Hiking – Page 13 – wandering chardonnay

Up then Down then Up……

Past mile 200 today! Left Idyllwild hiked up devils slide and San Jacinto. Spent the night just below the peak. Very cool to wake with a deer outside my tent and above the clouds! I was pretty excited that I would be headed down hill. Little did I know I had to climb up then down then….down for a long time. Matter of fact it took me full day and a morning to get down off that mountain. But with the amazing views off Fuller Ridge it was all worth it! Crossed hwy 10 the windmill farm, whoa super windy!

This morning I arrived at Ziggy and the Bear (trail angels)! They have been hosting hikers for 14 years! So I got my 2nd much needed shower and so much more. I’m learning a lesson about letting go of plans. I’ve been so caught up in my “plan” that I haven’t really stopped to take in the experience. So I am taking a day here and heading to the PCT kickoff.

Ziggy and the Bear’s

Michigan peeps on trail!

Sometimes you go uphill and it’s tough but don’t quit, then you cruise downhill but be careful of rocks that might trip you up! Remember pick a direction, keep moving forward and enjoy the journey!

Happy Trails- chardonnay

I’m on the TRAIL!!!

Hiking, PCT

So I have officially been on the trail for a week. It’s been everything I imagined and so much more. I don’t have a snappy Iphone so updating from the trail just is not gonna be happening. I am currently in Idyllwild.

How’s it been? Let me quickly catch you up. Well I got off to a roaring start I cranked out 20 miles to Lake Moreno, then 21 miles the next day into Mt Laguna. That hiker hunger people talk about has not hit me yet. So I hit a major wall going in to Mt Laguna, I was really dragging finally made it like 8:45 pm it was cold, dark and my mp3 battery died. I ended up stealth camping alone and meeting up with a friend Andrew the next morning because I just couldn’t make it another mile.

The hike to Julian was lovely and hot. For the first time ever I hitchhiked, it took me a bit to get a ride into town. Oh and no I did not have the pie. Man what is with people and the Julian pie. I did stop by the local grocery and picked up some cheese! Next time you are in Julian try the cheese, it’s tasty. I was trying to hitch out of Julian back to the trail when a sheriff pulled up. (doah, I thought he was going to tell me not hitching) But nope! Instead he gave me a ride! Woohoo!

Got a little trail magic on my way to Warner Springs. Rolled into the campsite and there was this girl ‘Veggie’ just making up chocolate pancakes and handing out beers! Amazing how the littlest things are so great out here. I about danced a jig when I saw the Warner Springs sign that stated showers, laundry and food! Speaking of Warner Springs, man are they hiker friendly. There were ladies there just waiting to ride to the post office and back. I got resupplied clean clothes, clean me, food and I was back on the trail in no time!

I hiked with fun group of ladies out of Warner Springs, it was good to hook up with a group for a bit and kinda slow it down for a while.

Warner Springs

Eagle Rock

Mostly I hike by myself, which I like. Then I can go my own pace be that fast or slow and talk to myself without distraction. I keep running in the same people in the last few days anyway. We leap frog and the end up camping in the same areas. Met a nice kid ‘SnackMaster’ from Washington, we hiked together one morning he was quite fun to talk to. So many interesting people you meet out here.

All in all I have to say I’m pretty happy with the way my body is holding up. 150 miles in and she is still purring like a kitten. No blisters and no pains that haven’t resolved themselves with a little vitamin I and some sleep.

I have to mention all there are so many great trail angels out here! TA Mike/Tom/Mary thanks for the water, food, soda, beer and places to camp.

So I am leaving Idyllwild this afternoon, skipping the road walk.

I will try to keep updating as much as possible but I learning on the trail you just never know.

Happy Trails ~ chardonnay

Care Packages

Hiking, PCT

People have asked how they can support my hiking. There are two ways to do this. One way is to pledge to my go fund me (http://www.gofundme.com/i0e5tg). Thanks to everyone who has already donated, I get all choked up every time I go to that page, thanks y’all. It means more than you know.

Or you can go old school and send me a package or a letter (remember those). Yea, like summer camp a letter of encouragement or some gossip I’m missing out would be sweet. So here are the places I’ll be picking up packages and stuff and “mail/send by” dates so it’s, well, there when I am there. I will try and keep this as up to date as possible. Please address as listed below. Oh and there is email, I’ll be checking when I can!

(wondering what to send: nuts, protein bars, trail mix, cookies, snickers, pop tarts, jerky, peanut butter, nature valley granola bars, caffeinated jelly beans and caffeinated cliff shot blocks, instant potatoes, ramen noodles, jokes, inspiration, and good vibes!)

Thanks in advance!!!

