Back To The PCT

I am going back. I write this to you from the non-reclining seat of a Frontier jet bound for Reno, Nevada. Dealer and Seven (my hiking friends from 2023) have offered to let me spend the night at their home in Reno. They are on the trail, too, but they gave me the key to their house (what wonderful people, right?). From Reno I will take two buses to Chester, California where I will spend the night before hitching to the trail nearby. 

Two years ago, when I finished hiking the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), I asked my hiking friends to write about their experiences. You can still read those posts below. It seems that I had promised you a final post summarizing my experiences on the Pacific Crest Trail over the three years that it took me to finish. 

Welp, I never did that. I wanted to, but I couldn’t. Even now I find it difficult to put into words my feelings about the trail. It became something pivotal in my life and difficult to explain in words that conveyed my feelings. It was monumental. Difficult and rewarding. I made some good friends. (Dealer and I still exchange daily Wordles.) I saw some things that I will never forget. I had some difficult moments. I still think about the trail every day. I think about it as I fall asleep each night. 

Goals

I have two goals this year. First, I want to have a good time. The section of trail I have chosen to hike runs through the Sierra Nevada mountains. Crossing those high mountain passes above the tree line is a rare treat and I want to experience that again. My second goal is to summit Mountain Whitney – the tallest mountain in the contiguous US. I have left the trail twice just before reaching Whitney. I was tired and wanted to go home. But the lure of Whitney is calling me back.

To fully enjoy Whitney, I want to have my trail legs under me before I go up. I figure I should be pretty strong after 600 miles of hiking, so that explains the long run-up. Luckily, those 600 miles are through some breathtaking areas. A nice bonus.

Blogging

My friends at home are hoping that I continue these blog posts so that they can follow my journey. I like writing. But it occupies a couple hours every night. Most of my time in town is spent uploading posts. It’s a big commitment. Sometimes it feels like a chore. On this hike I would like to write but spend less time focused on the blog. Also my schedule has me spending less time in towns. 

What this means… Shorter posts. Maybe not a post per day. More delays between when I write and when that post appears here. Anyway, we will see how it goes.

Tension

For those of you that followed my blog in 2021, you know that I occasionally get anxious. 3000 miles of hiking experience helps with that. But I still have my moments. Hiking with other people is perhaps the best elixir. I will be hiking by myself this time. At least, I am starting solo. My good friend Double D (Keith) was not able to make it this year. I think I am going to be OK  though. I have given my evil alter ego a name – Devid (Devil + David). He pops up quite often on my hikes. But as you know, the devil is a liar above all, and so is Devid. I got his number the next time he tries to get into my head with his fearful and negative language. Anyway, I am looking forward to the mental challenge (Ha, Doolittle, who is a liar now?). 

Equipment

I am using a combination of the equipment and clothes I have used in the past. My base weight is close to 12 lbs – 14 lbs with the bear-proof food can. I will carry a bigger bear can in the Sierras and maybe a stove this time so my base weight will increase. I really enjoyed hot meals with Bob on those cold alpine evenings in 2022. Bob heated water for me then, but now I have my own burner. If you have any specific questions about my equipment just leave a comment and I will respond when I can.

Gratitude

Many people make it possible to do this extravagantly selfish pastime. Thanks to all the folks at St. Matthew’s that are “minding the store” in my absence. Fr. Rob and I are lucky to worship with such great folks. Thanks to all the folks who will help my wife with the issues/chores that I am neglecting. Guilt for leaving her alone is one of Devid’s topics, so I won’t say too much more about that. Thanks to Dealer and Seven for hosting me as I get on the trail. Trail logistics can be complicated and time consuming. They have made this easier and more pleasant. Thanks most of all to my dear wife, Patti. Without her total support, none of this could happen.

I asked Patti after I had been hiking for a few years. “How do you really feel about me going off on these hikes?” She paused and then said slowly as she chose her words carefully “I enjoy your time away at least as much as you do.” OhhhhKayyy. Good answer, I think. Although I was not expecting her to enjoy my absence quite that much. I am glad that she enjoys her alone time, too.

Beginnings

I start hiking on Tuesday, August 5. In four days, I will reach my first town, Quincy. I am not planning to get a room. Four days later, I reach Sierra City. Three days later I reach Truckee and then 4 days later I reach South Lake Tahoe. I will get a room in SLT and maybe one in Sierra City. That means that blog posts may not appear until then. Sorry. I will do what I can, but I am not gonna be stressed by posting this time around (as I mentioned above).

But I will be thinking about you, and praying for you too. Until you hear from me again, take care.

Doolittle