Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Undertraining


This, I believe is an important part of my PCT experience. I have been doing a very good job with undertraining.
 The usual daily routine: I wake up every morning before 7, I then read other people's trail journals on Postholer dot com. Then I might go for a short, or more recently (due to McKenzie Outfitters closing) long hike with the dogs. When I return in the afternoon, I unpack and repack the contents of my backpack over and over.  Then, when I feel I have accomplished nothing, I open a beer. Now were getting somewhere. Beer drinking, in my opinion, is by far the best way to undertrain for any four plus month hike. It wastes time and money, and dehydrates you too! I can't think of a better way to prepare for a walk from Mexico to Canada.
Hard at work


 At least I do get to some hiking done during my days. Since November I have walked over 200 miles with a loaded pack (25-28 lbs). I started by walking to work every other day with my pack. About 3 miles. On my days off I was walking at least 10 to 12 miles at Mt Pisgah, or on the Ridgeline Trail.  The full moon runs have been a real strength builder too; Tequila shots at the top of Pisgah help with the mental side of hiking; stumbleing down hill with a stomach ache. I really can't figure out why else they would drink tequila  up there.















 My best training partners




  Now that the shop I was working at is closed, I have had much more time for beer (um i mean walking) .  I have been getting in 15+ miles regularly At Goodman creek trail, and the  McKenzie River trail. There has been a lot of time for skiing too. When I make it to the pass more than one time a week, I make one of those days a backcountry day. So far they have all involved at least 2000 to 3000 foot gains on my skis. That must be worth something.

My goal is to hit at least 400 training miles before I start walking north from Campo. People often figure that starting the trail will be their training. The problem is that almost always leads to stress injures. My goal is to strengthen my feet and lower leg muscles now, so I avoid stress injuries in the first few weeks of walking, and I will just get stronger as I go.

62 days until I leave Eugene (who's counting anyway). That sounds like a lot of days, but I know it will go by in a real hurry.

Here is another very cool video clip  of a guy who likes to walk : www.lovelifefilm.com

And on a different subject, there's an old time band is playing at Sam Bond's  tonight. They should be very good. Watch a clip of them on  a Prairie Home Companion : Pert Near Sandstone

Monday, February 15, 2010

For Reals

 I have been holding off the start of this blog for a while now. Until yesterday I have been concerned that this enormous trip may be more than I could pull together. Hiking the PCT has been in my head for a long time, and as I have spent the last year planning and the last three months training, the idea that it might actually happen has made me nervous.

 Moose walked with me for 100 miles my Oregon Section hike. This is day two for him, we did 32 miles!
I believe we had ice cream and beer for dinner at Elk Lake.

Yesterday I was hungry for lunch, so naturally I went to my parents to visit the fridge, and of course see the family too. I was working on some cold pizza and my dad asked if he should get plane tickets for San Diego.  Now I had to decide for real. Ten minuets later, I am officially thru hiking the PCT starting Friday,  April 23, 2010. And I had just come here for leftover pizza!


 
Jessica on the PCT last summer. A very cold and wet august day.


A Little Info:
The Pacific Crest Trail Starts in the south in Campo, CA and ends in the north at in Manning Provincial Park, British Columbia. 2663.5 miles. long. oh man. This, I'm hoping takes me about four and a half months or less. As long as my body holds up I believe it is very reasonable.
On this walk, I will get to hike through 700 miles of desert, with 30 mile waterless stretches.  I will walk through snow in the High Sierra, and Climb Mt. Whitney, the highest peak in the continuous 48 states. There will be mosquitoes, snow, rain, and blisters.  I will walk 20 to 30 miles a day, then sleep on the ground. I'm sure this will be by far the most challenging goal I have attempted. I can't wait.
The Nimblewill Nomad coming around the east side of Diamond peak. He was an inspiration on my Oregon hike.



If you can find a free hour or so, please watch Walking The West. It's a very well made documentary about thru hiking the PCT.  I have watched this probably ten times in the last four months, Its worth it.