Stephanie's PCT Adventure

D U N spells Finished!!!!!

2010-09-19T00:47:00.000-07:00

Yeah I said it! I am FINISHED with the PCT. I am Thru Hiking, if you will. I arrived at the US Canadian Border in Friday the 17th of September 2010. I got there with 7 other hiker friends; Psyco and Apricots, Shroomer, Wolf Taffy, Jonny Law, Missing link and Mike and we were all greeted by my loving and supportive partner Isaac, who flew out to see me. We all took pictures and drank many different alcoholic beverages that we had been carrying. Hooting and hollering and celebrating our accomplishment.

I just walked 2,650 MILES!!! Mexico to Canada in 4 months and 3 weeks.

I have come to realize (if I hadnt known already) that I love backpacking and living outside. I also know now that I love beds with sheets and pillows. I love cotton cloths and I especially love sitting indoors, looking out as it rains.

Heres to another adventure completed!

The first really clear day on 2 weeks


Marmot Family

Me hugging the Northern Terminus of the Pacific Crest Trail!!!

Skykomish, WA

2010-09-08T14:21:00.000-07:00

I have walked 2480 miles since the mexican border, now I am about 180 miles from Canada. I will be there in 9 hiking days. With the end in sight I am both thrilled and pencive, thinking about the last 4 1/2 months, it has been terrific! Stehekin in 4 days and then the border.

I am ready to go back to living in a house with cotton sheets and pillows, wearing cotton clothes and showering with warm water and shampoo. not really looking forward to paying bills and working a 9 to 5 but I will be blissfully ignoring that till the last minutes of my flight back to the east coast.

The Rain of the last week has been brutal. Cold and wet and consistent. Basically impossible to stay dry. I managed for the last 3 days to keep the important things dry, long underwear and sleeping bag and pad. The etent has been soaked since day one and so has my not so water proof rain gear. I go to the Dinsmore's house yesturday and got dry and have been drying out my things. Will be leaving tomorrow and hopefully the rain will be finnished by then.

Fingers crossed for good weather for the rest of the trip.

Snoqualmie, WA

2010-09-04T16:35:00.000-07:00

Got into town today at noon and am feeling great! so many wonderful sites in Washington already! I was astounded at the amount of wildlife I have seen up here. to date I have seen; rattle snakes, pika, mountain goat, elk, marmot and various amphibians and birds. Washington is definitely wetter than the previous two states but the clouds have made for dramatic photos.

I got heatstroke yesterday (it wasnt very hot) because I didnt drink enough water. I hiked 16 miles by lunch and ate a large meal while only drinking about one liter of H2O. The next section of trail was uphill in the sun and my body didnt take to kindly to me barreling up the mountain so I promptly got nauseous and dizzy. I through off my pack and laid down in the shade. 2 hikers came along, Uber bitch and Bristle cone, and made sure I drank water and was OK. then we proceeded very slowly up the hill, eating huckleberry's as we went, it was a very pleasant end of the day. I left them at the weather station they were planning on camping at and walked into dusk, to try and catch up to Shroomer and Wolf Taffy.

Dusk is the time to see many animals! I was startled by 2 elk in the middle of the trail, who when they noticed my presence crashed in opposite directions. Their shoulders were taller than me! later I ended up scaring 3 deer as well. the sunset was beautiful and I found my way to the dry creek where the boys had made camp. I thought Washington was going to be boring but so far it has been just as lively as the rest.

Here are some photos from Washington so far:

so good to be in the LAST state!

Cantrell for dinner

I dont know what kind of hawk

Mt. Adams shrouded

clouds coming in for the kill

I love the clouds

Starting the Goat Rocks wilderness

snow in August anyone?

the trail fallows this ridge for miles, it was great!

sudden sun rise in the trees

a Pika!

Mt. Rainer

big Hawk that I dont know what is it.

the view into Snoqualmie, Wa

Washington!!!!!

2010-08-25T14:24:00.000-07:00

I have hit the Washington Border! 500miles to go, which should only take about 3 weeks. I am lucky enough to have a friend in Hood River, OR who is letting me and a couple of trail friends stay at his place for a couple of nights. Tomorrow we will head off to Washington, the final leg of our journey.

