Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday to Me

My parents gave me the best gift ever this year--an Excalibur food dehydrator!  And, here's the best part...they had it delivered to them.  My mom will be handling all of my resupplies for the hike and will be doing all the dehydrating as well!  Hopefully I can squeeze in a pre-hike trip to visit them and play with help prepare some meals in the dehydrator.

I found it interesting today that my mom texted about wanting to experiment with cabbage in the dryer...and I wanted to dry some cake!  I suppose between the two of us, I will have a pretty well-rounded menu.  The temptation became too great today, so I baked a spice cake using applesauce in place of oil (fats are not supposed to be good for drying).  I cut it up in small pieces and I'm trying to dry it in my oven.

Supposedly after they are dry they can be processed in a food processor or blender until they are powder-like.  Then, small amounts of hot water can be added to reconstitute the cake.  No, it won't be light and fluffy, but might just taste like a cake right out of the oven that was cut into before it cooled.  Yes, I know all about that :)  I've even been known to eat "cake" before it goes into the oven.  Hmmmm...maybe I could just skip a step and pack cake mix...

More Supplies

When REI has a sale, hikers respond!  I needed to spend $100 to earn a "free" $20 gift card.  I accepted the challenge.  The list of what I need for the hike is a lot longer than $100, unfortunately.  This is what I chose, and what was delivered today:

To the left--and being blinded by the light--is ironically my headlight.  The larger package in the middle is a waterproof stuff sack for my sleeping bag.  My bag got here a couple weeks ago.  It's still in the box!  The box, by the way, weighs more than the bag.  I hope there's some additional packaging in this stuff sack package because it's not as light as I'd hoped.  In the orange, a small flint.  The two bottles are soap, Dr Bronner's Magic Soaps, or so the bottles say.  Supposedly they are organic and can be used for body, clothes, dishes, or anything that needs cleaning in the wilderness.  The zip-o-gage, front right, is a small thermometer.  It weighs next to nothing and I like knowing the temperature.  Wish I would have had this on the hike in Washington.  Would have loved to know the night time temps.

Training is ongoing.  Six days a week it's either running, walking an incline at the gym, or lifting weights.  Many days the dogs get walks too.

Lost Pics of Lost Lake and Goat Rocks

My new phone has arrived!  This is good news for many reasons...one of which will hopefully mean better quality pictures!  In the process of moving pictures off my old phone, I came across several pictures from my hike in September with my dad.  It was a treat to get this surprise reminder of the good time we had hiking in Goat Rocks Wilderness.

The above picture is Packwood Lake.  It's a big lake that is home to otters.  We had the privilege to see several of them swimming.  It looked like some of them were putting on a synchronized swim routine for us.  I believe that's Johnson Peak in the background.

This was home the first night on the trail.  Someone left a nail on a tree.  It was the perfect spot to hang my backpack.  Here it is with Dad's tent in the background.

 

We tried for an early start after our first night, hoping to get in some hiking before breakfast.  We decided the following view was a perfect backdrop for breakfast.  There was a good-sized creek on the other side of the river rocks.  The mountain is Johnson Peak.  Dad made a joke about thinking he saw our trail way up on the side of the mountain.  I knew our trail didn't cross the creek though so I wasn't worried.  Well, this was the day of unrelenting climbs.  Little did we know at breakfast that later in the day we'd be nearly looking straight across at that "trail".  The picture just doesn't do the view justice.

Now, here's the danger in "losing" pictures... I can't remember exactly where the following picture was taken.  I THINK this was taken on Chimney Rock looking across the valley at Johnson Peak.  Yeah, we did a little bit of climbing.

And here's another picture of Lost Lake, which was our home on our last night on the trail.  It is also home to a mouse who wanted to experience sleeping in a tent.

I wonder if these areas are starting to get snow.  I'd love to go back and find out!  Unfortunately, I think it's going to have to wait until next September.

New Trail Runners

I love my Merrells, but kept hearing so much about the Brooks Cascadia Trail Runners that I thought I should give them a try.  Because hiking is mostly about the feet, this is one part of my gear that I have to get right.  I bought them a size and a half too big, which is recommended, but they must run small because they don't feel too big.  Also, they are probably the ugliest shoes I have ever owned.  But, I'm trying to not let that enter into my decision.

This picture looks like it was taken in the 50s and left sitting in the sun.  The green is bright lime green...honest.  On a side note, my new phone with better camera is expected to ship next week :)  A new camera is on my list too.

The Merrells weigh 14 oz each, these Brooks are 12 oz each.  I don't think 2 oz is enough of a difference to matter.  I am considering trying an Asics trail runner.  I run in Asics and find them very comfortable.  I don't hear about them being used on the PCT though.  Maybe Asics would like to send me a pair (or 5!) so I can brag about them on the trail :)

181 days 'til Kick Off...

