Forget about bears, mountain lions, and murderers –
The last (and only) recorded death from a wild bear in California, Oregon, or Washington? A four-year old girl in 1974. The last hiker killed by a mountain lion on the PCT? Never. The last time a person was murdered on the PCT? Also, never.
4. GIARDIA
5. THE SUN & DEHYDRATION
6. POISONOUS PLANTS
7. BUTT CHAFE
8. BICYCLISTS
9. MOSQUITOS
10. CARS
11. UNLEASHED DOGS
12. MAN-MADE HAZARDS (Asbestos, high voltage cables, and unexploded military ordinances are just a few …)
13. THE BOOGIE MAN (psychological distress)
14. SNAKES
15. COWS
16. SNOW
17. POOP
Good timing – I’m just finishing Cheryl Strayed’s ‘Wild’! Her biggest fears initially seemed to be bears, mountain lions and weirdo’s! So interesting to see two of those were never a cause of a fatality on the PCT and a single fatality from a bear attack (unfortunately). She certainly had her moments with snakes, lack of trail marking on occasion and seems her closest shave was dehydration with perhaps a ‘cow’ (or bull) in a close second spot! Interesting you have flagged lightning as a serious hazard and thinking about it I can understand that! Thanks for the insight!
Hi Barry, I’m based out of Ireland – would love to do a part of something like the PCT but don’t think there will be an opportunity unfortunately. Will be ‘to-ing and fro-ing’ from South Africa for some months in the near future so looking forward to getting involved in some hiking down there. Yes, there’s something very alluring about long distance trails like the PCT. I did a good part of the Camino a few years ago and it pervades your very being once you’ve done it! Do you have any plans to tackle a long-distance trail?
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Good timing – I’m just finishing Cheryl Strayed’s ‘Wild’! Her biggest fears initially seemed to be bears, mountain lions and weirdo’s! So interesting to see two of those were never a cause of a fatality on the PCT and a single fatality from a bear attack (unfortunately). She certainly had her moments with snakes, lack of trail marking on occasion and seems her closest shave was dehydration with perhaps a ‘cow’ (or bull) in a close second spot! Interesting you have flagged lightning as a serious hazard and thinking about it I can understand that! Thanks for the insight!
Are you considering hiking the trail ? I saw the movie and can’t get it out of my head. Where you based ? I’m in the UK
Barry
Hi Barry, I’m based out of Ireland – would love to do a part of something like the PCT but don’t think there will be an opportunity unfortunately. Will be ‘to-ing and fro-ing’ from South Africa for some months in the near future so looking forward to getting involved in some hiking down there. Yes, there’s something very alluring about long distance trails like the PCT. I did a good part of the Camino a few years ago and it pervades your very being once you’ve done it! Do you have any plans to tackle a long-distance trail?