The 2026 Virtual PCT Expedition

Each participant needs to be on a team of 8-12 people. Every team member needs to register and can do so by hitting the register button above (registration this year opens on January 8, 2026 and closes on January 30, 2026). 

NOTE: The team captain should be the first one to register as they will be automatically assigned the role of team captain and create your team name upon registering. Team captains will be notified of every person who registers under their team name!

TO REGISTER:

1. Click on the "REGISTER" button in the upper right corner of the page
2. If you already have an account with RunSignup, log in or select your profile to continue. If you do not have an account, select "add new registrant", fill out the required info and proceed.
3. Review and agree to our acknowledgment and release form
4. Select/create your team
   1. If you are the team captain and creating a team for the first time, select "Create a New Group/Team" and create your team name agreed upon by your group.
   2. If you are a team member registering on an already existing team, select "Join an Existing Group/Team" and select your team name from the drop-down
5. Fill out demographic data questions
6. Select "Sign up for email" and confirm your timezone
7. Complete Registration!!

If you do not have a team organized and would like to be added to one, please hold off on registering and email robb.bolton@pepperdine.edu to be added to an existing team.

While you are not ACTUALLY hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, you ARE "progressing along the trail" with your team by logging miles you've done by hiking, walking, running, swimming, working out, or cycling... anywhere!

Take on as few as 22 miles per week (3 miles per day with a full team of 12 members) to stay on track to complete the 2,650-mile challenge by April 12, 2026!

Check out our FAQs section under "Challenge Info" for guidance on how to log your activities!

This year these are the types of activities that count for mileage towards the Virtual PCT to the following:

Run/Walk/Hike: 1 mile = 1 mile for the VPCT
Swim: 1 hour = 3 miles for the VPCT
Workout/Fitness Class: 1 hour = 3 miles for the VPCT
Cycling: 1 mile = 0.25 miles for the VPCT

When you go to log activities, select the activity type and enter in your time, elevation gain (if applicable), and mileage after converting it according to the conversion chart above. 

You will be able to see your progress along the route as you enter your mileage!  Our live map tracking feature will even allow you to see where your rivals are on the map compared to you - now that's some motivation! (see example below)

To view your team's progress on the live map...

1. Click on "TEAMS" in the main menu
2. Click on "Team Results" next to your team's name
3. Scroll all the way down and click on "View Progress on Map"

Every so often on the trail, we have selected a milestone that each team can reach by a certain date. If your team reaches that milestone by its deadline, your team will receive a custom digital badge (see below!) and be entered into a raffle for the chance to win a prize for that checkpoint (see "FAQs" under "Challenge Info" in the main menu). The more milestones you make it to, the better the prizes become. See below for each milestone's deadline!

1. Glacier Peak Wilderness (226 miles). Deadline: 2/7
2. Washington Border (505 miles) Deadline: 2/14
3. Crater Lake National Park (828 miles) Deadline: 2/28
4. Mt Shasta (1149 miles) Deadline: 3/7
5. Lake Tahoe (1,157 miles) Deadline: 3/14
6. Forester Pass (1,870 miles) Deadline: 3/21
7. L.A Aqueduct (2,110 miles)  Deadline: 3/28
8. Sand to Snow National Monument (2,424 miles) Deadline: 4/4
9.  Finish line: Border to Mexico (2,650 miles)  Deadline: 4/12

Do you have a stunning photo that captures the spirit of the trail, the beauty of the landscape, or a memorable moment from your PCT journey? Share it with the community and you could win a prize!

We'll be awarding fantastic prizes for the best photos in various subjects and categories. Your submissions help us tell the story of the Pacific Crest!

How to Participate

Submitting your photo is simple:

Upload your high-resolution photo.
Name Your File Correctly: To ensure your photo is correctly entered and attributed, please name your photo file using the following format:
[Photo Subject/Team Name] - [Your Name] - [Your Team/Group]

Example: Trail Majesty - Alex Johnson - Summit Seekers