T-Minus 50 Days

With March 19 fast approaching, I have a lot of stuff left to do. That “To Do” list is long and getting complicated. So many of the items left to do, require others to take action. My time line is of little concern to those whose schedule and priorities are focused in a different direction. Case in point. I left my job on August 31, 2017. I have a 401K that I left behind. In December, I sought information from the administrator as to what actions I needed to take to move my moneys. Two weeks go by and I receive no reply. I make a second request. Another week goes by and no reply. I drive down to my former employer and seek information as to who I need to contact to start this process. Three more weeks go by and NOTHING. Long story short, the administrator states I need to wait until “the Plan is actually reconciled for 2017” before anything can be done. When I ask when that will occur I am told in 2017 they received the reconciliation notice of completion in September, for 2016. I would go into my response but you get the picture.

Making sure bills are on bill pay and automatically paid is a pain in the ass. Stopping all periodicals as well as ad based emailings is also a PITA. Making sure all vehicles are serviced and prepped for sitting for 5-6  months, also a PITA. Then there is the planning of where and when to send re-supply boxes and what to put into them. When I planned this adventure in 2012, I made 23 re-supply boxes and pre-filled them with various foods, supplies and items I thought I would need at certain points along the trail. This time, I am labeling the boxes and putting together a list of items I might need or want in that particular box. I’m not filling them with items this time.

I have purchased all the equipment I will need for this hike. I changed out my back pack from an Osprey that weights over five pounds to a Granite Gear pack that weighs in at two pounds two ounces. I changed my cook system from a Jet Boil to a MSR Pocket Rocket 2 and Toaks 750 ml titanium pot, saving myself almost eight ounces. I changed up some of my clothing choices, saving more weight and have reduced the amount of clothing I am taking. On my last attempt, my pack weighed over fifty pounds on day one. On day three I cut out eight pounds and on day seven I cut another five pounds. My pack was still too heavy by the time I stopped. This time I am shooting for a pack that is sub thirty pounds, total weight.

I have been battling a knee injury for the past month. I tore my MCL the first week of January and have been trying to re-hab it with the help of physical therapy at Kaiser. Getting better, but has slowed my “training”. I was up to eight to twelve miles of walking a day. I lost all of that. With fifty days left before I take my first step toward Canada, I have a lot of stuff to accomplish.

I'm Up and Running on YouTube

I intend to VLOG my journey as well as capture my thoughts here. To VLOG, I have set up a YouTube Channel titled: Pondering Hiker I am learning, through trial and error, how to take video, edit and post to YouTube. It has been an experience to say the least. I have tried out several editing programs, trying to learn each one to see which one will be the easiest and most efficient when done on my iPhone 7+ or iPad Mini 4. I have settled on LumaFusion as my editing program. Is the easiest to use and offers many benefits over the runner-up, iMovie.

My first attempt at making and posting to YouTube is available now. Just click on  "Pondering Hiker" to view the finished product. I intend on posting as often as possible. Posting will be determined by availability of cellular service for doing so. A simple 5 minute video can take as long as 10 minutes to post, with a strong signal. Longer when the signal is weak or not a 4 or 3 G connection.

Please hit the "Subscribe" button on my YouTube Channel and follow along. I will be posting a couple more videos in the days to come and hope to be sufficiently proficient by the time I start hiking north to Canada.

Cheers all.... 

It's Getting Real

Yesterday (1-18-2018) I received my "PCT Long-Distance Permit" that allows me to travel and camp on the PCT corridor. I applied for the permit back on November 2, 2017. My start date was confirmed as March 19, 2018. So, this adventure is a GO!!!!

Over the past several months I have been doing gear prep and evaluation of things I have currently. This evaluation has lead to several changes in my equipment and thoughts about what is and what is not necessary. Some of you may remember my failed attempt in 2012, which lasted less than 200 miles. I started off with a backpack weighing over 45 pounds. I was grossly out of shape and over weight. I was not prepared for the grueling task ahead of me.

I have made some drastic changes in my equipment. I changed out my backpack, going from an Osprey Aether 70, that weighed a little over five (5) pounds, to a Granite Gear Crown 2 V60, that weighs two pounds, two ounces (2.2 lbs). I changed tents, saving nine (9) ounces. I changed my cook system, shaving another nine (9) ounces. I changed out my cold weather jacket, going from a one pound, five ounce synthetic jacket, to a seven (7) ounce, down jacket that has an attached hood, packs down smaller and should keep me warmer. I have eliminated a change of trail clothes; cutting two shirts, a pair of pants, pair of underwear, pair of socks and a synthetic vest. I also eliminated the Croc's I used for camp shoes. I carried a full sized iPad last time that has been replaced with an iPad mini 4, saving almost 8 ounces. I carried a solar charger that tipped the scales at one pound, seven ounces and did not really help much with keeping things charged. I have replaced the solar charger with an Anker battery that weighs fourteen (14) ounces and will provide enough battery power to re-charge my phone, Garmin inReach, GoPro batteries and iPad as needed during my hike between towns.

