Well I am watching the first preseason Dodger game with Vin Scully as the announcer. Spring must just be around the corner and the Dodgers will have a great season and beat those despicable Giants. Now is the time for the final stages of my preparation for the Hike. The days are getting longer and warmer, in SoCal way warmer!!!
I have been focused on my physical fitness, but the logistics have been lagging. Fortunately for me, Maureen is really excited about preparing trail food, go figure!! I have put together an itinerary with the snow pack in the Sierra as of late February. Things can change but it looks like an earlier year for the Sierra snow melt. The rule of thumb is to leave Kennedy Meadows by the following formula -
Kennedy meadows departure day = June 1 + (snow depth at Big Horn Plateau on April 1....I used today’s measurements) divided by 3.5 days. Right now it looks like I can leave by June 10 from Kennedy Meadows. Otherwise, you can get yourself in BIG trouble with too much snow on the big passes.
As far as the training, I have been averaging 10 miles a day on trails mixed with a few days in the gym for core strength. Also. I have been backpacking in the Los Padres with friends once or twice a month. Of course when the days are sunny and warm I may camp at Refugio beach to surf and lounge. Training is so difficult.
I have attached my tentative resupply schedule. I am looking for help in a few places. If you are interested and want a better schedule of dates in those areas, please contact me. Lake Edison is my first problem. Maureen will be heading with her horse and riding buddies to Red’s Meadow for a resupply and couple day ride-along, so she won’t be able to get from the Western Sierra’s to the Eastern in that time span. That’s ironic.....I will be able to get from one place to the other faster than she and her HORSE! You will notice on the schedule that I have quite a few mail drops to Trail Angels and small Post Office locations mostly in Oregon and Washington.
Things are moving along. My base pack weight is 12 lbs. That is everything except food and water. My shoes are just some nice running shoes (1.2 ounce total weight). I will have my resupply boxes filled with food and new socks, a new t-shirt, and things I will need for that specific section of the trail (ie: ice axe for the Sierra’s, raingear for Washington, etc.).
I’m excited but a little bit apprehensive about the unknown adventures and challenges. The Kick-Off (KO) is on April 26 at Lake Moreno.
http://pct77.org/adz/
This is a gathering of all the class of 2013, designed primarily for thru-hikers. They have vendors, movies, people meeting and the official registration of the start date. Shane and I will be starting as planned on April 19 and will hike to Warner Springs,
where Maureen will pick us up and return to camp at the KO. Then off again from
Warner Springs........
Many people have asked if I am walking alone. There usually is between 300 – 400 people that start. They sort of clump together by age, experience, likes/dislikes, etc. The drop off is pretty quick. The percentage drops by 30-40% in the first few weeks, and then the Sierra’s is the next big drop off. So....I am hiking my own hike, but there will be times when I will be joined by others.
Permits have arrived for both the PCT and Canada, Resupply is organized, pack is getting lighter, dehydrated food is taking over our house, and Maureen can make a darn good beef jerkey!
As my daughter Erin so eloquently stated.....”It’s official, Dad’s Bat Shit Crazy!”
Kevin
"Chief "
Warner Springs........
Many people have asked if I am walking alone. There usually is between 300 – 400 people that start. They sort of clump together by age, experience, likes/dislikes, etc. The drop off is pretty quick. The percentage drops by 30-40% in the first few weeks, and then the Sierra’s is the next big drop off. So....I am hiking my own hike, but there will be times when I will be joined by others.
Permits have arrived for both the PCT and Canada, Resupply is organized, pack is getting lighter, dehydrated food is taking over our house, and Maureen can make a darn good beef jerkey!
As my daughter Erin so eloquently stated.....”It’s official, Dad’s Bat Shit Crazy!”
Kevin
"Chief "
