PCT Details by Carson
The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) is one of three National
Scenic Trails in the U.S. The other two are the Appalachian Trail (AT) and the
Continental Divide Trail (CDT). After a lot more research on the three trails
I’ve settled on the PCT for a few reasons. First, I ruled out the CDT because
it’s the most challenging of the three (making it very hard for a first-time
thru hiker) and because it’s uncompleted, meaning a good portion of the trail is
walking on roads.
It was then between the PCT and the AT. I chose the PCT
because I’ve wanted to visit the Sierra mountains for a while, and also because
that’s where I seemed to be led with the whole John Muir Trail incident. The
biggest deciding factor has to do with fires. The PCT is getting more and more
prone to fire damage each year, so this is my one chance to hike it before it’s
gone. Also, it’s pretty widely agreed that the PCT is a whole lot prettier.
About the trail itself: The PCT is a 2,650 mile trail that
goes from Mexico to Canada. It starts in the desert of Southern California
(Coincidentally, the desert section takes 40 days - the same time Jesus took in
the desert), makes its way up through the Sierra mountains in California, and
then up through the beautiful forests and mountains of Oregon and Washington.
It takes about 5-6 months to complete.
I’m looking to take this trip for two main reasons. The
first is that I’m hoping for it to be a spiritual journey for myself, in which
I grow to know God and myself better. Best case scenario, I come off the trail
and know for certain I’m supposed to become a priest or get married or whatever.
I totally do not expect that to happen, but it would be nice…
The second reason is that I hope to use the PCT as a mission
post. From what I’ve heard, a lot of the people hiking these long-distance
trails are people who are tired of the life they’re living, and because of
that, they use the trail as an escape so they can search for whatever it is
that will make them feel fulfilled. I’d love to use what I’ve learned at FMC to
hopefully be able to point them to Christ. And, since they won’t be speaking in
Spanish, hopefully it will be a little easier!
As of right now, I’m writing this post in the beginning of
June. The plan is for me to leave Costa Rica around the end of July, and make
my way to Missouri around the beginning of August. From there, I plan to work and
live on our friends’ farm (the same place Autumn is) in Springfield to help
fund my hike, until around March 2026. During the time on the farm, I plan to
take some backpacking trips to get some training in before the PCT. Living in
the Ozarks, I’m blessed to have hundreds of hiking trails at my disposal,
including two long distance trails (over 200 miles each) that I could
potentially use.
Around March/April, I’ll head down to Mexico/California to
start my hike! From there, who knows what will happen…
That’s the rough timeline; in the meantime, I have quite a
few things to do in the planning department. Later in the year, I’ll need to
apply for some permits. I’ll also need to start buying any and all gear I need
- shelter, sleeping bag, rain gear, etc. (If I forgot to mention it, the whole
trail is basically a big backpacking trip! There aren’t really any hostels or
anything like that). Like I mentioned, I’ll want to get some physical training
in, and I’ll also need to make plans for transport. I may even mail some boxes
of food to California ahead of time, so I’ll have good food in some of the less
populated places.
Here are a few links in case you’re interested any further:
This is a funny FAQ page about the PCT; he can be a little rough around the edges at times but I’m sure you can handle it: https://www.halfwayanywhere.com/trails/pacific-crest-trail/the-pacific-crest-trail-faq/
And this is a really good documentary about the trail, if you don’t have anything better to do for an hour: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEbXFIlFxWs&pp=0gcJCdgAo7VqN5tD
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I think that’s the basics of it all! For any questions you might have (or if you’re interested in helping me fund this thing), please send me an email! I like talking about it, if you hadn’t figured that out already.
Email: carsonacosta7@gmail.com
God Bless you all, and I hope to see some of you soon!
-Carson!
