My memory being what it is (bad), I can’t say exactly when I decided to do the PCT, but it would have been about this time last year.  I know that I was just sitting at work, minding my own business, and the urge, the thought, the message came to me that I should hike the PCT.  I really do not remember reading anything that would have put the notion into my head in any way, but I suspect I must have.  But it was clear that I had to walk to PCT and I thought I had to do it now, and I was going to do just that.

I decided to see what it was like and my first hike started at Warner Springs.  When doing the complete PCT, Warner Springs is at about the 100 mile mark.  So, I went for a walk one early morning figuring I would walk north on the PCT for half the day and then turn around and come back.  It was a pleasant walk that starts out level, then meanders up and around some small hills and then crosses a gently flowing stream 4 or 5 times before it heads up into the mountains.  Easy enough and after walking half the day, I turned around and started going down the mountain.  It did not take very long before my toes were so sore that I could hardly put any pressure on them.   The size 10.5 shoes that I had worn pretty much my whole life suddenly were very snug and my toes were slamming into the front of the shoe with every step.  About half way down I had to modify as best I could my walk to avoid putting the front part of my foot on the ground.  Should have a video of me trying to descend the mountain trail by walking on my heels.  In that short period of time, perhaps 12 miles, I was already disabled.  That fact did not change the fact that I was doing the PCT right now.  It should have and it would have changed the mind of any rational being, but it did not affect me.  By the time I got back home, three toe nails were already black and so sore that they could not be touched.  Not the greatest beginning but as I was to learn it is not an un-common beginning.  I was lucky (blessed) that my experience was on a test hike and not on the first day of actually walking the PCT, becoming basically disabled after 10 miles and looking at 2650 miles to go!!  This first test was also just with a basic little backpack.

I then decided that my next test would have to be a full blown training hike with complete hiking backpack, tent, pad, etc.  Full blown simulation.  (A description of some of my training hikes in the next post).  Of course, I had NONE of this stuff.  I have never backpacked before.   Time for a visit to REI.   Not my first visit to REI and I have always enjoyed shopping there to get clothes and “stuff” for various birding trips.  However I was exceeding lucky (blessed) on this trip as I hooked up with Gary, a very fit employee about my age who was a backpacker.   I told him I needed some backpacking supplies such as a backpack and tent.  Ok he said, what are you planning to do?  I’m going to hike the PCT.  Ok he said, when?   This year.  Ok he said, have you ever done an backpacking before?  No.  OOOOOOKKKKKKKK he said.   So we went over and he picked out the backpack that he thought would be best for me and for the PCT.  We then went over and he helped pick up a tent and pad that he thought would be best for the PCT.  Then he said, you really think you should hike this year? Yes.  OK, then we went over and helped me pick out some trekking poles and some water proof bags to hold “stuff” in, and talked to me about stoves and food supplies.  Then he said, if you have never done this before, it my personal opinion that it would not be best for you to do the PCT this year.  You need to get some experience first.  The PCT will kick your ass.  I smiled and nodded.  Ok, water bottles, water storage, water purification, emergency equipment, rain gear.  Then he said, I would not feel good about myself if I let you walk out of here without saying again that you should not try to walk the PCT this year.  You need to try it out first on small adventures to get trained up and to make sure you even like it.  Thank you, I said, I will think about it.  Ok he said and on we went, socks, gloves, hats, boots (size 10.5, the same size I have worn my entire life).

I have been back to REI many times in the last year to resupply and to get more “stuff”.  I have never seen Gary again.  I look for him each time because I want and need to thank him and give him a big hug.  Why?  Because Gary spent hours with me that day to get ready and cared about what I was planning to do and cared enough to give me counsel.  Because Gary was right.  I was not physically ready, I was not mentally ready, and I was not spiritually ready at that time to do the PCT.   In the last year a lot has changed for the better and I am now ready.

Thanks Gary!!

P.S.  The 10.5 boots did not help the toe situation at all of course.  It was not the shoe but the size that was the issue.  After reading more about the PCT and the miserable time a lot of people have with feet at the beginning it was clear.  The feet swell when you are walking in heat all day long.  You need to get a boot that is at least 1 size larger.  I now have size 11.5 boots and have had no issues with either blisters or bruised toes.