T -7 days and counting

It feels really weird to be packing up my life again. I have most of my stuff packed to go into storage at this point, and am trying to figure out about my furniture.

Food packing is... daunting. trying to plan more than a section in advance is hard. I would be going a lot more free-from and only getting a bit shipped, but I still have all this food leftover from last year's attempt, so I'm trying to use a bunch of it.

I have pretty much all my gear. Now it is just time to corral it from the places it has ended up from using it over the past year. I should have a final gear list and picture either tomorrow or Friday.

Saturday is move-out day. Then I stay with my parents until I fly out on Tues, and start the hike on Wednesday.

This year, I am crashing with Scout and Frodo for the night. They are two of the most famous trail angels down there, and generously offer up their home to a LOT of people each night during the season. They also provide/arrange rides for the people to the southern terminus. I feel blessed that I got a spot with them.

16 days til attempt number two

After a strange, but good, year, I am attempting the PCT again.

A brief synopsis of the past 11 months:
Dog's pads healed up just fine (I know everyone cares more about the dog than anything else :) ) I got a couple industry certifications in my field. My girlfriend moved to the other side of the state for a job. I got a job in my field. It was on this side of the state. Spent a bunch of weekends with either my girlfriend or I traveling to see each other. Paid off all my debts! Saved up enough money to attempt the trail again! Girlfriend decided she wouldn't be able to attempt the trail this year, due to both her big kid job and her mental health issues.

So, this year, I'm flying solo. Making a few changes based on the changed situation and some more research. Pretty much all the food my girlfriend dehydrated for last year's attempt is still around, so I'll be shipping more food than I had planned, originally, for one.

Gear-wise, had a few things fail that I needed to replace, and some that are just being swapped out. My battery pack/solar charger went kaput, so I got a new one. It has a bigger capacity than the old one. Thinking about replacing my headlamp with one of the new Petzl ones, since they have a rechargeable battery option. The battery has a USB port built into it, which is cool and convenient. No need to carry an extra charging unit, and I can use the battery pack if I need to. Lighter tent, too, since it's just me. Wanted something decently durable, so I didn't go as light as some do: MSR Hubba Hubba.

I have some other items to consider. I will post a final gear list before I leave. I will also post as I swap things out on the trail, with a final breakdown afterward, as that is what I've found most helpful in deciding what I need to bring.

Scratch

So, we have had to give up on completing a thru-hike this year. Lucky blew a pad on the first day and AJ's mental issues were not as under control as we thought, so we are heading home.

Other than those two things, though, the experience was amazing.

We started out from Bob's on Thursday at 4:45, and arrived at the border at 5:50 (just after true dawn). Took the obligatory pictures at the monument, and started out. Between AJ being a turtle hiker (slow and steady wins the race), and having to stop and dig cat-holes for Lucky, the others got away from us pretty quickly.

The scenery was gorgeous, and getting there at first light gave us time to hike before the heat of the day. We actually had multiple water sources in the first stretch, when usually there is nothing for 20 miles, so we counted ourselves lucky.

Eventually, though, the general dryness of the region took its toll, as there were no really good shade areas to rest during the heat of the day. The sandiness of the trail also the made going a bit harder. The dog was overheating, what with his black double coat of fur, so when we finally found a place with good shade, we plopped down for a while to wait out the worst of the heat.

We made it fifteen miles that day (had no choice, really, water-wise), and so were able to camp at Hauser Creek. There were actually a fair number of others who camped there as well, but of our starting group only two others hadn't continued on. There was nice shade and good water flow, so it made a great camp site. Also, a great place to rest before the next five miles, which were going to be gnarly with a heavy pack and added on top of what we had just done.

I encountered my first Rattlesnake at about mile 12. He didn't start rattling at me, but Lucky (who was right behind me) set him off. AJ was a bit behind him, and had to pause for a bit for the snake to slither off. Lucky didn't really even register the snake. I worry about that dog's survival instincts sometimes. To be fair, though, the first water we had seen in about 5 miles and since the hottest part of the day was just beyond the snake, so he was pretty focused on that.

