Erin and I have all the time we want, and plenty to work on towards the
looming start of the PCT.
So far we have made, one trip to Costco, the Co-op, Trader Joe's,
two trips to Fred Meyer, and placed on HUGE order at Backpacker's Pantry. Yet
we still do not have all the food we need.
Erin's experience last go-around on the PCT showed her that you do
not have to rely heavily on food you ship. Along the way we have access to many
stores and we can resupply effectively when in town. Thankfully this means we
only have eight or so mail-drops to prepare, however we have to send food
enough for two, and with my appetite that is no small volume. Even though we
are going to supplement ourselves with food bought in town, we must prepare
food for some sections of the PCT.
Mixed joy, a challenge and something new, the problem yet hundreds
of miles ahead. The growing pile of trail bars and pop-tarts looks so small
compared the appetite pictured in my head. I am known for my bottomless-ness
around my friends and family. How could I possibly fit enough into flat rate
box, and manage to not get sick of the repetitive calories?
Easy, simple. Don't think about it. Just let it happen. Which sounds
so.... vague. Irresponsible, and careless.
It hit me like a brick. I have no idea what I will be like after a
month on the PCT.
Even after my childhood backpacking in Washington, my experiences
are not going to measure up to the PCT. I have experience outdoors. But my endurance has never been tested past
the seven day mark. I have never hiked for over a week in tennis shoes, and I
have never planned such a vast trip without years using the equipment on my
back. And here I am pulling tags of new clothes, testing new shoes that are
built for long distance runners, and planning to use all these things for a 5.5
month trip in a part of the country I have NEVER BEEN TO!!!! (kinda blows me
away, really)
The California desert seems like a made up landscape to me. Like
the background in a cartoon, where Wiley Coyote chases Roadrunner into the
sunset. I imagine that I will be accosted by Gila monsters and scorpions in my
shoes each morning, as I prepare for a 4:30am start. And that by the second
month, I will be glad to know that we only have 15 miles to our next water
source, instead of 30.
But all of these things feel so insignificant to my desire to make
this trip a reality. I am overjoyed to begin such an experience with my
partner. A woman that I only thought existed in my dreams. Someone who yearns
for the trail as much as I do. And has been there, she is my guide to the
unknown ahead of me. And I trust her completely. I struggle sometimes, fighting
my experience and understanding, my idea of distance started at 50 miles, and
now, staggers to imagine 2,600 miles....
So, even though I must work to make this trip a reality. I am
doing to one day at a time. It feels like yesterday I was imagining the trail
"ohh, its 6 months away!" to suddenly, its less then tree weeks from
today. And I want to make sure that when we get to San Diego we are prepared
for the journey ahead of us. Erin and I have worked together towards this
experience for over a year. We have stressed and planned to make this trip a
possibility. And we are going to do it. We are going to finish. And we are
going to come home and tell everyone about it, because we love the adventure.
The PCT has already changed us, it has shaped us into who we are, by being a
part of our development into hikers. We have both hiked sections in Washington
and we are captivated by the remoteness and grandeur along its winding trail. To
see it from start to finish will be a waking dream, and sometimes it may be a
nightmare, but we will rely on each other through the bad, and cherish one
another in the good.
I can't picture a better way to fully understand one another,
perfect pre-marital counseling. If we can work out something on the trail we
will surely have no trouble working it out back home.
