PCT 65 DAYS TO GO!

February 10, 2023

This week I’ve been pondering on my “why?”

Many people are posting their introductions on the PCT Facebook Groups and YouTube. Part of the intro is their “why”. I’ve heard all sorts of reasons from processing grief to recovering from an addiction or some type of illness.
Why am I walking the PCT? Why on earth would I want to put myself in a situation that would make me physically and mentally uncomfortable? Why would I want to spend time away from my family to do this?
If the PCT is anything like my Camino experience, then my “why” will actually come to fruition when I return home, but in the meantime, this is where my head is at the moment:-
  • ?️ Life is an adventure. I’m a big believer of collecting memories, not things.
  • ? I turned 50 in the middle of the pandemic with no party or any celebration due to lockdown. I decided there and then that the PCT would be my 50th birthday present to myself and started saving!
  • ? I wanted to do a big trail and push myself. I chose the PCT as it mixes different terrain (desert, mountains, meadows, lakes). Unlike the AT (Appalachian Trail) you will see amazing views all day, every day.
  • ? Wake up with the sunrise and go to bed with the sun setting. Plus, it doesn’t rain (much). I hate rain!

So that is my current “why”. I’m not walking this trail to find myself. I don’t believe I have anything to work out or solve. I’ve got a loving family and I adore my job. Apart from an adventure, I’m not really sure why I’m going, I just know that I need to do this. I feel called to go.

Main cover photo: Is the L.A  Aquaduct. It's a 20-mile section of the trail that goes straight through the desert. Flat, hot & exposed. There is plenty of water in the aqueduct underneath your feet, but nothing actually on trail so you have to carry your water. To avoid the heat, most hikers do this section at night, so this may be my first night hiking experience.

What else has happened this week? 

SAFETY THEME CONTINUES:-

? I’m lucky enough to have friends that live in California (met on the Camino). Sue posted a link to something called Recco Technology which is a search and rescue device that you attach to your backpack. It’s a tag, that uses harmonic generator technology but does not need charging and will never run out of battery. They have been designed to help rescue teams find lost hikers and can even detect hikers who are trapped in an avalanche. The reflectors are £29.95 (no subscription) so I ordered one which has now been added to my pack. #SafetyFirst

? I’ve set up a WhatsApp Group for my immediate family and two friends who live in California. We have agreed on a check-in process and if they have not heard from me in three days then they need to check out the PDF that I’ve uploaded to the group called “What to do if I go missing”. This document includes all sorts of things such as my full kit list, serial numbers of my personal location beacon, links to relevant Facebook groups, and information to give to the authorities. I’ve also given details of the Fowler & Sullivan website which will help when Law Enforcement or Search & Rescue give up on the search. It’s a good document that I hope will never need to be used, but I don’t want my family to suffer for years if they are unable to find me.

OTHER STUFF:-

  • ? Campfire permit done – to use a gas canister stove on public lands in the US you need to hold a campfire permit (otherwise you can get a fine if you are caught without a permit). To get your permit you need to watch a video and then pass a little test (which was easy).
  • ? Tried powdered milk on my granola and it was surprisingly good! I thought it would go lumpy but it didn’t. So that will be part of my strategy (unlike powdered Peanut butter which was gross!)
  • ? Jemma dropped off some quarters for my bounce box (thanks Jemma!). These will be used for showers and laundry.
  • GEAR ⚙️ My final piece of essential gear arrived earlier in the week and I love it. A lightweight mid-layer called an OMM Core + Hoodie. It weighs 125g (super light!). It’s made from Primlaloft insulating active fabric. It offers the same warmth as a fleece but is half the weight and also incredibly breathable. I will probably wear this in bed as well if the nights are chilly.
  • ? I have played around with different-sized water bottles for my shoulder pockets on my pack. The sweet spot is 600ml bottles. I use the Actiph bottles that you can buy in most places in the UK. The SmartWater bottles in the UK have different-sized lids to the US and do not fit the water filter that I have, but the Actiph bottles fit perfectly.
  • ? I purchased all the little stuff. Ibuprofen, Sudafed, toothpaste x 2 travel, suncream, Savalon, Vagisil (good for chafing apparently!)
  • ? Bounce box – my bounce box is coming together nicely.
  • ? Dentist checkup is done.

I think that’s everything for this week. Again, thanks for listening to my rambles.

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