Hiking 26

I just saw this website called Hiking 26, and I had to blog about it. I have not done much research on this hiker named Ron Ulrich, but what I know is this: he will hike the Pacific Crest Trail (2600-miles) in 26 weeks, and will wear 26 wedding dresses for the duration of his hike. Yep, that's about one wedding dress per week.

I love this project! Here's why: his endeavor takes all the pretension out the current über hiker-than-thou thing going on in the long distance hiking community. We have so many people attempting speed records every year, using the trail as a platform to raise money for a cause, or showing off the latest ultralight contraptions or techniques. Ron Ulrich's Hiking 26 project is a fresh take on hiking the trail. It is a bit art, a bit challenge, and a slap in the face to everyone that takes their long distance adventure way too seriously. Is this project shameless self promotion? Yes it is. So what? So are all the other hikes that are documented on Trail Journals or Postholer. And people announcing their speed record attempts? It's huge self promotion.

I say, "Go Ron! Go! Have a great hike, and may all your wedding dresses whisk you gently to Canada!

Picture From Sky Camp

Back in July of 2010, my hard drive crashed on my computer, and I lost a lot of information.  What an idiot I was for never backing up information (lesson learned!).  I had some pictures on an external hard drive that survived, and they are my only photos remaining from the 2007-2010 era of my life.

I dug out a few pictures of a sunset and sunrise at Sky Camp at Point Reyes National Seashore in California.  I love the place, and I have hiked and backpacked there whenever the opportunity arises.  Anyway, I thought I'd share some pictures from a trip in 2007.   It was the first time I had ever camped at Sky Camp, and I was floored by the views.  Enjoy the pics!

Sunset and Waxing Moon with View Out to Pacific Ocean

Sunrise on Dead Tree with Pacific in Background

Sil-Tarp Sunrise at Sky Camp

Gear Review: La Sportiva Wildcat Mountain Running Shoe

La Sportiva Wildcat Shoe

I walked into the Nantahala Outdoor Center’s (NOC) Outfitter on March 16th just after closing time.  My 2007 Montrail Hardrocks were falling apart after a mere 70-miles of hiking on the Appalachian Trail, and I needed another pair of shoes to continue hiking north.  The salesman, a previous Appalachian thru-hiker named Alpine, told me that he’d take care of me.  Thank God.

My hiking partner, Found (PCT ‘06, CDT ‘10) had a pair of green La Sportiva Wildcat mountain running shoes, which he highly recommended, saying that they are now the new standard for long-distance backpacking.  I noticed that Alpine also had a yellow pair.  The gear shop sold a red-colored pair of Wildcats for $99, so I asked to try them on.

  

I tried on my usual size 9, which Alpine thought was a half size too small for my foot - I agreed.  Then I tried on a shoe a half size larger, which allowed for more room in the toe box. After ambling up and down a small, portable ramp, I felt that I found the right fit, and bought them.  I thanked Alpine for staying 15-minutes after closing time, and walked out with my new pair of shoes.

The Wildcats were super comfortable.  Unlike the rigid Hardrocks, which have a rock plate in the sole, the Wildcat’s Frixion soles had give to them, and felt gummy.  My feet liked this feeling.

Out on the trail, the soles gripped the AT’s tread of angled rocks and wood steps.  I felt confident with each step, and rarely did I ever slip on these surfaces, even when it was wet outside.  Muddy conditions were the “achilles heel” of this shoe, as I slipped and slid on ascents and descents.  However, I  think mud on the AT would cause most trail running shoes to do the same thing.

650-Miles of Wear on these Shoes!

I also found the Wildcats to be very breathable.  For the uppers, the shoe uses a lightweight mesh and thin inner liner, and in wet conditions, the shoe drained well, and dried out quickly.  I hiked a 350-mile stretch through the driest parts of the Pacific Crest Trail, and my feet never felt stifled by heat in the Wildcats.  They were perfect for the PCT!

I liked the lace harness on the Wildcats.  The shoes I purchased were roomy for my feet, but I felt that my feet were locked down in place due to the lacing.  Finally, I don’t know what La Sportiva did with the laces, but they never came undone on me on the trail.

Mesh Tearing from Sole

Alpine told me that I’d get about 450-miles out of the Wildcats, and he was right.  After hiking from Walker Pass to Highway 58 on the PCT in California, I noticed that the mesh was starting to tear apart from the sole on the right foot.  Then after hiking another 50-miles into the Antelope Valley, the mesh and inner lining on the Wildcats continued to tear away.   However, the soles had so much life to them that I continued to hike in them, and I added another 200-miles to Alpine’s 450-mile prediction.

I highly recommend La Sportiva’s Wildcats for long-distance backpacking, especially if one is going ultralight.  The soles are grippy and durable, the uppers are breathable, and the shoe is designed for the comfort of feet.  Even though they started to wear out after 450-miles, one can get extra miles out of them.  I believe in these shoes so much that I’ve already purchased another pair of Wildcats.  This time they are green!

* Here's a little article that was posted on September 18th, 2012 about the Wildcats being a hit among PCT thru-hikers. 