I am supper excited to begin a new state. Oregon has been very pretty, forests, trail angels, AYCE breakfast at Timberline Lodge (on Mt Hood), and only one Fire closer (it took us 40 miles out of the way, but whatever).

Here are some pictures from Oregon:

Looking north

Huckleberry

Crater Lake

Sunrise at Summit Lake

Camping beneath Mt Jefferson

sunset beneath Mt Jefferson

wild heather

Mt Jefferson

Sunset on Mt Hood


In Tunnel Falls, headed for Washington

Sister Sister Sister

2010-08-18T17:47:00.000-07:00

I loved the show Sitier Sister when I was yonger. That is not what I am talking about though. I am now in Sisters, OR, about 160 miles to Washington state and about 678 miles to Canada. Stoppping in to resuply amd rest my aching feet.

Have been walking in spectacular country for the last few weeks. The conifir forests are shady and majestic and the three sisters wilderness of the last couple of days has been phenominal! The lava feilds and the three sisters looking down on me as I hike is great. The hiking from Ashland to Sisters has felt so good. It feels like home, it is that coumfortable.

Moving on tomorrow and looking to get to Cascade Lockes on the Oregon Washinton border in about a week.

People have said that Northern California and Oregon is boring hiking. They are so wrong. Relativley flat compaired to the Seirras but wonderfully wooded and green and beautiful.

Got caught in a rain storm last night that consisted of flashing lightning and rolling thunder. Me without a rain coat, I was quite nervous at first but then I was wet and I got over it. The posse I had been hiking with was only going about 5 miles and so I walked wet for a couple of hours and then got snuggley in my tent. PS I will be looking for a poncho while I am in town, as well as a delicious bakery Isaac and I had visited last year when we came out here.

Baked goods and boxes, Washington here I come!

OREGON!!!

2010-08-08T14:22:00.000-07:00

Yippy I am in Oregon!!! I made it finally out of the neverending state of California. Cali was real nice but after 3 1/2 months I was ready to get out. On to Oregon now adn I am feeling great! OR is only 450 miles and that should fly by. I can realistically calculate the end of this trip as well. 7 weeks should put me at the Canadian border, baring any injuries.

So good bye California. You were wonderful.

Lost Socks, Snow and a Fungus among us

2010-08-01T21:56:00.000-07:00

It was a beautiful day in the neighborhood by Deadfall Lake. 17 miles from where I had started and only 13 to go for the day. It was noon and the cool water hot sun was too inviting so I joined my hiking friends for a dip. After swimming and an extended lunch break I thought it would be good to wash my socks that were Oh so dirty from the dusty trail. It would have been a great idea had I not forgotten to attatch the soggy socks to my bag before I left on the second leg of my day. It also would have been better if I had remembered my socks, air drying on a sage bush, before 6 miles later. It was a sad end to a great day.

28th, 29th, 30th and 31st of July as well as the 1st of August and we all get to walk over snow! not a lot of snow, just about 20 feet, but still snow! what a wacky year.

Lastly there is now a fungus among us! I have some sort of Athletes foot that blistered bad on the top of my feet. Itchy painfull open blisters on the tops of my toes, right where my foot bends and constantly rubs against my shoes. I am buying cream and powder, if I can find it, in Etna tomorrow.

Oregon is less than 150 miles away! should be there in 5 days!

SEMPER AVANTI!!!!

NOCAL

2010-07-22T17:01:00.000-07:00

NOCAL: Northern California

People have said that Northern California was going to be boring hot with brutal climes out of every town and basically, ultimate suffering. Well it has been hot and there have been pretty serious climbs out of town but there has been absolutely NO suffering! No Cal is great! there are trail angels all over the place and they are so nice. so lets see. a trail angel is someone who opens there home to hikers and or feeds them by leaving coolers by roads, etc. I have been in a different angels grace for 7 days now! So here is a quick shout out to them, Thank You to; The Church in Sierra City, the Williams in Bucks Lake, the Brightmans in Belden, the owners of Drakesbad Ranch, and the Hietmans in Old Station. What love and hospitality I have been given, it is amazing.

By the way... I have reached the 1/2 way point on the PCT!!! 1325 miles down, 1325 to go! Yippy Skippy!

