Lazy

I have to admit that I was pretty lazy today!

I stared at my backpack, even went through and looked at everything. I even took a bunch of pictures of different things in my pack. Exciting huh?

Im a little upset that Im having a bit of a toothache tonight... looks like a dental appointment and possible pulled tooth is in my future,  near future!

3 items that I can think of that I need for my pack.
1. Toaks 600 ml titanium pot - ordered (upgrading from gsi soloist)
2. Anker 10,000 mah external batter - ordered (lost mine)
3. 64 mb micro SD Memory card

Tomorrow will be a more productive day.. I promise!

20 mins..

Ok I have 20 mins to post this entry in order to keep my promise to post every single day!

Today was "Clean, Organize and Pack" day.

Feeling pretty good about how much I got done today! Everything I have is contained within a 7 x 14 room, add gear and food resupply to that and things can get a little out of control! In other words... my room was a disaster area!

I set out all my Hiking gear and realized that I have added quite a few items since my last weigh in.. I'm getting a little nervous! I plan to weigh my gear tomorrow, minus my battery pack. A week or so ago I was working on a set in an old warehouse in downtown/east LA. I left it charging inside. Unfortunately I was unable to contact the right people in time so I imagine it has a new home.  I need to order a new one asap! Other than that I think I'm pretty much ready gear wise!! feels good! still contemplating getting a titanium cup to replace my cook pot, guess tomorrows weigh in will help me with that decision!

Trying to get a few more things done before bed, Can't believe how fast time is going by now, but I feel right on track!

here's a pick of all the stuff that has to go in my pack.  My sleeping bag of course can be much much smaller, but is being stored in the larger sack.

Falling into place

18 days and counting...

I'm sorry I haven't been blogging on a regular basis! What a horrible blogger I am! I am hereby declaring that from this day forward I will blog every single day. Well, I promise that I will try...

The Last month has been so crazy! I had many ups and downs, I didn't work for 5 days, got depressed and stressed, then worked a week and a half straight every day 12-15 hrs. This week I have taken 3 days off to work on stuff, and I must say it is all falling into place!

One of the biggest stresses I had was finding someone to Sublet my room. I have a great place here in LA and I didn't want to lose it. If I did have to leave, where would I store my stuff? If I find someone will my roommates like that person? Well, the perfect thing happened, my roommate Drew found someone to rent my room while I am gone! I don't have to worry about them getting along, I get to store my stuff in the attic space in my room, and I have a place to come back to. Find someone to sublet - Check

Another Big stress looming over me is my car. Currently it isn't really working. I had originally planned to drive it to WI, leave it there and take a bus back to San Diego to start my hike. Well, because of my money situation that wasn't an option anymore. Currently my car is sitting out on the street, it has been for about 6 months, I have driven it around the block, started it and moved it here and there but I'm always nervous that it will get towed (it happened once before and cost me $1500 to get back) The only option I really had was to just risk it and leave it on the street. I thought I would just throw it out there and posted on facebook that I needed a spot, but had no money to offer, I figured it was a long shot but maybe someone had an extra spot.  What do you know, a women I work with, Robin, said she had an extra spot at her house and would be happy to let me park it there! Can you believe that? Amazing. Such a weight off my shoulders! Find somewhere to store your car - Check

Money. you can't be an unemployed, homeless, hiker without money! haha It's amazingly expensive to backpack across the country! I think by the end it will have cost me somewhere between $4000- $5000.  First there is the gear, the lighter and better it is, the more expensive it is. I think I will have spent about $1500 on my gear by the time I leave. I will also need up to 3 or 4 pairs of shoes which cost $120 each and if there are any replacements or repairs to gear made on the trail I will need to be ready for that. I also got almost everything on sale so I believe I saved over $1500, I'm thrifty haha. Food. probably the biggest cost. I will need to eat high calorie lightweight food. Most will be bought in small towns along the trail where I can expect to pay a higher price. I have bought some food ahead of time and will ship myself a few boxes in the beginning.  I also have a few friends and family that want to send me a resupply box, that will be so much fun! I feel pretty comfortable with how much money I will have, but hope to make a bit more before heading out! I will also have some bills while on the trail, storage, my phone bill, paying trail angels, hostels and the occasional shared hotel room. Make enough money that you don't have to worry - Well I'm still working on that.

I have all my permits, but I do not have my passport yet, oops. looks like I'll need to have someone send it to me.

