FREQUENTLY QUESTIONS: The walk

Hey, all of you! I’m back.

After spending the last month more or less relaxing and installed in my new life (that is, throughout the country and starting a doctorate), I decided that it is time to expel another update. While walking, I noticed that many people were asking the same questions about my walk, so this is a publication of frequent questions that will luck will offer some clarification, and give me the opportunity to share some of my favorite photos of the trip.

How long have you wanted to do the PCT?

In 2022, I walked the path John Muir, which is a 211 mile walk that is more or less concurrent with the Sierra Nevada section of the PCT. Interestingly, at the end of my two and a half weeks along the way, I felt I could move on. It was then that I knew I would have to return for the PCT.

What was your base weight?

I care much less this kind of things than many other hikers; In my mind, the point of detaching the weight of the package is to make you feel more comfortable. If you are so worried about cutting the team that bothers you, I think you are missing the point.

With that in mind, I did not weigh my backpack often. I think I started somewhere around 14 pounds and ended up more than 11 after dropping the cold weather equipment and some articles that seemed unnecessary.

What is a Galba?

I’m glad you asked! (No one really did)

We find a dilemma with our path of the path. Most people are familiar with a zero day (one day in which he does not walk) and one day of Nero («near zero», a day in which he walks much less miles than usual). The problem is that «Nero» tends to be inaccurate when describing his day: would you walk in the short miles to the city and spend the night resting? Or did you rest in the morning and did you walk in the afternoon and night? Liz preferred to call the first a «nero» and the second a «reverse-ano». We needed a more precise language to describe the last.

Indy and I, both with a classic title, decided to call it «Galba». Galba, of course, was the Roman emperor who happened briefly, bloody and chaotically to Nero. Therefore, a galba comes after a nero. You take a Galba when you spend the morning in the city and leave the path later in the day. Help this to catch up.

What was your worst time on the path?

I think that the obvious choice is almost to slide at my death at 200 feet by a snow hopper. Check out my publication «Northcal, part 1» to revive that heartbreaking experience. But those ten seconds, as terrifying as they were, were not miserable, simply scary. There is a moment of absolute despair that stands out. Fortunately it didn’t last long, but it made me wonder exactly what I had gotten.

The crossings of the current in the mountains were rough. They were swollen, cold, we often had to cross them in the dark. The morning after Whitney’s top, we arrived at Wright Creek at 3 in the morning. We had several other crosses to do that day, I had reviewed the night before, but somehow I had missed me. A record extended from one bank to another, but was covered with ice. I would have to go through.

At that time, I finally realized the absurdity of a decision that had been to enter the Sierra in early May. We had not seen a dry path in days, the immense forest pass was a few miles ahead, and there were innumerable furious rivers in the country of Godfored between us and the next point of exit. Turning was not better: the best place to fix was ahead. We were deeply behind enemy lines with no choice but to fight.

Things improved, although they worsened first. I could not have known that cold morning, but in reality it would spend that same night in a warm bed. We arrived all the way to Bishop that day in a badly advised marathon impulse.

The favorite food on the road? Snacks?

I am partial to the fuel refueling peak meals (please sponsors!), But it took me to Kennedy Meadows to find its new white chicken chili. He made the perfect food to celebrate Whitney’s top. The chicken coconut curry is also a favorite. On the homemade front, I discovered that the ramen, a chicken package, instant potatoes and some field sauce also made a fairly murderous meal.

As for the sandwiches, I discovered that Krispy rice treats offer an incredible blow to their buck in terms of flavor, calories and weight. Dry mango, Slim Jims and snickers also gave in the nail.

What surprised you the most?

I would say that the path was easier physically and harder than what I expected. Once your body fits daily wear, you can walk practically indefinitely. But sometimes it can be a mental work work. Even if you love walking, you will have difficult days. Some days you wake up and get walk; others, wake up and have walk. The simple and stubborn determination will take you far in those days.

What was your favorite part?

Maybe it’s a cliché to say that the PCT saved the best for the end, but North Washington was incredible. The exuberant forests, the irregular peaks and the combined crystalline lakes for a fantastic shipping. It did not hurt that the clouds would finally begin to cooperate for spectacular lighting and sunsets. If I am classifying the path for photos taken by mile, Washington wins and is not even close.

What are some of the lessons you learned?

On a personal level, I learned how a friendly and gregarious attitude combined with an opening to new ideas and experiences will open many opportunities. The plans and expectations will go out the window at the time he steps on the road; It is better to do that part of fun than to see it as frustration.

In addition, anyone can make a walk! If you are willing to accept the inconvenience, be patient with your body and overcome mental difficulties, you can achieve it. That does not mean that a walk can not derail due to factors out of control (such as injuries). But you don’t need to be some kind of super athlete or even an experienced backpack to try.

How many animals did you find?

I pressed the numbers and here are the totals: 2 bears, 2 coyotes, 1 mountain lion, 3 rattlesnakes, 1 alce, dozens of marmotes, hundreds of deer and millions (perhaps billions) of mosquitoes.

Will you make another walk?

As I was already giving up my work to return to school, this was the perfect window for a walk, well, perhaps not perfect, but the idea is understood. And I knew I was going to try only one of the long American paths in my life, it would be the PCT.

That said, I am open to try another. I have been looking at a quick AT race as something I could achieve during the summer between semesters of the school. If I can do it in three months (or less), it could make it work. We’ll see …

Thanks for reading! Be attentive to get more content related to photos soon.

–Switchbackjack

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