Isaac and South Lake Tahoe

2010-07-09T14:05:00.000-07:00

About 2 weeks ago I set out from Mammouth, CA with my friend Guthook and we hitched in to Truckee, CA to get a ride from a trail angel, Bill Person, to Reno airport. Guthook was flying back to New England for a wedding and I was picking up my good friend Isaac. I said goodbye to Guthook and waited in the Reno airport for 6 hours! I bought a book and read, no gambling for this lady. Isaac's flight got in asnd we boogied to the trail the next day. Starting from Mammouth the two of us took it slow the first week cuase Isaac was getting over a cold. Once we got to Tuolumne Meadows in Yasemite National Park we decided to hitch into the Valley. It is about 40 miles and we were very lucky to run into a guy I had met 300 miles before. John was very kind and took us out of his way, and all the way into the valley. Oce there Isaac and I walked around and took pictures of all the beautiful water falls. there are many. With the abundance of snow melting in the Sierras the Waterfalls were at gushing speeds! it was great! after a couple of days meandering the Valley we headed back to the PCT. there is still snow in the hills but it is melting quickly. I am so sick of snow! It is July for goodness sakes! And speaking of July, the two of us made it in to the quaint town of Bridgeport for July 4th! HAPPY AMERICA DAY!!! this little town has the most country pride I've ever seen! everyone in town was wearing flag shorts and shirts and hats. there were flags hanging off every street lamp and there was a Rodeo in town, not to mention the blow up bouncy pits, talent shows, and grease pole contests. It was true americana. We ate burgers and Beers and had a grand time. Now that we are in South Lake Tahoe, It has been 2 weeks and Isaac Has to go back to VT to finish up his Masters program (school is so Lame!). and I will be headed back to the trail tomorrow. I love walking and should really look into jobs where I would get paid to backpack. Feeling good!

Peace and Love

Sierras

2010-06-19T11:08:00.000-07:00

I have gone up and over 6 Mountain passes since Bishop; Glen, Pinchot, Mather, Muir, Selden and Silver. Glen: the day of Glen pass I also hiked over Kearsarge again to get back to the PCT. We got to glissade a bit and sat by some nearly frozen lakes. Cold and cloudy. It had snowed the day before while we were in town thankfully the precipitation stopped right in time for us to get back on trail. Pinchot: this pass was not as pretty as the others but just as hard! Down hill is always fun and the weather warmed up nicely. even though the weather is sunny and worm, with all the river fords I am constantly cold and wet. Mather Pass: probably the sketchiest pass yet! Quite an epic day, 5 miles to the top of the pass... even though the pass was the most obvious one we got a little lost. It was a complete snow bowl. no trail visible at all!. we followed the foot prints around to the right and up the middle which then came to some loose large boulder/ rock hopping, this was the first time I thought that I could have easily slipped and died!. I didnt! but I could have. then there were 2 very long glissades down the back of the Pass. this is my favorite thing! sliding down the back of a steep slope on my tush is SO much fun! going down this pass was great cause for the first time we got below 10,000 feet and the snow disappeared! It was Glorious! walking on Terra Ferma is So so so much better than slippy slide y snow! this was the day we got surrounded by about 5 deer, who were not afraid of us at all. they were coming very close and walking through camp. We should have taken the hint then but didnt and continued cooking dinner when all of a sudden Guthook shouts "Holly sh**! a Bear!" and not more than 20 feet away is a rather large bear walking right for us! So what is the first thing I do? I took a picture of course! then proceeded to bang my pots together loudly, which didnt phase the bear at all. This was not confidence building. It circled us and ran away once Guthook started screaming and waving his arms about. we finished dinner and decided to pack up and walk another mile or so to get away from the food smells. while we were packing I saw another, larger bear, watching us from across the river. we left in a hurry! Muir pass: This was one of the nicest passes I think. there was loads of snow but it was easy walking and very gradual climbing. I got to the top and was greeted by the Muir Hut, which looks like a stone milk bottle. It was warm and dry inside and the weather was sunny. the way down was long and glissadeless. and to finish off the day we forded Evolution Creek. the 3 guys I was hiking with that day tried it on there own and all got washed away in the chest deep water. I on the other hand had the 2 that didnt make it to the other side, make a chain of people and we went over together. Hands on one another hips pushing us down to the bottom of the creek. We got across just fin and none of my stuff was wet. Selden and silver: these were pretty unaventfull. more snow. more up. more down. Now I am in Mamounth Lake, CA taking a zero day and resting up for Yosemite. the big passes are over not and I am hoping for less snow as the weeks progress.

