120 miles divided by 25 = five days walking; that is the thinking I need to begin thinking daily. 120 miles is also how far I drove round-trip to look at the car I am buying. Funny how in automobile at 75 mile per hour that distance is quickly made. Twenty-five miles will be a good average to aim for as a daily goal while I am walking on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). I am sure there will be days in the high Sierras when I will only make 10-15 miles per day, and also about that when I am crossing over the 8 named passes including Forester Pass (elev. 13,180’), the highest point on the entire PCT. Post-holing will be a time consuming chore that has to be done. Post-holing is the passing over a snow-field which has melted enough for you post-hole your leg through (bottom-out), and then have to repeat constantly until that section of snow is through. Mt. Whitney is a small trail over from the PCT, and at 14,494 feet is also the highest point in the contiguous United States, and by most records the 24th highest mountain in North America. The topping of Mt. Whitney will be a challenge for me as I would rather be buzzing a runway in a B-25 than looking off into a 3,000 foot drop. As one of my hero's said though; "There is nothing to fear, but fear itself." So be it.
I will add more equipment needs as I go, however, I do know now that I need a JetBoil stove as I want hot food as a mood boost, and a hot cup of coffee a necessity. A ULA backpack is the pack I feel I need as it is made by a thru-hiker who has walked the PCT on several trips. The ULA pack is also made to carry the bear canister required from Kennedy Meadows north up through Yosemite National Park. Brooks Cascadia shoes are the shoes most thru-hikers comment positively about on their PCT Blogs as their correct choice for the walk. The JetBoil and the ULA backpack should last the entire 2660+ miles, however, I will need at least four pairs of Brooks Cascadia's. I haven't chosen a sleeping bag yet, or clothing needs yet; and I still need to choose a sleeping pad, food, snacks, camera, etc. My caloric needs will rival combat troops with a daily need of at least 5000-6000 calories a day. I have downloaded research which identifies what minerals, vitamins, protein, etc., from Doctors, dietitians, and others from the US Department of Defense. For my water needs I will use Aquamira treatment after filtering the water with a still to be determined filter. Especially through the Southern desert section I will need to carry at least a liter of water per two hours, and some of the water throughout the trail is sketchy at best. I have had Giardia when I was 17 years old and I NEVER want Giardia again. Never. Well that is enough for now, and besides I have essays due each of the next four weeks and two tests this coming week.
Thank you for reading, and please continue to visit as I walk towards my walk for
The Scott Carter Foundation http://www.scottcarterfoundation.org/#!donate/ctzx
The Tyler Robinson Foundation http://www.trf.org/donate/
and The Spondylitis Association of America http://www.spondylitis.org/support/
Please mention me when donating to any of the above organizations.
Please bear with me as I learn the new things required. Peace It's all good. SantaHans
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