AT vs PCT | An IN DEPTH Comparison from a Thru Hiker (which one is better?) 

I think one of the biggest differences between the 2 trails is that the AT you're more likely to be able to finish it, whereas the PCT has so many closures every year for wildfires, not as many who start can do the entire trail. As you experienced. I guess that can depend on your start date, but some folks who got an earlier start last year had to skip over sections of fires, even with the high snow year. Although, last year on the AT there were some closures in New England because of flooding, so that might become a thing there. I hope not. I like the solo format as much as the interview format. Either way there's some trail tales, so s'all good!

I chose the AT over the PCT for three reasons. First, I'm an older hiker with health issues, and high elevation could create serious problems. Secondly, I am not a water person, and river crossings would have added a lot of stress for me. Finally, I have dietary considerations where I sent all my resupply to me on my hike very rarely using local resources. I'm going to give the AT another go when I turn seventy :

Started over here, finished on Spotify, but had to come back here to say I love the solo podcast just as much as the interviews. As someone doing their first thru hike and hoping to finish the triple crown, this is really helpful. Nothing gives more comfort about a new adventure than info from someone with first hand experience. Vlogs can only give so much. Love the content! See you at trail days! 👋🏽

Can we have a map in the corner sometimes please. I’m in Europe,& I enjoy hiking in so many countries. I know the basic geography of the US but not when it comes to details. States in the middle I get confused sometimes. I know the two East and West mountain ranges, the way the desert and then fields roll away from the sea and mountains towards the east. It’s very clear, unlike Europe’s mountain ranges!

We will be at Trail Days! Haven't done a thru hike but look forward. to meeting you;

Super interesting comparisons! Thanks Kyle. I liked the change up with a solo episode. Sprinkle a few more of those in 👍🏻

I was at trail days camping in tent city and pretty sure I saw you, which is crazy cause I didn’t discover your channel til like a week after. But, I live very close to where the festival is held so I come every year!! Hope to see you next year ❤

I literally found your channel less than a week ago and I live near Martinsburg WV. Trail Days sounds like a blast and its close this is a WIN.

Great video. I like your solo...AND I like how balanced, objective, and accurate your strive to be. I just subscribed and liked because of the great job. Love the solo format. Thank you!

I like the solo style episodes just as much as the ones when you have guests on. Also really hoping to be at trail days this year. We'll see 🤞😊

Excited to hear you’ll be at trail days!! I’ll definitely be looking out for deets and see you there 😁😁 hiking the AT this year

YAY!!! i go to Trail Days every year!! So awesome to be able to meet you! You should set up your own spot and have meet and greets!

Great listen - thanks for sharing!

So glad you did this podcast- one of my favorites 😊

Really enjoyed this episode Kyle

Your solo podcast are good bc you give a lot of useful advice. Feel better!

Thanks for posting these podcasts on RU-vid. Unfortunately, I'm not going to be able to go to trail days. This episode was very helpful and reinforced my impressions of each trail. I'm definitely doing a thru hike of the AT. The PCT has so many moving parts, unpredictable weather/environment, increased costs, and tricky logistics. It doesn't make it impossible, but you definitely have to be prepared as well as being able to accept that you might not be able to hike every PCT mile due to things out of your control. Keep shining bright and enjoy trail days.

The PCT goes through a lot of National Parks. Trails in those parks are less steep, so more people can use them. National and state forests are another story. The trails are much steeper but fewer switchbacks.

Another great one!!

Strongly more slightly a fan 😂👍

We're planning on going to trail days this year! Hope to see ya there!

Great video Kyle

We start March 11, listen to all your podcasts. Would love to see you at trail days!

You forgot to tell yourself about the end of episode story! Great ep though :)

Kyle, dude, get well soon! 🍀 We even stick around with you and your channel over here if you take a break once in a while! I felt sore in my throat aswell while watching this. You‘re a brave soldier! ;) But get yourself some rest! Best wishes from one of your biggest fans from Germany!

As an older hiker West coast hiking is far less of a beating on my battered old knees. The straight up and down and the endless rain is an ass kicker. The sun I get but it, but nothing likes weeks of rain and mud. It’s not even close. One thing you did not mention is the additional expense of the PCT, it’s the West Coast and lots of California. Now let’s compare the PCT to the CDT. I am an East Coast hiker but as I have aged out I prefer the West, basically because my body handles it better. A triple crowner once told me 40 miles are easier on PCT than 20 miles in the Whites on the AT. I would agree.