Bishop

2010-06-11T17:15:00.000-07:00

Bishop, has been a nice place but it is time we all roll out. Tomorrow at 7am we will be in a car headed back to the trail. It will be a 7 mile walk just to hit the PCT again but then we will cruise over the next 100 miles or so to Mammouth. Here are some memmorable momments from Bishop.

The High Passes

2010-06-10T14:30:00.000-07:00

I left kenneday Meadows, CA about 6 days ago and am now in Bishop, CA. In that time I climbed Mount Whitney, the Tallest Mountain in the lower 48 states, and I went up and over forester pass, a Mountain Pass over 13,000 feet tall. There were snow feilds and rock scrambles, cold mornings and freezing river crossings. One of the hikers, Lakewood, slipped and got carried away by one of the rivers and lost his GPS. He is OK, but was shaken up enough to go into town earlier than he had planned. It has been beautiful out in the Sierras and now I will be hiking in Kings Canyon National park. I dont hike with Treking poles for stability or any kind of traction for my feet. Many peole have both as well as an Ice Axe. I have been hiking through conditions which have made me want all three, but I have perserveared and continue to do just fine without any of them. Bishop is a nice town and I have eaten well here. Especially at the Wiskey Creek Steak house, Oh SO good! Here are some pictures from the last 6 days.

what's new

2010-06-03T16:34:00.000-07:00

SO I have come a long way since the last time I wrote. I have walked 700 miles thus far and still have about 1950 miles to go. It is a long trail, but is a lot of fun. I am now in Kennedy Meadows, which is on the edge of the Sierra National Forest. I will be climbing up to 14 thousand feet in a couple of days. Mount Whitney is right around the corner. It is the tallest mountain in the lower forty-eight states. There is said to be a lot of snow up there right now but I am not worried. I am walking with a good crew of people. I have been hiking over 20 miles a day for a while. I have even done a couple of 29 mile days. Currently hanging out at this guy Tom's place and watching Forest Gump with a whole lot of hikers. The weather has been heating up so it is a good thing I am going to gain in elevation in the next couple of days. Leaving tomorrow. will be in Independence CA in 6ish days. hopefully I will be able to write then.

Peace and Love

Playing Catch up!

2010-05-07T14:31:00.000-07:00

SO there is a Lot to fill in on. Took a Zero Day in Julian to escape from rain and wicked wind! ate Pie at Mom's and had a free Lunch! Kicked a sname that I thought was dead. It wasnt. it looked at me as if to say "dick!" and slithered away. I saw beautiful desert blooms. and caught 2 Horney Toads! they are awesome. I walked through a feild of poppies and lupin, singing the theme song for the wizard of OZ the entire time. Found myself at Eagle Rock (America, F** Yeah!). and took some pictures. Got to Warner Springs in tome to wait for the Post Office to open the next day. so soaked my legs in the hot springs. Kept walking north and ended up running into SNOW!!! Snow in Southern CA? you may ask. Why yes, when you are up at 8850 feet of elevatuon there is still snow. Some sections were tricky to meander, and other parts made me feel at home. We had a short lived snowball fight and made it to the town of Idyllwild ,CA which is were I am right now. So here are some photos that may do a better job explaining the weeks.

Warner Springs Ranch

2010-05-02T13:11:00.000-07:00

I am in Warner Springs, CA. I have been on the trail a week now and I have walked over 100 miles! What a woderful time so far. Warner Springs Ranch is a resort with hot springs and cold pools, hores back riding and buffet. very nice establishment.

I am looking forward to a shower and a soft bed. will be picking up my mail drop when the post office opens at 12 noon on Monday, then off to the trail once more. it should take about 4 days to get to Idllwild, CA.

With all of the snow and rain Southern California has gotten this year the deserts are lush with green, and everything is blooming. It is beautiful. I think my favorite is the cactus rose. I am unable to post photos currently so I will in the next town stop.

Feeling good and in no rush since there is rumored to be snow in the mountains ahead.

I have made some new friends; Lisa, Mr. Mountain Goat, Hiker 816, and Green Tortuga among others. People are very nice and everyone I meet seems to come from a different background. It is great to meet so many different people, who all like to hike.

That is all for now.
Peace and Love
Motor

At the border!

