I usually do canoe trips but am determined to try and hike the Pacific Crest Trail in 2017. I want to complete at least the California portion, but for now am in the beginning planning stages. For those of you who do longer trips, any advice on putting together the funds and gear for such a thing? Thanks in advance!

Not sure I can be of much use in the funding aspect, but if you want any advice on training or other preparation I might be able to offer some tips. Have you done any longer backpacking trips? Most of mine are only 3-5 days, but it's a whole 'nother critter than a canoe trip.

Nothing too substantial, I know it is going to be hard. That is part of why I'm going to try it. I did thirty miles in two days on a WI trail and destroyed my feet with blisters, so I'm catching on to what not to do! Any suggestions on how long a training trip should be?

I tend to load my pack 1/2 way and get out hiking at least 3-5 miles once a week year round. Lots of shorter unloaded hikes, and the occasional fully loaded day hike.

And, load your pack fully, with everything you think you need, and take that 5 mile hike on some halfway rugged terrain. That will help you weed out what you don't need!

Once those shorter hikes aren't feeling challenging anymore, you can plan a 3-5 day trip. Work your way up from there, and remember to have fun!

I have done a few longer trips. Going on a 75 mile trip in the next week or so. Not sure what equipment you have, but here are a few tips I have learned:
1. Don't buy too much pack - there are many ultra-lite packs in the 50L range that will work just fine.
2. I always wear 2 pairs of sox thin nylon, thin smartwool
3. If you have to cook it with more than boiling water, don't bring it
4. alcohol stoves work great (with a windshield)- fits in a hillbilly pot.
5. dirty girl gators work well to keep the stones out of your shoes
6. Hiking shoes work very well - boots are heavy for a long hike
7. Don't underestimate hiking poles.
8. make sure how much you need to eat, and where your drop points need to be. You will need more calories when you are hiking all day.
9. Understand what your base weight should be. Mine is a heavy 25 lbs. without food.

Thanks, I'm taking notes!

quote Scout64: "I have done a few longer trips. Going on a 75 mile trip in the next week or so. Not sure what equipment you have, but here are a few tips I have learned:
1. Don't buy too much pack - there are many ultra-lite packs in the 50L range that will work just fine.
2. I always wear 2 pairs of sox thin nylon, thin smartwool
3. If you have to cook it with more than boiling water, don't bring it
4. alcohol stoves work great (with a windshield)- fits in a hillbilly pot.
5. dirty girl gators work well to keep the stones out of your shoes
6. Hiking shoes work very well - boots are heavy for a long hike
7. Don't underestimate hiking poles.
8. make sure how much you need to eat, and where your drop points need to be. You will need more calories when you are hiking all day.
9. Understand what your base weight should be. Mine is a heavy 25 lbs. without food. "

Nothing in that list should be ignored...!
I wear the thin toe socks. It keeps the blisters from forming between my toes.
Never keep hiking when you feel a "hot spot" forming...always stop and adjust socks, laces, and/or boots/shoes. Learn to sense the early signs of that blister is starting...the "hot spot."

Doughboy, what brand and model do you buy for toe socks? Thanks.

quote SevenofNine: "Doughboy, what brand and model do you buy for toe socks? Thanks."

Injinji, and I have three or four pair of various weight/thickness. Get the thinnest ones you can find to get started. I do have a heavy pair for the winter.

This one.
and
This one
and
This in solid green
Those are what I have. I would suggest you go look at them and get the ones you like, thinner the better. And to be sure we understand each other, these are my liner socks, I still where a standard wool sock over these...! Unless I have my 5 finger shoes on...lol

Sorry for the hijack...

quote Doughboy12: "

quote SevenofNine: "Doughboy, what brand and model do you buy for toe socks? Thanks."

Injinji, and I have three or four pair of various weight/thickness. Get the thinnest ones you can find to get started. I do have a heavy pair for the winter.

