PCT PLAN
As many of you know, I am about to embark on a very Long Walk! Since I was a young boy, I have wanted to do the Pacific Crest Trail. So when retirement finally came, planning began for my big adventure. You are getting this email because you have shown interest in following my journey, want to join me in specific sections (hiking or on horseback), want to be a “trail angel,” or just want to live vicariously through my walk. If you would like to be removed from the email group, please let Maureen know. Plans change and I understand. A big Thanks to all those who are so enthusiastic and so willing to help! Since many of you have been asking about dates, I will try to give you as much info as I possibly can at this time.
I have been struck with paralysis by analysis in my planning strategy. I have been reading so many different books and blogs on the PCT that I have had trouble putting an itinerary together. So in order to get things going I have settled on a plan, for today. I do not expect major changes, but if so I will send out a new improved plan.
The following is a description of the PCT and Lite packing; those of you that know this stuff can skip on to my intended dates and locations. Someone has divided up the 2,650 miles into "sections" of varying distances. Hikers that can't afford to take 5 months off, or for other reasons, will hike the trail one section at a time over many years. I have chosen to do the 2,650 some miles starting April 19 of this year. I must be finished around the first of October to avoid snow problems in Washington. Trail names are picked up along the way from another PCT hiker. Paul Cronshaw has stuck me with "Chief", we will see if that sticks. "Half-mile" is a hiker who updates maps of the trail every year. In addition he developed an iPhone app that gps waypoints along the way in sync with his maps, which will be my primary navigation system on the trail. You can check out his website for maps and other useful information. "Yogi" has written a planning guide along with a handbook of trail tips and town guides. These have been my primary preparation tools along with the Pacific Crest Trail Associations website.
My resupply strategy is where I have struggled the most. At first I tried to map out every mile of every day. After a while I realized that I could not account for weather, trail conditions, fatigue and other variables. I decided to go with approximate dates at trail towns and have Maureen update via email my progress. So for those who would like to meet up with me along the way, I offer an estimate. Also I will resupply at the town stores versus mailing food and supplies to the post offices. I will have Maureen mail food and fuel to a few locations, which do not have any type of market. My pack weight goal is a base of 10 pounds with 2 pounds of food for every day between markets or mail pickup locations.
As many of you know, I am about to embark on a very Long Walk! Since I was a young boy, I have wanted to do the Pacific Crest Trail. So when retirement finally came, planning began for my big adventure. You are getting this email because you have shown interest in following my journey, want to join me in specific sections (hiking or on horseback), want to be a “trail angel,” or just want to live vicariously through my walk. If you would like to be removed from the email group, please let Maureen know. Plans change and I understand. A big Thanks to all those who are so enthusiastic and so willing to help! Since many of you have been asking about dates, I will try to give you as much info as I possibly can at this time.
I have been struck with paralysis by analysis in my planning strategy. I have been reading so many different books and blogs on the PCT that I have had trouble putting an itinerary together. So in order to get things going I have settled on a plan, for today. I do not expect major changes, but if so I will send out a new improved plan.
The following is a description of the PCT and Lite packing; those of you that know this stuff can skip on to my intended dates and locations. Someone has divided up the 2,650 miles into "sections" of varying distances. Hikers that can't afford to take 5 months off, or for other reasons, will hike the trail one section at a time over many years. I have chosen to do the 2,650 some miles starting April 19 of this year. I must be finished around the first of October to avoid snow problems in Washington. Trail names are picked up along the way from another PCT hiker. Paul Cronshaw has stuck me with "Chief", we will see if that sticks. "Half-mile" is a hiker who updates maps of the trail every year. In addition he developed an iPhone app that gps waypoints along the way in sync with his maps, which will be my primary navigation system on the trail. You can check out his website for maps and other useful information. "Yogi" has written a planning guide along with a handbook of trail tips and town guides. These have been my primary preparation tools along with the Pacific Crest Trail Associations website.
