3 WEEKS TO GO!!!

So it’s been a couple weeks since my last post and I realize that blog views are directly related to how much you post.  On the trail I have the excuse of not having cell phone service to update the blog. Until then I’ll try to get a few post in that share the preparation process for a 4 month hike.  All sorts of things have happen since my last update.  I’ve been getting new gear and traveling all over the country.  A couple weekends ago we traveled to Austin, TX for a pretty sweet wedding.  It was a great time with friends and family.

My wife has been on my ass nonstop about getting her projects done before I leave.  It’s pretty much consumed every waking moment.  Here is the “almost” finished bathroom.  Last night we purchased the grout and bullnose tiles for baseboards.

She’s trying to get more projects out of me but doesn’t realize I haven’t planned a single day of my hike yet.  I did purchase a plane ticket for the 9^th only to have my buddy tell me he can’t leave until the 10^th. A search and rescue buddy Joe is coming out to hike the first 3 weeks with me.  He hiked the PCT a couple years ago.  He mentioned something about jumping out of Blackhawk helicopters in to Lake Tahoe so I let him slide this time.  I hope Lordsburg has cheap lodging and good beer.  Adding up my flight, bus from Tucson to Lordsburg and the cost of the shuttle to the trail I’ve realized it isn’t going to be cheap.  It’s especially depressing considering I’m going to the middle of nowhere special on the border of Mexico.

One positive thing is that I’ve managed to get some new gear, not quite everything I would like to get but I’m doing pretty good getting what I can afford.  Here is what I’ve managed to scoop up over the last couple of weeks.  Big thanks to my neighbor Susette!

Patagonia M10 Jacket – waterproof and only 8.1 oz!!!
Patagonia Silkweight Merino top
Thermarest NeoAir XLite – not sure how I feel but it appears to be the lightest option at 12 oz
Leki Corklite Hiking Poles – for some reason I like cork, my old poles have seen better days
Yogi’s 2015 Handbook – quite the upgrade but very similar to my 2008 version…
Ley Maps 2015 – now to print them out…
3 2L Platypus bottles – Cascade Designs did me a solid and replaced my old ones under warranty
Timberline H2O filter- the best…

Only a couple things left.
Shoes
New Backpack
Headlamp
and by some miracle… a new tent… not looking too good right now though.
and it’s time to stockpile food that would be cheaper to buy beforehand.

I need to spend some time to get everything organized.  More importantly I want to make sure I don’t forget anything small.  For example, duct tape, nail clippers, mini knife, parachute cord, headphones, sharpie, deet, compass, etc.  That’s what I’m slightly worried about and need to start making a list.

I’ll end on a positive note, I did manage, with 3 weeks left, to start biking to work.  The ride sucks and waking up at 0530 every morning is not ideal.  But it is about 15-20 miles round trip every day that only takes about 30 min to get to work and 35/40 to get home.  Honestly I should have started doing this months ago.

Joshua