Can It Be April 5th Already?!

I was lucky enough to secure a PCT Long Distance permit with my desired start date. I got my visa approved, gathered all the gear I need, and spent endless hours reading PCT blogs or watching YouTube videos… now what? Now we wait. The worst part. It has literally come down to me googling each morning when I wake up how many days are left until I start (it’s 44 when I am writing this post). So, to make the wait easier, I figured I would share with you how I am preparing to thru-hike the Pacific Crest Trail.

No pain, no gain

To get physically ready to walk 2,650 miles with a fully loaded backpack, I built a workout routine spreading over the three months preceding my start date. As a former athlete, I have always stayed active, but this time I wanted to adapt my training to prepare myself best to face the physical challenges I would encounter hiking over a long time. Of course, I am aware that my body will inevitably go through some adjustments in the early stages of the hike, but if I can do things beforehand to help make that part easier, and therefore enjoy it more, I don’t see a reason not to. More importantly, I believe training (such as resistance training, stretching, mobility, and endurance) can be hugely beneficial to help prevent injuries, something I think you’ll agree we all fear (besides, of course, bears, rattlesnakes, mountain lions, etc.).

That being said, my week includes 3 days of gym workouts (leg day, back/arms, and shoulders/chest) and 3 days of any cardio activities (inclined walk, run, hike, etc.). In addition to that, I practice daily stretching/mobility routines meant to improve the range of motion of my articulations, such as my knees, hips, ankles, shoulders, etc… I plan on keep doing those while on the trail as well to, again, prevent any injury.

Become like water

“What makes a great athlete is 30% physical and 70% mental.” 

One of my coaches told me this when I was a kid, and it stuck with me to this day. I strongly believe it is true not only in sports but in many other aspects of life as well.

In the months preceding my start date, I have been so focused on acquiring gear, researching information on the trail, and training physically, that I almost forgot the most important part, and what probably will carry me to the finish line: my mental.

Lucky for me, I picked up a book that reminded me of that: Pacific Crest Trials by Zach Davis. I strongly recommend it to anyone who is about to thru-hike the PCT or any thru-hike for that matter. In his book, Zach Davis says it best: what drives people off the Pacific Crest Trail in most cases is the psychological and emotional struggle, not physical (unless you get injured of course).

So, with that in mind, I took the time to get my mind ready for what is to come. I thoroughly reflected on the several reasons I am doing this hike. I also asked myself how I would feel if I didn’t do it (hint: not good). I made myself aware of the inevitable psychological challenges I will encounter during this journey such as the early ups and downs, the honeymoon phase and its death, homesickness, etc. In expecting those, I can better take the hit when they arise.

As well, I made a point of focusing my mental energy on the things I can control, instead of the things I can’t. Doing so immediately takes a lot off your brain and allows you to prepare more peacefully. Moreover, you can’t predict what will be thrown at you, and trying to would take the fun out of it. Adaptability is key. Plus, I like to see the good in things. The Sierra Nevada is on track for record snowfall this year you say? Heck yeah, I am going to see snow in the Sierras! I like to turn the fear of the unknown into excitement. Be responsible, yes, but be optimistically responsible. If you stop at the first negative comment, you’ll never attempt anything anyway. Rather ask yourself: what if it turns out to be great? 

Logistical game

Given the title of this section, you are probably expecting to read a full paragraph about the gear I’ve bought or the resupply strategy I’ve chosen, ending with a link to my LighterPack. 

Que nenni! as we Frenchies would say. It is not. My goal is not to convince you to buy a specific gear or choose one resupply option over another. Rather, it is to share with you what mindset I chose to approach that part of the preparation. And it can be summarized like this: do not over-plan.

I am walking into this project (pun intended) seeking an adventure. I am looking to get out of my comfort zone and learn how to adapt to any challenge that will be thrown my way. I am looking for the thrill, the surprise, the ups and downs. But if I try to plan every little detail before I even take my first step on the trail, where is the adventure in all of that? At which point do I grow as an individual?

So, I decided to leave some stones unturned on purpose. I decided to only plan the necessary; gear, safety measures, a map, and how to get to the trailhead. After that, there is not much more I can do than walk forward, and figure out the rest later when I cross that bridge.

Final words

Lastly, and most importantly, I want to emphasize the fact that I am in no way trying to convince you that this is the best way to prepare yourself for a thru-hike. To each their own, and you must respect the fact that what works for you doesn’t necessarily work for others. This is my way, and what I believe is best for me given my mindset and how I plan to enjoy this hike. Feel free to take some and leave some. In the end, you hike your own hike, but you also prepare your own hike.