Reddit reviews Hikertrash: Life on the Pacific Crest Trail

Before hiking in 2016, I read Thru Hiking Will Break Your Heart and Hiker Trash both of which I thought presented accurate descriptions for what it's really like to hike the PCT. Not the most thrilling reads, but worth it if you're considering doing the PCT.

I'd read some trailjournals.com or similar to get an idea of what its going to be like hiking the AT. The more boring of a trailjournal, the better cause if you can get through a boring journal, you have a chance of having the mental fortitude to stick through a thru hike.

If this was the PCT, I'd recommend https://www.amazon.com/Hikertrash-Life-Pacific-Crest-Trail/dp/0692341382 as it's a good day to day journaling of life on the trail.


I would read whiteblaze.net forums and /r/AppalachianTrail. I'd pay attention to peoples lighterpack.com posts asking for shakedowns of their gear list and learn from them before you start buying equipment.


I'd start backpacking to figure out if I enjoy the activity that I'm going to drop my life for.


I'd figure out the opportunity costs of taking 6 months off of life and hiking the AT and asking myself if I think that's worth it.


Then with a couple of months to go till start, I'd really being training for the hike and reading up on specifics I'd want to know, like trail towns. I'd start planning my life to get it in order for being gone for 6 months. But in reality, if you've got the gear and backpacking experience, and your home life in order, you can start the day with zero prep.