The next morning, we didn't break camp as early as we should have, unfortunately, partly because that is when we realized that Lucky had blown a pad. AJ had to perform some doggy first-aid and wrap his paw. He was also sore, as he had never carried a pack as heavy or gone for as long a hike as he did the day before, so we were pretty worried.

The next five miles in to Lake Morena campground would have been a piece of cake for someone used to hiking in the North Cascades. 1000 feet of elevation gain in the first mile, then rolling afterwards. Sounds like an easy day to me. Except for the just under forty pound pack on my back, the sandy trail moving under my feet, how exposed to the heat it was (and it got up into the high 80s), and the fact that I had done fifteen miles the day before.

We got started a little before 10:00 (not a good start to a hot, dry, exposed day, I know). Almost immediately, AJ's issues reared their heads. Not a good sign. Eventually, it was decided that we turn on our walkie-talkies (brought along for just such a situation), and I go ahead with the dog to get us both out of the heat and hopefully him into the water of the lake. So I took off, hoping the dog would follow. He did for a bit, but he kept stopping to make sure AJ was following, and I lost him.

I radioed AJ and confirmed that they were together, then kept going to scout out shady areas that they could stop and rest in. I found a few, and radioed back each time until the ridge blocked the signal. After that, my only option was to ask anyone I passed going the opposite direction to keep an eye out for them.

I made it to the campground around one o'clock, and was invited down to one of the campsites for some trail magic. Rod (inventor of the Stick Pic, a trekking pole attachment to help you take selfies) had a shelter, free food and cold drinks. He also allowed us to set up tents on his campsite so we wouldn't have to pay he small fee of the PCT hiker spot. He refused any sort of payment, welcomed all the thru-hikers personally and warmly, and was the definition of a Trail Angel. His only request of any sort of payment was that if we had any gear we were dumping, to do so in his hiker box he had set up. He said that he was building karma, as he planned to thru-hike in 2019, and hoped someone would be in the same spot, offering the same thing.

I dropped my pack and availed myself of a cold drink and a hot dog. I got a lot of good-natured crap from Rod and the other thru-hikers for leaving AJ behind, but once I explained the situation and my plan, they settled down. The plan:
Step 1: Keep the walkie on me and check regularly to see if she was in range.
Step 2a: Wait and rest a couple hours. (I knew she planned to wait out the heat in a shady area, so I figured she would nap for awhile herself)
Step 2b: Check in with any new hikers that showed up to see if they had seen her.
Step 3: If she didn't show up by 3-ish, find a daypack, load it with some water and some quick energy snacks, and head back to take a load off both the dog and her.

Around 3, I started getting antsy, and so started looking for a pack. Couldn't find one, but one of the hikers that was posted up in Rod's camp offered to keep an eye on my stuff if I just dumped my pack out, so that is what I did. Another hiker also offered to head back with me to help (Lone Star, you rock). He grabbed a water bottle and we headed back down the trail.

We met a couple about a third of a mile up the trail who were carrying Lucky's pack, and it turned out AJ had actually taken them up on their offer of help (probably only because it was for Lucky, she's stubborn). From their description of where she was when they met her, Lone Star wasn't prepared for that far of a trek back with only a water bottle, so he took Lucky's pack back to camp for me and I headed on down the trail.

I was able to make good time, as the heat was dying down and I had a MUCH lighter load on my back. I hauled it back, checking to see if she was in walkie range periodically. About a mile and a half back, I finally got a response. She was doing ok, just moving slowly and letting the dog set the pace. Somewhere between 2.5 and 3 miles back, I ran into them, and I led them to some shade I had just passed to take Lucky's vest and her food bag. AJ also re-wrapped Lucky's paw.

After that, they both did better. Lucky was a trooper. With a fresh wrap on his foot and me in the lead, he kept moving as long as I didn't push too fast. We probably only made about a mile an hour, but slow and steady we made it to camp.

We took a rest day at Rod's campsite to figure out our course of action. AJ and Lucky were definitely headed home, but what was I going to do? If I was going to continue on, I needed to do a major gear swap. We had contingency plans for if something like this happened, but we both had figured that if it did, it would be at least a couple weeks in, not on day two.

I decided it was best if I scratched as well. It wasn't the easiest decision, but I think it was for the best. Rod was leaving in the morning and offered us a ride to the airport, again showing what an awesome specimen of humanity he is. I definitely plan on being up at Stevens or Snoqualmie passes in 2019 playing trail angel in the fall to help return the favor during his attempt.

