Day 1

Day 1

Though I took 1/2 of Friday off,I used that time to relax the nerves and tidy up a few things still, I didn't get to sleep before midnight.  I also hungout with the neighbors for a bit, did some writing, and last minute intell gathering, ok I surfed Instagram for #pct2019.  Mom, you don't need this app, I'll send you my photos. 

My wake up call came too early.  Why can't I be that guy who wakes up & leaves 10 minutes later?  I'm a horrible morning person and give others time for me to get nice.  6 am check in at the airport, through security and at my gate by 6:15, that may not ever happen again.  I doubled back on the food court for breakfast and second coffee.  I'd barely sipped my first cup.

An economy class ticket and I score a window seat.  I look at the clouds below.  I don't have the airplane's flight tracker app.  I know when I see Washington my heart will break as I taped out of this rugged beauty last August.

Haze at 36,000 feet.  What's burning or is this reality of today's environment? Inciweb didn't show any active large fires in the NW.  Washington's volcanoes are in view.

Both flights, smooth with a bit of Medford turbulence.  I scored window seats both fligjts.  I enjoyed staring down below.  My mind flip floping to the rest of today's perceived events, converting the ruck from transportation mode to hiker mode, hooking up with RVT buses, and an Uber to Siskiyou Pass/Callahan's.

On the ground, got on the local Greyhound connection for Ashland.  Connecting main transportation to the trailhead, for me, is the most stressful.  I don't lile the ambiguity of it, especially when there is no clear pathway.

And then within 5 hours of leaving home I back at my other home.

Go Time

Months of planning and years of day dreaming are entering the execution phase in the next few hours.  Though I work until Friday afternoon, my attention is laser focused on what needs to be wrapped up by then.  My list of items are in two columns, "Beneficial to the Hike" and "Meh, it can wait."

Mentally I'm breaking down this hike from 600 miles to a string of progressively longer weekend hikes.  For the first time, on the long trail, I am hiking on the day I arrive.  I intend to conquer 10 miles, I guess that's day dreaming right there. I'll be happy with 5, preferable the 10 as that will give me a good jump on getting into California the next day.

Physically, I think I'm ready but not Washington ready, chaffing excluded.

As far as gear choices this year, I'm staying with the majority of what I finished with last year except for swapping out the tent and water treatment.  I've taken the BA Fly Creek on a couple of overnighters and am happy with its performance.  It's quick to set up and I don't have to worry about keeping things tidy inside.  Water treatment is another swap out as I got frustrated with the Saywer Squeeze filter last year.  I'm using the BeFree by Katidyn.  It does have an unusual tread size and will be hard to match if the bladder goes bad.  If things do go bad I am carrying the AquaMira drops.  The downside to the drops is time.  They take time to mix and time to work, all said about 20 minutes.

Ready or not, it's go time.

Hike on.  Hike wise

First Water Creek

3 years ago as I readied myself for the Tahoe Rim Trail I did a few over nighters in Spanish Fork Canyon.  I've returned to that same area to ready up for a different trail.  The snow line in the high Uinta's are keeping me from my favorite locations so I've come here.

A little more than an hours drive to the turn off for Sheep Creek.  The road is well maintained as are spurs.  I don't carefor off highway vehicles but, the folks I've met along the single track on their trail bikes are pleasant.   I thought for sure a few would be obnoxious.  I'm the odd ball.  What's a fellow doing on OHV trails?  Preparing for something bigger, I'll reply.

Tonight I'm at the top of First Water Creek.  If you've heard of Fifth Water Hotsprings, that's a few miles a way.  I camped here 3 years ago.  Did I look up?  The tree I initially set up next to has a few widow makers (dead branches up high).   Since returning to the ground and tenting, I forget to look up.  I moved a few feet away.

I really can't say all to much.  This is US Forest/BLM land, expect cows.  I'm a bit early for them to have spread out.  I saw a few cattle trucks returning empty on the main dirt road.  So far I haven't seen any moo'ers.

Do I think I'm ready for the next big hike?  I'm saying yes.  I've swapped out the Zpacks tent for something a bit more roomy and that I can view stars without mosquitoes interacting with me.  I've changed water filters to the Be Free from Katadyn.  I've worked out and feel strong.  I found resolutions to that which plagued me in Washington.

My fears for this trip are: ticks, poison oak, and fires.  Resolutions: bug dope on everything and daily if not hourly body checks; learn quickly what it looks like and ID it; keep alert, share trail knowledge and know the exit points. There is a good article on the PCT Association' web page for what to do about fires in the backcountry. 

Dinnertime, leftovers from last year.  Who knew I'd have leftovers from previous resupply.

As the sun lingers below the horizon the moon rises.  Hum, do I or don't I utilize the rainfly to shade my face?

In the morning I have an up hill hike to go.  I'll start with a hot coffee to motivate the heart.  I had planned to go as far as Mud Spring but not checking the terrain profile until I was on the trail made me reconsider.  I went as far as Fourth Water Ridge before turning around.

I don't mide a short day.

Exiting...  

The moon rose, I heard something across the creek.  I shifted, the crinkling of my tyvek groundsheet spooked it.  I heard the crashing of tree branches of what ever it was departing.  I rolled over to shade my face from the full moon.

I awoke to dew on the quilt.  I waited until the sun struck me before climbing out of bed.

I made a coffee and ate a year old cherry poptart.

I made fast time to the car and since I hadn't been down this forest road before I followed it out.  Out to Strawberry Reservoir, it's a bit rough without suspension in my car but, very drivable.

The next entries may be from the big hike coming up.  Oh, it's close.  My work mates will be glad when I leave for they will have peace for a while until I return and then...

Hike on, hike wise

A quick overnighter, 2 weekends ago

I needed to get out.  I missed the opportunity of the 3 day weekend last week as I let the weather channel dictate the destination.  I could do that again.  I'm but mere days away from another adventure. 

I headed to The Great Wesrern Trail as it cuts along side Strawberry Ridge.  Rain hung in the air.  This isn't about miles this time.  It's about getting out.

I found a meadow area above Mud Spring.  Rain on the horizon.  I set camp then returned for water.

I heated a pot of water.  It got to a boil before the canister ran out. Ops, glad this is an overnighter.  Guess I'll have to make due with chug instead of coffee in the morning.

The rain swept through around 6 pm, clearing by 7.  One reason I'm out is to refamilarize myself with my gear and my new tent.  My trip this year will take me into dark sky territory.  I want to view the stars without being feasted upon by mosquitoes.  I got a Big Agnes 2 person.  It's just right for one person.

Time to read and relax.  I'd enjoy a cup of tea had I had fuel.

That was two weeks ago.  I was happy with how the tent held the rain at bay, annoyed with myself for grabbing an empty canister.  The hike in and out went without incident or mud splatter.