Kyle ! I love your content! I will be at Trail Days too and I hope to meet you. From watching your videos so much I feel like I already know you hahaha.

I’m vlogging my AT thru-hike this year and I’m plan on being at Trail Days!

I plan to attend Trail Days this year. I thru-hiked the AT in 2023 and it was amazing. If you end up doing it meetup, I would love to meet you. Keep hiking, my friend!

Would totally do a meetup! Love the content. Esp the mystery stories.

Hope you feel better

Starting the AT in early May. I'm not making plans in advance to attend trail days, but if I do wind up there I'll definitely stop by

Me and my family have gone for the past two years and are planning on going again, we would love to meet you. I'm a big fan.

Great episode and topic for your first solo video. I love the AT best and it did spoil me because of the abundance of water and nearby towns/resupplies. NH Whites and the Smokies are the best for views (NOBO). PCT views are better but are more challenging to get. No need for ice ax, crampons or bear cannister. More people too if that is your thing but watch out for sketchy strangers. Plenty of water, trees and wildlife (don't ride the wild ponies). Best hostels "The Notch" Woodstock NH, "Woods Hole" Virginia, "Shaw's" Maine. If you put Clingmans Dome on top of Mount Washington it still wouldn't be as tall as Mount Whitney.

I am thruhiking the AT this yr starting in April and already booked a place in Damascus for trail days

My buddies and I will be finishing up a section hike in Damascus for trail days and we would love to do a listener meet up!

Definitely would like to meet up at Trail Days. We start NOBO on the AT this month! 👍

Start my thru hike on 3-14. Hope to see you at Trail Days.

I'll be thru hiking the AT this year!!! Would love to meet up at trail days!!

Get organic Golden milk, squeeze a organic lime 2 times a day to keep colds away

i fully intend to time my thru-hike so it puts me near Damascus in line with trail days, itd be cool to meet up with you there

This is great content. I did the AT in 2018 as well. I'm planning on trail days this year, and would definitely be down for a meetup. Would be cool to connect, and I think it could end up being a pretty sweet crew as well.

GSMNP $40 SNP $15 Taylor had to adjust her plans last year because BSP was at cap. But permit is free.

start mid feb may see you there

I'm from California going to hike the AT and starting in about a month. I'll look for you at AT Days in Damascus. You said that in the AT you basically need one set of gear. However, most people are starting in March where snow is common and temperatures are getting down to 20 or less. Most people bring winter gear until after the Smokies. After that, prepare to deal with humidity and gnats. Also, it's much harder to see the rattlesnakes.

I’ll be thruhiking the AT in 2024 and I’ll be at trail days! Just let us know when and where and we’ll be there!

I'm only in Alabama and I might be interested in coming. All depends on having the cash for travel by then though

Early season you may need an ice ax or at least spikes as early as Mt San Jacinto and Mt Baden Powell on the PCT. San Jacinto has claimed some lives in early season due to not being prepared for snow while hiking “the desert”.

I have subscribed 3 times. Not sure why YT keeps removing it.

Great video Kyle! I’d be interested in hearing a thru hikers take on the burned areas in the smokies while hiking the AT. I believe it was 2016 when the wildfires ripped through the smokies? Anyhow keep the content coming, and thank you!

I wanna meet you at trail days!!!! 😍😍😍😍😍

I prefer the seclusion of the PC t over crowds of the AT

On the AT (if you start at an average time) most hikers will swap out their sleeping bag/quilt when it gets warmer (about a $200-400 investment), send their puffy jacket/winter layers home, or replace their trekking poles at least once. The bear can does suck to carry, but like you said, the AT will most likely be requiring one in the near future also. PCT hikers will have to change out more gear, but I'd argue the gear changes on the AT are more significant.

PCT hammocks cannot be used? Won’t be at trail days this year because I am thru hiking but maybe next year

You started late on PCT - starting early, 4L is max needed. I use 1L per 5 (sometimes less, but more in camp).

Good video! I think I might prefer to hike the PCT, but the desert sounds a bit dull. Something I'm confused about is the Permit thing. How can they possibly police it when you have an area of thousands of square miles of wilderness ? I can see that you could do this at some car parks and campsites, but its not like there's just one entrance. People could wander around and never see a park ranger ,let alone another human. I'm from the UK and have hiked /biked in Scotland and have gone days without seeing anyone.

