WOW! after all the planning and hard work, i find myself sitting here in bed on the last night before we leave utterly exhausted and unable to sleep. its all coming together and this amazing journey is going to happen. After all the hard work, late nights of research, hours on end of planning, and re-planning, its come down to two flights, and a ride to the trail head. Thats all that stands between us and the trail. I'm not too sure any of this has really set in yet. We have said our good-byes packed all of our gear and are as ready for this adventure of a lifetime. but it still doesn't seem real, were hiking from the Mexican border to the Canadian border. On the maps were going anywhere from four inches to three feet, and in reality its 2600+ miles, like i said, it hasn't set in yet. We're looking forward to the ups and downs, and the unknowns the trail has to throw at us, and hope you all enjoy following us on our journey of a lifetime.
This is probably the first and last entry I will make before we start the trail late Thursday, or first light on Friday.
-Mike
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Packing and Mail drops
 |
| Michael and our baby 'Tiny' looking through our gear list |
Anyone who knows me knows that I'm really really good at procrastinating :). I'd like to think I work well under pressure, and seeing as though Michael and I never really thought this day would come (we couldn't possibly be that lucky...) we saved packing our packs and organizing our few mail drops until now! Don't try this at home, haha!
So, of course yesterday was Murphy's Law. Anything that could go wrong, did. We stopped by EMS to get a couple of last minute things, and figured for the heck of it we'd try and solve my blister problem once and for all. I've been sized, and re sized, gotten the ''best'' socks, tried lacing strategies, you name it, and I still get bad blisters every time I hike.
So, the assistant manager (who is the best by the way) asked me to lace my shoes for him to see if I was doing anything wrong. WELP, with one little tug the lacing system broke! Not the shoe lace, but the actual holds. My shoes were instant garbage. My favorite pair, the ones that were perfectly broken in to start our hike, gone. After a small panic attack things slowly came together. Michael (the assit manager) continued to try and solve the problem. ''What about trying half a size smaller?'' he asked. Dumb founded that no other ''foot specialist'' nor I thought to go smaller we tried it. And so far we think it worked! Michael kindly warranted my shoes, and now I've got some new kicks for the hike! woohooo! Obviously there's no time so brake them in before Friday, so I'm practically sleeping in these babies until we hit the trail.
As if that weren't enough trauma for one day, Michael accidentally dropped my $2,600 computer- that has all our pictures on it, and most importantly OUR GEAR LIST, how we could pack without it, I don't know! When the screen showed up blank I think we both died a little. This time Michael called up an old buddy from work, and wa-lah, he fixed it!!!!!!After all that, I think we got the brake we deserved.
We got our boxes together!!!
 |
Kennedy Meadows! Snow gear and homemade COOKIES!!
Address: Kennedy Meadows General Store, 96740 Beach Meadow Road, Inyokern, CA 93527
*If you want to send us anything here (food, food, and more food) let us know
|
Anything we may or may not want send out.
SHOES! We'll go through about 6 pairs each.
-Felecia
Saturday, April 21, 2012
So long, farewell...
 Friends Chelsey and Tim |
My friend Lee and I |
Last Saturday Michael and I had our going away party with our friends, yesterday my soon to be ex employer through me a surprise party (thank you by the way!!!), tonight we're having a small farewell dinner with our closest friends, and tomorrow is our family dinner! Ay yi yi! That's a lot of food, hugs, & tears!
Saying goodbye has not only reminded me how many great people we have in our lives, but has almost refreshed my sense of excitement! Not that I haven't been excited this entire time,
don't get me wrong. But just knowing that we have soooo much love and support from friends, loved ones, and complete strangers has given me a little more sense of pride in what we're doing. There were brief moments where I questioned if what we were doing was selfish, but now I have no doubt that it's the complete opposite. Not only are we bettering ourselves as a result of the hike but we're doing this for the people that can't. And when we're tired/hungry/sore and cranky we will remember how extremely blessed we are to even have the opportunity to be doing this. In the grand scheme of things out of the 8 billion people that live in this world we are just two of a few thousand that have done what we're doing. BILLIONS VS. THOUSANDS. What?
 |
| Michael and myself with the PCT map :D |
*** I would also like to give a special thanks to everyone who has gone out of their way and written us thoughtful letters/cards/given us food packages/first aid kits/ etc. It means the world to us!!!!! We couldn't ask for better friends. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
-Felecia
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Ready or not
Me and my 15 degree 900 fill Feathered Friends bag
Ready or not, we have 13 more days until we fly out to Huntington Beach, and 15 days until we are on the trail. UNREAL! It feels like just yesterday I was saying ''T-6 months, guys!'' ...and subsequently getting funny looks from my friends, haha. But all the waiting will soon be worth it, unless the anticipation kills me, which I really wouldn't doubt. I've had butterflies in my tummy for at least a week now, and I don't see them going away anytime soon :)
-Felecia
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Q&A
The following are just a few of the questions I've frequently been asked when explaining our plans to thru-hike:
Q:''Will there be any bears? Mountain lions? What if they attack you?!?''
