---
title: "#45 A dream called the Pacific Crest Trail: stories and experiences – Anet na trailu"
description: "An interview about the Pacific Crest Trail with fresh finisher Aneta Valachová. Listen to the experiences and stories from one of the most legendary treks in the world."
canonical_url: "https://gramino.com/blog/a-dream-called-the-pct-anet-na-trailu"
last_updated: "2025-11-01"
---

# #45 A dream called the Pacific Crest Trail: stories and experiences – Anet na trailu

Authors: David Czempka

Date: 2025-11-01

An interview about the Pacific Crest Trail with fresh finisher Aneta Valachová. Listen to the experiences and stories from one of the most legendary treks in the world.

Every year, the Pacific Crest Trail draws more and more Czechs – and no wonder. Nearly 4 300 kilometers of wilderness across the United States 🇺🇸 offer everything – endless views, a physical and mental challenge, moments of absolute peace, and lifelong friendships.

This episode, though, isn't a practical guide to preparing for the PCT. It's a conversation about what it's really like – through the eyes of this year's finisher Aneta Valachová. We talked with Anet about what brought her to the PCT, how she dealt with low points, how her trail family came together and how the trail community works, what the PCT taught her, and which expectations ultimately went unmet. We also get into her encounter with a cougar, bears, injuries, a gear review, and what it's like to film videos on the trail for her YouTube channel [@anetnatrailu](https://youtube.com/@anetnatrailu).

If you're wondering what it's like to spend more than five months on one of the most famous treks in the world, this interview takes you right there – into the desert sand, the high mountains, the exhaustion, and the euphoria that make the PCT an unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Tune in to this episode full of personal experiences and stories from the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT)! If you don't want to miss future episodes, don't forget to follow our podcast on your favorite platform.

## **🎧 Listen to the podcast on**

- [YouTube](https://youtu.be/BkRJnng-flI)
- [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/episode/3moVrF08E9bYo75oqoS6VS?si=99feb613251b4e44)
- [Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/pt/podcast/45-sen-jm%C3%A9nem-pacifick%C3%A1-h%C5%99ebenovka-z%C3%A1%C5%BEitky-a/id1612950422?i=1000736639654)

[Video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkRJnng-flI)

## 👩🏼‍🦰 Aneta Valachová

- [YouTube – @anetnatrailu](https://youtube.com/@anetnatrailu)
- [Instagram – @anet_na_trailu](https://www.instagram.com/anet_na_trailu)
- [Gramino ambassador profile](/aneta-valachova)

## 📖 Chapters

0:00 – Intro  
0:40 – Introducing our guest  
1:24 – Coming back from the trail  
3:13 – The PCT in a nutshell  
4:33 – Motivation  
5:59 – Preparation  
9:00 – Expectations vs. reality  
10:15 – Trail family and the PCT community  
14:48 – PCT stats  
16:06 – Skipping part of Oregon  
18:38 – Inspiring people  
20:30 – What the PCT teaches you  
21:45 – Trail provides  
22:34 – Low points on the trail  
24:37 – Feelings after finishing  
25:35 – Injuries  
26:52 – Screw-ups  
28:57 – The best moments  
30:47 – Bears and other animals  
33:35 – Weather and trail conditions  
34:40 – Hitchhiking  
36:10 – Cougar encounter  
37:55 – Gear  
43:05 – Advice for those who want to go  
46:20 – Favorite trail food  
48:38 – Zero days and time in town  
49:15 – Budget – how much the PCT costs  
50:42 – Filming videos for YouTube  
53:49 – Trail names  
55:07 – Future plans  
56:26 – Wrap-up

## This could come in handy

- [Kula Cloth](/p/kula-cloth-pee-cloth.md)
- [Katadyn BeFree AC 1 L](/p/katadyn-befree-ac-1-l.md)
- [Gramino AURA Pouch](/p/gramino-aura-pouch.md)
- [Liteway Wash Bag](/p/liteway-wash-bag.md)
- [Darn Tough Men's Hiker 1/4 Midweight](/p/darn-tough-hiker-1-4-midweight-mens.md)
- [Darn Tough Women's Hiker 1/4 Midweight](/p/darn-tough-hiker-1-4-midweight-womens.md)
- [Gramino SagiFlow](/p/gramino-sagiflow-ultralight-bidet.md)
- [DexShell Ultra Thin Crew](/p/dexshell-ultra-thin-crew.md)
- [Liteway Pokkie Pack](/p/liteway-pokkie-pack.md)
- [CNOC Vecto 2 L 42 mm](/p/cnoc-vecto-2-l-42-mm.md)
- [Sea To Summit Ultra-Sil Dry Bag](/p/sea-to-summit-ultra-sil-dry-bag.md)
- [Gramino Ultralight Waterproof Backpack Liner](/p/gramino-ultralight-waterproof-backpack-liner.md)

This post is also available as [HTML](/blog/a-dream-called-the-pct-anet-na-trailu).

## Sitemap

See the full [sitemap](/sitemap.md) for all pages.