Idyllwild PO

Elsye Chardonnay Walker
c\o General Delivery
Idyllwild, CA 92549
Please Hold for Hiker. ETA: 4-20-15

Kennedy Meadows General Store

Elsye Chardonnay Walker
c/o KENNEDY MEADOWS GENERAL STORE
96740 Beach Meadow Rd
Inyokern, CA 93527
Please Hold for Hiker. ETA: 5-15-15

Send by 5-1-15

Tuolumne Meadows PO

Elsye Chardonnay Walker
c\o General Delivery
Tuolumne Meadows
Yosemite National Park, CA 95389
Please Hold for Hiker. ETA: 5-28-15

Dunsmuir PO

Elsye Chardonnay Walker
c\o General Delivery
Dunsmuir, CA 96025
Please Hold for Hiker. ETA: 8-10-15

Mazama Village Store

Elsye Chardonnay Walker
c/o Mazama Village Store
P.O. Box 158
Crater Lake, OR 97604 for USPS
Please Hold for Hiker. ETA: 7-10-15

Elsye Chardonnay Walker
c/o Mazama Village Store
700 Mazama Village Drive
Crater Lake, OR 97604 for UPS
Please Hold for Hiker. ETA: 7-10-15

Stehekin PO

Elsye Chardonnay Walker
c/o General Delivery
Stehekin, WA 98852
Please Hold for Hiker. ETA: 8-15-15

Send by 8-1-15

All the things……

Hiking, PCT

So here is all my gear!

(camera phone was being janky) Doesn’t seem like much. But that’s everything except food and water! Weighting in at 17 pounds! What the…! I was totally at 7 lbs, then added a few things. Maybe 17 is ok, oh I dunno. Through the desert I’ll be carrying a lot of water, so well I’m concerned about weight.

I also got a knife, finally. My friend Pat hooked me up! It’s not pink but I love it and it has good vibes. Watch apples and salami!

Tumbles, Tents and Ticked off

Hiking, PCT

So I took a tumble the other day. Yep sad face.

Ok, I’m being dramatic. I was on the trail, of course, coming down this very large hill. Totally slipped on some loose gravel, it was really rocky. Landed my bum right on a rock (bruise), slid a bit on my elbow (there was blood) and tweaked my knee. Oh and my pride hurt a little too. No really at least I know have matching bruises on both elbow (got the other one in cycling spill). The knee was my biggest concern, according to web MD I’ll be fine or I have ebola,

I got my new tent Six Moons Skyscape Scout! It packs all super tiny. Then I had to set it up…..I’ve set up tents 5 times the size of this one easier. I actually had to whip out the Youtube video (in the park) to figure it out. Ok, I just need more practice. But I am using my trekking poles as tent poles (saves weight). It’s kinda tricky getting those in the right spot. I wonder if people ever roll over bump the pole and knock the whole tent down. hmmmm Now I have to seal the seams. No, I have never done that. This should be interesting.

I had said I won’t mention my REI trip today, but I needed another T for my witty title. They kinda ticked me off. They are just not helpful at all. This guy working there was …….You know what nevermind. It’s all good.

PCT 2015 Gear List

Hiking, PCT

My current gear list.

Pack- ULA CIRCUIT	41
Six Moon- Scout 8 titanium stakes	34
Sleeping bag- Big Agnes Mirror Lake	16.7
Sleeping bag stuff sac	2
Poly-cro ground sheet	1.5
Z Lite sleeping pad	10



Nokia Smartphone	6
Sansa Clip Mp3 Player	1
2 wall chargers for gadgets	2
Energizer Headlamp	2
Sawyer Mini Water filter	2



Plastic screw-top container to soak my dinners	2
Titanium spoon	.6
Knife	1
Smart water bottles x 2	2.5
Stuff sack for food	1
Tiny notebook and pen, permits, etc	2
Various small items in ziploc: Toothbrush and toothpaste, floss with sewing needle inside, earplugs, ibuprofen, earbuds, extra chapstick, tiny plastic camp mirror, hairties, lighter.	4
Sunglasses	1
One ounce hand sanitizer	1
Full size bottle of sunscreen	4
Toilet paper	2
Trash compactor bag liner	2
Zippered stuff sack for items	2



Extra pair of darn tough socks	1.5
Laundry down flash jacket	9
rain poncho	7
wool hat	2
Bandanna x 2	2
Warm tights	1
Mosquito headnet as stuff sack for clothes	1


Total base weight of pack (this is the weight without food, water, fuel or worn clothing)	18 lbs

Worn: Hike skirt, synthetic shirt, injinji toe socks, sports bra, BFord hat. Dirty girl gaiters.

Back on the trail

Hiking, PCT, Uncategorized

In December, because of the holidays, I didn’t hit the trail much. Then in January I was, well busy doing stuff so I didn’t get out on the trail for big miles hardly at all. So today when I went out for a 20 miler I was not sure how it was going to go. Good news! It went great!

I over slept and got a late start (10am), but I threw on my 25lb pack and I was off. The weather was great (it’s SoCal the weather is always great), did my ole favorite route over the mountains then out to the Penasquitos Waterfall. I was happy with my pace, made good time (i jogged a little because I did not want be in the mountains after dark). I only stopped once for a snack. I’m never really hungry when I’m moving like that, but I know what happens when I eat nothing…crash.

