*** I do have the Fit files for this route but was unable to load them. Please email me if you would like for me to email them.***
The Oregon PCT Trail
I set my alarm every day for 2:30 am with the intention of setting off no later than 3:30 am. I started my unsupported FKT attempt at the California/Oregon border on August 21st at 3:09 am and completed the trail on August 29th at 10:52/10:55 pm at the Bridge of the Gods. The map on my FarOut guide ended at the middle of the bridge at 10:52 am. I stopped my watch at the Bridge of the Gods sign at 10:55 pm. I attacked day one with the intention of getting the most mileage on fresh legs. I was able to hike 60 miles on day 1. From there, it would set my pace for the duration of my hike with a goal of hiking 50 miles every day until I reached the end. As the days progressed and blisters began to form, reaching my daily mileage goal became more and more difficult. This resulted in some really late-night treks with very little sleep. There was only one day I was unable to meet my 50-mile goal, but I was thankful I had banked a few extra miles here and there throughout my hike to make up for it. The trail in itself was a challenge with its long water carries. Hiking this late in the season meant that seasonal streams were dried up. Something I didn’t anticipate. Having to sit and filter rather than walk and filter really slowed my progress. Especially when I had to filter from a murky pond, this clogged my filter. Additionally, on August 26, Oregon had a massive heat wave roll through with temperatures reaching well over 100 degrees. With having to hike through numerous burn fields, I felt every bit of this wave. This was my 3rd time hiking through Oregon and my first time hiking in the Northbound direction. Out of all 3 times, this was my first time seeing mountain goats and elk in Oregon. I didn’t see a single bear until my descent into the Bridge of the Gods. From there, I would see one and hear two bolt down the mountain during my nightly descent. The descent into the Bridge of the Gods was brutal. I could see the river but knew it would take me a few hours to reach it with my blistered, achy feet. I was grateful to have a nice, easy road walk to the finish.
I posted daily videos and pictures on my Instagram: instagram.com/jessicapekari
I also kept track of my progress with my Garmin watch and a Spot device.
This attempt was unsupported, meaning I carried all my food from start to finish without any resupply along the way. Trail magic is not allowed. Although being unsupported, we could charge power banks at public outlets. I carried 50,000mAh power banks so that I did not have to.