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Pacific Crest Trail may become 'all but impossible' to hike due to climate chang

• LorenPechtel 4y ago
  Small changes in the average values often result in big changes at the extremes. The problem with both the PCT and CDT is that the terrain is laid out by nature and you have to deal with it in the order presented. Too early and the mountains are hazardous (snow, avalance), too late and the lowlands are hazardous (hot, dry) and there's also the issue of winter closing in before you complete it. Even without wildfires playing havoc with the trails I suspect the days of thru-hiking are numbered, they'll only be section-hikable. I'm not sure how big a problem it is on the AT. There's already the Great Canadian Trail that from day 1 was never thru-hikable. Not even the most skilled people can complete it before winter closes in.
  • moistly 4y ago
    To be fair, the GCT is 24000km (15000mi) long. You’d really have to hoof it to clear it before winter sets in. Essentially a jogging speed for ten hours a day, for six straight months, no time off.
    • LorenPechtel 4y ago
      And parts aren't joggable.