Photo credit: explorersweb.com
The results of the 2024 Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) hiker survey have been released, revealing trends that may intrigue long-distance backpacking enthusiasts.
Halfway Anywhere, a platform managed by long-distance athlete Tyler Fox, presents the annual survey, marking its eleventh iteration. This extensive report covers various metrics, including demographics, financial aspects, and technological tools utilized by hikers on the PCT.
This year, 764 thru-hikers participated in the survey. The Pacific Crest Trail Association issues up to 8,000 long-distance permits annually, making the survey a reasonable sample, though not exhaustive.
Here’s what the findings reveal.
Noteworthy Demographics
The survey indicates that 55% of respondents identified as male, while 40% were female, with 1% non-binary. Nearly half of the surveyed hikers were aged between 25 and 34 years, and approximately 90% identified as white. These statistics are consistent with established trends within outdoor recreational activities.
A positive development is the increase in female thru-hikers, which rose by 3.5% compared to the previous year. Female representation among hikers was recorded at 35% in the initial survey in 2013.
The majority of respondents came from western states in the U.S., which may explain the high number of participants identifying as “software engineer” (5.4%). Educators and students also represented notable demographics at 6.6% and 4%, respectively. Other prevalent professions included engineer, scientist, and IT professional, while seasonal workers made the top ten but comprised only 3.5% of respondents.
Financial Insights
In 2024, the average expenditure for gear among thru-hikers was pegged at $1,708, reflecting nearly a $500 increase compared to earlier survey years. The total cost of the hiking journey averaged around $10,149, inclusive of gear expenses.
The survey began tracking total trip costs in 2019, with that year’s average at $6,561, or about $38.68 daily. By 2024, this daily cost had risen to $71, indicating almost a doubling over five years. Factors such as inflation—particularly in food costs—and the growing trend of ultralight backpacking are likely contributing to these increases, as this style often relies on more expensive, high-quality gear.
Interestingly, one might assume that a higher ratio of first-time hikers could inflate costs due to their potential overspending on equipment and accommodations. However, in fact, the percentage of first-time thru-hikers has fallen from 67.6% in 2019 to 50.2% in 2024. This suggests that experienced hikers returning for the PCT, often after first hiking the Appalachian Trail, may be driving the uptick in spending.
Technological Integration in Hiking
Modern hiking has evolved with the rise of technology, and the 2024 survey emphasizes this trend. An impressive 99% of respondents reported using smartphone apps for navigation during their hikes. The dominant choice among them was FarOut Guides (formerly known as GutHook), utilized by 96% of hikers for its capability to pinpoint exact distances on the trail and provide up-to-date information on critical aspects like water availability.
Additionally, hikers also turned to detailed topographical apps, such as GIA GPS (33.9%) and CalTopo (12.3%), with many hikers using more than one app for comprehensive trail navigation.
For those interested in exploring the findings further, the full 2024 Pacific Crest Trail Hiker Survey is available here, providing valuable insights for anyone considering hiking on the PCT in the future.
Source
explorersweb.com