If I come back down to trail days we will meet up

Kyle, you do a phenomenal job at injecting humor, balancing it ever so tactfully when you start to get off trail * pun intended*. Your podcasts never feel manufactured, rather you always keep it flowing and yet mysterious.

Easier access to resupplies and water on the AT are huge benefits over the PCT

I preference the PCT because i live right next to it. As far as CDT vs AT ill probably go for the CDT before the AT because it's closer to me and I'm kinda freaked out by the tics on the AT although the AT does look really nice it's not something that's going to be as easy for me to try

The smokies had hip deep snow this past month, just sayin'

I’m coming with friends! We live in Virginia, renting an Airbnb.

you said somewhere around virginia, long stretches of AT is flat. We're old and would like to hike a fairly flat section. So where was that again?

Going to pct days August 16-17?

*Both trails are beautiful. You pass through different ecosystems. The AT has many more species of plant diversity and weather on the AT is more inconsistent and surprising. Never know when a hurricane or two might hit you while hiking on the AT. *Too many party hikers on the AT and the PCT. I don't know which is worse but I stay away from them.I guess there are more places to party on the AT.... *The AT terrain is varied as well, but much more subtle than the PCT -- no deserts on the AT.... *Very few water issues on the AT. Tons of water issues on the PCT. The burnt areas of the PCT also effects the water quantity and quality.... *Having hiked many areas of both trails, I find the wear and tear of shoes is much quicker on the AT than the PCT and that the AT, lacking in switchbacks (there is an occasional One) makes hiking a bit harder.... *Problems on the AT and PCT: Bears (which I love seeing) are more plentiful on the AT and more bothersome on the AT; ticks - they both have them but the AT seems to have more; mosquitos are horrid on both; Black flies on the AT are notorious. *Yes, New York and New Jersey is a beautiful part of the trail and often overlooked.... Thanks for mentioning that. In fact, NJ and NY is a miniature up and down introduction of rock squeezing and hopping for VT, NH and ME. *I don't stay in or near shelters so the mice problems don't bother me...... But mice are a bigger problem on the AT. *On the AT I rest every ten days. Most people seem to take breaks every three or four days on the AT - I think it is the party atmosphere they like..... I stay away from parties. But the towns are quite lovely... most of them. *More historical sites on the AT, if that means anything to you. *Scenery wiae - Great scenery everywhere.... -------Northern Washington is the best on the PCT for me -- for spectacular scenery.... but I haven't been everywhere on the PCT .... -------White Mountiains is my favorite area on the AT -- * Wildlife -- more varied and more sightings on the AT

Hey buddy I will be at trail days and would love to meet up and we chat. Love your content

Let's see if Kyle let's them talk this time 😅

I understand bear cannisters being required in some places but isn't it just good practice to have them anywhere in bear habitat?

Rather post-hole in snow than mud.

I feel like the "better" trail is always the one you thru-hiked first.

Pct for me 😂

TMI on the nose..,😊

Hey Kyle I ran across a young man who is getting ready to start a thru hike on the PCT. He is newer but has some great insights about the mental and psychological aspects of hiking. Would love to see you do an interview with a newer hiker and get some insight into how they perceive an upcoming hike. His channel is youtube.com/@phil_forrest?si=1b879l_6Yr0Aqfsu. Keep up the great podcasts.

Which trail is better? The one you like the most is the one that's better. no kap. But seriously, I think both trails have so many wonderful and terrible things. They're both so different. Appalachian Trail Trail Days lmoa. Would totally go again but I'll be on the PCT!

I would say filming permits for national parks is a new thing, if you plan to monetize your videos you can cover your butt with 100.00 for the whole trail but it's something I've recently heard of. Dude if you could afford it it would be neat for your channel to go yearly or at least every other year and do interviews or like worst stories/best stories on trail this year for people.

I kept hearing how great the AT was from AT hikers. I was told of the amazing views and how hard it was compared to the PCT. I found the AT boring and easy. Because it is an easier trail, you get more bullshitters, youtube experts, con men, and weirdos. PCT is a much better trail. It has better views and more dedicated hikers.

Living in the PNW I can tell ya, your chances of getting a hitch are probably really low. I don't know anyone who would enthusiastically give a hitch hiker a ride even if they did look like a PCT hiker, sadly! Not anyone sound of mind anyways

I will never go to Trail Days. It is just another piece of commercialization of the AT....

80% is not a thru hike.

Rambling incoherence meet your poster child.