wandering chardonnay

The post brought to you by water

So water is a thing out here, for real. You need it, you want, you plan where to find it, but you don’t want to carry it. (I don’t)

I was concerned about water before I left, so I carried a bunch, well 4 liters, which is a lot for me. I was really not wanting to get into the whole filtering water thing right away either. It’s a process with my mini Sawyer water filter.

So the other morning, I hiked down to the water source, a stream. I decided to pour water from my bottle into the Camelback without removing it from my backpack, bad idea. Before I could stop it water was pouring into my pack! Doah! I took off my socks and shoes to quickly cross the stream then spread everything out to dry. By the time I filtered water and got my shoes back on things were more or less dry. Lesson learned.

water

Things happen as they should

Hiking, PCT

Plans on the trail change constantly. My plans to go to kickoff blew away with the wind. I just couldn’t justify possibly 4 days off trail. It was a good choice to keep hiking, as I was told there are many temptations on the trail. (great advice from Paint your wagon)

I hiked on to Big Bear ignoring my weather fears. Half way the cold dreary weather moved in, it was really cold and windy on the exposed ridge. I made it to a windowless doorless cabin to hunker down with a bunch of other cheery hikers. Trail magic (thanks to ‘Cribbage’) got us through a chilly night.

A bunch of us slackpacked into Big Bear, amazing how quick you can move less 25 pounds and cold rain/snow coming down. A little bit of everything out here.

The cold rain moved in as we entered town. As I went to resupply at the local grocery store, I found out a dear friend just happened to be in town, Skyler!

burner lover_preview

Once we connected he and Adam swooped in and picked me right up! They took me out fed me and resupplied me with so much love!

You see sometimes plans change for reasons you can’t even begin to imagine.

oh….if you happen to be in Big Bear stop in and say hi to Lorraine at Captains Anchorage tell her chardonnay sent ya!

Up then Down then Up……

Hiking, PCT

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

Return Trip

Life, Travel

Had a great time in Michigan with my crazy family! It’s a good thing I am hitting the trail soon, I ate soooo much food. I couldn’t help myself, you know, home cooking. I think they were trying to fatten me up for the hike. Apple pie with ice cream, wine, chicken, dumplings, stuffed pasta shells, more wine, smoothies, grits……..some how I missed out on my brothers taco night, next time (but I’m so flying). Great seeing my nieces and nephews, they are all so grown up now (well except the newest addition). Did a lot of running around, laughing, family foolishness, even went to church with mom. Nothing like family time.

WP_20150329_001 — Mom and I in our Sunday best. (and my sisters finger)

Drove straight through from Flint to Denver on Saturday 18 hours! Had mom along for the ride. We were pretty spent by the time we got to Sissy’s house in Green Valley. After a couple hours sleep I was back on the road. Left mom in Denver to spend time with family/friends and catch a flight back home. She rode as far as Denver but she is not fond of driving through the mountains. I tried to ease mom’s fears about the hike, but of course she is still worried. It’s what mom’s do. I told her not to watch in wilderness shows for a while.

It was a great drive from Denver through the mountains. Realized that can only road trip alone or with certain people (you know who you are). I roll a particular way on the open road or I get real wound up. Anyway, made a quick stop at Arches National Park, what a beautiful park. I will be going back when I have more time to hike and explore for sure! It was really hard to stay on the road rolling through Utah, there are so many great views and places to stop and hike. So yep had to take a quick spin around Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada.

Finally made it back! Whew now I guess I’m ready to walk to Canada. My next trip is, so gonna be by plane.

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

Road Trip!

Life, Travel

2 weeks, 2 days, and 6 hours til I hit the trail……………and I am in the middle of cross country road trip. Yep I taking a quick trip back to see my family in Michigan and some friends in Iowa.
So far it has been quite the trip. I took the scenic route, so beautiful are the mountains through Utah and Colorado. Even with the white knuckle drive over the very snowy Vail and Loveland Passes.

I’ve been called crazy for taking on the PCT and making this drive. Is it crazy or just living? Sure I could have flew home. But I would have missed out on seeing Devils Canyon in the Black Ridge Wilderness and getting to spend some
quality time with old friends.

It’s been 3 years since I left Iowa for Southern California. Great to be back, so much has changed but it’s still the same. Great night out with my girls. What a bunch of beautiful, smart, strong, funny, and active women!

And yes they are ‘crazy’ like me all in their own special way! Caught up with some past coworkers and some old friends. So many memories, laughter, tears and life experiences were revisited (over adult beverages, of course). Iowa is a great place to be from.

Tomorrow I’m headed for Michigan! Family time!

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!

Just Breathe

Uncategorized

Freaking out a little. Down to a month and 5 days! I’m so not ready. Well sorta. No not! Couple more hundred trips to REI to make. Possible dry run next week maybe I dunno. Panic is setting in. Oh and those Canadian jerks did not allow me an entry permit. Fine Canada, whatevs. Need to get base layer pants (so expensive) and I am slightly concerned that my coat won’t be warm enough. Need practice packing all the things!

Let’s face it from here on out I will be a spaz case. Bare with me.

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.