You get the picture. I have shrunk my pack and what is in it greatly. I have also been walking and hiking with weight on my back to get my legs and body ready for walking 15-20 miles EACH DAY. I have been slowly dropping weight as well and hope to have shed 20 pounds by March 19th. The items I will carry that some consider "Luxury" items; GoPro Hero 6, Canon EOS M3, iPad Mini 4 will add three pounds 6 ounces with three additional batteries for the Canon and GoPro. This is weight I am willing to add to better document and capture my adventure.

I am going to take photos along the trail as well as video. I am planning to upload the video to YouTube as often as I can. I will attempt to edit video daily and prepare a 5-7 minute "vlog" of the day. The videos once posted will be found on YouTube by searching for "Pondering Hiker". This part of my adventure will no doubt be one that taxes my energy and mind. I have been working on my photography and video taking as well as editing on my iPad. To say I still need some work is being kind. I have sixty-nine (69) days to figure it out. I am still undecided on which video editor I will be using (Luma Fusion or iMovie). Both work well on the iPad with iMovie being easier but also very basic and Luma Fusion taking more skill but offering advantages to make a higher quality video. We shall see.

I have also been writing some quick stories on my iPad and uploading them to this blog to figure out the formatting and how to best handle my writing also. I hope to also write to this blog as often as possible, attaching photos and stories of what goes on during my days and nights. I will also post photos to Instagram.

While hiking I will carry a Garmin inReach Explorer +. This device is a GPS/Locator device that will allow me to communicate in the back country as well as send an emergency signal to SAR (Search and Rescue) if the need arises. I can also use the GPS mapping to keep from getting lost or as some say, staying found. The inReach also offers the ability to follow my progress in real time via a map. Those wishing to follow along should comment below or send me a PM on Facebook with your e-mail address and I will add you to the list of those who can see the map. You will need permission to view the made and see my location.

I still have some things to get together before March 19th rolls around. I need to put together re-supply boxes so my support team can fill them with items I may need as I move north. I also need to get a whole boat load of personal tasks done so I don't have to worry about then while pondering life as I walk along the trail. So, until next time, be safe and enjoy life.

The WHY of Hiking the PCT

I retired from the San Diego Police Department on December 30, 2011, after almost 33 years in Law Enforcement. I set out in April of 2012, to thru hike the PCT, but due to medical reasons had to stop. Spent some time in the hospital while doctors attempted to identify what was wrong (Long story short, nothing was found to explain my sudden passing out whenever I bent over).  I spent the next 12-15 months travelling around the USA. In 2013, I went back to work (I know right?) as an Investigator for a law firm. Then on August 31, 2017, I retired again, and for good. I am 61 years of age and in OK shape, with the exception of being a bit overweight (OK, so I carry around a pony keg and not a six pack). I never lost my desire to thru hike the PCT. In fact, it grew stronger with each thought I had of the trail.

I often get asked what my plans are now that I am retired. I tell people my first adventure will be to hike the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). I get this immediate look of, what or are you crazy? People don't understand the desire to walk over 2,600 miles, carrying everything you need to survive on your back, sleeping outside in the cold, wind, rain or snow. They cannot comprehend the desire to walk alone in the desert or canyons or sleep alone in a tent, miles from anyone or anything. I understand most people don't get it. So, hopefully I can help them get a better picture of my journey and experience through this blog, my pictures and video blog I will share as I conquer this challenge.

There is a saying among hikers, “Hike your own hike”. The premise is to hike according to one’s own dreams, goals, expectations, and not have your hike determined by someone else’s expectations or goals. I intend to hike continuously from the southern terminus at the Mexican Border to Manning Park in Canada. I plan on hiking at my own pace and enjoying the solitude and solace of being alone in thought, pondering as I walk the trail. I hope to purge the negative thoughts of a lifetime in law enforcement. I hope to reflect on the fun times and accomplishments of a 32+ year career. I will take side trips to Mt. Whitney, Half Dome, Crater Lake and other places of interest as they present themselves. I will take hundreds of pictures, lots of videos and write daily of my experiences. I will share the good and bad, in hopes those who wish to follow my adventure get a flavor of what I am experiencing.

