We are just now starting to work on this website and figure out how to set up pages, download photos, download a tracking map on the site from our Garmin InReach, and make more routine posts. There is a learning curve here, and we’re working through it now. Joy will obviously be serving as “Ground Control” for Kendra and I on this hike, and will be doing most of the management on this website.
Preparation for this PCT hike started in earnest in mid-January, by researching and selecting gear. I have basically swapped-out all of my gear from what I used on the AT thru-hike in 2012. My original gear is 9 years old. It is showing it’s age (it has been used a lot!). But primarily, this gear was relatively heavy – and we have been concentrating on selecting gear that is lighter in weight, but still functional for what we need. I have been able to shed over 10 lbs. off of my backpack base weight from the original 2012 gear. “Base weight” is the total weight of everything in your backpack (including the pack), except for food, water and fuel.
I now have all gear selected and have my base weight at 15.0 lbs. I am assuming “worse case” food weight of 10 lbs. (5 days worth) and worse case water weight of 10 lbs. (5 liters) – so a total weight of 35 lbs. of a totally weighted pack. On the AT, my lightest pack was 40 lbs., and it was often approaching 50 lbs. in weight! So hopefully this will be a much more comfortable hike from a pack weight standpoint.
Kendra is likewise working through selecting all her gear and keeping pack weight in mind.
We purchased a Garmin InReach Explorer satellite device which allows text messaging and tracking of us in remote areas where cell service is not available. There is a learning curve here as well, but I’ve been using it on all training hikes and getting more comfortable with its use.
I have been doing “training” hikes nearly every day with my pack filled to 35 lbs. since the end of February (after the heavy snowfalls diminished). I am taking hikes in the 5 – 8 mile range. I am wearing my new hiking shoes (trail runners now vs. hiking boots on the AT).
So preparation is coming along well. I will hopefully start posting more often to get better at this, and hope to drop in some photos along the way as well.