So what do I have left to do? lots of little things... back up my computer, since it will be sitting for 9 months. make sure my phone is 100% ready. all apps updated and loaded, memory 100% ready, buy a 32 or 64 gig memory card for it, load pdfs. Mail boxes - resupply boxes,  Make resupply boxes. Move car. Cancel Insurances. Adjust phone plan. Pack up room. Finish resupply plan. and on and on... OH and blog every day!

Talk to you tomorrow...

Rain

At any moment it is suppose to start raining, and continue for the next couple days.  Whats the big deal about rain you ask?

I live in Los Angeles, on a clear day, usually after some rain, I can see the Pacific Crest Trail from my front porch, I think. Most days I can see this lovely mountain range, but every once in awhile, when the air is very clear another mountain appears in the background. I think, that mountain is one that the pct passes over. I like to think so anyhow.. I know it's close, 14 miles as the crow flies, so I can dream I guess. 

California has been in a severe drought and any rain we get is a blessing! It's good for the farmers to the north in the inland empire, and good for our drinking water resources and many other reasons of course.  So, as much as most southern Californians get a little cranky when it rains and upsets their perfect sunny days, deep down we all know we need it.  

I have good/bad feelings towards the rains affect on my thru hike, for selfish reasons of course.  The less rain we get, the less snow I may encounter on the trail.  A low snow year makes for an easier 6 months. On the other hand, the less snow, the less water in streams.  Some people have already reported dry rivers in the desert sections. Snow melt equals water.  Liquid gold to a thru hiker!  The less reliable a water source is, the more water you have to carry.  Water is heavy.  There will be times when I will be carrying 15-20 pounds of water. 

Rain also affects my daily life.  Currently my only means of transportation is a scooter. While I have great rain gear, its still not very fun to drive in the rain. If I book a job this weekend, I will do what I have to do! I have a thru hike to fund and nothing will get in my way! 

Rainy days also mean getting stuff done at home, there is a resupply plan that has been looming over me, never leaving me alone, but I hate planning. No I loath planning. Planning my hike just seems to go against what I am looking for from this adventure, but its a necessary evil. It has to be done. So I guess if I'm stuck at home for the next couple days, I have no more excuses. I have to tackle this. 

I think back to Rain storms in Wisconsin. I have such fond memories of great thunderstorms! Sitting on front porches, surrounded by water pouring from the sky. Seeing amazing lightening and jumping when it thunders. The smells of the earth and concrete when wet.  My sister and I on the front porch of her farm trying to get pictures of lightening. Such fond memories. 

Ok Rain, bring it on...

I'm ready for you.

picture taken from my porch after the last rain. The pct is back there somewhere...

A bipolar week

For some reason I have been in a real funk lately. Maybe it's the fact that I'm working less or have just too much on my mind, but man, I just couldn't shake it!
I also seemed to be on a bad luck streak. Missing out on an easy $250 because I was cooking food and didn't check my phone for 45 mins... and then losing $135 because I fell asleep. All I see when I lose money is weeks of the trail fund going down the drain. That money alone would of paid for more than 1 month of my hike!
I have also been worrying a lot about whether I can go to my nieces wedding, or go home for a visit before I head out, or if I can sublet my room, and if I don't where will I store my stuff, and where will I store my car, and should I rent my scooter and should I fix my car and... and... and... there is just so much to plan for. I also started doing my taxes and well, that was a let down too...
To try and get myself back in the mood of doing this thing I laid out all my gear on my bed and took a pic. Looking at it all always makes me feel good. Then I posted it on a fb page with all class of 2015 pct hikers and got a lot of responses and started feeling "back in it".

Then something amazing happened.

my roommate came in the house announcing "colleen you got a package". I didn't order anything so I was curious. I come out of my room and see her standing there with a rather large box. Hmmm? It was at that point that I had a feeling of what it could be. A friend I met in the fb group and I had been talking about a bear vault that I might be able to buy off a friend of hers. I said out loud "there is no freaking way". I opened it up and indeed it was a bear vault! The bv500! With just a note on an index card that said "from one vet to another" (or something similar, I lost it). Tears literally came to my eyes, I had to sit down and just take it in. Such a kind act.

Today I received another gift! Another member of the hiking group, who I have never met, got my address from the women who sent me the bear vault and she sent me a homemade freezer bag cozy! I am just beyond words and amazed by the kindness of strangers!

