Some thoughts before departure...

  • I am still not a vet, doctor, lawyer, dog trainer, cia agent, fbi agent or a navy seal so...walk
  • I am doing this for the challenge of course, and I hope to gain a confidence that comes with this type of endeavor. But also I hope to gain some new knowledge about the world and the truths that reside in it.
  • Am I walking to "find myself"? Or just to take a walk. You decide...and you'll probably be right.
  • I'm not in the best shape of my life, but I do have a lot of new great gear so....
  • After living with my parents the last 2 years, it makes perfect sense to walk 2650 miles - alone.
  • Yes there will be bears, cougars, rattlesnakes and scorpions both imagined and real along the way. I'm definitely more worried about those imagined.
  • Am I scared? Not as of yet, more of just a constantly increasing anticipation. But check back with me on the 3rd night in the desert.
  • I tried to keep my pack fairly light, but I definitely would not call it ultralight. Somehow when I added up all my ultralight gear and put it in my ultralight pack, I ended up with just slightly heavy.
  • My biggest concern for this trip is that I get too hungry somewhere along the way, my brain goes awol as it usually does when I get hungry and subsequently you never hear from me again...I'll try to eat frequently.
  • I am not Christopher McCandless. This is not Into the Wild.

Monday, September 15, 2008

Up and Down, Up and Down

Day 136, Mile 2468.2---I dislike mice. Last night one slid down the outside of the mesh body of my tent right over my head. 5 minutes later it or one of its' vermin friends made it's way into Landshark and Caterpillars' tent. Although it was quite amusing to listen to their efforts at getting the mouse out, it kept me awake. Later i awoke to a mouse sitting on my pack and then working its' way side to side, over and under, trying to get inside but to no avail. The terrain was pretty tough at times today. I tripped real hard twice this morning and after the second i felt a shin splint type pain in my right leg. It didn't get much worse throughout the day, but it definitely didn't get any better. I am sure the fact that my shoes are starting to fall apart doesn't help much, but it is not that big of a problem. I can deal with pretty much anything with only less then 190 miles to go -(knock on wood). The large group is fairly non-existent now. Hawkeye, Danger-prone, and Don't Panic are hiking together. Clearwater, Landshark & Caterpillar, MoonPie, and myself are hiking together. Hoffa is hiking with friends. But we will all meet up tomorrow at the Dinsmore's. Got into camp at Hope Lake after dark because we couldn't find anything suitable at our original stopping point. It is a popular lake and there are plenty of other people camped which means, you guessed it - mice. I turned my head lamp off while i was eating my dinner because the moon was bright enough. Within a minute there were 3 mice out, darting here and there, on their approach to my food bag. Safe to say as soon as i stop using my headlamp to type this, they will be back. Assholes. Looking forward to the Dinsmore's tomorrow and a nice Sunday dinner. Thought of the day; i wonder how quickly i will start putting on weight once i get home. Song of the day; I can't remember it. Craving of the day; the swedish pancakes with apple sauce i had(twice) at the "Family Pancake House" in Snoqualime.


JWC on the PCT

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Weight Gain: If you continue with your current love and intake of beer, milkshakes, pancakes and other assorted carbs, I give you about a week! (so enjoy it while you can!)
P.S. When you return from the PC Trail but while you're still on the mass consumption trail, I invite you to be my guest at Red Robin!