and responsibilities?

Answer: Yup.

Question: Why would anyone want to do that?

Answer: It’ll be fun. And horrible. But mostly fun. We'll meet cool people. We'll see beautiful landscapes up close and personal. My most stressful moments will be deciding in what order I want to eat my food and how much water will tide me over until I get to the next stream. I’ll have done something bold and adventurous. I’ll feel strong and capable and brave.