Hey everyone, another quick trail update: I'm camped tonight in a field of huge boulders at mile 144, about 35 miles outside Idylwild CA. Saw my first rattlesnake today about an hour ago. Tried provoking it with my trekking poles, but it still would rattle haha. Stayed at our first traill angel's place last night: Mike's Hiker Shack! Shack is definately a good term, but man we hikers are grateful. Water is very scarce in these parts and places like Mike's and the water caches are extremely helpful. Feet are still wounded with blisters which is not unsual. It takes a few weeks to develop those tough indian feet. My knees are a little better, sore in the morning but usually work themselves out as I hike. Oh yeah, I got my trailname yesterday...HEADBANGER! Haha, definately a referance to my love of punk rock and heavy metal. Plus I've been playing some mean trekking pole air guitar ha!
Well miss everything back home tons! You'll hear from my in Idyllwild. Rock on followers!

Warner Springs Ranch

Just a quick update here guys, I'm currently at the Warner Springs Ranch at about trail mile 110. Did my biggest day yet on thursday, 24 miles! Now I'm taking a full zero and will hit the trail again early tomorrow. I've been eating some great food and drinking lots of cold beverages. Good stuff. I hope to get some pictures posted when I get to Idylwild in 3 or 4 days. I'll be climbing into 8-9,000 foot mountains so snow is definately a possibility and worries me a bit. Well I'm off, miss home tons! Cya guys...

Well needed half day off!

Hey guys, I'm sitting here at the library in Julian, CA. I got an early start today, leaving camp at about 6:15am. I wanted to get out on the trail while it was still slightly cool, due to the long descent into the desert valley. However, after about an hour, the sun was up and it was already blistering hot. My knees really began to hurt yesterday as I dropped lower and lower out the mountains. Today wasn't much better and it makes every step very tough. I guess the good news is that the blisters on my feet are getting a little better and not so painful. Honestly, my whole body aches, but I've gotten good at ignoring the pain as I move because if I didn't, I would get nowhere. The knee problems are slightly hard to ignore though!

Once I reached the valley floor, there was about a 2 mile walk through exactly what I'd picture a desert to be. Lots of cacti and other prickly plants hanging out over the trail trying to grab at my legs. It was so insanely hot, I'm glad it wasn't any longer. So I got to HWY 78 and I knew I was probably going to hitch into Julian because I am out of suncreen (somehwhat essential out here) and I also wanted to get a few other things. I came up on two other hikers I'd met earlier and we managed to get a hitch within about a half hour, not bad! She was even nice enough to give us a full tour of small, but very pretty Julian CA. The guys talked me into splitting a hotel room (it wasn't hard), so I could take the rest of the day off and shower, eat real food, and ice my knees. I thought I was quite tan, however most it scrubbed off in the shower haha!

It has been really pretty so far in the desert mountains. There is a lot more vegitation that I had imagined and all colors of beautiful wildflowers. Plus, the cacti are just starting to bloom which is a real treat! There was a huge border patrol presence the first day or two and I never saw any illegals, just discarded clothes from them. There are all sorts of birds, lizards, insects, small mammals, and snakes (no rattlers, yet). Although I have yet to see anything large, I did wake up to the terrible screams of an animal for about 10 mins, on the 2nd night. We discussed it in the morning and decided it was probably a bobcat making a kill, possible even a mountain lion.

I have met a ton of really nice people out here, most of which I've leap frogged with the last 3 or 4 days. I usually hike alone which I actually enjoy and always try to camp with others. It's funny, I find I talk to myself quite a bit while I hike and sometimes try to have conversations with the hundereds of skiddish lizards that scurry away when I approach. There has been a lot of very low, overgrown, prickly brush that scrapes the back of my sunburnt legs while I walk down the trail. If these mountains could talk, they'd probably say I have quite the potty mouth haha! Hey, I've got so deal with the pain somehow.

Well I'm off to wander this touristy town and spend some time relaxing before I make the huge climb into the very menacing looking San Felipe Hills tomorrow. It's some 19 miles to the next water source from there, so my pack will be heavy with fluids. I think about home constantly and how much I miss everybody. The next time you hear from me, I should be in Warner Springs taking a FULL day off and relaxing in the pools. Love you guys!!!

Hello friends and family! Day 4 and Im camped at about mile 69, 10 miles from Scissors Crossing which is near Julian, CA. Day 1: 21 miles, day 2: 18 miles, day 3: 15 miles, day 4: 18 miles! Longest mile days Ive ever done and my feet hate me for it. Many blisters and today my knees began to really hurt. Tomorrow we descend to the Anza Borrego Dessert Valley floor which will be hot as hell. The dessert mountains have been very beautiful with lots of water and wildflowers. I am so dirty and already carry a distinct odor haha. Didn't sleep much last night due to extremely high wind, very scary. Camp is calm tonight and I look forward to some Z's. I miss home a lot, but even with the constant pain Im still loving it! Love you guys, Ill be in touch...

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STRESS!

WOW! 4 days till I leave for San Diego and I really can't believe this is happening. There is just so much still to do in such a short amount of time. I entered panic mode today and began second guessing all the decisions I've made prior to this last week. All in all though, I know I've got my bases covered and it's under control. However, to make a lifestyle change this big I think you'd be crazy to not be going crazy the last week haha.

