Winter Weather Arrives in San Diego?

First we have no summer. The weather in California was unseasonably cool this past summer. Mostly clouds and marine layer. Then we have summer in December; Think I didn't take advantage of that?  So Anyhow, It appears that we are to have 5 or 6 days of rain all the way up till Christmas eve. So, no day hikes for at least 10 days. I might however be getting to do a few short hikes helping to resupply a water cache in the San Felipe Hills  very soon. This I feel will help to bridge the gap between this last backpacking trip and the next long trip out, either a day hike or an overnight backpack.
~Alphabetsoup

PCT: Noble Canyon TH to Warner Springs

I have returned home after a fantastic 64 mile section hike of the PCT from Noble canyon trail head to Warner Springs (0111.5-second hwy79 crossing) Over the next few days I will be transcribing my trail journals so as to make them into something readable and understandable.. I was cold and tired when I wrote them so they are not so legible.  Check back here in a couple of days for my trip report and a few photos to boot!

--Alphabetsoup

All Packed...

Spent the entire day getting ready. After all this thought that I bought a pack bigger than I needed, I discovered I filled every inch with gear, clothing and food. With everything in the pack, Transportation arranged and me all psyched up..It's off to the wilderness tomorrow about midday. I hope I have done this all correctly, and not mis judged anything. I guess I will find out soon enough!

A weekend excursion

This coming weekend is to be my first multiple day hiking trip. I will be hiking from Mt.Laguna to Warner Springs Via the PCT sections A8 thru A14.  So far I have not overnight backpacked at all, just day hikes. "It is time I learn to dance in the rain, rather than wait for the sun " A quote I received in a fortune cookie the other day...It is somehow very appropriate for this time in my life. I shall return sunday night, maybe monday morning..it depends on how tired I am when I get to Warner Springs. I might sleep in WS and come home the following day.

See ya when I get back!

Kitchen Creek Falls

Kitchen Creek, which comes down out of the Laguna Mountains. Robin and I went on a day hike to this area last wednesday. It was a fun time. We had lunch on a slab of granite overlooking the small but beautiful water falls which are prolific on this particular creek as it winds it's way down to lake morena in the south.

I should like to let anyone who is following that I have started my Trail Journal on http://www.Postholer.com/alphabetsoup There you can find a very detailed gear list with all the weight and cost information. I was going to discontinue this blog, but I decided to keep using it for all of my outings that are local. Postholer will be my PCT trail journal while I'm on the trip.

Boulder Oaks

Out for a second day in row. I have this habit of hiking the same trail several times before moving on to a new one, especially if i think there may be some things that I missed on the last outing. Sure enough, I ran across a rock that looked suspiciously like a buffalo..Unfortunately, my camera lens was fogged up from being in my pocket and the pic did not come out. This means I have to go there again, just to take a picture of it..poor me..:) So let me fill you in on this weekends location. Interstate 8 east out of San Diego to Buckman Springs Road then take a left on Old Hwy 80. About a mile up, on the right is Boulder Oaks Campground. From this point, there is access to the Pacific Crest Trail, as it runs right through the campground. Two weeks ago, I hiked to boulder oaks from kitchen creek road, this weekend I went south towards Lake Morena county park. If it were not for the weather being so cold lately, I might have made it to the lake, but it was just too cold with my sweat and the wind..No worries, it's supposed to get warm here again next week...near 70 I think.

It's been nearly 10 days since my last post, The only real updates I have at the moment are going to be on the gear page. I did go out today for a 3 mile section of section A3 of section A.. I could tell I had not been out in more than a week....trail legs don't last long if unused...lol  I have to get back to hiking two or three days a week again...I cannot recall if I posted this or not, but my goal this fall is to hike all of section A and section B prior to ADZPCTKO (annual day zero PCT kick off) This will allow me to start in may with a head start, instead of a mid to late april start. it will be a little warmer this way.

Off to the gear page for some updates!

A trail moment

Caught serendipitously by Robin, my day hiking partner's camera...  For those of you who have hiked the Laguna Mountains, you probably recognize this vista...It is the Anza-Borrego Desert some 5700 Feet below!. In the distance, under the smog is the Salton Sea. We were on our way to Garnet Peak..Robin had never hiked this area. He had a good time, and his camera was good at catching me in some awkward moments throughout the day!

