Getting in the Groove

So, 15 days in I'm starting feel at home out here. Don't get me wrong, I'm taking a day off in town and loving it today! Ice Cream, salads and eveything else I can possibly eat! Yet, every time I set up camp I feel more and more comfortable with the concept of just being outside, under the stars without a town or civilization to support me.

Yesterday I worked myself to exhaustion. Its been tough going out here, I was definitely ready to take a day off. I almost made it to Sierra City last night (where I am now) but stopped 3 miles short because I just couldn't go anymore. Sletp for 12 hours, woke up, came into town and had an enormous breakfast. God, food tastes great when you're hiking!

The PCT has an incredible community that surrounds it. I've already met upwards of 40 other thru hikers, most of whom have been at it since Mexico. They are incredibly accepting, even though I'm only a newbie. 2 phenomena worth mentioning: Trail Magic is hiker lingo for random acts of kindness. Every now and then, when passing a road or somewhere else accessible, someone will leave a box full of goodies. I've run across fresh organic fruit, others have gotten soda beer and all kinds of other stuff. The second and most wonderful: Trail Angels. This is the term used to describe people along the trail who house and feed thru hikers. They do this, free of charge, in addition to picking you up at the trail head. So far I am yet to stay with one, although I plan to in Belden and again in Burney. These people are incredibly kind and generally spend most of their day for six weeks during the summer shuttling hikers to an fro and buying groceries/cooking stuff. How cool!!

I'm hiking faster and faster as time goes on. I've been doing about 20-25 miles a day, which I'm pretty proud of. Part of that is my body getting into better shape. The other part is my pack getting lighter. A lot lighter. I've dropped at least 10 lbs in unnecessary gear and food, and boy does it make a difference. Just today I mailed back a bear canister, rain pants, an extra shirt, tent stakes and some other crap I don't use. You just realize you don't need that much stuff if you live simply. In that spirit, here are some tips to lightening your pack that I've picked up along the way, not all of which I've implemented but are worthy of mentioning:

Stove: Don't use one, try to eat cold if possible. Stoves take wight and so does fuel. If you have to use a stove, use an alcohol stove because they are way lighter than whisperlights.

Tene: A lot of these guys don't have a tent at all! They use their trekking poles to prop up a tarp, then put mosquito netting around it to protect from bugs. Saves about 2 lbs if you do it right.

Use gatorade bottles instead of Nalgenes

If using a stove, use dried foods. Water weighs 2.2 lbs per Liter, which is a lot. As much pasta, rice, other grains as possible.

Use foods that cook fast. You save on fuel and caniste weight

No luxuries! Brownie Mix, dehydrate milk and olive oil are all grat, but you really don't need them. Its better to pack light, go without for 5 days and then find a town and live the good life!

Don't take unnecessary gadgets. You certainly will the first time you go out, but just be prepared to send them home.

Look for redundancies in your clothing. For instance, I had a rain poncho, rain pants and a rain jacket. I got rid of the jacket and pants, as I carried them for 15 days without using them.

Don't make pancakes!!!! (Hal, this one's for you) Although they sound like a great camping idea, they are heavy in ingredients, fuel expensive and a huge hassle. Don't do it, you can resist!!!


That's about it for now. Until next time!


Bear Bait