The Final Stats of the Pacific Crest Trail
Reading Time: 2 minutes I love statistics, and hiking the Pacific Crest Trail has provided me with plenty of data to sift through.
Previously, I reported my PCT statistics in five different progress reports: The Desert, The Sierra, NorCal, Oregon, and Washington.
The following is a compilation of all the statistical information found in the aforementioned reports and some additional information regarding overall trail data. Alternatively, if you would like to view the results of the most recent PCT Hiker Survey (averaged stats from hundreds of PCT hikers), those numbers can be found here.
- Favorite section: Kings Canyon/Sequoia National Parks
- Least favorite section: Oregon (except the Eagle Creek Detour)
- Pairs of shoes used: 4
- Total days: 142
- Miles hiked: 2,500 (4,023 km)
- Days camped: 97
- Days camped alone: 22
- Resupply stops: 39
- Resupply boxes sent: 10
- Longest resupply gap: 8.5 days (Kennedy Meadows – VVR)
- Zero days: 28
- Trail zero days: 1
- Double zeros: 7
- Triple zeros: 2
- Near-o days: 8 (fewer than 10 mi / 16 km)
- Days slept off trail: 44
- Miles per day: 21.93 (35.29 km)
- Miles per day (including zero days): 17.61 (28.34 km)
- Longest day: 43 mi / 69.2 km
- 20-30 mile (32-46 km) days: 45
- 30-40 mile (46-64 km) days: 18
- 40+ mile (64+ km) days: 3
- Times thrown up: 2
- Hospital visits: 1
- Hitches solicited: 34
PCT Section Stats
| Desert | Sierra | NorCal | Oregon | Washington | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Days | 40 | 28 | 33 | 18 | 23 |
| Miles | 700 | 395 | 604 | 456 | 340 |
| Resupply stops | 11 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 7 |
| Days camped | 28 | 22 | 21 | 13 | 9 |
| Camped alone | 5 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 3 |
| Zero days | 6 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 8 |
| Near-o days | 3 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Days slept off trail | 12 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 9 |
| Miles/day | 19.36 | 17.95 | 22.37 | 28.5 | 22.66 |
| Miles/day (+ zero days) | 16.46 | 14.12 | 18.3 | 25.33 | 18.89 |
| Longest day | 33 | 29 | 41 | 43 | 32 |
Cumulative PCT Stats
| Desert | Sierra | NorCal | Oregon | Washington | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Days | 40 | 68 | 101 | 119 | 142 |
| Miles | 700 | 1095 | 1699 | 2155 | 2500 |
| Resupply stops | 11 | 16 | 23 | 32 | 39 |
| Days camped | 28 | 53 | 74 | 87 | 97 |
| Campes alone | 5 | 9 | 14 | 19 | 22 |
| Zero days | 6 | 12 | 18 | 20 | 28 |
| Near-o days | 3 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Days slept off trail | 12 | 21 | 26 | 31 | 44 |
| Miles/day | 19.36 | 19.55 | 20.47 | 21.77 | 21.93 |
| Miles/day (+ zero days) | 16.46 | 16.1 | 16.82 | 18.11 | 17.61 |
| Longest day | 33 | 33 | 41 | 43 | 43 |
And that’s it!
Goodbye PCT, hello flushing toilets and the expectation of bathing regularly.
Somehow that sounds less exciting than I thought it would.
What made you throw up? And what was the hospital visit for? I haven’t gotten to those posts yet.
These vomiting episodes have happened a couple of times since the PCT and a mix of dehydration with light (seriously, just one or two drinks) alcohol consumption seems to be the trick.
The hospital visit was for an ingrown toenail I had that got infected in the Sierra.
I’m curious was it about Oregon that made it your least favorite.
Hey! Just wondering what your start date was! Cheers
My start date was on the late side – May 17.
Nice! That’s encouraging I have two options, the 22nd or the 15th, the earlier depends on my job and is less likely. Good to see one of the best sources of PCT material is from a hiker leaving the same time as I will! Thanks for the awesome website.
Just be ready for some lonely days in the desert :)
all the posts on this site, i love this page the most, stats are awesome!
Thanks! I love the stats too. Might have to do another hike just for some new data.
Throughout your pages, tables, commercial links, and Disquis/Twitter links I have found all of the PCT information I have ever been seeking. I’ve been killed many times and my ass has been kicked hard. I love the night and I’ve run snowy trails at night but I knew them intimately on a daily basis. Walking with the creatures (no skiiters) in the semi dark is nice. Only one link is questionable, the left knee after being run down by a Thai van driver. We shall see. Maybe a peace will come and I can find sleep. … Did I actually see a 1 ounce first aid kit? sunrain
I did use a 1 oz first aid kit. It wasn’t much of a kit really…
Thank you so much for sharing! I shared it on my Facebook page. Very awesome! Glad you made it safe and sound! I’d love to email as ask a few questions! [email protected]
Jordan w lee
Sure thing Jordan – you can send me an email via my contact page and I’ll be sure to get back to you!
https://www.halfwayanywhere.com/contact/
Thinking of doing a chunk of this with a friend next summer. Glad to find your page and hope your re-entry isn’t too rough on you.
Do a chunk, realize your mistake, and then go back and do the entire thing! Hope you find some useful information amongst my ramblings.