My resupply strategy is where I have struggled the most. At first I tried to map out every mile of every day. After a while I realized that I could not account for weather, trail conditions, fatigue and other variables. I decided to go with approximate dates at trail towns and have Maureen update via email my progress. So for those who would like to meet up with me along the way, I offer an estimate. Also I will resupply at the town stores versus mailing food and supplies to the post offices. I will have Maureen mail food and fuel to a few locations, which do not have any type of market. My pack weight goal is a base of 10 pounds with 2 pounds of food for every day between markets or mail pickup locations.
START date: April 19 at the Mexican border near Campo, CA
I will hike the first 110 miles with Shane. Maureen will pick us up at Warner Springs to transport back to the annual kick off party at Lake Morena County Park. The kick off is a three-day meet and greet party for the new PCT hiking season. Thru hikers and section hikers attend to get the latest in equipment and trail information. Also, this is the place to start the trail networking for those embarking on the 2013 thru hike.
Warner Springs to Kennedy Meadows: 600 miles. The plan is to arrive on June 15 at the southern Sierra to access the snow conditions. Currently the snow pack is well above average which would necessitate a delay while the snow melts on the high passes. Forester pass is 13,200 feet with a difficult ice chute near the top. If the snow pack is too high I will hike out to Cottonwood Meadows from trail pass (744.8 miles) to meet up with Maureen for a layover in Lone Pine, CA. The days of no hiking are called zero days. The initial part will allow me an average of 12 miles a day. I will probably stick to a pace of 18 to 20 miles per day and just add zero days when needed.
High Sierra to Mammoth: 8 to 9 days after June 15 or when the snow pack allows. Worse comes to worse I will skip this part for a few weeks to return when the snow conditions improve. This is known as a flip flop in the PCT jargon. Some purists frown on this but I plan on walking from Mexico to Canada and living to share the stories. No big risks for me.
Reds Meadow to Canada: Reds Meadow/Mammoth Lakes is at 906.6 miles on the trail to Canadian Border at 2,655.4 miles. You do the math. Right now the math is too scary for me. The silver lining is that by all reports the miles are much easier in Oregon because of conditioning and easier terrain. This is where I will put in some 25 to 30 mile days.
PS: Maureen will be my information conduit. I will communicate via iPhone and a Delorme "in reach" that syncs with the iPhone to send text via satellite in no cell coverage areas. Thanks to all of you who have offered to help, it is much appreciated.
Kevin, aka “Chief ”
I will hike the first 110 miles with Shane. Maureen will pick us up at Warner Springs to transport back to the annual kick off party at Lake Morena County Park. The kick off is a three-day meet and greet party for the new PCT hiking season. Thru hikers and section hikers attend to get the latest in equipment and trail information. Also, this is the place to start the trail networking for those embarking on the 2013 thru hike.
Warner Springs to Kennedy Meadows: 600 miles. The plan is to arrive on June 15 at the southern Sierra to access the snow conditions. Currently the snow pack is well above average which would necessitate a delay while the snow melts on the high passes. Forester pass is 13,200 feet with a difficult ice chute near the top. If the snow pack is too high I will hike out to Cottonwood Meadows from trail pass (744.8 miles) to meet up with Maureen for a layover in Lone Pine, CA. The days of no hiking are called zero days. The initial part will allow me an average of 12 miles a day. I will probably stick to a pace of 18 to 20 miles per day and just add zero days when needed.
High Sierra to Mammoth: 8 to 9 days after June 15 or when the snow pack allows. Worse comes to worse I will skip this part for a few weeks to return when the snow conditions improve. This is known as a flip flop in the PCT jargon. Some purists frown on this but I plan on walking from Mexico to Canada and living to share the stories. No big risks for me.
Reds Meadow to Canada: Reds Meadow/Mammoth Lakes is at 906.6 miles on the trail to Canadian Border at 2,655.4 miles. You do the math. Right now the math is too scary for me. The silver lining is that by all reports the miles are much easier in Oregon because of conditioning and easier terrain. This is where I will put in some 25 to 30 mile days.
PS: Maureen will be my information conduit. I will communicate via iPhone and a Delorme "in reach" that syncs with the iPhone to send text via satellite in no cell coverage areas. Thanks to all of you who have offered to help, it is much appreciated.
Kevin, aka “Chief ”