Let the Countdown Begin

I'm still tossing around a few start dates for my hike, however, I'm hoping the ADZPCTKO (Annual Day Zero Pacific Crest Trail Kick Off) in Lake Morena, California, will be part of the plan.  This is an annual event that was started in 1999 by former thru-hikers and PCT enthusiasts.  It's supposed to be a great event with info about the trail, vendors, food, and hundreds of hikers!

There is lots to be done between now and the kick off in April.  However, nothing like seeing something like this to put it in perspective!

COUNTDOWN FOR WEBSITE

It's October!!!

I wish the weather here in Houston would accept that it's now fall and it would be a good time to cool off.  We're getting a little break today, but I'm talking slight.  The weatherman predicted 72 hours ago that we were done with 90+ degree days for 6 months.  Wouldn'tcha know, TWO days later our high was forecasted to be 90.

I'm anxious to get back on the trail, any trail.  I've heard about the Lone Star Trail which I believe isn't far from me, but I haven't found enough info yet to schedule a hike.  Maybe when the weather cools I'll be able to think about such a thing.

The good news for the day is that my Yogi's Handbook for the PCT arrived today!  These guide books have an excellent reputation among the PCT community.  I can't wait to dig in!

Training is going as planned--weight lifting, walking and running.  It's nice to have a goal.

Some days I want to start the PCT tomorrow!  Others I'm concerned I'm not going to have enough time to get ready.  My guess is that I'll be preoccupied through the end of the year and panic will set in in January.

Lost Lake, Packwood Lake, Home

 



We tried again to reduce the time it took to break camp in the morning without success.  And, once again, we decided to skip breakfast in lieu of granola and trail mix.  This morning however, we took the time for a warm drink before beginning the descent to Packwood Lake and the trailhead.

 

This is Beaver Bill Creek.  We stayed at Beaver Bill Creek on our first night, but it was much further down the mountain and much bigger.  This little creek was beautiful--it meandered back and forth with wildflowers in between.  I really need a better camera!  It's on the list.

Hiking was fast this morning as the trail was almost entirely downhill.  We stopped at Packwood Lake for breakfast and were treated to the antics of two groups of otters in the lake.

From the lake, we retraced our route from Monday in the opposite direction to the trailhead.  We met a couple whose son had hiked the PCT in 2011.  We enjoyed visiting with them and hearing about their PCT adventure from the previous year.

While you're always anxious to see the car at the end of the hike, we were in no hurry for this trip to end.  We took the time to cook one more meal at the trailhead and enjoy the peacefulness of the wilderness and the view of Rainier while we ate lunch.  We repeated a favorite meal of beans, rice, fritos, cheese and taco sauce.  We pulled the 2 cans of soda out of the glove box that my sister had sent with us.  Mmmmmm...good.

Dad's feet held up and my equipment test was a success.  Granted, we had perfect weather so there wasn't a chance to test rain gear.  That will have to wait for another trip.  I enjoyed the hike immensely and getting to share it with my Dad made it even better.

Packwood Saddle to Lost Lake

I had been a little cool the first night, so decided to close up the front of my tent the second night.  Big mistake when I learned in the morning that the stars had been pretty impressive that night.

We tried to break camp a little quicker this morning, but it still took us about an hour.  We didn't even fix breakfast!  Our plan was to hike a bit and then stop for food.  We were enjoying Mom's trail mix and grabbed a few handfuls before beginning the climb up and around Chimney Rock.  The trail came very close to the ridge and we decided to stop here and refuel.

This part of the trail had some more climbing, and was rockier than what we'd experienced the day before.  There were some stream crossings that thankfully had no water in them.  They were steep and rocky--exciting enough without the added challenge of rushing water!

As the trail wound around Chimney Rock, I decided to try again to get a text out to family to let them know we were doing well.  I had tried at Packwood Saddle and the PCT junction with no luck.  This time I finally had success.  It felt great to connect with them even if it was only a one-sided text message.  Another high point.

Once we rounded Chimney Rock, the trail began its descent.  We saw pikas for the first time--small animals from the rodent family that live in the rocks.  We were also treated to a view of Mt Rainier and stopped for the photo op and a snack.

I told Dad he would never see a picture of me sitting on a ledge with my legs hanging off.  This rock was as close as I was going to get.  Mt Rainier looks tiny in these pictures.  It was more impressive in person.

Lost Lake was just half a mile off our trail and the gal who sold us our parking pass said the view was glorious so we decided to make it our destination for our third night on the trail.  She obviously hadn't seen the view from the PCT junction or Chimney Rocks because this paled in comparison.  Still, a nice place to make camp.  Once again, we had the place to ourselves.  It felt great to wade in the cold water and rinse the trail dust off our bodies.  There were fish jumping in the lake.  We took a walk around part of the lake and found a stream where we filled up our water bottles.

