Mathieu Jourjon, economist, colour-blind and founder of Mount Trail has traveled thousands of miles Through a series of 5 articles, he will share with you his experience of walking, kayaking, numerous expeditions and long hikes, taking up various challenges. Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) in 2016, in 115 days and with a very, very, very tight student budget.

The Pacific Crest Trail is a hiking trail from 4240 km starting at the border from Mexico to Canada. This long distance trail also called "A Thru-Hikes" passes through the states of California, Oregon and Washington. It was made known to the public thanks to the film Wild by producer Jean-Marc Vallée. However, it existed long before that! My friend Dave Fleischman did MDT in 1993. At that time, only 15 people had started this long trail and the hiking equipment was very different from today's equipment and signage. Only 6 completed this journey.

On average, a hiker takes 4.5 to 6 months to cover the 4240 km. Every hiker is different and therefore may experience different difficulties. I left on May 15, 2016 and it took me 115 days (3.8 months) to cover the 4,240 km.

Here is a non-exhaustive list ofthe difficulties that the hikers of the Pacific Crest Trail can have:

-· The weather - As with any hiking trip, you must take into account changes in temperature and weather conditions that can be surprising. You will cross high mountains and several deserts!

-· Snow - PCT passes through many peaks reaching over 4000 meters. Snow is always present, even in the middle of summer, and snowstorms are common.

-· Orientation in the snow - I only used a map and a compass. I had to think when the summits were snowy and there were no tracks. Hikers with a GPS get lost on some peaks where the snow is fresh.

-· Hardware - all hiking equipment wears out during the walk. I myself have broken 5 hiking poles in 115 days.

-· Physical problems - the body of hikers is put to the test. You have to trust your physical abilities, listen to your body and take care of your feet (especially at the start).

-· Preparation - you have to spend hours researching blogs, forums, Facebook groups or chatting with experienced people. Today, there is a lot of information on this hiking trail.

-· Lmental - walking alone or accompanied for many hours is difficult. It takes a strong mind to continue every day despite exhaustion.

-· Rivers - there are many of them. Some rivers are crossed by bridges, but others have to be crossed on foot. Melting snow makes crossing them perilous and dangerous. It is best to cross large rivers in the morning, as the water flow is smaller.

-· The food - you need to maximize the calorie / 100 gram ratio!

-· Water - especially in Southern California, a rigorous strategy is needed to avoid running out of water and to deal with the unexpected. Each year, a document on this subject is updated by hikers during their journey.

-· Bear - as is often the case, this aspect is overestimated in risk management. One must be careful, hang one's food and follow all park advice. If you know how to deal with a bear, you will never have a problem.

-· Mosquitoes - as is often the case, this aspect is underestimated in its risk management. When there are hundreds or even thousands of mosquitoes around you, the risk of poor decisions and injuries increases. You must have the necessary equipment to protect yourself from head to toe. Don't rely on repellent to keep your peace.

-· Rattlesnakes - you can find them in Northern and Southern California. Rattlesnakes produce a dull sound when you are near them. Unfortunately, there is not much you can do to avoid them. Make noise with your sticks, be alert, wear long pants, don't listen to music, and stomp your feet when you think there might be some. Note that young rattlesnakes are the most dangerous because they do not dose their venom properly. Many attacks are done without venom, just a bite, because the snake knows that it will not be able to eat you and therefore does not use its venom.

-· The weight - every gram of the backpack must be counted in order to cover the many kilometres. The philosophy of the ultralight makes sense.

-· Orientation - although the path is perfectly signposted, it is not always easy to find your way in the snow or on certain sections. You can take a GPS, but in any case, take a map and a compass. Safety 101.

-· Logistics - it is no longer a problem in long hikes (SIA, PCT, AT, CDN). Convenience stores and local businesses will adjust their inventory for you. In the worst case, you will pay a little more or do a little more thumbing, but you will be able to find food unless you need specific food or medicine. You can manage the food logistics by making supplies on the go.

There is no challenge or obstacle that cannot be overcome in life or on a hiking trail.. Planning, physical and especially mental preparation and experience (making your own mistakes) are elements to be taken into account.

Every time I go on an expedition or on long hiking trails, I repeat the same sentence to myself: "You just have to put one step in front of the other. " I repeat this sentence over and over again!

To walk 30 km a day on the Hudson Bay coast, to walk more than 40 km a day on the PCT, to face the snowy mountains of Quebec, or to climb the Caucasus mountains - I still have this same sentence: "You just have to put one step ahead of the other. »

We can all do it!

The Mount Trail Team