Many hikers make the rigorous journey of hiking the Pacific Crest Trail also known as (PCT). Beginning in southern California at the Mexican border, the Pacific Crest Trail travels a total distance of 2,650 miles through California, Oregon, and Washington until reaching the Canadian border (Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail). Clinton Clarke and Warren Rogers were the first to hike the PCT in the 1930’s (pcta). The PCT can be accessed through several major cities such as San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sacramento, Portland and Seattle (pcta). When tackling this trail there are several factors that should be considered before the big hike.
For instance there is essential gear and equipment that should be carried when hiking the PCT. The first and most important item to carry is a detailed map of the area and a compass to stay on the right path. When carrying these two items be sure to put them in a place where they will not get damaged. The second most important item to carry is a first aid kit. Carrying a first aid kit is easy but there needs to be some idea in how to use it for it can give a false sense of security. The best course of action is to always take the steps necessary to avoid injury or sickness in the first place (pcta). Protection from the sun should also be considered when hiking the PCT therefore sunglasses and sunscreen should be worn to avoid sunburn on the skin. Although some people do not hike at night it would be best to bring a flashlight or headlight with extra batteries just in case there is any traveling done at night. Knowing how to make a fire while in the wilderness is a very helpful skill but if there is no knowledge in that area then carrying lighters or waterproof matches would be a more con...
... middle of paper ...
...hese factor in consideration it is evident to see that there needs to be some very detailed planning before taking the hike on the PCT. Some people are ready within a few weeks of deciding to go depending on their life situation. The hiker should have a few weeks to confirm some sort of transportation to the border and permits to hike to keep from prolonging the start of the adventure. Without the proper training, gear, and equipment this hike will be very difficult that is why it is important to systematically prepare for the hike on the Pacific Crest Trail.
Works Cited
"A Guide to Hiking the Pacific Crest." HowStuffWorks. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Mar. 2014.
"Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail." Fs.usda.gov/pct/. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Mar. 2014.
"Pacific Crest Trail Association." Pacific Crest Trail Association. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Mar. 2014.
Lewis and Clark Expedition, also known as the Corps of Discovery Expedition, was the first American overland exploration of the American West and Pacific Northwest, departing in May, 1804 from St. Louis on the Mississippi River, making their way westward through the continental divide to the Pacific coast and ending in September 1806. The expedition was commissioned by President Thomas Jefferson and guided byf Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. The exploration covered a total of about about 8000 miles round trip, from St. Louis to the Pacific Ocean. Jefferson trusted in the existence of a Northwest Passage, a water way between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The main goal of the expedition was to locate this Northwest Passage and plan its potential as a waterway for American westward expansion and commerce. Although Lewis and Clark did not find this route, the expedition succeeded in making peaceful contact with Native Americans and uncovering a wealth of knowledge about the peoples, geography, plants, and animals of the western United States. This expedition was an overwhelming amount of work in both preparations and the expedition itself and given the aftermath and achievements was not all for nothing.
The President sends an exploring party out (Lewis and Clark), the trappers and mountain men followed. They were essentially doing the same thing Daniel Boone did. Just later in history and pushing further west in an organised manner with government support. At this time there is much greater political significance as America must appear united (links to Texan conflicts)
On October 15, 1803, Lewis swung by and picked Clark up near Louisville. Afterwards,they along with many hired hands, began their “Corps of Discovery” journey. The Corps of Discovery mission was to find an all water route to the Pacific so they could meet, observe Indian groups, and map out the new territory. After getting acquainted with their surroundings, they built Camp Wood. Camp Wood was a winter camp for the Corps of Discovery, on the Wood river in Illinois. The conditions of this mission were not in their favor. Crossing the Pacific ocean had never bee...
The first factor was that a family of four on the Oregon Trail would need over one thousand pounds of food to survive trail. The pioneers had to bring just the right amount of food along on the trail the pioneers did not bring heavy things that they had in their houses in the east. The pioneers did not have any furniture in the wagons because it was too heavy to bring. The pioneers did not have a constant supply of hay with them. They pretty much had to be very organized and well thought out each day of the trip.
The journey along the Oregon Trail was a very long and rough experience. Stretching out to almost a whopping 2000 miles it usually took the pioneers 4-6 months travelling at 12 to 16 miles per hour. Throughout this journey the pioneers had to battle with cholera, poor sanitation, and accidental gunshots. The travelers had to gather all the resources that they had in order to survive. Usually the travelers traveled in large groups to help dealing with obstacles such as ravines, deep mud, snowstorms, thunderstorms, and rivers. Since there were no bridges or ferries crossing rivers and streams was a major hazard. Many supplies, animals, and travelers were lost attempting to cross rivers.