A: Yes, there will be plenty of bears, mountain lions, coyotes, snakes, scorpions, marmots, black flies, maybe even BIG FOOT ;), etc! We are going into there domain after all. And if they attack? Well, I suppose anything is possible. Although, we're going to take the proper measures to avoid any nasty encounters (bear bags, leave no trace, etc). And in the unfortunate circumstance that still doesn't work, well my personal philosophy on life is that what's meant to happen will happen. I am by no means looking for trouble, but if I happens, well that's out of my hands.
Q.''You're bringing a gun, right?!''
A. No. That would be way too much of a liability. We are going to be sharing the trail with other hikers, and we do not want that responsibility...God forbid it got stolen, misfired, lost, broken. Just, no.''
Q.''Are you guys going to hunt for your food?''
A. Luckily, no. Every 4-10 days we will be hitchhiking (yes, I said hitchhiking...) about 30 miles to the nearest ''Trail town'' where we re-supply on food, toiletries, and anything else we need. OOOH..wait...In some areas we will be able to fish! YUMM!
Q.''Are you training?''
A. Yes and No. Mentally, we are beyond prepared. At this point it's torture waiting for the day we board the plane, haha. Physically, we are fit and already active on a daily basis. Between trail running, rock climbing, and day hikes I'm not worried that we will be fine. Obviously will be sore, but we're going to start off slow, and get our ''hiker legs'' from there. I never understood why some hikers want to do 30-50 mile days. We've put way too much into this to have to fly by.
Q.''Are you bringing deodorant, perfume, shampoo, blowdryers?''
A. No way, Jose. There's absolutely no point. We are going to be smelly and dirty hikers. That's just all part of the fun! :) ''
Q.''When do you shower?"
A. In towns.
Q.''Are you afraid?''
A. Absolutely not. Excited, anxious, and happy is more like it!!! I don't anticipate the trip will be nothing but flowers and butterflies, there will be low points of course. Feet covered in blisters, sore muscles, missing my family, etc...but that will only account for a small percentage of my mindset. WE'RE DOING THIS BECAUSE WE WANT TO. And I'll be damned if we don't embrace it's glory.
Q. ''You're going with a BIG group right?''
A. No, just me and my boyfriend to start. We're going to meet a lot of great people along the way, and most likely will fall into a group of hikers that have the same tempo and that we enjoy being around. But as for doing the trip with my boyfriend, I wouldn't want to have this experience with anyone else. He is my best friend, and I can't wait to spend 5 whole months with him day in and day out :)
& my all time favorite...
Q.''Why would you want to do that?''
HMMMmmmMM. For this question I am going to insert a passage that I wrote a few months ago...
A. I had a conversation with a gentlemen the other day that really irked me. Most people automatically assume that I'm enrolled in college because of my age. Which I find a little disconcerting simply because I try not to assume anything about anybody. I've learned first impressions are usually wrong (in my experiences at least) and by automatically passing judgments on others because of there age, looks, education, etc. you really put yourself at a disadvantage to meeting some really wonderful people. Anyways, this member at the fitness club I work at asked me if I was in school. When I told him no, and of my plans to through hike, he practically rolled his eyes at me and said in a rude tone, ''I'm not even going to go there.'' Well, I knew where he was going with it and did not let the conversation end there. I asked him his opinion, as to which he responded that I would never go back to school if I don't go NOW, and that the hike was a waste of valuable time. What bothered me most about what he said was something that I’m finding more and more common. People seem to think that there’s this certain path to success that one must take, other wise they will never amount to anything. It goes something like this: Graduate High School, go to college, get a career, buy a house, get married, have kids, retire, and die. That path may be fulfilling for some people, but not me. Sure, I want to have a family one day and be successful, but not in the way or order that people like him think. If I have the opportunity to see the world in a way that most people could only dream of, be in the best shape of my life, have no concern for the mundane- only survival, meet life long friends, and have more life experiences in 6 months than I have had in my 20 years, than I am not foolish. Rather, I am doing something I love, and am going to have a life changing experience as a result of it. Success and a fulfilling life are not measured by how many degrees you have on your wall, it’s putting yourself out there in this beautiful world and seeing, breathing, living, learning through nature, people, different cultures, your friends and loved ones, that truly matters. For me, anyway. But, for the most part, when I tell people of my plans, people are supportive and in awe of the feat I have taken upon myself. It’s that support and love that’s going to get me through life happily. If any family members of through hikers are reading this, or anyone who has hopes to hike but is having doubts, please just open your minds. What we’re planning on doing is not foolish just because it’s not the typical path. Everybody thru-hikes for there own reasons. Whatever they may be, they are invaluable. I’m going to leave you with a quote my yoga instructor recites at the end of each class, it goes, ‘’No judgment. No attachment. Let go, just breathe. Namaste.’’
