PCT Training Hikes

I should start this post by explaining just a tit-bit about this blog and it's purpose. As I mentioned in my last trip, this blog is primarily a tool for future me. I certainly write with an audience in mind (probably you), and hope that you enjoy it, but I'm not conceited enough to think that you'll read every word or every post that I write.  However, if I don't imagine you reading this, I won't be motivated to write this, and I need to write this. I hope you enjoy reading it.


I need to write this for several reasons.  Most posts I write for posterity.  Recording an adventure immortalizes is for me, and I go back and read my blogs when the wander-lust strikes me on a cold rainy Oregon night, or the stress gets me on a cold rainy day at work.  A post like this, however, is also designed to make it easier for me to do another trip. It will involve more technical details so I don't have to keep them in my head forever.

For this trip I only did 5 trainings hikes (less than I'd have liked) but I loved them all.  They were, of course, interspersed with 60-100 miles a day of bike commuting, and weekend mountain bike trips, mountain unicycle trips, and running. I can't JUST hike, there are too many other fun things to do.

PCT Training Hike #1 - 12 miles South of Eugene
PCT Training Hike #2 -  Cape Perpetua on the Coast
PCT Training Hike #3 - 13 miles South of Eugene
PCT Training Hike #4 - 3 days and 50- miles on the McKenzie River Trail, start park weight about 35 lbs.

PCT training hike #5 - 12 miles south of Eugene with 30lb pack. (my base weight is about 27lbs)

The rest of this post was originally to chronicle the 3-day 50 mile practice hike I did on the McKenzie River Trail, and some of the thoughts I had about that.   Although, I'm supposed to leave for my trip in 15 minutes so I'll have to pass.  I'll upload photos (maybe to this post) later.

Day 1: About 13 miles, 5 hours pack time, 6 hours total time.

Day 2: About 22 miles, 8:27 pack time, 10:40 total time.

Day 3: About 15 miles, 5:47 pack time, 8:13 total time.