Johnson - The Pacific Crest Trail: a long distance footpath through California, Oregon and Washington

Since taking early retirement from his career as a physics and sports teacher, Brian Johnson has found time for three thru-hikes of the Pacific Crest Trail, a 2700-mile round-Britain walk, two hikes across the Pyrenees from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean and a single summer compleation of the Munros (Scotlands 3000ft mountains).

He has also completed a 2200-mile cycle tour of Spain and France and done multi-week canoe tours in Sweden, France, Spain and Portugal.

In his younger days, Brians main sport was orienteering. He competed at a high level and coached both Bishop Wordsworths School and South-West Junior Orienteering squads. He also surveyed and drew many orienteering maps. A keen climber and hiker, he led school groups in Britain, the Alps, the Pyrenees and California.

As a fanatical sportsman and games player, Brian competed to a high standard at cricket, hockey, bridge and chess. His crowning achievement was winning the 1995/96 World Amateur Chess Championships.

Brian hikes under the trail name Ancient Brit.

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Prices shown in shops are not the prices you pay for goods. The state sales tax needs to be added.

Most federal employees will be on holiday on the following dates during the hiking season. Post offices will be closed and mail will not be moved or sorted so can be disrupted for several days.

Last Monday in May: Memorial Day

July 4: Independence Day (or July 3 or 5 if July 4 falls during a weekend)

First Monday in September: Labour Day

Second Monday in October: Columbus Day

1 mile = 1.6km
1000ft = 305m
1ft = 30.5cm
1in = 2.5cm
1 pint (US) = 0.5 litre
1 quart (US) = 1 litre
1 gallon (US) = 4 litres
1 pound (lb) = 0.45kg
32F = 0C
70F = 21C
100F = 38C
Americans tend to use feet rather than yards for distance (1yd = 3ft).
The instructions with some freeze-dried foods give quantities in terms of cups (1 cup = 240ml).

The US and Canada have an integrated telephone system. To call the US or Canada from most European countries dial 001 followed by the local telephone number. To call abroad from the US or Canada, dial 011 followed by the country code. Country code for United Kingdom:

Pacific Crest Trail Association
1331, Garden Highway, Sacramento CA95833
(916)-285-1846, www.pcta.org
The associations website has application forms for PCT thru-hike permits, Mount Whitney permits and permits for entry to Canada along the PCT.

Canada Border Services Agency
2 Sumas Way, Abbotsford, BC V2S 8B7, Canada
(604)-504-4690

www.pct77.org/adz
Annual Day Zero PCT Kick Off and a good source of information

www.trailjournals.com
Journals from PCT hikers

www.fire.ca.gov
Fire information in California and California fire permits

www.4jeffrey.net/pct
PCT water reports

www.fs.fed.us/pct
US governments PCT website

www.pctmap.net
PCT maps and GPS waymarks. These are the best maps for the trail.

http://postholer.com
Snow reports and Google map with PCT superimposed

www.hikertrash.net
www.nationalforeststore.com
PCT maps

www.morethanamile.com/pctaorg
PCT information including maps on a CD-ROM

http://maps.nationalgeographic.com/topo
CD-ROM of USGS topographic maps

www.trailquest.net/PCTtrlsvcs.html
Trail town information

PCT forum

www.tarptent.com
Tarp-tents

www.gossamergear.com
www.sixmoondesigns.com
www.golite.com
www.ula-equipment.com
Lightweight gear

If you are going to hike the PCT in snowpack you will need more detailed maps than those featured in this guidebook. You could purchase US Forest Service maps, CD-ROMs or download maps from the various websites detailed in Appendix B.

The John Muir Trail Guide, Alan Castle (Cicerone, 2004, updated 2010) Covers Yosemite Valley to Whitney Portal.
www.cicerone.co.uk

The Pacific Crest Trail (three volumes), Ben Schirfin, Thomas Winnett, Jeffrey Schaffer, Ruby Johnson Jenkins and Andy Selters (Wilderness Press, 1973, updated 2003)
A comprehensive guidebook in three heavy volumes with black and white 1:50,000 maps.

Pacific Crest Trail Data Book, Benedict Gentle Ben Go (Wilderness Press, 1997, updated 2005)
Summarises the information in the guidebooks.
www.wildernesspress.com

The PCT Hikers Handbook, Ray Jardine (AdventureLore Press, 1992)
Advice on hiking the PCT with an emphasis on ultra-lightweight hiking and high daily mileages.

Trail Life: Ray Jardines Lightweight Backpacking, Ray Jardine (AdventureLore, 2009)
The latest incarnation of Jardines PCT Hikers Handbook benefits from the experience of thousands of additional trail miles.
www.adventurelore.com

Yogis PCT Handbook, Jackie Yogi McDonnell (self-published)
Provides the most comprehensive information on towns as well as other trail information (no maps).
www.pcthandbook.com

Pacific Crest Trail Atlas, Erik Asorson (Blackwoods Press, second edition, 2010)
A set of PCT maps in five expensive volumes with brief notes on the route.
www.pctatlas.com

Pocket PCT, Paul Bodnar (self-published, 2009)
Elevation guide to the PCT in three small volumes, with limited water and resupply information.
http://hikethru.com

John Muir Trail Map-Pack (Tom Harrison, 2009)
13 A4 topographic trekking maps, with relief shading and contour intervals at 80m, covering the John Muir and Pacific Crest Trails between Yosemite Valley and Mount Witney.