Learning my lesson from the night before, I kept the vestibule at the front of my tent open so I could see the stars through the netting.  I had a bad angle, so got out of my tent at one point to look up at the sky.  I stood at the front of my tent for a minute or so to take in the view and then crawled back into bed.  At some point I was awakened by what sounded like a small animal brushing the sides of my tent.  I flicked my hand on the side of the tent to encourage the animal to move on.  It was relentless (there's that word again!) and would not leave the tent alone.  Several minutes later I realized that the animal making the noise was INSIDE the tent!  Dad came to the rescue with a light and we got the mouse out of the tent.  As I'm sure you can imagine, it was a little tough to sleep after that!  There were no holes in the tent, so we determined he must have come inside when I stepped out to see the stars.

Unrelenting

We broke camp the morning of Day 2 and hiked a little while before stopping for a warm breakfast of oatmeal with peaches & raspberries and vanilla caramel lattes (yum!).  We knew we had a big climb ahead of us.  At the side of a rocky creek we had a beautiful view of Johnson Peak (elevation 7487).  Dad pointed out a spot high on the mountain that looked like a trail and joked that was where our trail went.  I bought into it for a minute until I realized that our trail stayed on the other side of the creek.  Little did I know that by the end of the day I'd be looking across the valley at a spot very high on Johnson Peak.  Probably best I didn't know that at the time!

The guidebook mentioned a 2.6-mile unrelenting climb to Packwood Saddle.  "Unrelenting" became the word of the day as we realized the review in the book was very accurate.  Add in a little altitude and it was a tough day.  We met another hiker coming down the trail whose girlfriend was just a few days away from finishing the PCT.  Enjoyed visiting with him...and the break from hiking!

Due to the late arrival of fall, there were still some wildflowers left at Packwood Saddle.


Lunch was whole wheat tortillas with peanut butter and dried bananas.  There was plenty of time left in the day so we decided to hike the 1.2-mile trail to the junction with the PCT.  The trail looks innocent enough, right???  In reality, this trail gave new meaning to our word of the day.  There was a 1,200 foot elevation gain in the 1.2 miles.  Crazy.  It was all forgotten however when we saw the trail sign for the PCT.

This is Dad at the trail marker for the junction with the PCT.  So exciting!  I believe the camera is pointing to the NE.  Yes, that's snow!  We were anything but cold though.  It was another beautiful day and we were warm from the hike.

This is a more northerly view of the snow and the hills in the distance.  There are fires burning all over Washington which I'm guessing is the reason for the haze in the sky.

Here I am at the same trail marker.  This was definitely a high point of the hike so far.  That's Johnson Peak in the background.  I wish I would have taken a picture of the mountains behind me and to the left.  It was such a beautiful view.  We stayed here for awhile enjoying the scenery and our accomplishment, and then began the descent back to Packwood Saddle where we planned on making camp for the night.  We were most of the way down when we regretted not leaving a bag of Mom's amazing trail mix on the sign for any PCT hikers who may be coming through needing a little "trail magic".

Packwood Loop Trail, Washington

 

After some discussion, Dad & I settled on a route to hike in Washington.  Rainier was too far, Adams had fires, and my bro-in-law had a trail book on the Goat Rocks Wilderness.  Truth be told, I think he had books on a lot of areas, but this is the one he pulled out to share.  He hadn't hiked Goat Rocks before, so I think he wanted a review.  No problem, because it worked out great for us.

 

We had 4 days to hike.  We probably could have chosen a longer route, but the 26.2-mile Packwood Loop Trail kept rising to the top of the list.  It was a test trip afterall--testing my equipment and Dad's feet.  Our intent wasn't to walk to exhaustion every day.

 

Monday morning we packed up and headed to the trailhead.  It was about a 2-1/2 hour drive and paved all the way.  We got our shoes on, made sure we locked the truck, got our packs on and adjusted, etc.  This took longer than it should have because we hadn't done it in awhile.  We were also trying trekking poles for the first time, so this added another item to adjust.  We walked across the parking lot to the trail, and read on one of the signs there that a parking pass was required.  We briefly considered taking a chance at a ticket and fee, but after calling for more information decided to drive the 6-7 miles back to the town of Packwood for a parking pass.  An hour and a half later we were back at the start of the trail with a parking pass in the truck and ready to begin hiking.

 

 

 

The first 4-1/2 miles to Packwood Lake were mostly level.  We passed a little stream flowing down from the hill to the side of the trail.  My water bottle wasn't full when I started hiking so I took this opportunity to fill it up.  First water stop and I didn't filter.

 

Packwood Lake is big, and there's a little tree-covered island in it.  We hiked along the lake (1.7 miles of it) and then to Beaver Bill Creek where we decided to make camp for the night.  The campsight was tree-covered and there was the sound of the creek all night long.  Before bed we had some hot Tang, a Classen family hiking tradition.  First day was a success.

