post by Andrea Lankford

A recent article in the Bakersfield Times suggests that more hikers on the Kern County section of the PCT has increased the number of search and rescue incidents occurring there. The Kern County Sheriff’s Office responded to zero incidents on the PCT between 2010 and 2014. Last year they responded to 10.

“We’re not seeing a ton of problems with an exponential growth of people getting hurt or injured,” says PCTA Associate Director of Communications Mark Larabee. “There are problems, but they are few and far between.”

I’m not sure I agree. A disturbing trend is apparent. In 2015, a homicidal fugitive hid out along the PCT in Kern County. During the summer of 2017, four rescuers were robbed at gun point while on the trail responding to a PCT hiker’s request for help. That same year, 2017, was the deadliest hiking season ever for PCT thru-hikers. In 2018, a woman was kidnapped and physically assaulted by another thru-hiker. Four male hikers have vanished while hiking the PCT, one each year since 2015, and we can’t find them.

Take a look at this chart published by the PCTA:

When your visitation levels nearly quadruple in five years, it’s a given that your rescue numbers will go up.

Unlike the article, I don’t blame Cheryl Strayed or Reese Witherspoon for the increase in PCT hikers. But I do agree with Chris Hogan, executive director of Stewards of Sequoia, a nonprofit group that oversees trail maintenance in Kern County that more and more people are hiking the PCT who “are not physically able to do it.” Hogan suggests hikers get a doctor’s approval before attempting a thru-hike “because this is serious stuff.”

The PCTA should be honest. More people on the PCT means more problems on the PCT. It’s a no-brainer. Instead of denying it, do something about it.

I’m a former park ranger. I absolutely realize this is easier said than done, but getting ahead of the problem is still a good idea. One way to mitigate issues arising from greater numbers of people attempting to thru-hike the PCT is to reevaluate the flawed permit system, provide funding for PSAR (Preventative Search and Rescue) measures, hardening of campsites, increased trail maintenance, and improved signing. The focus of these improvements should start with the first 700 miles of trail in California, the section where most fatalities have occurred and where the highest numbers of novice thru-hikers are on the trail.

Also we should be honest with wanna-be thru-hikers. The trail is mostly safe but dangers do exist. Prepare for your thru-hike accordingly.