Editing Pacific Crest Trail (section)

==Notable hikers==
Before the PCT became an official trail, Martin Papendick was the first known person to hike across three states of the PCT in 1952.<ref name=PCTbook>{{cite book|title=The Pacific Crest Trail: Southern California|first1=Ben|last1=Schifrin|first2=Jeffrey P|last2=Schaffer|first3=Ruby Johnson|last3=Jenkins|page=5|publisher=Wilderness Press|year=2003|isbn=978-0-89997-316-6|url=https://archive.org/details/pacificcresttrai0000unse/page/5}}</ref> After being one of the first to finish the Appalachian Trail in 1951, Papendick hiked between July 4 and December 1, 1952, from British Columbia to the Mexico–US border over the crests of the mountains along the Pacific Coast, a feat he reported in a periodical under the title "Pacific Crest Trails".<ref>{{cite journal|first=Martin|last=Papendick|title=Pacific Crest Trails|journal=Appalachia|volume=XXVIII|pages=374–376|publisher=Appalachian Mountain Club, 1953}}</ref>

On October 16, 1970, Eric Ryback, an 18-year-old student, completed the first PCT thru-hike. His personal congratulations came by telegram from Edward P. Cliff, Chief of the U.S. Forest Service.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pcta.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/ryback-returns-sept09.pdf|title=Ryback Returns|publisher=Pcta.org|access-date=January 13, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924065924/http://www.pcta.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/ryback-returns-sept09.pdf|archive-date=September 24, 2015}}</ref> Ryback is credited, recognized, and has been honored by the Pacific Crest Trail Association as the official first thru-hiker of the entire trail.<ref name=funFacts/> Ryback completed the Appalachian Trail in 1969 (as a 16-year-old); the Pacific Crest Trail in 1970; and a route approximating today's Continental Divide Trail in 1972.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pcta.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Medals4MilesFeb2010.pdf|title=Medals for Miles|publisher=Pcta.org|access-date=January 13, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924065930/http://www.pcta.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Medals4MilesFeb2010.pdf|archive-date=September 24, 2015}}</ref> Ryback's 1971 book ''The High Adventure of Eric Ryback: Canada to Mexico on Foot'' focused public attention on the PCT. Ryback carried an 80-pound pack on his 1970 thru-hike. He had only five resupply packages on the entire trip and was loaded with 40 pounds of food at the start of each leg. He often ran out of food and foraged or went hungry.<ref name=funFacts>{{cite web|url=http://www.pcta.org/about_trail/fun.asp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120821135547/http://www.pcta.org/about_trail/fun.asp|archive-date=August 21, 2012|publisher=Pacific Crest Trail Association|title=Fun Facts|access-date=January 13, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> Ryback also helped the Forest Service lay out future plans for the PCT.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mchalepacks.com/ultralight/Detail%20Hi%20Rez%20Pages/Muir%20Trail%20Story.htm|title=Muir Trail Story|publisher=Mchalepacks.com|access-date=January 13, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150226114742/http://www.mchalepacks.com/ultralight/Detail%20Hi%20Rez%20Pages/Muir%20Trail%20Story.htm|archive-date=February 26, 2015}}</ref>

Ryback's claim is disputed. When the guidebook publisher [[Wilderness Press]] stated that Ryback had used motor transport in places along the PCT, Ryback sued for $3 million but withdrew the suit after Wilderness Press revealed statements from the people who claim to have picked up the young hiker along highways parallel to the {{convert|2,600|mile||adj=mid| trail}}. Ryback is in Smithsonian's top 9 list of people ''Cheating Their Way to Fame'' though it notes that "the claims that Ryback 'cheated' are still doubted by some".<ref>{{cite web
 | url = http://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/cheating-their-way-to-fame-the-top-9-adventure-travel-hoaxes-24473354/?no-ist
 | title = Cheating Their Way to Fame
 | author = Alastair Bland
 | publisher = smithsonian.com
 | date = April 17, 2013
| access-date = October 10, 2014
}}</ref>

Richard Watson, who completed the trail on September 1, 1972,<ref name=PCTbook/> was often credited as the first PCT thru-hiker because Papendick was generally unknown and Ryback may have accepted rides. The first woman to complete the PCT was Mary Carstens, who finished the journey later in 1972, accompanied by Jeff Smukler.<ref name=PCTbook/>

