It seems like I just finished the AT blog entries and we’re all ready to start the Pacific Crest Trail. Last year, we only had 2 months between our European adventures and the start of the Appalachian Trail. This year we had 4 months. We had originally planned to head to South America during this time, but plans change. That’s actually one aspect of myself that I’m working on—not being uptight about changes and accepting things as they come. Most people assume (correctly) that I am probably the easiest going person in the world.
So what did we do during the 4 months no one has heard from us? Many things including visiting friends and family that we hadn’t seen for many months (or in some cases, decades). We went to Florida to visit my brother, my roommate from college, and my aunt stopping to see Bear and Sassy along the way. We’ve been from Columbia to Chicago with a mini-vacation in Nawlings along the way.
We’ve had happy times to the worst of times. We celebrated our son’s 21st birthday in New Orleans, visited an old friend of mine that I haven’t seen in 30 years, and got to meet our trail angel, Auntie Flammatory (a.k.a. Alice). We’ve also had terrible times…my Aunt Margaret whom we visited in Florida lost her battle with lung and brain cancer. My youngest, and last, child, Ilana finally got to the point that I had to have her killed. She was just 4 days shy of being 13 which is an incredibly long life for a Great Pyrenees. She has been my best friend for nearly a quarter of my life.
We’re all set to fly to San Diego tomorrow and start hiking the PCT on Friday. We are more than ready. It was great to spend the time with both sets of our parents and with Bunny’s children, but it’s time for us to go. I’ve had enough news that I either hit the back country or slit my wrists…there is no middle choice. One thing we have discovered is that trail life restores your faith in humanity and the nightly news destroys it.
I’ve reached out to Scout and Frodo hoping to get the opportunity to meet them in San Diego even though we are outside of their hosting window. For those who don’t know who they are, they are a retired couple living in San Diego that host hikers for almost 3 months a year picking them up when they get in town, letting them stay over night, feeding them supper and breakfast, driving them to the trail head south of Campo, CA and even shuttling them around getting ready for the trail. Last year, they did all this for over 1100 hikers but that’s not all…they don’t charge anything or even accept donations. This is what I mean about having my faith in humanity restored. I want to meet them, but I’m afraid to push it because they probably think I’m trying to scam some help outside of their availability window.
With the help of Patrice and Justin La Vigne, we will get the opportunity to test more gear for Backpacker Magazine. Because of the testing we did last year on the AT, we are going to have a small blurb and picture in the spring gear guide of Backpacker. We owe all this to Patrice and Justin who I met at the St Louis REI nearly 4 years ago at their presentation of the Te Araroa in New Zealand (a trail that is still on our list). They have also been extremely generous in helping our hiking dreams come to fruition.
This is the start of our third year of hiking, and, still, no regrets (other than the weight yo-yo). I’m about 10 pounds lighter this year returning to the trail than I was last year. Having said that, I’m still easily 30# too heavy. Bunny gained back some weight as well but not nearly as much as she imagines or berates herself for. I will have food battles with her, once again, during the early stages of this hike.
I do have a few fears about this trail. First, and foremost, I’m afraid of the weather. There’s even snow predicted on the day we start the trail. I know we have a mountain, Mt Baden Powell (shout out to all the Boy Scouts) where we WILL encounter our first snow. That’s only 100 miles into the trail. Secondly, I’m worried about my heel which hasn’t entirely stopped hurting even though we haven’t been seriously hiking for 4 months. On the bright side, Bunny has not complained any about her hips during that time.
Water is also on the list of concerns. We’ve never really hiked in a desert before. There are already some people on the trail ahead of us so I’m hoping they comment in Guthook about locations.
Another huge fear for me is the social aspect of the PCT. This is going to be a younger crowd than the AT and I’m afraid that we won’t have the same luck we had in regard to finding people to hike with. Bear, Sassy, and Good Chip Norris spoiled us. I’m just glad that Bunny and I didn’t let them carry our gear, like they offered, or we wouldn’t even be willing to hike another trail without them.
Because of our early start and all the fear mongering about the Sierras before mid-June, it looks like we will probably flip-flop up to Oregon when we get to Kennedy Meadows or Bishop. This will probably be the biggest shock to anyone that hiked with us on the AT because I was such a purist. This is what happens when you start slack packing…
As usual, we have packed too much to start. Food sources are plentiful in the first 700 miles of trail so no one needs to carry more than 3 days of food. We’re carrying close to 10 and Bunny says she’s going to eat less. From past experience, the trail will be much easier after the 5th day. It looks like I’m going to start with a bad case of “resupply flu.”
I don’t want everyone to think we are afraid of the PCT. We aren’t. We are ready to be hiking again. We’re looking forward to a trail that is supposed to be less difficult than the AT. We’re looking forward to not listening to the news every day. We’re looking forward to possibly meeting up with people we know on the trail. We’re looking forward to the amazing views and varied terrain. And we’re hopeful for meeting new friends.
All that’s left for us is to catch our flight tomorrow and to make it out to Campo on Friday. Lots of people aren’t aware of the impact the recent shutdown has had on the permitting system. When we get to Campo, we are required to carry a pallet of bricks to the “wall” before we can actually begin our hike. We’re doing our part so all you scaredy cats can sleep well at night. And to any drug smugglers we meet at the border, I’m sorry. I can’t be your mule. I’m already overloaded but thanks for the offer.
EFG
Oh dear, it does look like I’m going to miss you. Heading back to Canada early (on wheels though 🙂 rather than heals). Don’t worry too much about the desert – it’s pretty effin cold and wet this year.
Sorry to miss you. We’ll try to catch up with you when we cross the border if you guys haven’t built a wall by then.
Sorry about the loss of your dog!
I’m of course intrigued to see how you like the PCT. I have heard from others about the younger crowd, which scares me too! And I have no doubt you’ll do fine in the desert & even like it!!
We really do like the desert so far. There aren’t many hikers out yet so we can’t make a call on the social aspect.