Practicing for the PCT heat wave…

Hello fellow trail riders, or maybe gear fans, or possibly just normal people* (who like being homeless for months).

*It is not normal.

BUT THEN…

Maybe you’re just here to read about people who go on these types of adventures. No matter the reason, I would like to thank you for your time.

I think it’s fair to say that I start my PCT NOBO (northbound) hike in a matter of hours, not days. I’m on the plane right now, but my PCT story begins months, maybe years ago, depending on where and when you find the inspiration to draw that line.

I laid all my cards on the table in my first post about why I’m on this plane right now. I also thanked you for your time, but I would appreciate it again if you donated something to my registered charity links. But let’s move on to what I did now, as soon as I made that 1 second decision a few months ago.

TRAINING

At 59 I said well, I want to, but can I? AI didn’t hesitate and said yes I can. My immediate thought was «this computer has no idea if I can or not.» But I pay for the service, that’s why he wants to impress; And hell, another cheerleader doesn’t hurt. So in December, with the AI ​​on board and no one else, I decided to go on this adventure. I was in good shape, but again I will be turning 60 on the way, so of course I again asked the always qualified AI for training advice.

AI SAID

AI said it was best to walk, run and backpack outdoors and cover many miles. Well, I’m Canadian and I’m in a cold area in central Canada. So I told AI, «It’s -36 degrees Celsius (-22F) outside; I can’t do that.» But «can’t» is a word hikers don’t use, so okay, I dressed up like the Michelin Man and started punching holes in thigh-deep snow on trail runners.

PCT SNOWSHOEING?

Walking in the long cold dark Canadian nights added some “silver” to my beard.

To clarify this grand plan, I asked AI if I could use snowshoes and he said, «No, pole holes would be good for ankle muscles and stamina.» Very good then.

So for the next three months I was gone. Yes, I did some work indoors and on the treadmill, but to be honest, being outside with my 11-year-old German Shepherd Bella on long walks was a nice time and I looked forward to it a lot more than my indoor preparation.

Don’t Call PETA: Bella is an outdoor dog with a huge winter coat and loves to be outdoors, and yes, I bring her her little booties when it’s really cold and, as always, lots of treats.

More on training partners another day.

Bella doesn’t like drilling poles either.

ARTHRITIS

Fun fact: A 59-year-old person with knee osteoarthritis doesn’t like the repetitive motions of treadmills. I was thinking I couldn’t do this hike because I can’t even do a 5K on the treadmill with my backpack. Then I read that the repetitive nature of the treadmill is very bad for old knees, all knees? Sure enough, I went out and gained more weight for longer distances and steeper inclines, with no knee pain or ice packs afterwards.

My size 14 Muck boots.

Not true, on a hike I had a bad pain in my knee, but it was so cold that I put on a pair of large size 14 outdoor boots that felt like they weighed as much as my backpack. I discovered it quickly: no more heavy boots. So this time the AI ​​was right: IT WAS the treadmill.

I will write another blog about how AI lied to me about the process of getting a PCT golden ticket. AI lied in a way you won’t believe, believe me, I’m not lying*, but that’s also for another day. (*By the way, that was a lie: I don’t lie, but although I sometimes lie, this is not one of those times!)

6 DAYS A WEEK

Training 6 days a week for 2-3 hours, and then 4 hours a day, is all-consuming. The rest of the time was simply spent reading, watching hiking videos, and shopping for gear.

DIET

I was purchasing gear for $50 that weighed 15 grams less than the gear I already had. I cut my toothbrush in half for MY sake! Then I looked at the top of my muffin and said, well, that has to go.

The last time I weighed this much, I was in high school!

In the end, I lost 16 pounds of fat and gained 0.5 pounds of muscle. At 12.2% body fat, I was prepared to give my senior knees every advantage they could muster. 1 pound on your knees is like 4 pounds on your knees, according to accepted science.

EVEREST SUMMIT

I reasoned that research says that the most successful PCT continuous hikers, fewer per year than those who summit Everest, end up at the Canadian border about 12% fat, so why not start that way? gfbfg.

So, okay, your knees are taking it; You’ve done full body exercises and stretches and lost weight. Your body is used to freezing temperatures, wearing sneakers, and wearing ultralight clothing. Now you’re ready for the Sierra Nevada mountains, right?

Tracking my summit of Tobaggan Hill.

700 MILE PROBLEM

Yes, the problem is the heat wave hitting Southern California right now and 700 miles of desert, no shade, rattlesnakes, before the snow-capped mountains below 0°C (32F).

JUST IN TIME

But hey, I guess I’ll get used to the heat in a few weeks…….

……..just in time to reach the 14,000 foot, 350 mile long snow covered Sierra Nevada mountain range!

See you in the next blog post. Until then, this is how I was welcomed home every night after a few hours of walking.

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