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.