Anywho, ended up with 23 miles, boom! Yes, I was shocked too. That extra 3 came from me getting turned around on the mountain (see why I didn’t want to be out there in the dark). There are so many trails out there behind Sabre Springs it is easy to not know which direction you came from.

So even though I wasn’t on the trail I was training. In the gym. Hitting the treadmill and weights. Dropped another 5 pounds, surprisingly. Well I guess not really. I’ve dropped a lot of sugar, salt and meat from my diet. But I still feel like I eat not all that well and don’t even get me started on booze I been putting down. What, don’t judge, my social life has picked up lately.

Posting my gear list soon……….

Priorities

Hiking, Life, PCT

Well I had to make some grown up decisions today. Boo. I had hoped to go on a week long 150 mile hike next week, as a training hike. I was really looking forward to it. Being able to test some gear, test myself, learn some things and have some fun. But unfortunately that is not going to happen.

See taking 5 months off work and hiking the PCT is not an inexpensive endeavor. Recently when I was chatting about doing the trail (it’s all I do now) a guy asked how can you afford that you must have a trust fund. Wouldn’t that be great but um, no. To take 5 months off work I’ve had to make some (many) sacrifices. Some have been harder than others.

Like that training, I was really pumped about it. For awhile there I was going hell or high-water. But then word priorities kept popping into my head. Right now the PCT is my priority. You know if it’s meant to be it’s up to me!!

Right now I just can’t afford to take a week off work. (Heck, I’m actually interviewing for a second job tomorrow.) 3 months, 4 days, 23 hours til the first step (well give or take, close enough to freak out a little) Time to start making the tough decisions. No more procrastinating and what not. I still haven’t decided what socks to take Injinji or Darn Tough!!! Agh! Wait….don’t panic….breathe…ok…Injinji it is, there that wasn’t so hard. Boy, soon the only decision I’ll need to make is start with the left foot or right foot!!!!!!!!!

Solo but not alone

Hiking, PCT

Often when I tell people I’m hiking the PCT one of the first questions is “are you going alone?”. I confidently and quickly say yes! I consider myself a solo hiker. 9 times out of 10 when I hike I go it alone. Mostly I just enjoy the ‘me’ time or if it’s a training hike I need to focus on pace/speed/route and what not. More likely it’s spur of the moment (my packs always in the car) no time to organize a group. Don’t get me wrong I love to have company, it just tends to be a different kind a hike.

More than once I have taking someone out hiking with me, got to chatting and next thing you know I’ve taken a wrong turn, or two! My hiking buddy Pat is great he tends to take me to places I never been; he leads so I can just follow, take in the views and chat my little head off.

Yeah solo is how I tend to roll. But I am not alone.

As I prepare for this mighty adventure I am more aware than ever that I am not alone. I won’t be on the trail alone, I’ll have all of you! This would not be possible without YOU! The support and encouragement I’ve received has been just crazy. Prior thru-hikers giving me tips and suggestions. Friends and family donating to my fundraiser, offering rides (if I want to come home), help on the trail(mailing me french fries!), buying me gear, walking the trails (not complaining when I get us lost), listening to me (obsess about planning)….It is quite overwhelming.

When I leave from the PCT’s southern terminus I will be a solo hiker……but I will not be alone.

So I hope you guys are ready we’re doing this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Every ounce counts…..

Hiking, PCT

Went out for my training day on Monday. 20 miles 25 lbs backpack! Last time I went out it was 17 lbs, man what difference. Started out pretty pumped up on caffeine, straight up the hill, thinking to myself ‘i eat mountains for breakfast’. I love taking on the mountain right out of the gate. Then I cruised down to the Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve pass the horse stables and out to the waterfall.

Right at the hwy 15 underpass was a bridge out sign. I almost turned around but then though heck I’d go check it out. Yep it was out alright. I decided to try to cross anyway. Spent a good ten minutes debated how to do that. I haven’t had the best of luck crossing water. Happy to say I made across (only got one shoe wet). On the upside I’ve learned that my trail runners and socks dry rather quickly! Oh did I mention it wasn’t just one bridge out…..there were two! The second one was much easier to get across. All that rain last week really left a mark.

At the waterfall I turned right around and headed back. I was feeling good and making good time so skipped my planned lunch/rest break. Bad idea #1…….I so hit the wall not long after that.

All of a sudden my legs were just barely moving and my pack felt like a small car. With my pack pulling on my right shoulder I decided to loosen my straps for some relief. Bad Idea #2. By now I’m thinking just keep moving. Meanwhile I forced myself to eat a granola bar and sipped some Gatorade. To get all my miles in I had to stick to my initial plan and climb to the top of the Sabre Springs open space trail……

Long story short…..I made it but it was not entirely pretty. I’ve gotten myself to drink more water over time. Now I have to work on getting nutrition right. Oh and I got a lovely little blister from loosening my straps! Some lessons have to be learned the hard way.