I’ve done something that some may think is a bit crazy (if hiking the PCT is not crazy enough!).
I promised that these preparation journals will be transparent and I hope they help other hikers, but this post may help some women.
WHAT DID I DO?
Well, last Friday I went to the doctor to see if I can get extra contraception & HRT pills for whilst I’m away. We got chatting about my options and the doc suggested having a coil fitted. “It ticks all the boxes for your hike,” she said. I explained that I had waited two months for this appointment and that I doubt that she could “fit me in” before I fly. “Can you come back at 12.10pm today?” She said…. Um??? Yes. So that’s what happened! Blimey, it hurt, but it’s another thing I don’t have to worry about. It means I don’t need to remember to take pills and it also means no periods. Period!
It’s been a week now and I have no regrets. No pain, no blood and no tablets. I know it’s not for everyone, but I wanted to let others know that we are all different and it works for some and doesn’t work for others. So far, for me, it’s been a positive decision.
TRAINING:-
With a rested foot, new trail runners and being strict with myself to wear my insoles, I’m back on the training plan!
I took a group to Stonehenge in Dorset for a weekend of hiking. Saturday was 11.2 miles and Sunday was a short one of 6 miles, all with a full pack.
I was camping. Friday night it got down to -1 degrees and Saturday was -3 so it was good practice for the PCT. Even though I was staying at the same campsite for two nights, I broke down camp on Saturday morning to practice packing up in the cold. I’m getting quicker, but it’s still taking me at least 30 mins and still not a pleasant experience in the cold!
Learnings from camping this weekend:-
The Kula cloth (pee cloth) is a great little cloth to wipe down my tent! Putting a wet tent inside my pack is not wise! Everything else inside my pack was dry as it’s stored in a niroflume liner, but as my tent defrosted the water seeped through to my back. The clothes I was wearing were drenched! Note to self, if the tent is wet then pack it on the outside!
Pumping up the airmat is so much more comfortable when I’m sitting in my little chair. No more back pain!
I purchased some OMM tent socks which are made from the same material as my fleece. This weekend I slept in one tent sock and one Sundick down bootie to see what worked better. There was no difference in warmth, so the tent socks won. They are lighter, I can put shoes on with them (can’t do that with the booties) and they are more packable.
I also took a new OMM Core + beanie. This worked a treat, coupled with my fleece when sleeping. The down hood that I had previously would be all soggy around the chin area where I had dribbled in the night! So the beanie worked much better and it’s lighter… result!
I learned to make sure that anything with liquid needs to be in a plastic bag. My hand sanitiser that was in my poop kit burst and everything became sticky (including toilet roll etc!). Saying that it was all very clean! 
I feel super comfortable with my gear now. I still have some overnighters planned before my trip and I always learn something new each time. I’m looking forward to camping in warmer weather though. I’m not keen on the cold!
OTHER STUFF:-
I’ve purchased an Airalo E-sim package which has been activated and then turned off. All I need to do is turn it on when I get to the US. It was easy to do. I had the 10gb over 30 days to see how it goes (data only).
Gym membership notice has been given. It ends on 31st March… eek!
Started deleting photos and videos from my iPhone (backed up onto Google). Blimey, this is going to take me forever!
I have purchased my food for the first three days (one less thing to worry about on trail).
People are now starting to cancel their permits for the PCT and postponing their hike until 2024. The record snow year, avalanches in California and some National Parks are closing due to the weather. I completely understand their decision, but there is no way I will cancel now. I’m about to hike the PCT in a year that will go down in history. I will take alternate routes and I’m happy to skip sections to stay safe, but there is no way I’m not going. Bring it on!!Thanks, as always, for listening to my rambles.
Main Photo: Photo courtesy James “Cober” Taylor. – Wild Flowers on the PCT. This year should be beautiful as there has been so much water. I can’t wait!