Inconceivable!!!

Hello world! First official post on trail. This is being done via windows phone so if you see a typo it's not my fault. If you see grammatical errors, well I am a bio major for a reason. The flight down to San Diego went without a hitch. Met up with Kara and Liddell bought food and then played in a park. Not going to lie 80 degree weather is a nice change.

While waiting for Kara's friend Kristine to get off of work we were able to play in a park. During our time we did such activities as the museum of photographic arts (MOPA!) and stick prices of bark into road signs. After a quick tour of Whale's Vagina (as the Romans referred to San Diego) we crashed so we could ready us for the day ahead. On Thursday the journey began in style. We met up with Pancho the gentlemen extraordinaire who gave us a ride to Campo. Take a look at his business card it is pretty much the best one ever.

The hike was much simpler then I expected. I would say no more difficult than doing 20 miles in the West Hills near Portland Oregon. We actually lucked out and had a beautiful cloudy cool day to hike vs the heat you normally get, though that didn't stop me from burning.

The kick off has definitely been worth while to go to. Lots of information for hikers as well as free food, gear, community, and magic. You here a lot about "trial magic" when prepping for the PCT but you don't really understand until you are here. Trail magic is when people spend tons of time and money for you so that you can live your dream. I am getting free camping, food, and knowledge because of the generosity of the people at the ADZPCTKO (Annual Day Zero PCT Kick Off). There is a trail angel (a person gives magic) named Scout, his wife and others who took in over 200 through hiker hopefuls fed them and housed them because they wanted to. They even refused compensation when people tried to give it. That is trail magic.

Well tomorrow morning starts the real adventure. We are starting slow to avoid breaking our selves and avoid heat. Next post will probably be in Warner Springs.

Oh and awesome notes. There is a hiker this year named Peru. She is my botany professor from PSU (that is Lisa K. Fox and Hillary if you are reading this).

I am also  volunteering to help with a pika study during my hike. I am sending in locations of evidence while I am on trail. So if I see them or evidence of them I contact adventures and scientists for conservation with info so they can use the data for climatic change research...COOL!

Pancho's card may come later, slow connection here.

Now make like a tree and get the **** out of here!

Final trip details: 

•  Pack packed and ready to go                                       Check 
•  Resupply boxes prepared with instructions                    Check 
•  Socialized with family and friends                                  Check 
•  Room packed away and put in storage                          Check 
•  In shape so I am not pathetic on trail                             Well close enough

My plane leaves in about 12 hours and then I am off to frolic in the desert. For the last week I have been in a constant state of shock. As excited as I am for this trip, it is impossible for me to wrap my head around how huge it’s going to be. I figure I will do what I always do best…wing it. I leave for San Diego at 6am tomorrow and there I will meet up with Team Broad Adventure. With our powers combined we will accomplish fantastic feats of food shopping and mailing crap ahead of us.

The real adventure takes place Thursday. That is where we will be deported via border patrol into our own country right at the border and the start of the PCT. Many may claim to have hiked the trail, but few start in the back of a border patrol van! 

I also want to send my love and thanks to friends at ODS, the Hash, and team SCC. I have had a great time and will miss you guys.

Happy Trails!

60% of the time, it works every time.

It’s time to update! A lot has happened since my last post. The most important of all is the ending of the financial goal! Due to a 48-60 hour work week as a teacher’s assistant/custodian I have met my goal in a measly five weeks. Granted this is largely due to benefits derived from very supportive parents, but enough with the details. This means I get to move on to phase two of my PCT preparation: workout a crap ton. That’s right I am no longer working 12 hour days and will make exercise a large focus of my day. I’ll admit this is partly due to my starting this journey with Team Broad Adventure (aka Kara and Liddell). They in all their craziness have decided that the best way to bridge a gap between a 1,800 mile paddling trip and a 2,600 mile hiking trip is a 2,000 mile bicycle trip. Thus if don’t want my posterior handed to me on a silver platter I need to get my ass in shape. 

On other fronts my Canada and PCT through hiker permits went through without a hitch. Which in all honesty is not really impressive…at all, but who’s counting. The plane ticket to San Diego is purchased, so April 25^th the adventure begins. Lastly I purchased around $700 worth of gear to make me trail ready! This purchase may or may not include $110 worth of socks. Yes for all those who are surprised, you go though a few socks hiking vast quantities of miles. 

Well boys and girls that is all I have for now. My next post will be when I have something worthwhile to say.

Party on Wane

Well here I go…I guess normally a first blog post should be filled with high emotional excitement, grand ideas of what to expect, or preferably lasers flashing across the screen. The matter of fact truth is I decided I was doing this trip back in late October, I just felt a little silly telling the world about my trip six months before embarking (three is obviously a better number). The main reason I am starting it now is because of two reasons: A) Last month I finally landed a job that provided me the income I need to finance this trip (woot!) and B) I just put my paperwork in the mail for my through hikers permit for the PCT/entry in to Canada form. The ladder of these two reasons made this trip seem official to me.

Before I go any further I may need to bring some people up to speed about what this blog is all about. To start, last October I was having a grand ol’ time working Outdoor School with some amazing people. During that time a good friend of mine (Kara) Stated, “I am going to hike the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) from Mexico to Canada this year.” I promptly mentioned that I had always wanted to do that through hike and she then proceeded to respond with, “Why don’t you join me.” Which to me seemed like a persuasive enough argument, so here I am. 

My first day on trail will be sometime late April and I’ll be finished late September to October. Until then I will be working, snowboarding, and maybe throw in some sleep if I can squeeze it in there. If anything of note happens between now and then I will post it on here…but chances are I won’t have much to say until the trip because when all you do is work, your life seems a little less exciting for some reason. 

Until next time where I have more movie quotes for headlines, and riveting news to inspire you. If you are still wondering about Caboose, that is my Outdoor School name.