2010-04-28T11:32:00.000-07:00

Coco trying to go into Mexico?
Got to the Border with Coco and John with only a little adveture. Saw the smallest dog on the planet (the size of a large rat) and then started the hiking part of this trip.

Lizard YEAH!

This guy with the sharpy marker must have thought he was pretty funny! way to inspire.

Thats righ read the red and white sign carefully. It says "Saftey Hazard unexploded ordinences in this area..." nice!

What's in a Name?

2010-04-21T12:43:00.000-07:00

On the Appalachian Trail, people dont refer to one another as Stephanie, Kristen, Diana, Paul, John or Chris. There are trail names instead. Names more like, Banjo, Bigglesworth, Half Elvis and White Lightning. Identifiers that insinuate a story, tell a little about the person, or just make you laugh. None the less these character names are words that identify you as you and not someone else.

I got to thinking about names. My name in particular, Motor Butt. maybe, potentially arguably one of the less expected hiking names.

Starting a new trail in 3 days had me wondering if I should keep my AT name or not. No one would know me out there really. And in my more vain moments, who wants a name which sounds vaguely like reference to a flatulence problem? Honestly! But many words have many meanings, and I knew this, so I went to consult Mr. Myriam Webster, and here is what I found.

MOTOR is a verb an adjective and a noun. Coming from Latin, literally translating to "mover" from the 15th century as "controller, prime mover" (in reference to Good). Well I thought that was a rather grandiose start, so I continued. As a verb "to move or proceed with a vigorous steady pace," (motored up the mountain to see the view). As an adjective "causing or imparting motion" (like neuromotor impulses). and as a noun "a comparatively small and powerful... person or thing that imparts motion"

Admittedly butt is not as powerful.

BUTT is a noun and a verb. Other than a euphemism for your derrière, as a noun it is also, "a lean cut of pork shoulder, the end or extremity of anything, a person or thing that is an object of wit, ridicule, sarcasm, contempt (not my favorite def.), a push or blow with the head or horns or (my favorite) a large cask for wine, beer, or ale!" Butt doesnt do much better as a verb either. "to project forward or out, to hit or push something with the head or horns, to have an end or projection on"

So Maybe the name Motor Butt implies that I am a lean cut of pork shoulder that proceeds with a vigorous and steady pace, or perhaps I am a powerful person that projects motion forward. Either way I have found a new appreciation for both words. And I think I will keep my name.

Peace and Love
Motor Butt

The Final Days

2010-04-18T18:25:00.000-07:00

My last weekend before my flight out west, to start the Pacific Crest Trail, has been great! On Thursday, which was my LAST day of work, I got together with some friends and had a fantastic dinner! Puttanesca, wine, garlic bread and pesto bread... Delicious!

Friday Saturday and Sunday have been spent with Isaac. Packing, reading, movies and other activities that have made it a super relaxing last couple of days in Burlington, VT.

Tomorrow off to see Mom for 2 days then Dad for another 2, (these 2 will be a goodbye before I go but also for his Birthday), Friday Isaac and I will get together for dinner and the next day, Saturday the 24th, I will be flying west!

Really the Antici...............................pation is too much to bear!

I am going to post my fundraising page again just to be redundant.

Okay that is all for now

Peace and Love!

37 days!

2010-03-18T17:47:00.000-07:00

So it is only 37days till I fly west to San Diego where my friend Cocoa will be picking me up from the airport and dragging my stressed out tush around town gathering last minute essentials. Then off to Campo early the next morning. Oy! what has happened in the last month that is worth reporting?

Well I have bought a lot of food. I realized I have 64 days of food to pail myself and I didnt have any of it. Solved that problem! 64 servings of instant mashed potatoes later I am set! well sort of. I did buy that much potato but there us still more to get. Snack foods and lunches and breakfast and such. I am well on my way to deliciousness.

I have also been buying and hoarding socks! I feel like I have bought one pair a week for months now. I think that if I have enough socks, all will be well. And OH! by the abundance of socks, all is very well.

Ok that is all for now

Peace and Love!

work?

2010-02-18T15:12:00.000-08:00

Is there anything new to report on? NO... I have grand ambitions of being ready for this trail by Monday. For no good reason mind you! I have 2 more months of waiting. So much time to get my shi... stuff together, yet I feel a sense of urgency.

