Tracking my 2022 Pacific Crest Trail Thru-Hike: Stats, Gear & GPS Insights
In April 2022, I set out to thru-hike the 4,250 km Pacific Crest Trail, tracking every step with the Garmin Instinct Solar 2S. Over 140 days, I logged 4051 km, 123,970m elevation gain, and an average speed of 5.2 km/h. This post covers my PCT hiking stats, smartwatch performance, and GPS tracking insights, plus how I used my Garmin for navigation and daily Strava updates.
Tracking My 2022 Thru-hike with the Garmin Instinct Solar 2S
As a scientist, I love numbers and stats, and my smartwatch played a crucial role in monitoring my pace, distance, and elevation gain in real time. Having these insights was not only rewarding but also practical for navigation, no constant need to check FarOut to gauge progress. Additionally, I could upload GPS files from the trail, making the watch a backup navigation tool in case my phone battery died.
Before starting my thru-hike, I switched from the Garmin Forerunner 45 to the Garmin Instinct Solar 2S for its longer battery life. While the watch recharges using solar power, in full GPS tracking mode, it still required power bank charging every other hiking day (about 24 hours of continuous tracking per charge).
Despite the demanding conditions of a PCT thru-hike, I found the Garmin Instinct Solar 2S to be a reliable, durable watch with excellent battery life. Every day, I documented my journey with Strava activity posts, photos, and personal insights. Find them here.