The first person to thru-hike the entire PCT both ways in a single continuous round-trip was [[Scott Williamson (hiker)|Scott Williamson]], who completed the "yo-yo" circuit on his fourth attempt in November 2004. Williamson traveled a total of {{convert|5300|mi|km|-1}} in 197 days, covering an average of {{convert|35|to|40|mi|km|0}} per day when not in snow – an overall average of {{convert|27|mi|km}} per day – wearing an extremely [[Ultralight backpacking|ultra-lightweight pack]], which "without food, weighed about {{convert|8.5|lb|kg|1}}".<ref>{{cite news
  | title = Hiker Completes First Round-Trip of Pacific Crest Trail
  | work = Outside Magazine
  | date = November 18, 2004
| url = http://outside.away.com/outside/news/20041118_1.html
  | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20041204235555/http://outside.away.com/outside/news/20041118_1.html
  | archive-date = December 4, 2004
| access-date = September 14, 2009
}}</ref> Williamson then went on to complete a second round trip on November 28, 2006, cutting two weeks off his 2004 time.<ref>{{cite news
 |title       = A solo accomplishment is appreciated by many
 |url         = http://www.utsandiego.com/sports/outdoors/20061202-9999-lz1s2solo.html
 |work        = San Diego Union-Tribune
 |date        = December 2, 2006
|access-date  = December 2, 2006
|url-status     = live
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20121012094748/http://www.utsandiego.com/sports/outdoors/20061202-9999-lz1s2solo.html
 |archive-date = October 12, 2012
}}</ref>

In 2014, Olive McGloin (from Ireland) became the first woman to thru-hike the PCT both ways in a single continuous round-trip.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/people/a-walk-on-the-wild-side-meet-the-first-woman-to-yoyo-the-pacific-crest-trail-1.2071182|title=A walk on the wild side: meet the first woman to YoYo the Pacific Crest Trail|work=Irish Times|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150125045646/http://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/people/a-walk-on-the-wild-side-meet-the-first-woman-to-yoyo-the-pacific-crest-trail-1.2071182|archive-date=January 25, 2015}}</ref>

The youngest person to hike the trail is Christian Thomas Geiger, who at the age of 6 completed the trail with his parents Andrea Rego and Dion Pagonis.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.buddybackpacker.com/buddy-backpacker-pacific-crest-trail-thru-hiker/ |title=Youngest PCT Thru-Hiker|access-date=January 30, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160228122118/http://www.buddybackpacker.com/buddy-backpacker-pacific-crest-trail-thru-hiker/ |archive-date=February 28, 2016 }}</ref> Christian, also known by his trail name Buddy Backpacker, was also the youngest person to hike the Appalachian Trail until 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://appalachiantrials.com/buddy-backpacker-5-year-old-thru-hiker/|title=Meet Buddy Backpacker, The 5 Year Old Thru-Hiker - The Trek|date=March 2, 2014|website=appalachiantrials.com|access-date=May 3, 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161113212304/http://appalachiantrials.com/buddy-backpacker-5-year-old-thru-hiker|archive-date=November 13, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.backpacker.com/special-features/kindergarten-can-wait/ |title=Kindergarten Can Wait: Buddy Backpacker, 5-Year-Old Thru-Hiker |access-date=October 6, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161010192055/http://www.backpacker.com/special-features/kindergarten-can-wait/ |archive-date=October 10, 2016 }}</ref>

Other notable young hikers include Sierra Burror and Reed Gjonnes. Burror, who completed a continuous thru-hike of the trail in 2012 at the age of 9, is the youngest girl to thru-hike the trail. She completed her hike with her mother, Heather Burror.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pcta.org/2012/nine-year-old-monkey-completes-the-pct-575/|title=Nine-year-old Monkey completes the PCT|work=Pacific Crest Trail Association|date=September 25, 2012|access-date=January 30, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304023124/http://www.pcta.org/2012/nine-year-old-monkey-completes-the-pct-575/|archive-date=March 4, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://pcttrailsidereader.com/post/47964523891/an-interview-with-monkey/|title=An Interview with "Monkey"|access-date=January 30, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160220050139/http://pcttrailsidereader.com/post/47964523891/an-interview-with-monkey|archive-date=February 20, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Burror|first= Heather|date=March 29, 2014|title=Adventures on the Pacific Crest Trail|newspaper=Inyo Register|pages=15}}</ref> Gjonnes, who thru-hiked the trail in 2011 at age 11, went on to complete the [[Triple Crown of Hiking]], becoming the youngest person ever to do so.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/10/27/young-hiker-triple-crown/3282981/|title=Ore. girl, 13, youngest to claim hiking 'Triple Crown'|author=Zach Urness, (Salem, Ore.) Statesman Journal|date=October 27, 2013|publisher=Usatoday.com|access-date=January 13, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141201091321/http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/10/27/young-hiker-triple-crown/3282981/|archive-date=December 1, 2014}}</ref>