This one.
and
This one
and
This in solid green
Those are what I have. I would suggest you go look at them and get the ones you like, thinner the better. And to be sure we understand each other, these are my liner socks, I still where a standard wool sock over these...! Unless I have my 5 finger shoes on...lol

Sorry for the hijack..."

+1, I wear the same as a liner sock. Seems to really help with hot spots between my toes.

Thanks for the info. I didn't know there was a blister prevention angle to the injini socks!

quote realandrea: "Thanks for the info. I didn't know there was a blister prevention angle to the injini socks!"

I used to get blisters between my toes so this is what I tried. (It worked.)
I was wearing the very light weight nylon liner socks. Not for everyone though.

I hiked about 600 miles of California in 99. It was one of the best experiences of my life. Prior to that trip I'd only hiked about 30 miles over two trips to the SHT...oh the bravado of youth!

This book was a huge help for me: http://www.amazon.com/Pacific-Crest-Trail-Hikers-Handbook/dp/0963235923 It's pretty outdated now, but there are some really good ideas, tips, trick, and it's geared specifically to the PCT.

Before you go you will want to get instruction on how to use an ice axe to self arrest. Maybe you can take a training trip to the Tetons and hire a guide there. It's definitely something you want to KNOW how to do, not just read about.

Food: After the first week or two you will want to be eating as much real whole food as possible. It's heavier and less convenient but your body and mind are so much happier. I found that bell peppers worked well-they're light, pretty tough, and adding them to the dried food I had pre-planned really made it feel much better. I also found I craved sugar and would end up buying quite a bit of candy whenever at a store or re-supply.

Mileage: To make your pack weight manageable you will need to put in pretty high mileage days. Food weight makes doing less than 15 miles a day something you just cannot do. I found that 17-20 miles was about right for me depending on terrain. One trick to add additional miles is to walk an hour before you eat breakfast, and to walk an hour after you eat dinner.

Misc: Don't try to keep your feet dry. So much effort to go through just to have them wet anyway. I gave up after two weeks and was so glad I did. Enjoy it! It's too easy to get caught up worrying about mileage, bugs, snow, that you find yourself in a bad mood-don't forget that you're there to have a great time. This means you need to be flexible and enjoy the journey for what it is.

If you have specific questions let me know,I'm happy to help out where I can.

Edit: Just saw your original question about $$ and gear. For money there is only way in my mind-earn it and save it! Get an second or third job and put all that money away for your trip. Open a new account at a different bank so you're not tempted to dip into it.

Gear-get the lightest stuff, and the least amount of stuff as possible. Get your loaded pack weight (without food) under 15 lbs. With what's out there today this is not difficult.

Thank you for the tips! I am working pretty much nonstop and am raising extra money anyway I can! I started planning out the trip in sections and the size of the trip is setting in! I still think it will be worth it! There is a pile of boxes along with my bear canister in the corner of my house and I work on the trip as long as I can before I get overwhelmed!!

I stumbled across this video yesterday, it's free to watch if you have Amazon Prime: High Sierra: A Journey On The John Muir Trail

It's not super exciting but does an excellent job of showing how difficult the first week on the trail can be. Also has some great shots of what I consider the best part of the trail.

quote bposteve: "I stumbled across this video yesterday, it's free to watch if you have Amazon Prime: High Sierra: A Journey On The John Muir Trail


It's not super exciting but does an excellent job of showing how difficult the first week on the trail can be. Also has some great shots of what I consider the best part of the trail.
"

It is on Youtube too.

There are a number of blogs/websites of women who have hiked the PCT. I thought this one looked very informative and interesting:
Lady On A Rock
And here's another:
Trail To Summit
Would love to do a small part of the PCT or even the John Muir Trail before these old knees give out.

Yes! I am trying to absorb as many videos as I can. I want to make it to the end of the trail relatively intact! :) I'll sure miss my paddle while I'm away!

Remember to think ahead about water.
This sounds counterintuitive, but a couple extra pounds of carried water can be a godsend.
Good Luck!