 



All My Bags Are Packed...

...I'm ready to go!!!  I leave in the morning for 10 days in the Pacific Northwest with my family and some hiking with my Dad :)  We don't know yet where we're hiking.  We've tossed all sorts of ideas around--part of the Wonderland Trail around Rainier, part of the trail-around-the-mountain at Mt Adams, part of the PCT, Eagle Creek???  To make things more interesting, there's a fire burning near Mt Adams which may eliminate that option which was probably our first choice.

The following is what 4 days of food for 2 people looks like.  I've since consolidated it a bit.  It looks awfully brown.  Part of that is my camera.  Today they announced the new iphone5.  Hopefully there will be one in my future.  I could use a new phone AND camera, so it's a no-brainer, right?

I've got 3rd batch of granola in the oven.  I'm making a 2nd batch of my favorite Pumpkin Granola to bring to my sister.  Mmmmm...smells so good!

There's a Tent in my Front Yard!

The boys are not very impressed with my tent...and I think even less so that I pitched it in the front yard where people could SEE it!  Tom probably shares their sentiments, however, he has got to be impressed that I bought such an inexpensive home :)

The weatherman's predictions for the morning were right on.  It was cool enough that being outside wasn't miserable.  I set up the tent for the first time.  It's pretty easy and with practice I'll get quicker and better.  I sealed the seams which wasn't too bad of a project.  This is necessary because water can find its way through the needle holes in the seams.  A thinned silicone is painted on the seams and then wiped off to seal them from rain.  I also put a couple stripes on the floor of the tent to keep my sleeping pad from sliding around in there.  The tent is really quite spacious for a 1-man tent.

One week from tonight I will be sleeping in this tent for the first time!  I thought about sleeping there tonight, but I'm sure my son would just DIE from embarrassment.  On second thought... :)

Getting Ready

I received the last shipment of ordered gear today.  It was my sleeping pad.  I got a great deal on an "irregular" ThermaRest NeoAir XLite pad at www.campmor.com.  Of course I had to immediately blow it up and try it out :)  My initial impression is favorable.

 

This picture shows most of my collection of stuff.  The pile at the top is all clothing.  After this picture, I stuffed it all in a stuff sack to see how small it could get.  On the left is cooking/drinking stuff.  Rolled up in the middle is my tent, pad, and ground sheet.  To the right is my umbrella and trekking poles.  Everything is so new and clean.  I will be borrowing my sister's sleeping bag and probably a few other little things for the hike in Oregon/Washington.  I'm keeping a list of what I need because rumor has it we will be driving right by an REI on Saturday.

Preliminary weather reports are great for Portland.  Highs of 80, lows around 50, and 0% chance of rain.  I wonder how long that can last in September in the Northwest?

 

The Postman Delivers...Twice!

Fun-filled mailbox today.  I wonder if the postman has any idea how much joy he gives?  Today there were 2 packages in the mailbox:  my "cozy" from www.trailcooking.com and a hipbag and ground sheet (for under the tent) from www.gossamergear.com.  First the cozy...

I could have easily made one of these, but the simplicity and speed of a couple clicks on the computer was hard to resist.  I also ordered my cookbook from these folks.  Unfortunately, I have crossed out the recipes in about half the book because I discovered I cannot tolerate the smell/taste of powdered milk.  Yes, even the whole milk version.  Oh well, the book is still well worth it.  I've come up with a couple recipes of my own from the inspiration in the book.  The cozy will hold the bags of food and hot water while they "cook" in the insulated cozy.  The cozy is about 8" x 8-1/2".  On top of it are two bags ready for the trip--minestrone and overnight orange oats.

I think I've mentioned that I'm disappointed in the hipbelt pockets on my pack.  They are only partially accessible because of the wrap around frame and shoulder straps cutting across them.  I plan on putting this hipbag on before my backpack, with the pouch in front for stuff I may want while hiking so that I don't have to stop and dig it out of my pack...camera, blistex, snack...  I'm real pleased with its size:  9-1/2 x 6-1/2 x 2" at the bottom.  How thoughtful of them to print a little "g" on the top left corner for me :)  Thanks, gossamer gear...haha.  The ground sheet is tiny!  And, there are TWO in the package!  It's about 2-1/2" x 4-1/2" and not very thick.  Each sheet weighs just 1.6 oz and protects the bottom of my tent from punctures and wetness.

Back in the Saddle

Well, not exactly a saddle, but back in the hiking boots!  I've had a few days off while I recover from the antibiotics which are helping me recover from the tick bite.  I haven't enjoyed this process, but I'm on the downward side--I think only 2 more days of medication after today.

