The Pacific Crest Trail

This guidebook is a complete guide to hiking the world famous Pacific Crest Trail. The Trail, or PCT, is one of the world's longest treks as it winds through the mountains of America's west coast. From Mexico's border, through the Mojave desert into California's High Sierras, into Oregon, and through Washington State's Cascade mountains, this is a long wilderness trek of true adventure and exploration through diverse and stunning mountain scenery. 2650 miles is a lot of walking. While the PCT has been known, and walked, by thousands over the years, there was a burst of popularity following the 2015 film 'Wild' that chronicled the journey. To help with pacing, and making any hike enjoyable rather than a trial, the guidebook is written with a relaxed pace in mind and divided into 101 2 to 3 day stages which can, of course, be combined into longer days according to ability and preference. Alongside the notes and route descriptions, there are overview maps for the entire trail, and a detailed introduction that provides essential advice for planning and completing the route. From information on packing, supplies, water and bears, to details on the mountains, wildlife and regions trekkers will go through; this is an essential companion to taking on - and completing- this once in a lifetime adventure.

Table of Contents:
INTRODUCTION A geologist's delight Weather patterns Plant and wildlife What the walking's like Planning Preparation Wilderness hiking Equipment Using this guide THE PACIFIC CREST TRAIL SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA 1 Campo to Van Dusen Canyon (Big Bear City) 2 Big Bear City to Agua Dulce 3 Agua Dulce to Kennedy Meadows THE HIGH SIERRA 4 Kennedy Meadows to Tuolumne Meadows 5 Tuolumne Meadows to Interstate 80 (Donner Pass) NORTHERN CALIFORNIA 6 Donner Pass to Interstate 5 (Castella) 7 Castella to Interstate 5 (Ashland) OREGON 8 Ashland to McKenzie Pass 9 McKenzie Pass to Cascade Locks WASHINGTON 10 Cascade Locks to Snoqualmie Pass 11 Snoqualmie Pass to Manning Park APPENDIX A Local information for European hikers APPENDIX B Useful addresses APPENDIX C Other publications APPENDIX D Schedules for 110 to 180-day thru'-hikes APPENDIX E Summaries of three schedules APPENDIX F Ancient Brit's 2002 (160-day) schedule APPENDIX G Schedule for a 180-day thru'-hike APPENDIX H Schedule for a super-slow start

About the Author :
Brian is an inveterate walker, having completed the PCT three times, backpacked the British coast, hiked from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean across the Pyrenees three times, completed all of the Scottish Corbetts and also completed all the Scottish Munros in one summer. A keen cyclist and canoeist, he has led groups climbing and hiking in Britain, the Alps, the Pyrenees and California.