Since my last post, I have went out on three occasions to do some day hiking in the Pine Creek Wilderness, and the Hauser Wilderness areas of the Cleveland National Forest. The first of the three outings was a short one, as I have been having feet and ankle issues. I went to the Japatul Fire Station road to the southern end of the Pine creek wilderness trail head parking. from there, I descended 1800 feet to Pine Creek, where I discovered a riparian habitat full of life! Having forgotten to get a map of this wilderness area, I lost the trail much to my dismay... so i turned back. Feet were aching anyway...

Second of the three this past week was to section A4 of section A of the PCT. sorry if it sounds like government acronyms, cause it is..lol  Anyway, I parked on Kitchen Creek Road, where the PCT crosses it and headed south towards Boulder Oaks Camp Ground 4 mile's hike away. A very pleasant hike indeed. although there were a lot of people out this day. Got to the campground and had a snack, drank a little water and headed back to the car, 4 miles hike north and all up hill! luckily, I'm in fantastic shape now, and didn't hardly notice the grade..

Sunday's hike was to the north end of the Pine Creek Wilderness, at the base of Stonewall Peak in Pine Valley. I took the Secret Canyon trail a couple of miles in the Pine Valley Bridge. Along the way I ran into a fellow hunting turkey, sporting a 12 gauge shot gun. Boy was he cute! Anyway, this was really a fun hike, going back there tomorrow to do a few more miles of it with my newfound friend Robin.

A little about my feet problems...I mentioned it to my doctor, he ordered x-ray images and referred me for arch support inserts for my shoes. He did mention that my shoes looked a little (ok a lot) suspect, so this afternoon I purchased a new pair of light hikers. I do have to say that they feel better on my feet than previously worn shoes. I guess I can't be cheap when it comes to footwear anymore...X-ray's came back normal. obviously I knew that would be the case, as soft tissue doesn't show up on that type of imaging. Tendon issues,  I'm fairly certain...Maybe the new shoes will help.

Palm Canyon

A very unique experience. During a weekend trip to Palm Springs, I visited Indian Canyons, and the famous Palm Canyon. A true oasis in the desert. Big, beautiful majestic palm trees, lush riparian habitat, cool breezes all surrounding a flowing creek, whilst only minutes away, the air is hot, its dusty and dry. If your ever in the Palm Springs, CA are, this is a must see! there are many miles of hiking trails in this preserve, so come prepared for a unique experience with lots of water and sunscreen.

Why I do what I do...

I wish I could answer that Question in a short, simple way, but there is no one reason. I decided to take the time to ponder this question after reading a "why we do what we do" post on the PCT-L. Days like today make me wonder what drives me, as my feet hurt today, they did some yesterday as well. I still went out to the mountains to hike, albeit a short one,but a hike none-the-less. Now my poor feet ache! maybe the doc can help me out on Tuesday when I see him. So back to the topic at hand. I have always been a lover of the outdoors, as long as I can remember. I have always been a drifter at heart as well. My family and friends can confirm that, and usually remind me of that trait when they ask.."What city are you in now, or what state?" I find it difficult to sit still very long, or stay planted in one place permanently. I spent a year travelling around most of the States, now it's the back country that calls my name! I seem hell bent on doing this hike, regardless of obstacle's.damn feet..oh and knees too...but who cares. I'll make it one way or another. I dream of a simpler life, one much like the life portrayed on " Bonanza" (the TV show). I own very few material possessions. heres a quick inventory of my life:
One 2004 Toyota RAV4, One solid teak futon with memory foam mattress, one dilapidated old computer that I got from my sister, clothes, all the little but necessary things to live a clean, healthy life. In short, I could easily get it all in and/or on my little SUV and take it where ever I want to go, whenever I want to go. I have no more than I need, and want no more than I have. Just what I need for survival, and a few very carefully chosen items for my comfort. Love those sateen sheets and smart wool socks! It's the little things!

I suppose I shouldn't forget about my hiking gear...The truly simple life exists within the zippers of my backpack, powered by my own legs, burning only natural fuel, and leaving no trace that I was ever in the wilderness.

100 Degrees in Downtown San Diego today! Can you believe it?

That hard ground...

After many years of sleeping on Memory Foam, all I have to say is this...The ground is a very hard thing to sleep on! My therm-a-rest foam pad works fantastic as a sit pad...and I suppose once I got to sleep it was not so bad, it did keep me warm. However, it was the getting comfy long enough to get to sleep that was not so easy to do, and I am still sore after that night. So it's off to REI again to buy an inflatable therm-a-rest that weighs very little, but will offer much better comfort. Yes, I said comfort!  So about the desert trip..I'm not so big on camping with all those noisy ATV's and those desert racers running up and down blow sand hill all night...It was enjoyable though, the company was good, and I did manage to overcome a fear that I have harbored for many many years toward ATV's. I actually rode one, through berms and dips and even caught some air!!

