HILLS HURT, COUCHES KILL hiking log

You seem to be making really good times on most trails you do. I'd bet you do just fine. Just take a bit of extra trail snacks. I find even if I'm beat up the extra calories help suffer through those last few miles.

 

Also I finally scheduled a thru hike for PCT section J (Snoqualmie to Stevens pass) in early Sept. That's a big deal for me being a dad with a busy job. It's feeling like a bucket list thing even though it's only a few days.

Anywho, it's roughly 75 miles, we're going to try and do it in 3 days/2 nights. We'll need to do 25 miles per day for 3 days. I'm kinda nervous and curious to see how my body is going to handle it

Gear wise I'll be getting spoiled by my gear whore buddy who has everything we need..

Trekking pole shelter that weighs less than 16 Oz and packs the size of a Nalgene bottle, slick "quilts" that weight nothing and strap to your sleeping pad, ultralight camp stove, bla bla..

I'm getting excited

 

Yea he says he can carry the tent and stove, I'll handle most of the food. The way he's talking it sounds like my pack (35 liters) will have plenty of room leftover after my clothes and stuff is in there. I don't mind loading up on a little comfort food. Maybe some bagels and Costco pizza for the first night's dinner

I'll be 3rd wheeling it with him and his girlfriend

 

Bird convention in the trail. I had to go that way so it was busted up, but first took the photo. They are quail-like things with tufts on the top of their heads (look like "The Partridge Family" during after the eggs open and the families are walking around).

 

Catalinas in Tucson, Arizona. Many miles into the night. Lightning and heavy rain.

I can't share rescue photos but that's me stepping over the tree from the winter storms. That photo is at approximately 7200ft.

 

Quick 12 miles to Lake Tuscohatchie last week before the smoke showed up

 

I found a sandbox to play in! The sand blows across the dunes, and you can feel it on your face. I was chewing sand for hours. 110 degrees and the slippy hills are difficult to scramble up.



First I drove where my skinny shoes allow it.



Then climbed one hill, the truck is below and the dunes go forever.



Dunes go forever here too!



Here are some survivors of the heat.

 

What a crazy landscape

 

I been out and about lately, a couple short hikes here and there. Went camping last weekend on Baker Lake

 

Hiked to Necklace Valley yesterday, 18 miles in 7 hours.

 

We leave for the 3 day backpacking trip Friday morning

 

Probably too much food but whatever. Honestly it's 50/50 chance this takes us 4 days instead of 3. Packing an extra "dinner" just in case

 

Are you taking doggo? Don’t forget the dog food. When I was backpacking my dog had his own backpack and carried his own food and treats.

 

Doggo is staying home..

 

Peak Refuel for the win. When you know you know. Have a great trip man.

 

It's striking for me to see so little water but then I remember that most areas offer natural water! That's not the case here.

I'm curious what's in your med kit. Might I also suggest a SAM splint, just in case? If you keep two with you, you can brace just about anything (cervical collar, foot, arm, wrist).

Are those the kahtoola short gaiters?

Good to see a map and compass. I'm sure you use GPS normally but that's a diminishing skillset and a good one to have in your mental toolkit. Do you carry an inreach or something else for those oh-shit moments?

Sorry for all the questions. This is a big part of my life and I got excited to see it. Have a wonderful and safe trip.

 

98% of my time on foot is spent in the Sierra Nevada. I carry a 1/2 liter nalgene and fill up whenever I get to a stream crossing. Which is usually never more then a mile. I also don't filter my water and haven't ever in this area. 19 years, a ton of miles and liters later and I'm still here.

Map and compass always have a place in my pack. Although given how amazingly easy it is to use a phone based GPS that tends to be my go to. The map and compass serve as a backup in case the phone goes swimming or just runs out of juice. I do agree that orienteering as you and I know it, ie map and compass, is a dying skill. It's dying because a better, faster, more accurate way to navigate came along. Not many ships using sextants these days. lol

 

We crushed it. Got to the car by 5:30 pm

 

Nice. Remember, burgers and fries never taste better then after a long alpine trip. lol