Quote:
Originally Posted by GomerPile
I was just wondering how much busier it will be this season due to the recent resurgence of 'Wild'. Now when I say busier, I mean just in general along the trail. Not sheer number of through hikers.
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This year, the Pacific Crest Trail Association has implemented limit on the number of daily starts for hikers wishing to hike more than 500 miles. As of right now, all spots are full in April, with most days after March 15 and through May 15 at least half full.
There will likely be some increase in numbers of people that get out to hike the trail over the coming years either from the book or the movie. Thru hiking is a completely different mentality for hiking if one wishes to successfully thru hike any of the triple crown trails. Gear selection is paramount, 20+ mile days are typical, and it becomes a mental journey after a while. Anything that gets more people outside I am all for, I just hope that people do not become disillusioned with the grandeur of long distance hiking. It is not like your couple day backpack trip full of beautiful scenery, great friends and nice break from reality. It is long, arduous, requires planning, and the ability to get out and hike, all day, every day, in all weather. After I finished thru hiking the Appalachian Trail, I became slightly enraged when work supervisors would tell me I had gone on a vacation for 5 months. Yes buddy, hiking 20 miles a day is equivalent to sitting on a beach doing #### all. Please #### off now and lose some weight.