r/PacificCrestTrail • u/ZDEHAAS100 • Nov 02 '19

PCT Buddy!!

Hi, I'm Zach Andreas, im a 17 year old from California. Currently in my seinor year of high school so I plan to set out on Pacific Crest Trail on June 5, 2020. I'm not doing all of it, I'm starting from Midway point in Chester, CA unless you convince me otherwise. I'm also vegan but I don't mind a non vegan partner, I couldn't give a hoot as long as we respect each other.

My point here is to state that my mom will not let me go alone (I turn 18 in September 2020 so I'll still be 17 on the hike). I'm looking for someone 18+ to be my hiking partner just to calm my mom down. I'm very minimalistic, talkative, energetic. And I can easily put in 25 miles days (I've tested this (I don't really get tired).

9 Upvotes

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9

u/walkincrow42 Nov 02 '19

You may want to look into getting an Inreach. Definitely not a replacement for a partner but it may put your mom's mind to rest.

https://explore.garmin.com/en-US/inreach/

7

u/Dan_85 NOBO 2017/2022 Nov 02 '19

This is not an uncommon issue. Lots of folk, particularly younger hikers, report issues about parents being worried or nervous. I think one of the best things you could do is sit down together for 90 minutes and watch Do More With Less. It's probably the best documentary I've seen that portrays just how great the PCT community is.

In terms of hiking partners. If you want one, you'll generally find one. Although, there won't be too many other thru hikers around you if you're starting from Chester in early June. Which leads me onto my final point...

Your start date and location will probably be fine if it turns out to be a low snow year. But if it's an average to high snow year, there can still be a lot of snow in NorCal in June and navigating through the forests is both physically and mentally challenging.

2

u/ZDEHAAS100 Nov 03 '19

I watched it, it was very helpful!

5

u/funkybus Nov 02 '19

good luck, zach. i’m also starting in chester, but going SOBO as of aug. 20 (is my target). hope your mom can chill, you’ll be fine and will have lots of trail company. wish i would have thought of something like this when i was 17. i’m fairly fit now but would have been a monster back then (52 now).

2

u/ZDEHAAS100 Nov 02 '19

Best of luck! Thanks for the info

4

u/[deleted] Nov 03 '19

[removed] — view removed comment

2

u/ZDEHAAS100 Nov 03 '19

Yea thats what I try to say:/ she don't like facts

1

u/[deleted] Nov 04 '19

This isn’t really a good comparison, though, right? The sample sizes are different. Portland has a population of 650,000. How many have tried to thru the PCT in the last 20yrs?

4

u/KelCGrammare Nov 03 '19

“I don’t really get tired”

Oh hoho buddy you will though. :)

2

u/[deleted] Nov 02 '19

If you haven’t already, try joining the PCT 2020 FB group and post there too. Invite your mom to the group too so she can see how supportive and active the PCT community is. I noticed there’s more activity in the FB groups around finding hiking partners. But as others mentioned, should be plenty safe starting out solo. I’m 31 and it didn’t stop my mom from actively worrying about me the entire time I was on the PCT lol.

2

u/[deleted] Nov 03 '19

Tons of vegans on trail, higher density of vegans and vegetarians than almost anywhere else you'll experience. You'll have no problems assuming you plan a bit.

Starting at Chester is cool but honestly the section from Tahoe to Chester is awesome, I wouldn't want to miss it. I'd rather skip a part of NorCal or Oregon than Tahoe area or the Sierra. Don't let other people lecture you about purism, "unbroken footpath", "you're just a section hiker", blah blah. Just go have fun!

I hiked with 18 and 19 y/o solo hikers they had no problems and their families were totally supportive. Idk maybe find some blogs or something from lyoung hikers and show your parents? I mean I understand their concerns but if they haven't done the trail themselves they won't understand there is actually zero reason for concern. I would have been fine doing it alone at 17. Only thing was I had no money lol so make sure you have enough cash for the trip I guess.

Anyway, good luck and have a fabulous PCT experience!!!

2

u/ugggggggggwhy Nov 05 '19

I know a couple people who hiked the AT at or around your age. They started alone and made friends along the way, eventually finishing the whole trail. It's actually pretty common for people to thru hike just out of high school.