Prepping for the PCT

I lied!  A few months back I was interviewed on the Podcast Mighty Blue on The Appalachian Trail.  During that interview I told Steve Adams that I didn’t see another long distance trail in my near future.  It wasn’t until mid-January, about three months ago, that I became serious about thru hiking The Pacific Crest Trail. 

Initially I was able to snag a start date of May 22, but after I started researching the trail I realized that would be a pretty late start date to start hiking through the desert. 🥵 This trail is quite competitive when it comes to acquiring a through hiking permit as they only allow 50 hikers per day to start from the southern terminus. In January I was lucky enough to switch to an April 19 start date, which (fingers crossed) is ideal to enter the high Sierra range around mile 702 when weather tends to be more desirable. My start date should line up with a mid-Junr Sierra start date.

I still consider myself very much an amateur when it comes to writing in a blog. I just don’t have much patience but it is a simple, fun way to share an online journal, photos, and pictures quickly! I realize not everybody is on Facebook and instagram. If you are seeing this blog for the first time feel free to scroll to the bottom, I believe right side, and enter your email to be notified each time I enter a new post. With that said I don’t know how frequent it will be! It seems that the PCT is slightly more desolate than the Appalachian Trail when it comes to staying in towns so service may be minimal.

YouTube Video of resupply boxes

The below google link will take you to Google Maps for an in-close look at my route:

https://goo.gl/maps/NuP8f5GN28iax8tCA

There are quite a few differences going into this hike compared to The Appalachian Trail, which I’ll touch on in future posts. The last 3 months were quite a whirlwind with a bunch of logistical planning and prepping. I haven’t done a ton of dessert hiking so will be adding a shade umbrella to my pack to stay cool 🥶 I also anticipate long, dry stretches where I will have to carry up to 6 liters of water, which is just over 13 pounds in water weight! 💦💧🏜️

Final food, family, and friends 👋

Signing off….first shower will be about 41 miles north from where I start tomorrow morning 🪶💙