Katrina's Question:
I am an inexperienced backpacker planning to accompany my very experienced boyfriend to hike the entire PCT starting on April 28. I've only hiked 8 miles on the AT. (I'm from Atlanta) I'm VERY afraid of heights & snakes, and my biggest fear is steep, icy slopes. I don't want to slip and fall down a cliff to my death! Or cross raging waters by tightrope! PLEASE tell me this won't be the case. Can I do this? I'm walking on my lunch hour every day, and will hike w/backpack each weekend till then. He's hiked lots of the PCT and this is his dream. Won't I jeopardize it with my inexperience? Can it be done with an experienced person?

— Katrina Kole

Karen's Answer:
Katrina,

Oh, dear.

I read your letter and immediately dropped what I was doing to answer it. It brings me back to my early days of long-distance backpacking and the intense frustration of hiking with a much more experienced and speedy partner.

	Karen Berger Karen is a hiker's hiker. She has finished the Appalachian, Pacific Crest and Continental Divide Trails — making her one of the few who've completed hiking's"triple crown." Meet Karen Previous Answers Hiking Forums

First, can I recommend that you read the article Honeymoon on the Rocks, right here on GORP.com, which deals with the issue of hiking partners. Second, you and your partner need to go on a hike. Together. This weekend. Or better yet for a whole week.

If distance prevents you from doing that, use one of those cheapie long distance services and have yourself a conversation right now. Tell your boyfriend what you asked me. Have a conversation about what you'll do if the trail proves too hard, if it's not what you expected, if you can't handle the mileage, or if you just plain hate the idea of walking 650 miles through rattlesnake country.

Because yes, Virginia, (oops, Katrina), I'm not going to sugarcoat it -- there are rattlesnakes, steep slippery ice slopes, and raging creeks to cross (No tightropes, though). There are also 100-degree temperatures, freezing nights, days of rain, and hordes of mosquitoes. But there's also plenty of payback: pristine lakes, gorgeous views, skies shimmering with star-shine, and some of the most beautiful country to be found anywhere. My book, Along the Pacific Crest Trail, describes the good, the bad, the beautiful and the ugly, of a PCT thru-hike. You might want to check it out to see if this is something you really want to do. For me, it was a lifetime highlight. But it was also hard. And I LIKE this stuff!

I think the key question is: Is this something YOU want to do? You're being a good sport to go along with your boyfriend's dream, but is it your dream, too? The fact is, you can't walk 2,700 miles on someone else's motivation. I'm not so much worried about your jeopardizing his trip, but you may be putting your relationship on the line. As an experienced hiker, your boyfriend undoubtedly has ideas about what the trip will be like, and he probably expects you to grow into them or fall in with them. What if you can't handle the mileage? What if you freak out in the snow? Will he be willing to slow down? Change his plans? Support your decision to leave the trail? If so, you have a chance. If not, you're in for trouble.

The bottom line: Sure, inexperienced people can hike long trails  they do it every year. Anyone who is in reasonably fit shape and good health can do the PCT if they want to. But it's not easy. And those who succeed are following their dream, not someone else's.

Good luck  and I'd love to know what you decide and how you did!