Teddi Boston hiked from Canada to Mexico on the PCT in 1976 at the age of 49. She was one of the first women to hike the trail alone.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scpr.org/programs/take-two/2015/08/03/43936/teddi-boston-recalls-historic-solo-walk-on-the-pac/|title=Teddi Boston recalls historic solo walk on the Pacific Crest Trail|author=Martinez, A., KPCC Take Two|date=August 3, 2015|publisher=scpr.org|access-date=June 22, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170718075049/http://www.scpr.org/programs/take-two/2015/08/03/43936/teddi-boston-recalls-historic-solo-walk-on-the-pac/|archive-date=July 18, 2017}}</ref>

An autobiographical account of a woman hiking a portion of the PCT alone in 1995 at age 26 was written by [[Cheryl Strayed]]. Her memoir ''[[Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail]]'' was published in 2012 and reached #1 on the New York Times Best Sellers list.<ref>{{cite news |last=Taylor |first=Ihsan |url=https://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2012-07-15/hardcover-nonfiction/list.html |title=Best Sellers - The New York Times |work=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=March 6, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120712023108/http://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2012-07-15/hardcover-nonfiction/list.html |archive-date=July 12, 2012 }}</ref> Her hike is the subject of the 2014 film [[Wild (2014 film)|''Wild'']], starring [[Reese Witherspoon]].

The first two reported deaths on the Pacific Crest Trail were in November 1995, when thru-hikers Jane and Flicka Rodman were killed during a detour down [[California State Route 138]] in [[Southern California]], when they were struck by a motorist who lost control of his vehicle. They were less than {{convert|400| miles}} from their goal of reaching the Mexico–US border.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pcta.org/about-us/history/in-memoriam/jane-and-flicka-rodman/|title=Jane and Flicka Rodman|publisher=Pacific Crest Trail Association|access-date=May 7, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150426141756/http://www.pcta.org/about-us/history/in-memoriam/jane-and-flicka-rodman/ |archive-date=April 26, 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Sierra hikers remembered in trek by family, friends|url=http://lasvegassun.com/news/1997/aug/18/sierra-hikers-remembered-in-trek-by-family-friends/|access-date=May 8, 2015|newspaper=The Las Vegas Sun|date=August 18, 1997|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150722105905/http://lasvegassun.com/news/1997/aug/18/sierra-hikers-remembered-in-trek-by-family-friends/|archive-date=July 22, 2015}}</ref>

The oldest person to thru-hike the trail is not fully established, with multiple competing claims.

===Fastest known times===

====Self-supported====
On August 7, 2013, Heather "Anish" Anderson of [[Bellingham, Washington]], set the [[fastest known time#FKT categories|self-supported]] speed record. She completed the PCT in 60 days, 17 hours, 12 minutes,<ref>{{Cite web
|date=September 3, 2013
|last = Williams | first = Doug
| title= Records set on Pacific Coast Trail
|url=https://www.espn.com/sports/endurance/story/_/id/9629683/endurance-sports-josh-garrett-heather-anderson-master-pacific-crest-trail|access-date=January 2, 2023
|language=en
| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20151001225751/http://espn.go.com/sports/endurance/story/_/id/9629683/endurance-sports-josh-garrett-heather-anderson-master-pacific-crest-trail
| url-status= live
| archive-date = October 1, 2015
| publisher= ESPN
}}</ref> beating the previous record by almost 4 days.<ref name=fkt>{{cite web|url=http://fastestknowntime.proboards.com/thread/29|title=Pacific Crest Trail (CA, OR, WA)|publisher=Fastest Known Time|access-date=January 13, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150113170508/http://fastestknowntime.proboards.com/thread/29|archive-date=January 13, 2015}}</ref> She documented this journey in her book ''Thirst''.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Thirst : 2600 miles to home|last=Anderson, Heather|isbn=9781680512366|location=Seattle, Washington|oclc=1055681514|year=2019}}</ref> In 2018 she became the first woman to complete the [[Triple Crown of Hiking]] in a single calendar year.

Exactly nine years later, on August 7, 2022, Josh Perry improved upon the self-supported speed record, completing the PCT in 55 days, 16 hours and 54 minutes.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 22, 2021 |title=Pacific Crest Trail (CA, OR, WA) {{!}} Fastest Known Time |url=https://fastestknowntime.com/route/pacific-crest-trail-ca-or-wa |access-date=July 11, 2023 |website=fastestknowntime.com |language=en}}</ref>

In 2023, Nick Folwer set a new self-supported record of 52 days, 9 hours and 18 minutes. While he was in the [[Sierra Nevada]], [[Hurricane Hilary]] hit California, and he needed to spend 41 hours sheltering in a cave from the weather.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 16, 2023 |title=Nick Fowler - Pacific Crest Trail (CA, OR, WA) - 2023-09-06 {{!}} Fastest Known Time |url=https://fastestknowntime.com/fkt/nick-fowler-pacific-crest-trail-ca-or-wa-2023-09-06 |access-date=October 8, 2024 |website=fastestknowntime.com |language=en}}</ref>