All the hikers we met were totally awesome people, and I am sad to be leaving that community. I am planning on doing some sections of the trail this summer, and maybe will attempt a full thru-hike next year.

Bob's crew at the monument 

Beating the heat on day 1

Fivefinger hiking!

Turkey Vulture 

Tomorrow: To the trailhead!

Tomorrow morning, we get up by about 4:15 am, and are out the door by 4:45 headed for the trailhead. This will put us there just before full daylight (about 5:30). Earlier than I would have chosen, but others will be excited. Once there, we will wait for full light, take pictures at the border wall and Southern Terminus, and then head north.

Bob has been an awesome host. He put us up, provided food, and gave rides all over the place to pick up last minute supplies. He does so asking nothing in return, turning down pretty much all our offers of helping with chores and the like.

If you decide to do the PCT, try and stay with him. I hear Scout and Frodo's is THE place to stay, but they host a LOT of people at one time. Sounds too busy to me. Bob hosts up to 10 people at a time.

Final gear list

(I am blogging from my phone, and so couldn't format the pictures into the post in the way I wanted. Was hoping to post a picture, describe it, post the next, repeat. We will see how this goes.)

So, final gear list at the start of the trail. (Disclaimer: gear list is subject to change without warning and will morph over time. Gear list at end of trail may not resemble starting gear list at all.)

Final pack weight: 23 lbs

Pack: REI Flash 65

Clothing and insulation:

Misc other gear:

Towel: REI Pack towel

Trowel: Deuce of Spades

TP

Emergency blanket

Lexan spoon

Compass: Suunto A10

Water filter: Sawyer Mini

Headlight: Black Diamond Storm

Blister Protection: Body Glide Foot Glide

Backup water purification: Potable Aqua

Hygiene: toothbrush, toothpaste, floss (doubles as repair thread)

Food system:

Bear protection/food bag: Urack All-White

Stove: Snow Peak Gigapower

Pot: Snow Peak Trek 900

Mug: Snow Peak titanium mug

Generic rope to hang food

Sleep system
Tent: MSR Mutha Hubba NX
Sleep pad: Sea to Summit ultralight insulated 
Pillow: Sea to Summit Aeros Ultralight 
Sleeping Bag: REI Igneo 17
Custom tyvek bag cover (to prevent tears due to dog nails)

Protection from the Elements:

Rain Jacket: Marmot Super Mica

Pack Cover: REI Duck's Back 60

Sun hat: Outdoor Research Transit Sun Hat

Rsin Kilt: ULA rain kilt

In San Diego

So, I just realized I have not posted in almost a month. It has been crazy busy. We have been running around packing up our places, getting food that is going to be shipped all prepped, and figuring out where to ship said food, all while still having to take care of normal life.

We are currently in San Diego. An awesome trail angel named Bob came and picked us up from the airport. He is letting us stay at his house tonight and tomorrow, and will take us to the trailhead at 5:30 Thursday morning.

We are not the only hikers here. There are two Israelis, 3 Aussies, a Canadian, and a New Yorker. It is cozy, to say the least.

Tomorrow we run around and pick up some final things we either have forgotten (pack cover for AJ), or couldn't take on the plane (fuel).

Today is my birthday. It is also one month til we hit the trail. Almost everything I own that I don't need for the next month is in a storage unit. All the big items I need for the hike are purchased and either here or on their way. I have alternate and back-up footwear for when they wear out on the trail.  I have a bunch of freeze-dried food ready to be shipped to me to supplement what I can buy in towns on the trail. All my monthly bills are on auto-pay. We have researched available water along the trail and set up a schedule for the desert to make sure we have enough. I have read multiple autobiographies of people who have hiked the trail to learn from their mistakes and try and prepare myself as much as possible.

And I still get anxious thinking about the trail.

I have never done more than a single night backpacking trip. I have never even gone on vacation for more than a couple days at a time. This will be a huge step away from anything I have ever known.

While this causes me anxiety, I also welcome this fact. Stepping away from everything will help me step out of my routine, and hopefully not just go back to that routine when I get back.