The two most often asked questions I get; “Who are you going with?” and “Why?” The answer to the first question is, “No one. I will be heading off alone.” I will be considered a “solo” hiker. I won’t be alone on the trail. There are hundreds that begin the hike every year. So along the way I will come across people who are attempting a similar feat.

The answer to “why” is a little more complex. I began to dream of hiking the PCT several years before I retired from law enforcement. I have always enjoyed hiking, camping and exploring the great outdoors. My favorite place to unwind and explore is the Eastern Sierra’s. I read journals of those who have attempted or completed a thru hike of the PCT and began to contemplate following in their footsteps.

So why am I going to attempt to thru hike the PCT? I guess because I became fascinated with the challenge. I also was looking for something to help purge the negative effects of 32+ years in law enforcement. The more I read and learn about the trail, the more I thought about doing it myself. There are two other trails people thru hike (Appalachian and Continental Divide Trail) annually. I decided if I were going to make an attempt at thru hiking, it would be the PCT and not one of the other two. I think hiking the PCT is very doable for me and a challenge I seek in retirement.

In my readings of other thru hikers journals and BLOGS, I came across a man named Jonathan Ley. He has hiked the PCT and Continental Divide Trail and written about the experiences. Ley writes of an encounter with a Border Patrol Agent a few miles from the border after starting his PCT adventure. The agent said, “You know, I’ve seen other people doing this walk. I just don’t get it… I mean, what do you get out of it?” Ley said it was the first direct, “why?”

Ley went on to write a list of why he thru hiked. Many of his reasons mirror mine;

· Life is made of experiences and I hope to have as many as possible.

· Unfulfilled dreams become regrets and I intend to have as few as possible.

· To share in something unique, that few have known or will ever know.

· To learn about my limitations.

· To learn about the world and to better understand my place in the natural order of things.

· To avoid living a life that has already been played out by countless others.

· To think, dream, imagine and to reflect, unencumbered by the distractions of life.

· To endure mental and physical hardships and perhaps become stronger as a result.

· To learn what is truly important in life.

Ley closed with the thought most on my mind; "Maybe it isn’t what I am about to undertake, rather who I am that is important. I am not hiking to do something but more to become something… to become someone. I don’t know if the person I have become is good or bad, but I am going to attempt to find out."

I am heading into this adventure with eyes wide open. I am aware of the obstacles to completing a thru hike of 2,663.5 miles. I will detail my planning in future posts and re-tool this site to allow for those with interest to follow my hike when I start. I plan on beginning my hike March 19, 2018. In closing, I will use a quote I have seen on various journals and blogs that I have always found fitting to me and my life;

“Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a well-preserved body but rather to skid sideways, totally worn out with a Yuengling in your hand and shouting “Holy Shit… what a ride"

PCT Facts

The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) is a 2,663.5 mile hiking trail that runs from the Mexican border at Campo to Manning Park which is located 8 miles into Canada from Washington State. The PCT is a national scenic trail that traverses three states (California, Oregon, and Washington). I will climb 60 some mountain passes; descend into 19 major canyons; pass more than 1000 lakes; 3 national monuments; 7 national parks (Sequoia, Kings Canyon, Yosemite, Lassen Volcanic, Crater Lake, Mt. Rainier and North Cascades National Park), 24 national forests; and 37 federally mandated wilderness areas.

The PCT starts out in a desert like area that is hot, dry and rugged. It passes through mountains that are tall, steep and snowy (Forester Pass 13,153 feet). The trail will require crossing creeks, streams and rivers; climbing over rocks, logs and bridges. In the course of hiking the trail I will climb 314,711 feet up and down hills and mountains and into valleys, canyons and meadows. The lowest point of the trail is the Cascade Locks of Oregon, at 140 feet above sea level. The highest point along the trail is Forester Pass, California, at 13,153 feet. I will hike 1,698.8 miles in California, 456.8 miles in Oregon and 499.8 miles in Washington. (More people have climbed Mt. Everest than have completed a thru hike of the PCT.)

Most hikers attempting to thru-hike the PCT will begin their journey in mid to late April (I will begin March 19, 2018 - more on that later). The idea is to begin the southern portion of the hike early enough to avoid the extreme high temperatures of the desert and arrive at the southern portion of the Sierra Nevada Mountains (Kennedy Meadows) when the snow pack has had time to melt (June 10-15). Once a hiker makes it to Kennedy Meadows the goal is to make Canada before the snow begins to fall in Washington (Late September – Early October). The hike should take roughly five to six months to complete.