Perfect day for a hike...

Took myself out to Cuyamaca Rancho State Park today in search of some excitement, and I found it on the Harvey Moore Trail. What a truly fantastic hike this was...from conifer to oaks, to meadows and dense chapparrel, harper creek crossings even though it was standing water only...Elevations ranging from 4000ft to over 5000ft, and back down again. This area was severely damaged by the CEDAR fire in 2003, but is recovering very nicely..At 4 miles in, I came across granite springs trail camp complete with a well and hand operated pump. This is a destination I intend to revisit later this fall for an overnight hiking trip that will take me over about 30 miles of the parks trails.. I did the Harvey Moore trail from sweetwater parking to the dyer spring trail at the northern end.(dyer spring also connects at the 1.6 mile marker) to connect with the east side trail and back to the parking area. 10-12 miles +/- ...

Standing on the edge...

the desert trip is postponed until next weekend due to inclement weather! Lately we have seen seattle like conditions down here, with this low pressure system that doesn't seem to want to clear out...

This afternoon, I decided to take a drive out  hwy 94. I had heard from a lot of people that it is a really fun drive, and indeed it is! So while out there it only made since to stop and see the Southern terminus of the PCT...and here it is...Hard to describe what I felt at the moment I laid eyes on it and touched it....When I look at this, I see me right now...and wonder how might I be different once I get to touch the northern terminus? Just have to wait and see!

Going to the desert Saturday...

 with some long time friends, gonna give me a good opportunity to use my new camping gear! yeah!  Bought a hammock today, hopefully there will be a place to hang it up at the campground....I've  been told there is, but we shall see!

Oh that nasty marine layer...

Such a yucky day, heavy drizzle, not a drop of sunshine...Makes the body feel stiff, and sore..never mind yesterdays walk in the mountains....However this nasty weather has afforded me the opportunity to do a lot of work on this blog...I can be a very indecisive person, gotta be just so..(one of the many little nuances I want to work on while on this adventure). I also took a drive to REI and got myself a sleeping pad...(see the Gear Page for updates on that subject)..

Cibbets Flat to Horse Meadow

Another trip to Cibbets Flat..I decided that it being saturday, Laguna would be too crowded.  Did 17 miles this time around...those hiking socks really made a difference...It is my belief that on a mostly flat stretch of trail, I could easily do 20 now..everything I have been doing is up hill, then down and back up again, some elevation gains as much as 1400 feet.. Todays hike consisted of 8.5 miles up..up..up.. then 8.5 back plus the 1/2 mile back to Cibbets Flat campground, where I promptly re-hydrated a meal and drank an insane amount of water...then came the 50 mile drive home...soo very tired now...think I will go watch TV and pass out.

Why can't I sleep...?

From the day I first read about the Pacific Crest Trail, I have yet to spend any part of my days (or nights) not thinking about this trail. I think about how it is going to impact my life, how it is going to change my outlook on the world, and my perspective on people.

What I have only just realized is that it (the PCT) has already changed my life and I have not even seen monument 1 yet! I spend as much time as I can find in my days to gather information, test gear, read reviews..etc..etc.. What I am trying to say is that even after I turn off the computer, come home from a day on the trail, eat and relax. I still cannot get the PCT out of my mind...It keeps me awake, sometimes for several hours into the wee hours of the morning.

If I were to tell you that there was ever another event, place, or theme that embraced my thoughts as the PCT has, I would be lying., Truth is, I cannot wait until April to set out on this adventure! twice a week, I go out to the mountains to hike. sometimes for 5 miles, other times 16 miles, or something in between. and even though I come off the trail exhausted, legs feeling like jello, feet aching, I come off the trail with a huge sense of personal accomplishment, as I never thought I would ever do anything remotely close to this in my life.

It may seem odd to you, the reader that anyone would want to put a 30lb (or more) pack on their back and walk 2600 miles. It feels insane to me, but I crave this experience...