I got my gear all packed and ready to ship to San Diego. I still feel like I have entirely too much stuff and could make more cuts. But I'm constantly debating with myself over what I need and don't need. I supposed it will just take some on-trail time to determine the true necessities and send the rest home.

My resupply packages are still coming along. That is my biggest chore to finish this week before I leave. I have all my food ready and separated, I just need to portion it out and pack it into boxes so my Mom can send them out when the time comes. I'm having the same problem with my food though: I just think I'm trying to bring too much. It's hard trying to get as much food as I think I need into each resupply box. I've always eaten way more food than normal when I'm backpacking, but yet on the other hand I always still have leftover food at the end of the trip. I really don't want to carry extra food if I can't eat it and I really don't want to be hungry because I didn't bring enough! I may just go crazy before I even leave.

So Friday is the big day to leave home and Saturday will be my first day on the trail. I am so excited!!!

What the hell am I doing?

So I've been seeing lots of reports of huge snowfalls in the Sierras these last couple weeks. That is fantastic news if you're planning on skiing and riding at Mammoth Mountain. On the contrary, that is terrible news if you plan on hiking through it. I'm done skiing for the season (to avoid leg injuries) and have already entered thru-hike mode/mindset. So seriously, stop snowing...

A few updates on my planning process:

• Food for my resupply boxes is starting to take up large amounts of space in my room. A trip or two to Costco should complete my grub stockpile.


• Secured a ride from San Diego Airport, room for the night, and ride to the trail in the morning. Thanks Scout and Frodo, I look forward to meeting you.


• I've got 98% of my gear, just need to get shoes. (kinda important)


• Almost have all my maps printed out. Thanks Halfmile!


• Just posted my itinerary for the trip on "The Plan" page. I used Craig's PCT Planner (www.PCTPlanner.com), thanks Craig. Just a note, this all estimates. I think I can do it even faster than what I planned for.


• Trying to stop thinking about all the things that scare the hell outta me (i.e. weather, snow, water, mountain lions, Deliverance style hillbillies, and my own recklessness)

I've been so anxious to get out and do some hiking, however it's been raining in Spokane for just about the last 4 weeks straight. Spring in the Pacific Northwest! I did get one nice day last week and managed to do a small day hike. It was beautiful out and I didn't hit snow on the trail till about 2,000 feet. On some portions of the trail it had been packed down and turned into sheer ice. I fell on my ass 4 or 5 times, however somehow managed to not get violated by a stick or a rock. It's making me really consider taking micro-spikes on the trail with me. But I don't know, we'll see.

It seems like these last few weeks are dragging on, probably because I'm just so ready to get out there. Can't wait to meet you all on the trail!

I'm legit!

Got my thru-hike and Mt. Whitney permit in the mail today. Sweet, I am now an official thru-hiker. I've anxiously awaited seeing the PCTA envelope in the mailbox this last week, however the simplicity of the permit makes it strangely unsatisfying. Ha oh well, still super stoked for the hike anyway.

I also wanted to take a minute to answer a few of my most frequently asked questions (FAQ's), that I get when I begin to tell my friends and family members about the hike. As excited as I am to talk about the details of my trip with anyone who is curious, it's become somewhat annoying to hear these questions right away just about every time. So here they are, my list of most frequently asked questions by curious non-thru-hikers:

1. Them: Who are you going with?

   Me: I'm going alone. It's a very large commitment you have to make many months in advance to begin the planning. I asked some buddies if they wanted to go, but jobs/school/money/lack of interest prevented anyone from committing. Honestly though, I'm okay with hiking alone. There are large numbers of hikers that start the trail every year within about the same 4-6 week window, meaning there will plenty of new friends to hike with when I'd like. I enjoy alone time and feel like I can take in a little of my surroundings when I'm not distracted by a group. I honestly have to say this trip is a very selfish thing for me. I want to take in all the natural beauty and just be able to think, working to no one's schedule but my own. I enjoy people, but I also enjoy talking to myself. I guess I'd be described as a social loner...

2. Them: Are you going to take a gun?

   Me: (chuckle) No, I won't be taking a gun. I just personally don't feel like it's needed. Would I like one? Yeah, I'd probably feel a little better, but I can't afford the extra weight. This ultra-light backpacking thing is new to me, but I think I've realized that "If you need it, then bring it. If you think you need it, then you don't." Back in my Boy Scout days, we brought everything we thought we needed. And it was heavy, ha. Now every ounce counts and I want to keep it light. Even back then though, we spent many days backpacking in the wilderness, and we didn't bring guns. I've done a fair amount of shooting, but guns have always be associated with recreation for me. I'm very comfortable without one.

3. Them: You should try to bulk up before you leave. Get some meat on dem bones. (Not a question at all, but more a suggestion I've been heard many times before this trip was even a thought. For those who don't know me, I'm 6'1" and 145 pounds. I've been lengthy and skinny for as long as I can remember. My family thinks I don't eat enough...believe me, I do. Fast metabolism. Super fast I guess. I've been trying to bulk up for 10 years.)

   Me: Yeah, good idea. I'll get right on that.