With just over a month to go the butterflies are starting to appear.
Main photo: Hiker Town. I’m not sure if I’ll stay here as I understand it could “smell” a bit funny (if you know what I mean 😜). But I will pop in!
🖥️ The zoom sessions are over and some hikers are starting next week which is exciting!
😰 I’m now getting overwhelmed by all the fear-mongering that’s happening in the groups. People are talking constantly about the snow situation or the weight of their super light packs. I know what I can carry comfortably. I carry a 24lb pack 3-4 times a week and have been doing so since October last year, so I know my capabilities. I’m still trying to trim my pack weight, but this is how I will be living for at least two months so I don’t want to sacrifice comfort too much. Some people are carrying silly weights such as 6-8lbs. Each to their own but I am not going to let the fearmongers get to me. If my pack is too heavy then I’ll dump stuff in my bounce box. Simples! (Yes, I’m still taking my chair – don’t judge me lol!).
✍️ I’ve also been thinking about the blogging side of things and how consistent I will be. I’ve always blogged my trail journals so will continue with the daily updates on Find Penguins. I will post a round-up on Facebook once a week. If I get the time and have the energy, I will edit and post videos as well, but I’ll see how that goes. These may be weekly rather than daily. Not sure yet.
I’ve stopped posting on Instagram. I want to enjoy this hike and don’t want the pressures of trying to keep up with social posts. So blogging will be my outlet. You can follow along here.https://findpenguins.com/juliado…/trip/pct-20… (if you want to see the daily stuff)
OTHER STUFF:-
📕 I finished a book called “Things I learned from falling” which was gifted to me by a friend (thanks Gillian). It’s about a day hiker who got lost on the trail in the California desert and had to drink her own urine to survive. It’s a rather horrendous story, but it did make me realise how well-prepared I am for this hike.
🦶 Thanks for the messages of concern about my foot. I’m experiencing pain across the top of my foot which I believe is tendonitis. I’ve got it strapped up and I took a few days off to rest it this week. (Which worked)
🏋️♀️ I completed two long hikes this weekend. 15 miles with 25 lbs on my back on Saturday in the Dassett Hills. I felt great and could have continued for a few more miles. My foot was fine until I stopped and then it throbbed like hell all the way home (driving).
🥾 The second hike was nearly 11 miles around the Hambleton Peninsula. This was a flat walk and my hips knew about it towards the end. It’s good to mix it up.
🪶 After your comments, I took the plunge and purchased some new gear to replace the heavier gear in my pack. Thanks 🙏. I now have tent socks and a new OMM core plus beanie.
🗺️ I have downloaded all the PCT GPX Files and now have them stored on my Garmin watch for additional navigation purposes. I need to practice using my watch for navigation rather than my phone. (Saving battery). It’s also another safety feature. So I have my phone, paper maps and my watch. I shouldn’t get lost!!
🎶 And finally, my lovely mum put a playlist together for me on Spotify for my hike. It has songs like “don’t worry, be happy”, “ain’t no mountain high enough” etc. Thanks, mum. Love you Xx
If you know of any good films/series that I can download for my travels (Netflix or Amazon Prime) then let me know. That’s something on my to-do list!
Thanks for listening to my rambles.