How Do We Change the Faces On the PCT?

Halfway Anywhere has calculated his latest survey of the class of 2021 PCT hikers. We have featured a lot of the data from this survey in previous posts. If you saw those prior posts you know the survey is quite extensive. These survey results were derived from 654 completed surveys. Compared to 2020 this was a 41% increase over last year. We have to take our buffs, sun hats, sweatbands off in appreciation for the dedicated effort that goes into compiling this survey. A few of the highlights that caught my attention included hiker gender, age, and race.

56.8% Male 42.6% Female 0.5% Non-binary

Age breakdowns looked like this:

• 0.7% < 20
• 12.98% 20-24
• 25.79% 25-29
• 20.7% 30-34
• 7.54% 35-39
• 9.12% 40-49
• 12.11% 50-59
• 10.35% 60-69
• 0.7% >70

Average age: 37 Median age:31

PCT Hiker Race looked like this:

• 86.5% White
• 3.7% Two or More Races
• 3.2% Hispanic or Latino
• 2.8% Asian
• 0.4% Black or African American
• 0.4% American Indian or Alaska Native
• 3% Decline to answer

A quick glance at these three categories paints a not too surprising picture. If you got dropped anywhere along the PCT and observed for an hour or a day you would likely notice that the average PCT hiker is a male in his mid-thirties and caucasian. Of course you would see good number of women mostly in their mid-thirties and also likely caucasian.

These features alone point toward the promotion of more diversity along the PCT. It is taking place ever so slowly. Will ‘Akuna’ Robinson is one person who is illustrating that fact as he navigates his way on numerous notable trails beginning with the PCT. 'Akuna’ is a black man who is promoting diversity through direct action. His story is in the upcoming 'Crossing Paths’, a compilation of PCT stories from the last decade, is due to be released in May of 2022. This book will be a companion to the earlier editions of the 'Pacific Crest Trailside Readers (California, Oregon-Washington) that were published in 2011.

These trends are not new or unique to 2021. Anyone who has walked any part of the PCT knows that these demographics are consistent and have been for a long time. The PCTA has been working hard to promote a more diverse PCT hiker population. In the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement, periodicals such as Backpacker magazine are attempting to address the diversity issue in their publication. The people in the pictures and identified in various articles are not all white mid-thirty somethings.

Bumping in to a Will 'Akuna’ Robinson or anyone else of color does grabs my attention. It has left me wondering how do we promote a more diverse community of hikers? What can the collective 'we’ do make persons of color feel safe and welcome on the trail? Obviously, based on Halfway Anywhere’s data, 30% of the responses were from people aged 40 to 70 years old. Clearly those people feel safe enough and welcome enough. Likely a very small percentage of this group are people of color.

To more fully understand and come to terms with the challenges associated with BIPOC people accessing the out of doors and the PCT in particular we need to remember a key point or two. First there is history. Prior to the Civil Rights Act of 1964 access by people of color was not encouraged. If anything between 1865 and the 1950’s some very heinous events like lynchings occurred in 'natural spaces’ and forests. Historically with that in mind a chance to go to the woods might not be appealing and frankly could sound potentially scary.

Until the Civil Rights Act of 1964 people of color including indigenous people were discouraged and/or prevented from accessing National Parks and other public spaces. Many of these lands were taken from the same people not allowed access in the past. So what can we do having todays perspective and willingness to bring change?

We have to begin somewhere. Programs like Every Kid Outdoors strive to make the outdoors more inclusive by offering free or low-cost outdoor programs to children from low-income families. Another such program, Community Nature Connection addresses outdoor equity through access and exploration programs. Their Transit to Trails program offers free buses from low-income urban areas to natural spaces like beaches, national parks and mountains. Such programs plant seeds of interest in embracing outdoor activities. Additionally, a growing social media movement with several social media accounts dedicated to championing the #DiversifyOutdoors movement are emerging. Some recognized brands are also pledging to support representation for BIPOC communities across the outdoor industry.

Whether or not between now and the next Halfway Anywhere PCT survey the data will reflect an uptick in BIPOC representation is hard to say. The trend is not climbing steeply but with each passing season each of us can do our part to promote access, encourage participation, and welcome all people wishing to explore the out of doors and the PCT in particular. Honestly I have never hesitated to go into nature. I have always had the privilege available to go find my way to nature. Sadly this has not been the case for so many who may also share my interest. The loudest and clearest message we can send is 'all are welcome, all are safe, and nature is for everyone, the PCT is for everyone’.