So today at work, the Outdoor Gear Exchange, a home grown EMS/ REI type place, I ran around with blue rimmed, yellow lens sunglasses (which make you look really fast!) and an Outdoor Research sun runner cap, while singing pirate songs and randomly striking "action" poses for my co-workers. Were they scared? Oh yes!

I may need to find a more productive way to release all this excitement. With the lack of snow this year out side is a good, easy thing to do.

Peace and Love!

Itinerary

2010-02-16T10:29:00.000-08:00

Departing Manchester Airport, Saturday, April 24th 2010!

My nerves are continuously freaking out and it is really hard to keep my head in my shoulders! One word is not adequate to portray the cyclical effect of excitement that I have been living with for the past month, so here are some synonyms that may aid my previous lack luster phrase...

access, backfire, bang, blast, blowout, blowup,burst, clap, combustion, concussion, crack, detonation, firing, fit, flare-up, fulmination, gust, ignition, outbreak, outburst, paroxysm, percussion, pop, report, roar, salvo!

Thank you Thesaurus.com

There is a good quote from the Italian writer, Alessandro Baricco, that explains the emotion well, "Only the unstoppable machine of the sea still tears away at the silence with the cyclical explosion of nocturnal waves..."

Things are in full swing though! My lists finally have items crossed off and feelings are positive and in a forward type motion, (which is always good).

I have gotten some questions about where I will be when. Well, I did some figuring and here is a rough plan of where I will be stopping and when.

PCT 2010

Section	mi/day	ft/day	Distance (mi)	Elev. Gain (ft)	Days	Arrival
Campo (start)	26-4-10
Campo to Mt. Laguna	22.7	2897	42.9	5485	1.9	27-4-10
Mt. Laguna to Warner Springs	25.1	1295	67.7	3500	2.7	30-4-10
Warner Springs to Idylwild	22.1	3247	69.6	10211	3.1	04-5-10
Idylwild to Big Bear City	22.6	2901	96.1	12307	4.2	08-5-10
Big Bear City to Wrightwood	23.8	2147	89.6	8090	3.8	13-5-10
Wrightwood to Agua Dulce	23.0	2691	89.0	10428	3.9	19-5-10
Agua Dulce to Tehachapi	23.1	2629	100.2	11427	4.3	23-5-10
Tehachapi to Kennedy Meadows	23.1	2610	141.9	16045	6.1	01-6-10
Kennedy Meadows to Vermillion Valley Resort	21.6	3608	174.3	29128	8.1	09-6-10
Vermillion Valley Resort to Tuolumne Meadows	22.3	3107	65.5	9110	2.9	14-6-10
Tuolumne Meadows to Echo Lake Resort	22.6	2943	152.6	19885	6.8	21-6-10
Echo Lake Resort to Sierra City	23.4	2427	102.1	10606	4.4	27-6-10
Sierra City to Belden	22.9	2757	91.7	11056	4.0	01-7-10
Belden to Chester	22.1	3267	46.5	6875	2.1	03-7-10
Chester to Burney Falls State Park	24.9	1379	87.8	4857	3.5	07-7-10
Burney Falls State Park to Castella	23.6	2276	82.9	8000	3.5	12-7-10
Castella to Etna	23.1	2582	99.8	11144	4.3	16-7-10
Etna to Seiad Valley	24.3	1791	56.8	4185	2.3	20-7-10
Seiad Valley to Ashland	21.9	3397	64.5	10002	2.9	24-7-10
Ashland to Crater Lake Post Office	23.7	2220	105.4	9883	4.5	28-7-10
Crater Lake Post Office to Cascade Summit	24.1	1931	79.6	6376	3.3	01-8-10
Cascade Summit to Sisters	23.8	2128	77.1	6891	3.2	05-8-10
Sisters to Timberline Lodge	23.3	2447	117.8	12355	5.0	12-8-10
Timberline Lodge to White Pass	22.7	2871	197.4	24977	8.7	21-8-10
White Pass to Snoqualime Pass	23.7	2173	98.6	9025	4.2	26-8-10
Snoqualime Pass to Skykomish	21.3	3829	74.5	13420	3.5	31-8-10
Skykomish to Stehekin	21.5	3674	97.8	16720	4.6	05-9-10
Stehekin to Manning Park	22.2	3184	88.8	12723	4.0	11-9-10

The towns in Italics are the towns that I will be mailing food and supplies to. Other places I will just be buying food as I go, in grocers.