====Supported====
On August 10, 2014, Joseph McConaughy of [[Shoreline, Washington]], set a new supported speed record and the overall fastest known time for the PCT. The distance was covered in 53 days, 6 hours, and 37 minutes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nwpr.org/post/seattle-runner-smashes-speed-record-full-length-pacific-crest-trail|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812212654/http://nwpr.org/post/seattle-runner-smashes-speed-record-full-length-pacific-crest-trail|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 12, 2014|title=Seattle Runner Smashes Speed Record For Full Length of Pacific Crest Trail|publisher=Northwest Public Radio}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2024221697_pacificcrestrunner02xml.html|title=55 miles a day: Blistering pace for hiker seeking Pacific Crest record|newspaper=The Seattle Times|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812141659/http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2024221697_pacificcrestrunner02xml.html|archive-date=August 12, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.runforcolin.com/#!blog/c16p9|title=Run For Colin|publisher=Runforcolin.com|access-date=January 13, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150113000909/http://www.runforcolin.com/#!blog/c16p9|archive-date=January 13, 2015}}</ref> This surpassed the previous record of 59 days, 8 hours, 14 minutes,<ref name=fkt/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pcta.org/2013/pct-speed-record-is-shattered-twice-13750/|title=PCT speed record is shattered twice|date=August 9, 2013|publisher=Pacific Crest Trail Association|access-date=January 13, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150113165321/http://www.pcta.org/2013/pct-speed-record-is-shattered-twice-13750/|archive-date=January 13, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.opb.org/news/article/npr-vegan-hiker-sets-new-record-on-pacific-crest-trail/|title=Vegan Hiker Sets New Record On Pacific Crest Trail|publisher=Oregon Public Broadcasting|access-date=January 13, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150113170613/http://www.opb.org/news/article/npr-vegan-hiker-sets-new-record-on-pacific-crest-trail/|archive-date=January 13, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://blogs.seattletimes.com/today/2013/08/man-woman-set-records-on-pacific-crest-trail/|title=Man, woman set records on Pacific Crest Trail|newspaper=Seattle Times|access-date=January 13, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150113170231/http://blogs.seattletimes.com/today/2013/08/man-woman-set-records-on-pacific-crest-trail/|archive-date=January 13, 2015}}</ref> set by Josh Garret on August 8, 2013, by more than 6 days. Joe was supported by a team of three hikers.

McConaughy's record was broken on August 14, 2016, by [[Karel Sabbe]], a 27-year-old dentist from [[Ghent, Belgium]]. He covered the distance in 52 days, 8 hours, and 25 minutes, averaging over {{convert|50| miles}} a day and shaving almost a day (22 hours) off the previous record set by McConaughy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://appalachiantrials.com/karel-sabbe-claims-new-supported-pct-speed-record/|title=Karel Sabbe Claims New Supported PCT Speed Record - The Trek|date=August 17, 2016|website=appalachiantrials.com|access-date=May 3, 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161027102434/http://appalachiantrials.com/karel-sabbe-claims-new-supported-pct-speed-record/|archive-date=October 27, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.rei.com/blog/run/dentist-belgium-clipped-day-off-pct-thru-hike-record|title=How a Dentist from Belgium Clipped a Day off the PCT Thru-Hike Record - REI Co-op Journal|date=October 6, 2016|work=REI Co-op Journal|access-date=October 27, 2017|language=en-US|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171027182927/https://www.rei.com/blog/run/dentist-belgium-clipped-day-off-pct-thru-hike-record|archive-date=October 27, 2017}}</ref> Sabbe was supported by his friend Joren Biebuyck.

On July 22, 2021, 37-year-old ultra-runner [[Timothy Olson]] broke Sabbe's record with a time of 51 days, 16 hours and 55 minutes, fifteen and a half hours faster than Sabbe's time. Olson was crewed by a small group of family and friends.<ref name="Potter">{{Cite web|last=Potter|first=Alex|date=July 23, 2021|title=Timothy Olson Sets the Men's Supported Pacific Crest Trail FKT|url=https://www.irunfar.com/timothy-olson-sets-the-mens-supported-pacific-crest-trail-fkt|access-date=July 31, 2021|website=iRunFar|language=en}}</ref>

On August 26, 2023, [[Karel Sabbe]] took back his record with a time of 46 days, 12 hours and 56 minutes, more than five days faster than Olson's time.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/outdoors/article/ultrarunner-smashed-pacific-crest-trail-speed-18299645.php|title=An ultrarunner just smashed the Pacific Crest Trail speed record, hiking 57 miles per day|date=August 26, 2023|work=San Francisco Chronicle|access-date=August 27, 2023|language=en-US}}</ref>