Walked a little over 4 with the dogs this morning.  And, I added another 10# bag of flour to my backpack, so it was an unofficial 25#.  The dogs don't exactly help with the walk...but they enjoy it so much I can't leave them home.  After Bella gets tired slows down a little, I tie their leashes to the hip belt straps.  Makes it easier on all of us...until the day that Bella sees a squirrel and then things could get interesting!

I picked up my camp shoes over the weekend :)  Nice and bright so I don't lose them.  They're even brighter in person.  That reminds me...I need to shop for a camera!

The weatherman has assured me that we are expecting a cold front this weekend which will bring temperatures from 80/100 down to high-60s/90 with some drier air to follow.  The "cold" is only supposed to last a couple days.  Hey, I'll take it when I can get it.  Besides, I just need one cool morning to seal the seams on my tent.

I learned this morning about making fire starters and fire straws.  Very cool.  I also prepped a lot of meals for my upcoming hike in the Pacific Northwest.

Hiker's Kitchen

The mailman delivered my PCT kitchen today.  I was expecting small and I'm still shocked at just how small it is.  And light! The picture is deceiving--the box is barely over 4" square.

It's a titanium alcohol stove and it heats silently with readily available alcohol.  The pot holds 2 cups of water.  All the parts fit into the pot for protection and easy packing.  The pot has a ridge at the bottom to stay securely on the stand.  It's just an engineering marvel :)

Now, if only it would bake cookies...

Spots!

So, a couple weeks ago I'm sitting on the couch minding my own business and I feel something like an ant or small spider on my side.  Of course I take a peek and make sure I don't have a bug on me.  Nothing there.  I feel it again a few minutes later.  Check again and wonder what could be tickling me...maybe a hair or string?  That night I find the source...a tick!  Ewwww.  Tom got it out, head and all.  We flushed it and went to bed, not thinking any more about it.

The next morning I could feel the spot of the bite, and every day it seemed to get a little more raised and red.  Of course I checked online for symptoms of a tick bite.  I learned that an indicator of Lyme Disease is a red bullseye at the spot of the bite.  So, every day I checked for this.  The spot wasn't healing, but at least there was no bullseye!

Tuesday my hips got very achy--kinda like I had the flu, but not quite.  Couldn't figure it out.  By Wednesday afternoon, my hips were still achy, I had a fever, my thighs were numb, I had a headache, my tongue felt swollen, I had some accelerated breathing...and then there were spots!  I was getting red spots!  Back to the computer...Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever?  I called the insurance company and they suggested a trip to the ER.  Wonderful.  Just the way I wanted to spend the next 4 hrs of my life.

Blood tests but no definitive answers yet.  I was sent home with prescriptions for 2 antibiotics.  So pleased that within 24 hours I was feeling much better.  Whew!  I was afraid the September hike was going to be in jeopardy.

My best advice?  Stay away from ticks...and hospitals!

Fun Day at REI

This is what $400+ at REI looks like...

Pretty sad...but oh, so exciting!  Front center is SmartWool long underwear--on sale!  Above that is a pair of Leki trekking poles.  Trekking Poles are a new entry to the world of hiking gear, at least since my last hike as a kid.  I remember seeing a walking stick here and there, but almost everyone uses trekking poles now, and I need one as a pole for my tent.  Dual purpose equipment--awesome!  Left and top is a pkg of 3 stuff sacks to help organize stuff in the backpack.  Then is the Sawyer Squeeze water filtration system.  This thing is only 3 oz which is much lighter than any other filtration system on the market.  It gets good reviews with the exception of the included bags which apparently are very prone to splitting open.  The next package in the picture is a Platypus water bladder.  I am hoping it will fit on the Sawyer Squeeze and be a more reliable way to squeeze it through the filter.  Come to think of it...if it works, I'm going to need one (or more) for treated water and one for untreated water.  Guess I'm going to get to go to REI again...  Three pairs of SmartWool/REI socks round out the top row.  Just below the socks is a strap to hold my glasses on.  I can hardly keep my sunglasses on when I'm "hiking" in the neighborhood because it's so hot and humid that the sweat makes them slide down my nose.

I'm getting close to having everything I need for the hike in September.  Still need a sleeping bag and pad.  And, I'm really hoping for a cool morning so I can set up my tent and seal the seams.

Happy Labor Day weekend!

I'm Baaaaaaack!

I enjoyed 6 days in Washington DC and Richmond VA with my family.  LOTS of walking, albeit without anything on my back.  This week I'm back on schedule with trips to the gym for weight lifting and walking on alternate days.  The dogs hadn't been out in over a week, but they didn't lose any endurance.  Bella pulled me all 4 miles this morning.  While it was frustrating to constantly have tension in the leash, I couldn't help but think that I will remember this morning at some point on the trail and wish I had her with me to pull me along.

