A shakedown is not a highlight reel. It is two or three nights on similar terrain, with the pack you plan to start in, eating the food you think you like.
- Pack as if it is day one of the real hike. Same shelter, same quilt, same kitchen, same water kit.
- Walk consecutive days. One overnight hides problems that three nights will not.
- Sleep in the quilt at the temperature you expect. A 20° bag in a 45° backyard proves nothing.
- Cook, filter, hang or canister, and tape a foot — even if the foot is fine. Make the motions automatic.
- Weigh the pack when you get home. Cut what you did not use. Keep what you reached for.
17.3% of 2025 PCT hikers said they would have done more practice hikes. That is a cheap lesson compared to a restart in the first two weeks.
Halfway Anywhere 2025 PCT hiker survey →