I'm a firm believer that there's no such thing as being over prepared. If "Knowledge is Power" then I'm the Nuclear Queen of PCT facts and info. Besides reading and highlighting (in three different colors) "The PCT Data Book" I've read five other informational books and four autobiographies. I'm currently reading "Hikertrash:Life on the PCT" by Erin Miller and loving it, by far the best memoir I've read. Don't even get me started on a certain other biography, if you know me you know my feelings about it.
Melinda and I know we're going to have to tear acouple of books into sections and have them shipped when needed and it breaks my heart to do that. Having worked fourteen years in a bookstore I revere and honor books. On the other hand I don't want to carry the extra weight of an entire book, let's get tearing.
Thursday, January 29, 2015
Thursday, January 15, 2015
"they got my nuts"- Liz
Our last outing was great. New trails for us to forge, and not get lost on. Perfect weather, we didn't even shower at Big Basin, although maybe the people in the camp site next to us wished we had. A couple of interesting carcasses we inspected and a few scats we pondered. Oh, what an awesome weekend! The best part, which Melinda mentioned only briefly, was the visit from the ninja raccoons on Saturday night. While we were basking in the warmth of our beautiful fire and making dinner, we (Melinda) neglected to move all the snacks from the table, Melinda heard some noise and turned her headlamp on to witness three raccoons on the table fleeing with her precious bag of nuts. Two of the critters went one way while the other ran in a different direction, with Melinda yelling at them "THEY GOT MY NUTS, THEY GOT MY NUTS!". For the next few hours we were on raccoon patrol, even after we put everything except our tents in the raccoon box. That must of been some
good nuts. All we found the next day was a torn bag, I expected to find some empty beer cans to go along with the nuts but was disappointed to find nothing else. It's never a dull moment with us. Look out PCT, two wild and crazy women are coming your way.
good nuts. All we found the next day was a torn bag, I expected to find some empty beer cans to go along with the nuts but was disappointed to find nothing else. It's never a dull moment with us. Look out PCT, two wild and crazy women are coming your way.
Monday, January 12, 2015
Our Latest Outing - Melinda
Liz and I went on an overnight trip this last weekend. Getting in practice. We started at Pescadero Creek County Park in San Mateo and hiked to Big Basin. About 14 miles. The weather was perfect and it was a beautiful hike.
We camped at Big Basin Campground since the backpacking camps are closed for the season. The biggest excitement was the racoons that got up on the picnic table and stole my bag of nuts while we were sitting next to the camp fire. They kept coming back and really had no fear.
On Sunday we were on the trail at 7:30am and hiked "up" the Skyline to the Sea Trail. Probably the first time that Liz couldn't say that "it's all downhill!" Once again we hiked about 14 miles to Sempervirens Vista Point where Greg picked us up. It was another beautiful day. Great hiking weather. The hardest climbs were leaving Big Basin Campground and then the last four miles from Waterman Gap to the vista point. Otherwise the trail was gradual ups and downs.
I forget about the beautiful Redwoods and trails that are right here in our backyard!
I'm very sore, but that doesn't surprise me. Due to "family issues," the past month and a half has seen little or no exercise for. I'm actually surprised that I was able to do what I did. Time to get back to the gym.
Santa was good to me this year and I got to try out my new hiking poles and Contrail Tarp Tent on this trip. I'm very happy with both. The tent went up very quickly, but I still need to practice folding it up. It was much easier to do in my warm house, with lights while watching the video. Folding it the dark with cold hands and no video was more challenging.
Also brought my new Suntactics solar charger. It worked great when we could find sun. Most of this trip was in forested area though.
I still need to get the base weight of my pack down. I get one new piece of lighter equipment and then think of something else that I need.
Our departure date is getting closer and we need to really start planning food and getting our resupply boxes ready. I go to bed at night thinking about lightweight meals!
We camped at Big Basin Campground since the backpacking camps are closed for the season. The biggest excitement was the racoons that got up on the picnic table and stole my bag of nuts while we were sitting next to the camp fire. They kept coming back and really had no fear.
On Sunday we were on the trail at 7:30am and hiked "up" the Skyline to the Sea Trail. Probably the first time that Liz couldn't say that "it's all downhill!" Once again we hiked about 14 miles to Sempervirens Vista Point where Greg picked us up. It was another beautiful day. Great hiking weather. The hardest climbs were leaving Big Basin Campground and then the last four miles from Waterman Gap to the vista point. Otherwise the trail was gradual ups and downs.
I forget about the beautiful Redwoods and trails that are right here in our backyard!
I'm very sore, but that doesn't surprise me. Due to "family issues," the past month and a half has seen little or no exercise for. I'm actually surprised that I was able to do what I did. Time to get back to the gym.
Santa was good to me this year and I got to try out my new hiking poles and Contrail Tarp Tent on this trip. I'm very happy with both. The tent went up very quickly, but I still need to practice folding it up. It was much easier to do in my warm house, with lights while watching the video. Folding it the dark with cold hands and no video was more challenging.
Also brought my new Suntactics solar charger. It worked great when we could find sun. Most of this trip was in forested area though.
I still need to get the base weight of my pack down. I get one new piece of lighter equipment and then think of something else that I need.
Our departure date is getting closer and we need to really start planning food and getting our resupply boxes ready. I go to bed at night thinking about lightweight meals!
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