New purchase!  I've been researching stoves for a few weeks now.  There are basically 2 options--a stove that runs on pressurized fuel, and an alcohol stove that uses liquid fuel.  As I see it, the pressurized fuel is faster, but I have concerns about finding fuel canisters along the way.  The alcohol stove is silent and runs on HEET or denatured alcohol (isopropyl in a pinch), which is readily available at grocery stores or gas stations.  It's a little slower, but hey, I'm walking from Mexico to Canada--it's not about speed!  So, I reversed my original inclination and bought an alcohol stove.  Another plus to the one I purchased (Evernew Titanium DX Appalachian Set) is that it can run on fuel tablets (Esbit) or a small fire in the included stand.  All the parts nestle together in a small package that weighs less than 6 oz!  woohoo!  Fuel will add some weight to that.  Still, I'm a happy camper...or at least I hope to be :)

Stuff keeps popping into my head that I need to accumulate before my hike in September.  I have started a list.  I realized it takes about the same amount of stuff for 4 days as it does for 4 months.  I have 2 weeks.  Let the countdown begin.

Walking and more Walking

Tried a new route in the neighborhood for our walk yesterday.  It was a good one.  I'm guessing around 4 miles with almost no cars and no dogs.  The pooches did very well--no need for water or shade breaks.  We did have a short scary moment when I noticed a coral snake at the same moment that Mojo decided to hop over it.  Whew.  Both dog and snake went their merry ways as if nothing happened, which was indeed what happened, but I was nervous for a split second.  I plan on repeating the walk this weekend with my watch so I know the distance.

I was feeling tired in the afternoon, so when Tom came home from work with plans to go to the gym, I decided to join him.  I hoped it would wake me up a little.  I didn't really feel like exercising and getting sweaty again, so I thought I'd just do a little walking on the treadmill.  Well, it didn't take long for me to decide to mix it up a bit.  I remembered reading that the incline on the PCT doesn't go over 15%.  I believe the reason is that the trail is horse-friendly and I guess horses don't like steep climbs.  So, I decided to try out 15% to see what it felt like.  I set the speed at 3 mph.  It didn't take long to feel like exercise!  And, this was on a smooth surface, in an air-conditioned room, and practically at sea level!  Houston doesn't have much to offer in the way of hills, so I will probably repeat that exercise a few times in the next few months.

Maiden Voyage

Went for a walk this morning with the dogs.  Nothing unusual about that.  However this walk included a new backpack!  I loaded it up to a total weight of approximately 14 pounds and headed out into the heat for a 2-1/2 mile walk.  A very short distance by thru-hiking standards, but with the degree of difficulty increased by the heat and the dogs, I figure I should get credit for at least 4 or 5 miles :)

I like the pack, but it's not perfect.  The hip pockets are small and made smaller by the fact that the inner frame and shoulder straps lay over them.  Also, I cannot access the side entrance of the side pockets with the pack on.  Maybe I just need to do some stretching exercises!  Small things that I'm sure I'll figure out.

It's a Good Week to be a Backpacker

I got news this week that my backpack has shipped!  Woohoo!  And...as if that isn't exciting enough...my tent arrived today!  It's shocking light and small.  It fit in the mailbox with room to spare.  If the tent didn't need to be staked, I would have set it up in the living room already.  Way too hot to set it up outside.  Maybe tonight when it "cools down" into the high 80s.  Just realized that I should have purchased the optional tent pole.  A trekking pole can be used in place of this tent pole, which is my plan when on the PCT, however, I hadn't planned on purchasing trekking poles until after my hike in September.  So, I'm going to need a tent pole soon, or will need to purchase trekking poles ahead of schedule.  It would have been so much easier to just order the pole with the tent.  Oh well.  Me and my crazy attempts to save a little money.

New Backpack...Almost

Soooooo, I pull the trigger this morning on a new backpack, only to discover it is unavailable.  Noooooo!!!!!  REI says it is backordered and they have no idea when it will be available.  The online receipt said most backordered items ship in 2-3 weeks.  No stores in the area had any inventory, so I am not optimistic.  My guess is that my backpack is not going to be like most items.  Grrrr.....

Trial Trail Lunch

I made some recipes from the Freezer Bag Cooking book a few weeks ago.  They are rolled up neatly in quart freezer ziploc bags in my pantry.  The one I tried for lunch yesterday was Cranberry Chicken Rice.  It has instant rice, some seasonings, dried onions, dried vegetables, cranberries, and chicken.  Bring water to a boil and pour it right into the bag.  "Smush" it around, and put the bag in something insulating (I've been using a big beach towel--obviously won't do that hiking but it works for testing at home).  The Fozzil Bowl worked great for supporting the bag while pouring the water in.  That's not an easy thing because once the hot water hits the bag, the bag loses its rigidity.  After the bag spent 10 minutes "cooking" in the towel, I put it back in the fozzil bowl to eat.  Yes, I could have dumped it in the bowl...but then I would have had to clean the bowl!  Once again, not a problem at home but a little more of a chore when practicing "no trace" hiking.

