Walk

71 days and counting

Over the holiday break from work, I have spent a good chunk of time preparing my food, going through my gear and otherwise preparing for the trail. I have started the tedious task of putting together my resupply boxes. Our home office looks like a mail sorting room. Things are coming together!

More (Funny) Food Prep

For those of you unaware, I spent my middle and high school years in New Mexico. During those formative years, I became quite the connoisseur of green chile. Those of you from New Mexico or the surrounding southwest know exactly what Im talking about. Sure, there are chile’s from other regions that are spicy and have pretty good flavor, but unless you are from the region you don’t know what you’re missing out on. These chiles can be rather mild to intensely hot.

In preparation for the trail, I have been making copious quantities of dried foods. Dried fruit, beef jerky, and various other items that dehydrate well. A few weeks ago I had the idea of drying some of the roasted green chile I had in the freezer from this seasons chile harvest. So I loaded up 5 dehydrator trays with medium and hot chiles and set to it, The aroma from the drying chiles was delightful. It smelled up the whole house with the delicious smell of roasted chile. Smell GOOD.

Now along with the dehydration of copious amounts of food, comes the process of vacuum sealing all the dried food. I have become a vacuum sealing machine! In packaging food over the last several months, I have killed one vacuum sealer and am in the process of breaking (in) the second.

After the chiles dried, I needed to vacuum seal them to keep them “fresh” over the next few months for the trail. In surveying the situation I had the idea that I would grind the chiles up to put them in a substantially smaller vacuum bag. So, I busted out the Vitamix. It is the very best blender on the planet, in my not so humble opinion. I threw several trays worth of dried chiles in the blender and started turning the long flat green chiles into powdered. It worked flawlessly, UNTIL, I took the lid off to dump the now super fine chile powder into a bowl so I could divide it amongst the various portions. And thats when it started. It was like someone set off an allergen bomb in the house. My nose started running, my eyes were watering, I started coughing as if I had been smoking 3 packs a day for 30 years! I imagine the sensation was similar to being pepper sprayed. The heater was on, so within moments, my husband started hacking and sneezing in the living room. It took nearly an hour for the house to air out and the allergen bomb to subside.

Lesson learned – if you’re going to grind green chile, do it outside, with a respirator, hazmat suit and gloves. Only then will you be safe from the fine particles of fire the blender kicks up.

78 days and counting!

Food Prep

I believe I am nearing the end of my food prep.  There are only a few odds and ends to purchase and package at this point.  Yesterday was my biggest food day by far.  I packaged and organized about 126,000 calories.  Its pretty remarkable how many calories are going to be required!

I have calculated my calorie requirements for the trail to be around 600,000 on the low end, and 700,000 on the high end.

There are multiple ways to plan your food for the PCT.  One methodology is to ship the majority of your food from home to different supply points on the trail.  Another is to purchase your food exclusively on the trail.  And finally, there is a hybrid model where you ship some food from home to the hard to resupply locations and buy the remainder of your food on the trail.

There are arguments for an against each resupply strategy.  I decided early on I would ship my food from home, and only pick up incidental items while I am in town.  This will ensure I have a consistent supply of reasonably healthy food, while cutting down on time in town.  There is always the risk of getting sick of the food you are sending yourself.  However, I have a very wide variety of foods I packaged, so hopefully this wont be an issue.   The one caveat to this is trail mix.  Its LOADED with calories and I generally like it, but I can foresee having my fill.

The Holidays

I took a few days of PTO from work in addition to the time off my company offers.  As a result I have 17 days off work.  Its been great to be able to spend a lot of time prepping for the trail.

My husband made an interesting observation a few nights ago while on our way home from a holiday party.  He said, “When you start talking about the trail, you instantly become “The Most Interesting Man in the World” (a nod to the dos equis commercials).  He went on to say the where ever I am, the room stops and all attention focuses on me.  People are awestruck that I am planning to hike 2600 miles over 5 months.

You can see envy in many of their eyes.  While they may not want to hike for 5 months, many would LOVE to take 5 months for a grand adventure.  My only advise to them is, DO IT!   While 5 months might be to long for most people, I believe everyone needs to take the time to experience their “dreams”.

Along with the amazing support I have received from family and friends, there have been a number of questions.  I’m sure some of you have the same questions and concerns, so I thought I would throw together a short Q&A of the recurring questions I am getting.

Q:  Whats the PCT, and how long will you be gone?
A:  The Pacific Crest Trail is a ~2660 mile trail running from the Mexican border in Campo, CA, to Manning Park, BC, Canada.  Generally people can complete the hike in 4 to 6 months.  I am hoping to finish in the 5 month time frame.  My current departure date is March 15th, 2015.  I am hoping to finish by Mid August.

Q.  Are you hiking the trail alone?
A. While I am not hiking with a friend, I will be hiking with hundreds of other like-minded people.  Last year there were approximately 1300 hikers who attempted the PCT.  Most people start between mid March and mid May.  I belong to several forums, as of right now, there are 5 people starting their hike the same day I am.  While I won’t be hiking with a “friend”, people generally make fast friends on the trail.  (sarcasm) So for those of you who truly know me, you know I will be hiking alone the whole time (/sarcasm).

Q:  Your trip seems rather sudden.  Is everything ok?
A:  The desire to hike the PCT has stretched back many, many years.  I learned about it in my mid 20s and over the last several years, have participated in a large number of endurance events.  I believe Brian put it best when he said, “This is the next logical step in his fitness/life endeavours.”

For those of you wondering, Yes, I have read the book “Wild” By Cheryl Strayed.  I have also seen the movie.  Both are worth indulging in, however, they had nothing to do with my desire to hike the trail.  It is a coincidence the movie came out around the same time as my hike of the PCT.

I have been in the planning stages for the trail since mid summer when it appeared the stars were going to align for this trip.

And finally, Yes, everything is great.  I am in good health, my relationships have never been better.

Q:  Are you scared?  You’re going to be in the wilderness with Lions and Tigers and Bears! What if something happens!?
A:  I am very comfortable with my backcountry skills.  Surprisingly, animal encounters are pretty rare on the PCT.  Many hikers go the whole distance without ever seeing a bear or mountain lion.   I’m more apt to be struck by lightning than get mauled by a bear or mountain lion.

In the event I become injured from an accident, I will have the means to summons Search and Rescue to hitch a ride in a fancy helicopter.

As with all things, there is risk involved.  Some of the most rewarding things in life, come with a good deal of risk.  Being aware and prepared for those risks is half the battle.   If it came down to it, and I passed away on the trail, I would have died doing something I loved.  As opposed to having a heart attack at my office, or being hit by a bus.  Which way would you prefer to go?

Q:  What about Brian?
A:  He is available for dates….Just kidding.  He has been absolutely amazing.  I couldn’t ask for a more supportive husband.  He will be coming for several visits while I am on the trail.  Additionally, I won’t be totally without technology.  We will communicate regularly.  While being away for ~5 months will be incredibly difficult, we have always said, we each need to have our own passions.  Without them, we would not have new experiences that allow us to grow, and share with each other.

“The journey of a thousand miles, begins with a single step.” Laozi