My mood has been completely changed around! The list may still be long and pretty overwhelming but I have to remember to try and attack it one thing at a time!

I felt so good I went out for a 5 mile hike around the neighborhood. Pretty close to the end I saw a bag of clothes sitting on the curb, so I went over to investigate. Half the bag was filled running clothes in great condition. So I grabbed the bag and finished my hike. I put them up for sale today and already have made $52! Plus I sold my hiking shoes that I have decided not to wear for $50. Every little bit helps!

To the two ladies that lifted me up at exactly the right moment, I thank you!

73 days and counting

Well when I put it that way....

yeah... I am still completely freaking out!

Things are getting real.

Who would think that leaving everything behind to go live out of a backpack for 6 months and walk would take so much planning and prep!

Here are some of the things I have had to tackle and a lot of things that are left on the to do list!

- Gear.  Research and buy the right gear.  I can't afford to make mistakes and buy a new piece of gear on the trail. Ok, It may happen, but right now I feel pretty confident in my gear.

- Permits. Make sure I have all the proper permits and ID's to be able to hike, camp, use fire and enter and return from Canada.

- Sublet. If I wan't to keep my awesome room in LA I need to find someone to sublet it while I'm gone.

- Vehicle.  Well my car is dead and the thought of spending money to get it running (bad clutch) is money I can't afford to spend.  I need to find somewhere to store it.

- Resupply plan.  I plan on buying most of my food in town as it happens, but I need to figure out where I have to send myself a box and figure out how I will do so.  Also talk to another hiker about an Idea to deal with this issue.

- Train. Get out and walk! I have to admit that I am failing on this part of the prep!

- Train with all gear & camp.  Hopefully this will happen soon! As soon as I get my sleeping bag this will happen!

- Work.  Work my butt off so I can better enjoy this adventure!

- Blog.  I definitely need to blog more!!!  I also need to work on writing more interesting blogs... lol but right now my mind is in facts and lists mode... these blogs help me sort out everything going on in my brain!

- Pack. Pack all my stuff and put it in storage.  Hopefully if I find someone to rent my room I can just store it in the attic space... otherwise, well, I have no idea what I'm gonna do.

Well time to work on my resupply... for some reason this really seems to be something I keep avoiding. I just want to throw my pack on my back and go hike, but I also don't want to run out of food, so lets get to it!

happy planning!

So lets talk gear!

*** THIS IS AN ONGOING POST UPDATING OFTEN ***

To keep my mind off the fact that I am freaking out about all the little details I have to take care of, I have decided to talk about my gear and post pictures!

BIG FOUR:

PACK - Osprey Exos 48 Liter - small

Originally this was not the pack that I wanted, but picked it up at a REI garage sale for a really great price. It is a little heavier than I would like but hoping it will work. The upper lid could be left off, but I kinda like the extra pocket space it provides. Once I'm ready to go I may cut off some of the unnecessary extras to lighten it a bit. I do wish the 2 pockets on the hip belt were a bit bigger.  If I get my sewing machine running I may make some changes.  My favorite feature so far is the mesh back support that keeps the pack away from you back and allows ventilation.

SHELTER - Big Agnes Fly Creek UL1

Great tent, very popular on the trail. I had planned on going with a tarp tent that was a bit lighter and even cheaper, but have never had a tent that wasn't a "stand alone" tent and thought maybe being a novice with that kind of tent wasn't the best idea. I was going back and forth when this tent became available used on a fb used gear flea market page for the same price as the tarp tent, so I bought it, decision made.  Have set it up several times and it is so easy, I think I will be happy.

SLEEPING BAG 
Therm-a-rest Mira 15 degree bag
 $410 total weight 28 ounces.  This bag comes with a hood, toe pocket for keeping toes warm. 750 fill down. Can usually find this bag on sale and currently there is a slightly used one on sale for $280. So it won't be as warm, and will be almost 10 ounces heavier, but will save me about $140

SLEEPING PAD - Therm-a-rest NeoAir Xlite small

Another trail favorite.  I originally was going with the cheap closed foam pad, but after hearing everybody talk about this pad, and how they switched to this pad mid hike I decided to go for it.  I bought the small, it is very small, part of my body will hang off, but I knew that when I bought it. So light and takes up very little space in my pack! Because of the material on the outside and the reflective material inside, it kinda sounds like you are sleeping on a potato chip bag. One thing that has become very clear to me is that I need to be able to sleep comfortably!

