Breckie and Din Din, and Munchies - Resupply

Yum, this Mountain House and Backpackers Pantry dehydrated food, is GOOD stuff!

Madelyn and I have spent a lot of time discussing resupply strategy, reading Halfway Anywhere survey's, trying to determine what our best course of action will be.

I'm sorry to admit, but we made a novice Thru Hiker mistake back in November. We jumped on an ad posted by a 2018 PCTer, she was selling $1,000 worth of food for $400. After we received the giant boxes of 90+ meals in the mail, we finally read the resupply section in the Yogi's Pacific Crest Trail Handbook that warned us "If this is your first long hike then I suggest to NOT use food mail drops from home."

WHOOPS, well too late. What can we do now...

Answer: more reading.

We both agreed we would NOT let this $1k food go to waste.

According to the 2018 PCT Survey, an average of 9 resupply boxes was sent while on trail. We read up on the most unlikely trail towns where resupply can be done, and we put them on the map! Interestingly, most are in Oregon and Washington.

The last 2 days we've put together an inventory list and labeled the boxes per the requirements, we guestimated our days on trail between towns, and filled our boxes with the meals needed. Our smallest box is 3 days worth, and our largest box is 6 days worth.

In total we have 8 resupply boxes.

They are filled with the yumminess and convenience of Mountain House and Backpackers Pantry, sleeves of Oreo's (yes!), protein bars, trail mix and instant coffee. Cream and sugar anyone? darn.

There will soon be a separate page at the top of the blog that will provide our current known stopping addresses- I would invite you to feel welcome to send us care packages. But please be mindful we are traveling with everything on our backs. We would welcome edible items (candy, cookies, sweet breads- anything that can potentially last about a week in a box), notes of encouragement, etc.

Unfortunately I have read that mail surprises are impossible- i. e. we must know to walk to the post office and request mail. If you ship us something, please be sure to drop us a note of where it was shipped so that we can go get it and relish in your compassionate sweetness. We promise to take a picture and blog it!

Leaving California

Bright and early Monday morning, after we packed the last of our stuff into the Uhaul, and after Joe grabbed us coffee from Two Guns, we took our last stroll from our apartment door to the Strand to admire the grandness and beauty of the deep blue Pacific, the many surfers in the water, Catalina on the Horizon, Malibu coastline to the North sitting on the edge of the Santa Monica Mountains in the distance. We held each other for a short while, both fighting back the tears that immediately well when we come to terms with the realization that this scenic view will only be a cherished memory.

We pulled out of Rosecrans Place around 7am- typically a terrible time to be on the freeway, or any road, in Los Angeles. My fears of sitting in traffic and maneuvering a 12ft trailer we’re shortly lived. We jumped on the 105 East- clear, 605 North- clear, 210 East- clear. It was truly Miraculous, considering traffic in the other lanes were stopped. It seemed as though all of LA got word of our departure and let us cruise through- it was a very sentimental drive.

133 miles later, we made our first pit stop- Black Bear Diner, then added another 320 miles and stopped in Williams AZ. The next morning we took a quick side trip up to see the Grand Canyon.

It was quite majestic, and our timing was fantastic. We got there early morning missing the crowds, we had the views all to ourselves. 

Back on the road, day 2 we went another 355 miles. Joe and I agree it takes a special kind of person to want to live In Albuquerque.

Day 3, our long day. We pulled into Oklahoma City around 9pm. That’s 540 miles!

Our last day on the road, we drove 480 miles through non stop rain, and even some hail. We were welcomed to the Midwest with a typical thunderstorm. 

We considered turning around at least twice. But here we are, back in MO.

A Little More Prep Now - A A A A (a a a a) A A A A

I've always found planning and prepping somewhat of a pleasure. I like planning outfits (well at least I used to when I had money to spend- now nearly every extra dollar goes to this hike), trips (again, before my budget went on a diet), and even a busy work week (that is, before I quit to take a hike).

For the PCT, there has been an extreme amount of planning and preparation. And even then, not near enough. At this point, less than 30 days until our start date, we are still planning SO much. Such as with all the snow in the Sierra's we're thinking of throwing a trip to Florida into the mix to allow the snow an extra week to melt. We are crazy.

As far as preparation goes, for the last 9 months I have been kicking it into high gear by working out 4-5 days a week. I've been mainly focusing on cardio- climbing stairs and spin. I've never been in better shape, and I can't wait to test myself on the trail as far as endurance goes.

I've read a couple books; one on the physical hiking of the PCT and the other on the psychological hiking of the PCT. "Pacific Crest Trials: A Psychological and Emotional Guide to Successfully Thru-Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail" by Zach Davis and Carly Moree has been quite insightful.

In the book, Zach recommends making three lists: I am Thru Hiking because...., When I successfully thru hike I will..., If I give up on thru hiking I will...

So here they are

I am Thru Hiking the PCT because...

• It's a huge challenge, and one that will change my life forever
• The idea of doing it makes me oh so excited
• I love the outdoors
• I need the stimuli that has been missing
• It will help me re-evaulate my career and life path
• Prove to myself and others that I am strong enough 

When I Successfully Thru Hike the PCT...

• I will have amazing stories and memories
• Extreme confidence
• Have wild experience
• Have a clearer idea of my life and what I want from it
• Become more fearless
• Inspire others

If I Give Up on Thru Hiking the PCT...

• I will be immensely embarassed and ashamed
• Show others that I did not properly plan or prepare
• Question who I am, and where my life is headed
• Eat all the donuts and drink all the frappacinos, and get fat
• Eventually return to the trail

And here are some beautiful photos <3

ANNOUNCEMENT

It’s officially official!
I put my notice in at the company where I’ve worked for the last 7 years!
And talk about stress release; It feels so good to know in just a few short weeks I have zero conference calls, and zero deadlines, and zero emails to send.

Here it is people- I quit my job to spend the next 6 months hiking from Mexico to Canada!
Tent life it is! We move from our beach apartment in 3 short weeks, and then fly to San Diego to stay with Scout and Frodo, and then to the trail we go. The PCT!

Here’s some proof of our training ;)

Sequoia National Park