Sore muscles? what muscles...there mush...lol

So my regular tuesday outing to the NF took me to Cibbets Flat, 4 miles north of I-8 on Kitchen Creek Road, which is a few miles further east of  Sunrise Highway (S1), on the east side of the laguna mountains. not having any maps of this area, I recalled in my mind the approximate locale of the PCT from the campgrounds. I also recalled that it was about 7.5 miles from there to the southern borders of Laguna Mountain recreation area. My initial thoughts were that I would hike north towards Laguna for an approximate mileage of 5 miles, based on a pace of about 2.5 miles per  hour. Somehow I think I am in much better physical shape than previously thought... I ended up at horse meadow..8 miles up..which meant 8 miles back down. It was a tremendous shot in the arm for my ego! I figured this out later that same evening with some studying of my maps. I originally thought I did 10 miles total... Getting up to 20 miles a day is suddenly not so distant a goal! I forsee this happening long before departing for Canada!

Ok, I was at REI last night...(yeah I know..there a lot these days...) where I purchased myself a pair of hiking socks! best decision yet!!! then, I found a Alps Mountaineering 20 degree mummy bag onsale for 65.00..Got it! warm too!! All in all, a good addition to the gear collection.!

Growing up in pain

As much as I hate to admit this, I now believe that all of the problems with my body have mostly been created in my mind. With that said...

9 miles of trail and baggin' a peak tells me that there is very little my body isn't capable of handling. I realized today that the ever present knee problem is mostly muscle and tendon issues that I may be able to completely resolve with the right exercise program. Thats on my agenda next month when I see the doc for my quarterly check up. So doing this trip with known health problems should be a good test of my resolve, as well as a good test to see how my immune system responds to the daily routine of walking for 20 miles every day! I'm optimistic about the latter...hoping that it aids my body in the fight against the HIV virus.

what I didn't know about my pack...

The following is in response to a post I submitted to the PCT-L e-mail forum  that I subscribe to..

The original Lowe Expedition pack that I believe you have is a classic - if it is made from heavy Cordura and is colored blue. Soon after its introduction, it became very popular with alpine and expedition climbers due to its balance, capacity, and ruggedness. Its trend setting internal frame with integrated belt/harness design makes it worthy of adding to the Smithsonian permanent display, alongside the earlier Kelty frame pack. 

I used my pack on expeditions to a few continents, have since retired, and I gave the pack to my son. I'll ask him on Sunday whatever happened to that pack.

See ya,

==^=== Campy

PCTA Trail Project Database Manager

http://www.trailprojects.com click on PCT

Time spent doing trail work shall not be deducted from your life!

===^==

Now back to some insight into freeze dried foods...


I bought a hiker meal at REI couple of days ago, and decided to try it, It was really very good..I think I'm gonna make some and buy some just to keep things interesting... So ideas are up for grabs on dehydrated meals...

Discovery

Oh boy..40 lbs on my back...I weighed it, dead on 40lbs. I hiked a section of the PCT that I knew would challenge me with that pack on...and indeed it did. I was only able, (only because the sun was going down) to get in about 5 miles. But, I learned a valuable lesson today...Ultra-Light Backpacking is the only way to go! So I will continue to train with my pack full, but I think I will take some of the weight out and work with about 30 lbs instead....this seems to be a more feasible option, as I think 40 lbs is more than I really want to carry.. plus, I would like to be able do some serious backpacking trips over the next few weeks, so lighter pack, longer hike, less fatigue!

Rainy days...

Bored to tears these past couple of days...can't get out in the mountains because of the rain..well, I mean I could but I don't yet have any rain gear, or water proof boots and gaiters to perform such activities safely... Last thing I need is to get sick with pneumonia or slip and fall down a mountain side....

So I told my friend Leslie who works at Baby Cakes about the Lowe Alpine Expedition Pack I purchased yesterday, and she tells me I made a good buy with that...I felt like I did, but it is always nice when someone else validates it..

Another piece of the puzzle...

I got lucky today, found a seriously good backpack for 40 bucks on craigslist...Will see if it is going to be a good pack for the long trek over the next few months... So far so good....I loaded it up with about 20 pounds, maybe more and put it on,..It rests nicely on the hips, no strain on the neck or shoulders..went up and down the stairs for 10 minutes with it, seems to be a good buy..Now I just need that tent to get here, buy some stuff sacks and a little food then head off for a weekender!

and what about food?

A mans gotta eat! and a hiker can eat anything in sight after several hours of hiking through the back country...I have thought extensively about this topic, because it is likely the most daunting task that I have to tackle...I have to prepare ahead of time for up to 6 months of meals, 2 actual meals per day and lots of energy snacks in between to keep those legs moving and the mind occupied for 18 to 30 miles a day...I think about all that food I need to start dehydrating and bagging, and how much I am gonna end up with over the next 6 months and it almost scares me...