-Felecia
Q:''Will there be any bears? Mountain lions? What if they attack you?!?''
A: Yes, there will be plenty of bears, mountain lions, coyotes, snakes, scorpions, marmots, black flies, maybe even BIG FOOT ;), etc! We are going into there domain after all. And if they attack? Well, I suppose anything is possible. Although, we're going to take the proper measures to avoid any nasty encounters (bear bags, leave no trace, etc). And in the unfortunate circumstance that still doesn't work, well my personal philosophy on life is that what's meant to happen will happen. I am by no means looking for trouble, but if I happens, well that's out of my hands.
Q.''You're bringing a gun, right?!''
A. No. That would be way too much of a liability. We are going to be sharing the trail with other hikers, and we do not want that responsibility...God forbid it got stolen, misfired, lost, broken. Just, no.''
Q.''Are you guys going to hunt for your food?''
A. Luckily, no. Every 4-10 days we will be hitchhiking (yes, I said hitchhiking...) about 30 miles to the nearest ''Trail town'' where we re-supply on food, toiletries, and anything else we need. OOOH..wait...In some areas we will be able to fish! YUMM!
Q.''Are you training?''
A. Yes and No. Mentally, we are beyond prepared. At this point it's torture waiting for the day we board the plane, haha. Physically, we are fit and already active on a daily basis. Between trail running, rock climbing, and day hikes I'm not worried that we will be fine. Obviously will be sore, but we're going to start off slow, and get our ''hiker legs'' from there. I never understood why some hikers want to do 30-50 mile days. We've put way too much into this to have to fly by.
Q.''Are you bringing deodorant, perfume, shampoo, blowdryers?''
A. No way, Jose. There's absolutely no point. We are going to be smelly and dirty hikers. That's just all part of the fun! :) ''
Q.''When do you shower?"
A. In towns.
Q.''Are you afraid?''
A. Absolutely not. Excited, anxious, and happy is more like it!!! I don't anticipate the trip will be nothing but flowers and butterflies, there will be low points of course. Feet covered in blisters, sore muscles, missing my family, etc...but that will only account for a small percentage of my mindset. WE'RE DOING THIS BECAUSE WE WANT TO. And I'll be damned if we don't embrace it's glory.
Q. ''You're going with a BIG group right?''
A. No, just me and my boyfriend to start. We're going to meet a lot of great people along the way, and most likely will fall into a group of hikers that have the same tempo and that we enjoy being around. But as for doing the trip with my boyfriend, I wouldn't want to have this experience with anyone else. He is my best friend, and I can't wait to spend 5 whole months with him day in and day out :)
& my all time favorite...
Q.''Why would you want to do that?''
HMMMmmmMM. For this question I am going to insert a passage that I wrote a few months ago...
A. I had a conversation with a gentlemen the other day that really irked me. Most people automatically assume that I'm enrolled in college because of my age. Which I find a little disconcerting simply because I try not to assume anything about anybody. I've learned first impressions are usually wrong (in my experiences at least) and by automatically passing judgments on others because of there age, looks, education, etc. you really put yourself at a disadvantage to meeting some really wonderful people. Anyways, this member at the fitness club I work at asked me if I was in school. When I told him no, and of my plans to through hike, he practically rolled his eyes at me and said in a rude tone, ''I'm not even going to go there.'' Well, I knew where he was going with it and did not let the conversation end there. I asked him his opinion, as to which he responded that I would never go back to school if I don't go NOW, and that the hike was a waste of valuable time. What bothered me most about what he said was something that I’m finding more and more common. People seem to think that there’s this certain path to success that one must take, other wise they will never amount to anything. It goes something like this: Graduate High School, go to college, get a career, buy a house, get married, have kids, retire, and die. That path may be fulfilling for some people, but not me. Sure, I want to have a family one day and be successful, but not in the way or order that people like him think. If I have the opportunity to see the world in a way that most people could only dream of, be in the best shape of my life, have no concern for the mundane- only survival, meet life long friends, and have more life experiences in 6 months than I have had in my 20 years, than I am not foolish. Rather, I am doing something I love, and am going to have a life changing experience as a result of it. Success and a fulfilling life are not measured by how many degrees you have on your wall, it’s putting yourself out there in this beautiful world and seeing, breathing, living, learning through nature, people, different cultures, your friends and loved ones, that truly matters. For me, anyway. But, for the most part, when I tell people of my plans, people are supportive and in awe of the feat I have taken upon myself. It’s that support and love that’s going to get me through life happily. If any family members of through hikers are reading this, or anyone who has hopes to hike but is having doubts, please just open your minds. What we’re planning on doing is not foolish just because it’s not the typical path. Everybody thru-hikes for there own reasons. Whatever they may be, they are invaluable. I’m going to leave you with a quote my yoga instructor recites at the end of each class, it goes, ‘’No judgment. No attachment. Let go, just breathe. Namaste.’’