There is a lot if Information on this post already but I thought I would add a link. This is one of the coolest guys I have heard of, an older gentlemen called Nimblewill Nomad. This link goes to a video of Nimblewill reciting a poem that is one of my favorites.

Peace and Love

Lists

2010-02-07T18:35:00.000-08:00

In order for me to not go all nutty and do too much or too little, I have made a couple of lists... this is my type A coming out.

First list! HAVES: tent, backpack, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, cookset, rain coat, etc.etc.

Second list... HAVE NOT: (things i do not yet have but need) such as, sun screen, sunhat, shoes! sanity, etc.etc.

So far, I made the lists and they have in fact made me feel a whole lot better (even though I haven't crossed anything off yet). So much for type A personality.

Make a difference while hiking!

2010-02-02T17:31:00.000-08:00

Plain ticket? check!
Backpacking gear? Check!
A Purpose? che..wait, what?

Who has a purpose when they go backpacking? I mean other than your typical "getting, excersize, in tune with nature, escape the pressures of the "real world"". Well I certainly didnt at first. The more I thought about it, the more I realized that maybe it shouldnt be just about me this time.

I decided to raise money for a charity. which charity? Well the one that stuck out in my mind was the non profit organization, Save the Children.

Now for those of you who know me, you might be thinking, "Children? you dont like kids." Well you would be wrong! I do like kids. I feel very strongly for helping those in need and kids need. Save the Children, I think, does the best job helping. Putting over 90% of there money into program services. This is greater than most non profits. Another reason I chose this group is because it started in the Appalachian mountain region of the US. A place that since 2008 (my AT hike) has been near and dear to me.

I know I dont start hiking for another 3 months or so, but I thought it would be good to let people know my intentions and to get the word out.

The Pacific Crest Trail is a 2,650 mile, 4,265 kilometer, trail. So, I am trying to raise $2,650.00. if I reach this goal, I have a secondary goal of $4,265.00.

I would appreciate any help that people feel comfortable giving: DONATE, advise, or forwarding the message to a friend. OK my sale is over now. That "please donate" stuff always makes me nervous, but I will get use to it.

Just so you know, if you follow the donation link it goes to the fundraising site and I am happy to assure everyone that I do not touch any of the money! Which eases my nerves, quite frankly.

All right that is all for now.
Peace and Love!

Gear

2010-02-02T16:26:00.000-08:00

So I thought that people might want to know what gear I am taking on this journey of mine. Here are some items that i am particularly excited about.

Granite Gear Vapor Trail (This is a lighter pack than the one I used for the AT, but I will be carrying less weight... fingers crossed.)

Western Mountaineering Ultralite 20* (what an upgrade this will be from my Marmot Pounder Plus 25*, which I can still use as a very comfortable summer bag but is more like a 40* after care taking in the White mountains and getting dragged along the Appalachian Trail.)

Thermarest Zlite (I carried a ProLite on the AT and it was really nice but with the wet weather I experienced, mildew grew prolifically. Also didnt want to risk puncturing an air mattress in the Desert and Chaparel.)

pepsi can alcohol stove (this includes primer pan and windscreen.)

(Why not the Jet boil? well, it is because I will have nothing but time when I am out there and I never developed the "Hiker Hunger" when I was on the AT, so I really dont see the need to boil water in 90 seconds.)

Sea to Summit Ti long handled spoon (Oh Luxury!)

Snow Peak Ti Mini Solo cook set (a nice lite addition to the dining scene)

So thats it for now.
Peace and Love!

The 1st post

2010-02-02T15:30:00.000-08:00

So this is the first in a long line of posts that will document my preparation and hike of the Pacific Crest Trail! It has been since October 8th 2008 when I summited Katahdin, the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail, and I have been itching to get back on a long trail ever since.

The months are down to 3, til I fly from my home state of NH to sunny San Diego. My plain ticket was bought over 2 months ago and most of my gear upgrades are purchased. some last minute ods and ends and food and I should be set.

On this expedition I am also fundraising money for the non profit oganization, Save the Children. A link to my fundraising page is up at the top of the blog but here is another link just in case, Steph's trek for children.

more to come soon!
Peace and Love