So perhaps a "hybrid" approach would be a better way to go... There is a great selection of freeze dried hiker meals that are reasonably priced..I think if I mix it up a bit, buy about half of my meals  ready made and make the rest from recipes. A book called "the well fed hiker" has been recommended to me, so I shall go and purchase it later this month...This approach could make the task of planning a menu and making it much easier and less stressful!

I think it is bed time! 2320 hrs. If I'm not careful, it will be 3 am  lol  Goodnight!

Decisions..decisions...

It appears that Max is completely infected with the PCT bug...much like I am..Only he's having trouble deciding if he can leave behind his southern California lifestyle to live the TRAIL life!

So the weekend of the 15th, we are going out to do some day hikes, make sure his legs are up to the task...then we'll be out, possibly, the following weekend for an overnighter...Today I bought my second piece of gear, a Jet boil Flash Personal Cooking System...What a remarkable set up! boils water At near sea-level in under 2 minutes..Yeah, I tested it out already  LoL..

Tonight I decided to buy myself a tent for local hikes from walmart.com for 25.00..It would never do for the thru-hike, but it will allow me to train with more gear, sooner than I can afford to purchase the tent I want, which runs about 260.00.

So heres the current gear list:
One set of LEKI Trekking Poles, used from REI for 25.00 (retail new for 139.00)
One Jet Boil Personal Cooking System from REI:  99.00
Coffee Press kit for Jet Boil from REI: 19.99
One (temporary) Solo Hiking Tent from Walmart.com: 24.99

And Likely tomorrow I will be purchasing a Kelty 4750  (78L) back pack that is in the sale bin at REI for 116.00. Should have gotten that today...but hey I didn't know where I was financially. with a little "trimming of the fat", I should be able to buy it and still do what I want all month long!

Hiking and how it changed my life

I started walking to get in shape, that soon bored me to near death, so I upped the ante and went down the canyon trails in Balboa Park. Before I knew it, Bored! What to do? well, one day I decided to go to Cuyamaca State Park about 45 minutes east of San Diego off of I-8. Before I did this, I went and purchased myself a pair of hiking boots, bought a backpack, loaded it up with water, snacks and some basic first aid. I found my way to the ranger station, where I purchased a map. out at my car, I laid it on the hood and studied it, decided on a trail and went for it. Before I knew what happened, I was negotiating switch-backs for what seemed an eternity..probably something like 1/2 mile or so of very steep climbing.. As I near the top of the trail, it begins to level off, and I think wow! I'm almost to the top of Oakzanita Peak, and I feel Fantastic!!! The views were spectacular and that feeling of accomplishment was bringing a smile to my face! Had I never stopped smoking I honestly do not believe this feat would have been possible. 6 Miles round trip for this one..


Coming down the mountain was more thrilling than going up, and I was already planning to come back and do it again! So a few days later, following recovery from Oakzanita peak, I ventured once more to Cuyamaca for a longer and equally fulfilling hike..Little did I know I was hooked on this new hobby, and I came to realize that during this hike! I increased my mileage by 4 trail miles to about a ten mile hike this time, and I felt as though I had flew to the moon! I mean my whole life I sit in a car and let it take me where I need to go...I have been a slave to lazy ways..Now I Hike to feel what true freedom feels like, to see the beauty that is all around me, without distractions, and without limitations.




Twice more since cuyamaca, only this time up to Laguna Mountain Recreation Area in the Cleveland National Forest. I never believed in all my life that I would have hiked 14 Miles in under 6 hours with a pack on my back weighing no less than 15 pounds.  It was at this point I knew...


The Pacific Crest Trail calls to me, in my sleep, during every waking hour. I have made the decision to Thru-Hike the longest trail in the US. I really have no other choice in the matter...If I don't, then I will forever regret not doing it!


Am I crazy..maybe a little...This is after all a 6 month event, I will be living in trail camps and forest campgrounds every night for 180 days, eating dehydrated meals, filtering and treating drinking water, wearing the same clothes every day and not having a bath for days at a time. Yuck...but hey, bathing daily is only about 100 years new, I can regress for this..It's worth it. I suppose the only thing I will really miss on this adventure, My bed. No really..


I have waited my entire life to have just such an opportunity present itself, I have worked tirelessly these past 9 months to get myself in shape, to get my health in order and to finally feel good about myself. Done! Then the PCT shows up into my life, and I realize that all the work I have been doing to improve myself is for the day I set out to walk to Canada from Campo