-Felecia
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Let's talk about ...WEIGHT
Every hiker fears it...
Every hiker obsesses over it...
And every hiker has it....
What am I rambling about?
WEIGHT, OF COURSE!
Base weight to be exact.
For those of you who are unfamiliar, base weight is the term coined for the weight of your full pack and all gear included, except for perishables such as food and water. That's everything...tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, toiletries, extra clothing, mess kit, electronics (if any), etc. The average thru-hiker base weight is anywhere from 6-15 lbs.
Just to get an idea of what all those items look like listed, take a look at our gear list below:
KEY: Pink indicates gear we will have on us at ALL TIMES
Blue is gear sent to Kennedy Meadows
Red is gear used in the desert
Orange is gear picked up along the trail
If you haven't already guessed, to the majority of hikers, ''EVERY OUNCE COUNTS!''. Some take this more literally than others, this breed of hikers are called ''Ultra Lighter's''.
You may think it's frivolous at first. Silly hikers, I mean we're only talking OUNCES here, right?! Wrong. Ounces, although small, add up to POUNDS (and too quickly if I mad add). And these pounds are going to be on your back everyday, all day, for 2,650 miles of hiking over varied terrain.
Now, to be fair we do not carry ALL of our gear at one time. For example, gear used solely in the Sierra's i.e. micro spikes, ice axes, heavier thermals, head net, etc. are all on stand by at home until we need them. The general rule of thumb is that cold gear items such as these be sent to a town by the name of Kennedy Meadows, CA which marks the beginning of the Sierra Nevada's.
But, for the most part anything and everything we will need (necessary items are up for debate depending on personal preference) will be with us at all times.
Michael and I did not take the Ultra Lighter route. Instead, we tried to buy top of the line gear which 9 out of 10 times came in the lightest materials on the market today. The biggest down fall in a strategy such as this is that generally the lighter the gear, the more expensive it is. It didn't help that we purchased from some of the more higher end outfitters, either. But, Michael and I are both alike in the fact that we would rather pay more for an item initially that's going to do it's job efficiently and last us a very long time, rather than skimp on price and sacrifice efficiency and durability.
At the moment our base weights are weighing in at about 10 lbs each. That will probably change as we work out the kinks in our packing. Once food and water is added a thru-hikers total pack weight can reach up to 40-50lbs. GULP!!!
-Felecia
Sunday, April 1, 2012
The PCT- What is it?
The Pacific Crest Trail - What is it?
To sum it up nicely, The Pacific Crest Trail is a 2,650 mile continuous foot path that runs from Campo, CA (the border of Mexico and CA) to Manning Park, British Columbia. It passes through California, Oregon, Washington, to the Canadian border.
It climbs 60 major mountain passes...
Descends into 19 major canyons....
Ambles past more than 1,000 lakes and tarns...
Traverses 3 national monuments...
7 national parks...
24 national forests...
& 33 mandated wildernesses...''
WHAT A MOUTHFUL!!!
Every year a few hundred people attempt to thru hike the PCT. If you aren't familiar, ''thru hiking'' is when one hikes a long distance trail from beginning to end. Which is exactly what Michael and I plan to do for the next five months.
So, you may be asking yourself what is the PCT to Michael and I? To be honest, neither of us know quite yet. We have been tediously planning this trip for the past 7 months (we'll get into more depth about that later...) buying gear, saving for trip expenses, spending hours day dreaming of life on the trail, and yet, we wont know how the trail effects us until we're out there.
It always gives me a good chuckle when people ask why on earth would we want to hike everyday for five months? Deprive ourselves of creature comforts, by choice!? What these people don't take into consideration is that it's so much more than ''just hiking.'' This trip will change us both in ways we can't yet understand. I have a few expectations of course, ... spiritual growth, mental/physical discipline, adventure, meeting life long friends, etc. But I am at peace in knowing that the PCT will throw things at me that I can not predict.
Michael and I are fit, young, and full of life. We're eager to see what trail life has to hold for us, and we hope you enjoy following along for the ride!
-Felecia
-Felecia
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