Here's a shot of the meal.  It was pretty good.  I've tried a few couscous ones and an oatmeal recipe.

I did some research yesterday on stoves.  The big debate is fuel--do I want a stove that requires fuel canisters, or an alcohol stove that requires liquid fuel.  Both have merit.

I Love FedEx!

Today's delivery included Fozzil Bowls.  These ingenius little "bowls" start flat and fold & snap into bowls that hold over 16 oz.  They are slippery on the inside so cleaning is easy, and kind of tacky on the outside so they don't slip out of your hand.  These bowls will pair nicely with my freezer bag meals.  I'm going to try them out for lunch today :)

These next two items don't go together.  Just want to make that perfectly clear.  The coconut cream powder is for some of my freezer bag recipes.  I can't figure out the ratios to reconstitute it, but the powder itself tastes delicious.  The Repel 100 is DEET bug repellent for the legendary mosquitoes on the trail.

Slowly but surely things are coming together.  I feel a little silly accumulating things so early, but many of the things I will need for the PCT hike next year I will need for my hike in September.  My plan is to use the September hike to test products, and in order to do that, I need to have things to try.

One Year From Today...

The dogs and I went for a walk this morning.  I did a little calculating and realized that one year from today, if all goes according to plan, I will have hiked through California and will be somewhere in Oregon on my way to Canada.  Wow.

Great 5 mile walk with the dogs this morning.  We didn't get started until around 8, so already very warm.  Thankfully there was a bit of a breeze in spots, and some cloud cover to help with the heat.  The dogs did great.  This was their longest walk to date.  At about the 3-mile mark, Mojo started his grass diving.  He moves from the sidewalk to the grass, builds up some speed, puts his head down and to the side, and slides across the grass.  Wet grass seems to be preferable.  I don't know if it is because it is slippery or cooler.  Either way, it's funny to watch.  I think Bella would have been content with 4-3/4 miles as she was noticeably slower the last quarter mile.  However, about 50 yds from home she caught the scent of something on the sidewalk and was full-speed ahead with her nose to the ground, like a hunting dog.  Both dogs are resting now, enjoying the air conditioning as much as me.

Backpacks, Jackets, and Shoes...Oh My!

I ordered two backpacks from ULA-Equipment, the Circuit and the Catalyst.  Both are highly regarded packs by ultra-light backpackers.  I put a pillow in the bottom of them followed by a 10# bag of flour in a pillowcase, and then another pillowcase with 4 pairs of jeans.  I got the packs to 20# so I could really try them out.  Amazing how quickly the weight adds up!  Now, I know of no one who hikes with 10# of flour...or even 1 pair of jeans for that matter...but still, it was a quick 20#.  Most people measure the contents of their gear in ounces and not pounds--good thing!

The packs have a solid fabric-covered foam back (the part that rests on your back).  Within less than a minute of the pack on my back it felt warm.  Now, I know what you're thinking...it's July in Houston, of COURSE it's warm!  Not so fast--I tried them on in the air-conditioned comfort of my home.  Lots of nice features to the packs--loved the hand straps, and the water storage on the straps--but they just weren't comfortable for me.  So, I returned the packs.  I'm leaning towards the Osprey Aura 50 pack which has a mesh "trampoline" at the back of the pack.  I will have to pay a few ounces for this luxury, but I think it's worth it.

What do you think of these shoes???  Take a good look because you will never again see them this clean.  They are Merrell Moab Ventilators, a favorite trail shoe of many hikers.  They also come in a higher cut boot style, as well as gore-tex (water proof) ones.  I plan on switching to the gore-tex boot style in the Sierras and Washington, and these for southern and northern California.  The general consensus is that it will take at least 4 pairs of shoes to complete the hike.

I have been walking around the neighborhood in these shoes and my SmartWool socks. Probably look pretty silly. Just wait 'til I add a backpack to my walks!

I got a great deal on a bright pink down jacket at REI.  It's the Nano Puff jacket by Patagonia.  It was more than 50% off.  Awesome.  Seems crazy to buy a down jacket in July, but that's probably why it was on sale.

Just ordered a shelter.  Sleeping under a tarp is the new trend in backpacking.  It's light and there's less of a problem with condensation because there is such great airflow.  However, I do not wish to sleep with the bugs, so I have been focusing my attention on tents.  I have chosen a lightweight tent by TarpTent, the Contrail.  It weighs in at 24.5 ounces.  It is on backorder.  I hope it arrives before my September backpacking trip in the Great Northwest.

Like Christmas in July

REI is great, but it seems a lot of the things I need are only available online.  I did some shopping last week and this week I'm waiting each day to see what the postman (or fedex man, or UPS lady) is going to bring.  The good news is that everything is very light weight!