CLOTHING:

EVERYDAY WARM WEATHER CLOTHES

Well I better like this outfit, because I will be wearing it a LOT!
The shirt is a Merino wool blend, very comfy!
Shorts are Ink&Burn running shorts, very light stretchy material. I removed the liner.
Injinji toe socks to help with blister control
Buff, can be worn many different ways. I currently wear it to keep my neck warm when riding my scooter and found it to be wind resistant added plus!
Simple hat - radar style. Not sure this is the best option for the desert, may be replaced at some point.
gaitors - Dirty Girl Gaitors, got the "obsessive" pattern, mostly just cuz it matched everything, love them, wouldn't hike Cali without them. Shoes - Altra lone peak, love these shoes, but even though I have already bought them a size up, my next pair will be a 1/2 size bigger and I may even need to go up after that, the trail will decide.

LONG LAYERS / SUN PROTECTION
REI Sahara long sleeve shirt - I have had this shirt for a long time, and never wore it, a couple years ago I wore it out into the woods and realized how much I like it. It will protect me from the Sun, Cold, and bugs.

Patagonia hiking pants - I got these from a friend for a great price, I may need to get them altered, they are a little long. They are very thin and light and should work great! Only forseeable problem is that they are very light colored and will probably be very dirty by the end of this all! haha

BASE LAYER / SLEEPING CLOTHES
In all the research that I did I knew that I wanted Merino wool base layers! They are not cheap! Most average around $75 each piece! I already had decent base layers for snowboarding, but they are white, and not merino wool! I figured that unless I found a great deal that I would not get new ones and would do something creative like dye them.
Then one day someone shared in a group that Icebreaker had these on clearance 65% off! I got both pieces for under $40 amazing!
The socks are wool, I hate sleeping in socks but if I need to I will!

COLD WEATHER CLOTHES
One of my favorite pieces of gear so far, my Sierra Designs Gnar lite down jacket. I have to admit that I have been wearing ever since I bought it! I usually pair it with my wind/rain jacket (my orange one). They have kept me warm down to 40 degrees going 50 miles per hr on my scooter! I was surprised when I wore just this jacket one day and realized it blocks the wind pretty good too!
my hat, well it's my favorite hat and has been with me through thick and thin, so it gets to come along.
The mittens I bought during a really good online sale, they are down and water resistant, but may be overkill. may just be on standby.







RAIN GEAR 
Marmot Precip - I'm really happy with this rain jacket! I was just going to use one I had, but it didn't have a hood and was a bit heavier. Then I came across a great deal and couldn't pass this up.  My only uncertainty is that it may be a tad big, but then again it will fit my layers underneath.

The pants are Sierra Designs rain and wind pants, I have treated them with waterproofing to make them a little more waterproof. I wore them in the rain on my scooter and my pants got wet, the treatment made it better, so hopefully they will work great.

EVERYTHING ELSE

THE KITCHEN
First off, I wish I had a smaller pot or a lighter one...
GSI Soloist Pot - got it for a couple bucks.. it's kinda banged up, but who cares, it boils water.. I would like to think I could get away with something with less capacity, but the large fuel can fits inside, so it works. Guess I should stop second guessing it.
I'm bringing a long spoon and and a knife/spoon/fork combo just for the heck of it. Some think the sporknif is unnecessary but it only weighs .2 ounces.. and it makes me happy.
I love my little stove, It has an ignitor and you can control the flame.
For a food bag I got a zpacks cuban fiber bag. so light and super tough
I also just made a pot cozy w/ a lid, not sure what my final cozy will look like so I'll post about that when I have that settled.

FIRST AID KIT

Keeping it pretty simple.
Band-aids: 4 - Gauze: small roll - Triple Antibiotic - Safety pin - Abreva: cold sore treatment - Antibiotics: 2 - Anti Diahrea: 6 - Antihistamine: 3 (just in case, I have no allergies) - Aleve: 25 - Ibuprofin: 25 - Alcohol pad - very small elastic band
Not pictured (I still have to buy) - Tenasious tape - baby fingernail clipper - super small tweezers

SURVIVAL STUFF
Well... not much.
Spot Locator
Headlamp
Bug net
20' of line
knife
patch kit for sleeping pad
blue led light
lighter
Pen + 2 feet of duct tape