Trekking & Thru-Hiking
An uninterrupted experience in the wilderness, the chance to test yourself against a variety of challenges, vast backcountry scenery, and generous solitude are among the many benefits offered by hiking a long distance in a single stretch.
By "long-distance" we mean somewhere between 100 and 2,600 miles and by "a single stretch" we mean hiking continuously for weeks or months.
Preparation is the Key to a Successful Trek or Thru-hike
It's important to consider the many layers of preparedness that a successful long-distance hike encompasses, be realistic about your personal strengths and weaknesses, seek out help and advice from others.
Simply taking time to think through the adventure you are planning will go a long way toward helping you rise to the occasion. Being prepared for a thru-hike includes being ready in all of the following ways:
Physically
You don't just hop off the couch and hike 25 miles a day. Thru-hiking and trekking are best undertaken after serious physical conditioning. Backpacker magazine's guide, Trekking Washington, suggests that that you should be comfortable doing at least 10 miles per day with a full pack for at least 3-4 days before you set out. The best way to prepare for a thru-hike or long trek? Do a lot of hiking before you go.
Mentally
According to the Pacific Northwest Trail Guide, the "most important preparation for a successful distance hike is psychological." Sure, you'll spend days enjoying grand and dramatic landscapes, but you'll also experience severe trials and the right frame of mind can be as important as being physically prepared. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy suggests that "a fierce commitment to the goal" is one of the most important factors in completing a full thru-hike.
Logistically
How will you get the the time off from work, or going to school, or life in general? This can be a concern with longer treks, and is probably one of the more difficult aspects of planning for a thru-hike. Unfortunately, it's also not an easy topic to give advice on, as every individual's experience is unique. Perhaps the only statement that can be made overall is to think ahead about times in your life when a long-distance sojourn might be possible, such as for a honeymoon, upon completing school, after selling a house and before buying a new one, or changing careers, and build a thru-hike into your planning.
Once you can commit to a thru-hike, a key consideration will be how you will restock food and other consumables items. If you are going out for more time than you can comfortably carry your food, how you will resupply will be one of the most important considerations in your planning process. Mailing supplies for pick-up en route was once a popular option. This seems to be falling out of favor today, but there is not necessarily a right answer. Your hiking style, the length of journey, and the prices you are willing to pay will all influence your decision.
Recommended Treks and Thru-Hikes in Washington
Pacific Crest Trail - To hike the entire trail, you'll have to start in Mexico but, don't worry, you'll spend plenty of time in Washington state if you do. You could also hike the PCT, which runs along the spine of the Cascades, from Washington's southern border to the international border with Canada. Or, take on a portion of Washington, such as the stretch between Snoqualmie and Stevens Passes. The Pacific Crest Trail offers a rugged, mountainous adventure for thru-hikers, section-hikers, and weekend hikers alike.
Pacific Northwest Trail - This trail runs from Cape Alava, across the northern reach of the Cascades, through eastern Washington's Kettle Range and on to Glacier National Park.
Wonderland Trail - At "just" 93 miles, the Wonderland won't qualify under every definition of a thru-hike, but it certainly provides fantastic scenery along with its intense elevation gain and loss. Permits are required and can be hard to get for this loop around Mt. Rainier.
Recommended Books
Beyond Backpacking by Ray Jardine. Adventure Lore Press, 2001.
The Pacific Northwest Trail Guide by Ron Strickland. Sasquatch Books, 2001.
Trekking Washington by Mike Woodmansee. The Mountaineers Books, 2003.
Additional Resources
American Long-Distance Hikers Association-West
Appalachian Trail Conservancy
Continental Divide Trail Alliance
Pacific Crest Trail Association
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