...ting trek by land was one to be made by wagon, horseback, or on foot either way the most popular way started in Independence, Missouri and ended in California 2,000 miles and six months later. "Start at 4, travel till the sun gets high, camp till the heat is over. Then start again and travel till dark (Uschan 21)."
Living in the wilderness is difficult, but understanding the meaning of such lifestyle is even more difficult. One of the Christopher’s admirable qualities was that he was well aware of what he was doing. He knew about the difficulties and dangers that he would face into the wilderness, and was mentally prepared for that. Author Jon Krakauer says that “McCandless was green, and he overestimated his resilience, but he was sufficiently skilled to last for sixteen weeks on little more than his wits and ten pounds of rice. And he was fully aware when he entered the bush that he had given himself a perilously slim margin for error. He knew precisely what was at stake” (182). McCandless was an educated youth, who loved nature and dreamed of living in the Alaskan wilderness. Although he ignored to take many necessary things with him on this
The state of Oregon was first settled by fur traders. The families in the area soon became called the mountain men and lived prosperously in Oregon trading beaver fur. Unfortunately, almost all of the beaver were killed; in turn, the mountain men either worked on farms or served as “guidance counselors” serving the purpose of advising new settlers on where to go. Consequently, almost all of the settlers began to move on the same trail which is presently known as the Oregon Trail. The trail was used by a very many number of north eastern people since the Panic of 1837 caused many citizens to lose money. It served the purpose to help many Americans practically start their life over. Although many died on this trail, the settlers that did survive continued to lead happy lives attracting more and more people to this new territory. The state or Oregon was long sought after because of the accessibility it possessed to the Pacific Ocean. The United States was officially able to trade much easier with eastern continents such as India and China. However, Manifest Destiny did not only include Oregon and many Americans decided to go into the new country of
The trip began when I took a small green pencil and signed by name on the release forms needed to hike in Yosemite National Park. I and nine of my friends left the ranger station that night with a neatly folded map and a felling of excitement to what lay ahead. The long drive to the park left us tired and in need of a good night’s sleep. We decided to stay in tent city like most hikers do before they set out for their trek. Tent city was a large subdivision of tents that resembled a community of houses. Each tent was perfectly uniformed in its appearance and made up a total of fifty tents. Before we went to bead, we studied our maps and made an itinerary to the amount of hiking we would do.
The majestic North Shore mountains provide an amazing backdrop for Vancouver, arguably one of the most beautiful cities in the world. These mountains tower over the city and ocean below and beckon to those who wish to get outside and explore. Listening to the call of Mother Nature, we decided to grab our backpacks, hiking poles, ten essentials for back country travel and set our compass headings on Cypress Provincial Park. The area offers numerous opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts - a smorgasbord for day trippers and mountaineers alike!
To add to the difficulty of the trails is the extreme elevation changes. The re are ironically enough thirteen climbs which result in more than 10,000 feet of climb per loop. This is obviously accompanied by an equal amount of descent. One runner described it as climbing 100 floors of stairs in your first mile, going back down on second mile and continuing this for twenty miles. The course amasses an average grade of over 20% and between 50 and near 100 percent grade on the abandoned trails and bushwhacking sections. The grade is the reason that the trails have been abandoned or not built in the first pace. Each climb bears a unique name which in many cases gives a good idea of their nature.
...s. Trail along the northern and southern edges of the canyon leads to, but on the road, the entire trail one day be possible, it makes for a long and tiring day. Best to make it two short (1-3 hours) day hikes. If you're a photo buff, plan your walking and other sun lit up the big picture across.
Avoid getting frostbite. Analyzing information provided in the simulation helped me to overcome obstacles faced while climbing the summit. In Round 4 I was able to analyze the information that using oxygen would help me overcome my critical health status and would allow me to continue my journey. Also, evaluating alternatives of either to stay at the camp or continue the journey based on the forecasted weather conditions prevented me from getting frostbite and thus being rescued. A Major challenge for me was at Round 4 when the physician was rescued, because she had to go down to the base camp and thus cannot provide me
This past summer I went hiking on the Lake Superior Trail. I was hiking for 7 days. I went with a group called the Venture Crew. The Venture Crew is a branch of The Boy Scouts of America. We hiked a total of 33 miles over those 7 days. The terrain was very rough and hilly. It took a lot of work and determination but it was a great experience.