Uncovering the Story of a Helicopter Rescue

Back on May 11th, the Riverside Mountain Rescue Unit airlifted a Pacific Crest Trail hiker near Snow Creek in southern California. The following video shows the rescue:

After watching the video, I could not figure what was wrong with the hiker. She was not unconscious, nor did she have broken leg. She looked fine! I did a little research, and I found a detailed report for the rescue, but the hiker's ailment was never listed. I was puzzled, and wondered if this rescue was actually necessary.

Then I found another video on YouTube that was related to this helicopter rescue. In fact, I recognized the hiker (Annie) telling the story using finger puppets, so I had to check it out:

Well, I guess that answers my question about why the hiker was rescued. I guess that's a legitimate reason, eh?

Props to the Riverside Mountain Rescue Unit for doing what they do. Keep up the good work!

I Will Complete the PCT in 2011!

38-miles to go. That’s all I have to hike to complete my 2003 Pacific Crest Trail hike and the Triple Crown. I embark on that 38-mile adventure today to finish these two milestones. Thank God. For eight years, these last 38-miles have been a haunting reminder that I am not done with the trail. Every year I attend Annual Day Zero Pacific Crest Trail Kickoff (ADZPCTKO), I see pictures of smiling hikers at Monument 78 at the Washington-Canadian border, and feel frustrated. I’ve not been there yet.

Conditions at Devil's Park in 2003

In 2003, my hike on the PCT was re-routed through the Devil’s Park area of the Wenatchee Wilderness, since the trail was closed from Rainy Pass to Hart’s pass. The only map I had of the area was the free, colorful North Cascades National Park map I got in Stehekin, WA, and it was useless in snowy conditions with limited visibility. I had also made a commitment to be in Seattle, and I had no time to kill a day waiting for the weather to clear, so I bailed on my thru-hike attempt.

I am resuming the hike where I left off: at the Devil’s Dome Loop trailhead. Yes, I am continuing on the re-route from 2003, as I will hike up the Devil’s Dome Loop to Devil’s Pass. From there, I will head east through Deception Pass, and reconnect with the PCT at Holman Pass, where I will make the run toward the border. After I get to the border, I will turn around, and hike south on the PCT all the way to Stehekin, where I will catch the ferry to Chelan. From there, I head to Wenatchee, WA to receive my Triple Crown award at the ALDHA-West Gathering.

The time has come for me to complete this hike, and I will complete it. I have a very detailed Trails Illustrated map (on loan from Chigger!) of the area, better equipment, wit and wisdom from hiking the CDT, and a bitchin’ attitude that I am going to get this thing done.

Weather Forecast for the Next 5-Days... Yikes

The weather is looking like crap again. As in 2003, mid-September is looking really “iffy.” Highs will be in the mid 50’s and lows in low 30’s with precipitation forecasted every day. I figure that if the weather gets really bad, then I will head toward Ross Lake, and complete the trail on the north end of that lake. However, that’s a really bad weather scenario, and I certainly hope to avoid that.

I will be checking in from the trail through my Twitter feed, and I hope to write a more detailed account when I get to Wenatchee.  Until then, Happy (and snow-free) Trails!

Three Fuels for Your Alcohol Stove

A friend of mine is heading out to the Wind River Range for a backpacking trip, and he asked me what kind of fuel to get for his alcohol stove, and this was my response to him.

Typical Alcohol Stove

1. Heet - Gas line antifreeze, which is sold in the yellow bottle.  It must be the yellow bottle! If you get the red bottle, you will regret your alcohol stove for the rest of your trip. You can get the yellow bottle it at most automotive stores.  You can actually ship it to yourself in the mail, since it has a low flashpoint.  Yep, you can actually challenge your own postmaster on this point and win!

2. Denatured Alcohol - You can find this at most hardware stores. I know that stores in Southern California have pulled denatured alcohol (or this link) off the shelves, because the unburned vapor is not good for the atmosphere.  Usually denatured alcohol is used as a solvent or a thinner.

3. Everclear - They sell the real stuff in Wyoming (180 proof), and it burns the hottest and cleanest of all three.  My companions on the CDT used it for a stove fuel, and were very impressed with its performance.  Of course they also made CDTinis (CDT + Martinis) out of it, and served night caps for everyone at camp at night.  The problem with Everclear is that it is expensive, but it is ubiquitous, especially in a state like Wyoming.  You'd be the life of the party every night if you packed it out with you, cooked with it, and served your friends drinks at the end of the day.

One more thing about alcohol stoves is be careful when using them.  Please be sure to monitor them at all times, especially in dry areas.  I've heard too many stories on the Pacific Crest Trail, where an alcohol stove got out of hand, and caused a fire.  Enjoy your meals on the trail, or nightcaps if you choose the Everclear!

National Trails Day Work Party

I just spent the weekend with volunteers from the Mt. Hood Chapter of the Pacific Crest Trail Association, where we worked on a section of trail between Rock Creek and Sedum Ridge.  The work was done in conjunction with National Trails Day, promoted by the American Hiking Society.  Below is a video of the work we did, repairing tread, removing slough, and doing some brushing.  The work was strenuous, but a lot of fun.  Enjoy!