Watch This Before You Decide to Thru-Hike

If you were to get your education on thru-hiking from Instagram, Facebook, or YouTube, you might come away thinking that it was a half-year vacation.  This is not the case.

The following video includes footage from Zach “Badger” Davis‘s 2017 SOBO PCT thru-hike. While PCT hikers are granted breathtaking views throughout their journey, there are many days where unspectacular scenery are the norm—and pain, gear failure, and repetition are the standout features of a hiker’s day.  This short video is meant to serve as a reminder that a thru-hike is chock-full of challenges, and to succeed, hikers must be as hungry for the struggle as they are for the scenery.

If you’re considering a PCT thru-hike, check out Pacific Crest Trials, a book that mentally prepares people for this half-year endeavor.

Affiliate Disclosure

This website contains affiliate links, which means The Trek may receive a percentage of any product or service you purchase using the links in the articles or advertisements. The buyer pays the same price as they would otherwise, and your purchase helps to support The Trek's ongoing goal to serve you quality backpacking advice and information. Thanks for your support!

To learn more, please visit the About This Site page.

Comments 6

  • Mike S : Dec 18th

    I would suggest people review this video after each lengthy hike.

    I’m looking forward, far forward to doing the AT. When I retire in a few years. I have no illusions of the mindless boredom that awaits. But, with age, comes experience. Early on, I did a number of deployments in the US Navy. Hours turn to days. Days to weeks. The view from weather decks only changes with the weather. Since then, I’ve done a few 100 mile bike rides. When you look at a distant mountain, for a couple hours and the view doesn’t change, you have a lot of “me” time. A lot. If you can’t go hours without human contact, this might not be the extreme sport you would enjoy.

    Reply
    • Eric Thompson : Dec 19th

      Thru hiking isn’t an extreme sport in any way.

      Reply
      • Mike S : Dec 22nd

        Time, money, commitment and follow through. I’d call that an extreme sport, albeit in slow motion.

        Reply
  • Bosch : Dec 18th

    Exactly, more cow bell, too funny.

    Reply
  • Brooklyn : Dec 19th

    Zach i had no idea you hiked the AT, (Drink). Great Video. Always interested to hear your perspective. Looking forward to the challenge.

    Reply
  • Andrea : Apr 15th

    Nice. Good points, good scenery. Great jokes.

    Reply

What Do You Think?