3nvisi0n

The AT is more social than the PCT but the PCT is still pretty social. If you want to do a long trail that isn't too social yet consider the CDT (Edit: Continental Divide Trail for anyone wondering) (Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico) especially Southbound.

On the CDT even when it was 'busy' as all the North bounders were flipping when I started South last year I'd still go days without seeing another person. Though there were clumps of people who chose to stick together as a solo hiker on average while on trail I'd only see a person in passing every couple days unless I was specifically hiking with others.

Though the CDT is also usually considered harder than the AT or PCT due to the lack of completed trail and navigation difficulties (you need to carry maps). Its also further from resupply towns compared to the PCT, and rarely walks through town like the AT does. Logistically it takes more planning, but thats what you get for trying to take the less traveled route. THe benefit is the CDT incomplete nature means you can really choose your own route maybe walk along the river instead of the mountain ridge for a couple days, or take a side route and summit at 14k foot mountain thats near by. If you can't tell, I'm a fan of the CDT and if you want to get less social I'd totally recommend the CDT.

It is possible but its not practical to rely upon such jobs. Usually they are taken by more permanent staff and not recruited on the fly or so to speak. You're more likely to get a job sailing and even that is really quite rare unless you already have sailing experience or are willing to pay but its more common in my experience than getting cargo ship work as on the ships they need much more documentation and checks on their employees when entering countries than someone sailing to another country.

Well it can be Mormon culture leading to that but Utah is one of the few states where hitchhiking appears to be illegal from anywhere(most states just don't allow it from the roadway[shoulder is okay]). So that would cut down on a number of the rides.

That said its not terribly well enforced outside of the areas surrounding major cities; even then its mixed.I just wouldn't blame the waits strictly on the Mormon culture. I have been picked up by Mormons in other states so atleast some will pick up.

I'd second that thought, it seems from those female travelers I've met that they have had more sketchy encounters that males traveling about as long.

Several I've met have stopped because of those encounters so it certainly plays apart in it.

I don't think there is really much research on the topic

Good luck getting on the CDT I'm starting it myself in June sobo