Today it was a pair of hiking shoes and two backpacks to try!  Oh, and some powdered whole milk, cheddar cheese powder, and butter powder.  I'm waiting on some other dried foods to try some of the recipes in the "Freezer Bag Cooking" cookbook.  Maybe tomorrow...

Let the Training Begin

I'm back in the gym three days a week lifting weights and walking whenever I can, sometimes twice a day.  While it's still awfully hot in Houston in July, we've been getting some rain and the temps have come down just a little.  Makes walking outside a lot more comfortable.  Even still, I will wait for the serious training when the weather cools.  I am researching equipment and am almost ready to pull the trigger on a pack, tent, sleeping bag, stove, shoes, and some clothes for hiking.

I feel a little silly purchasing equipment already, but in September I will be joining my family for some hiking in the Great Northwest.  It will be a perfect opportunity to put some of the equipment to the test and see if I've found what is going to work for me on the big hike.

I also ordered a cookbook with recipes on freezer bag cooking (www.freezerbagcooking.com).  Many hikers are utilizing this way of cooking.  Basically your dehydrated meals are put in a ziploc bag and rather than add the ingredients to boiling water, the water is added to the bag and then it is put in a cozy (or insulating item) to reconstitute and "cook".  This saves fuel, the pot never gets dirty, and the meal can be eaten right out of the bag.  Whoever thought of this is a genius!  Now, I have yet to try it, but it sure sounds smart.  Of course I will have a list of food to purchase in order to experiment with some of the recipes...but hey, whether you're hiking or not, you gotta eat, right?

A Little Info About the PCT

When I was a kid, my family hiked some of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) on long weekends and for vacation.  I always enjoyed it.  I still remember the first time I heard about the entire trail and that some people actually walk the WHOLE THING!  This seemed unfathomable to me at the time.  Actually it seemed pretty unfathomable until a few months ago.  Raising kids is a very time-consuming endeavor and there wasn't much time to think of an adventure such as taking 5-6 months to hike from Mexico to Canada.  With 3 of the 4 in college or beyond, and Harley graduating high school next year, my mind can wander to the possibilities of attempting the hike.

Many people are aware of the Appalachian Trail.  It's the most famous of the National Scenic Trails in the US.  It runs from Georgia to Maine with top elevations reaching approximately 6000 feet.  (I'm going on memory here, so don't quote me!)  It also has shelters approximately 10 miles apart the length of the trail for thru-hikers to camp.  It draws more hikers than its lesser known counterpart, the Pacific Crest Trail.  Here's a little information from www.pcta.org...

"Zigzagging its way from Mexico to Canada through California, Oregon and Washington the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) boasts the greatest elevation changes of any of America's National Scenic Trails, allowing it to pass through six out of seven of North America's ecozones including high and low desert, old-growth forest and alpine country. Indeed, the PCT is a trail of diversity and extremes. From scorching desert valleys in Southern California to rain forests in the Pacific Northwest, the PCT offers hikers and equestrians a unique, varied experience. Located within driving distance of San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sacramento, Portland, and Seattle, the PCT is both easily accessible and blissfully wild at the same time. Whether you'd like to explore the PCT for weeks on end, or just a weekend, it offers the best of the West - the Mojave Desert, the Sierra Nevada and Mt. Whitney, Yosemite National Park, Marble Mountain and the Russian Wilderness in Northern California, the volcanoes of the Cascades including Mt. Shasta and Mt. Hood, Crater Lake, Columbia River Gorge, Mt. Rainier, and the remote Northern Cascades."

All of this in 2650 miles with a high point of 13,200 feet.  Wow!  What more can I say?!?!  Sign me up!

Very Preliminary Planning

While I still consider a thru-hike of the PCT a big IF, I know it will not happen without some planning.  So, I am moving forward as IF it is going to happen.

I am waiting for cooler weather to begin most of my physical training.  I did take the dogs for a long walk this morning.  Think it's the first time the tension in Bella's leash was BEHIND me and not in front!  Hard to believe that Mojo can outwalk Bella.  I'm sure it has to do with the fact that Mojo has one steady speed and Bella is full-speed-ahead until she's spent.  Neither dog has moved since we got home.

I purchased a pair of lightweight gaiters (www.dirtygirlgaiters.com) for walking the trails leading from our neighborhood.  I am planning on some hiking in Sept in the NW :)  That will move up the time frame on some purchases so I will have them to break in and try out.

Here's the exciting news...  I have a start date!  They have announced the 2013 Kick Off for the PCT!  It is April 26-28.  As of right now (I know it's a long way off so hard to take myself too seriously), I will plan on leaving Campo and the Mexican border April 25th.  It's about 20 miles to the Kick Off in Lake Morena, CA.  I will plan on a night or two there and then will head north for the remaining 2630 miles.