<P> In order to reduce their hiking time and thereby increase their chances of completing the trail, many hikers try to substantially reduce their pack weight . Since the creation of the Pacific Crest Trail there has been a large movement by hikers to get away from large heavy packs with a lot of gear . There are three general classifications for hikers: Traditional, Lightweight, and Ultralight . Over the past few years the number of traditional hikers has dropped considerably . </P> <P> Before the PCT was planned, Martin Papendick was the first known person to hike across three states of the PCT in 1952 . 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". </P> <P> On October 16, 1970, Eric Ryback, an 18 - year - old student, completed the first PCT thru - hike . His personal congratulations came by telegram from no less than Edward P. Cliff, Chief of the U.S. Forest Service . Ryback is credited, recognized, and has been honored by the Pacific Crest Trail Associated as the official first thru - hiker of the entire trail . 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 . 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 . Ryback also helped the Forest Service lay out future plans for the PCT . </P> <P> However, Ryback's claim is disputed . When the guidebook publisher, Wilderness Press, stated in print 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 2,600 - mile 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 . </P>

Where does the pacific crest trail begin and end