wandering chardonnay

End with a Burn

Well, Burning Man 2014 is in the books! Although I am still process all the events, experiences and lessons I am moving through the change on to my next adventure. As my friend said last night it hard to come away from a burn without changes. This year my changes are smaller but I feel a deeper meaning.

I spoke many times at the burn (to anyone who would listen) about my upcoming PCT adventure. The similarities between the two experiences are staggering.The sense of community, LNT, trail magic/playa magic, surrendering to the elements. Carrot’s recent post struck a cord:

The PCT is a place that we construct with our imaginations that has its own culture, value systems, traditions, vocabulary, cuisine (block of dry ramen covered in peanut butter, anyone?), beauty standards, and mythology. We come together, agree that this place exists, and then we all there, for a little while.

At Burning Man we construct a city quite the same way, it’s extraordinarily indescribable, the planning, transport and building of all the things, together we build this magical place to live. But after a week it is gone, we burn the art and remove the rest, as though it never existed at all. It remains only in our collective hearts.

Initially I was wrote the burn off for next year, but now I am super determined to try and make it back in time. What an epic way to end my PCT adventure! The logistics and finances I have yet to figure out but if it is meant to be things will come together. Things tend to work out the way they are supposed to.

So the ‘real’ planning and training has begun. Down to about 7 months to get my crap together! Eeek! Time flies man. Seems like just yesterday that the class of 2014 was leaving kickoff. But in the last weeks many have completed their journey at the northern terminus. Ah, yes there is a feeling I long to have, but wait I’m getting ahead of myself, so much to do.

Along with all the gear, packing, training, and a gazillion spreadsheets I ‘ve been working on some inner stuff too.

Like figuring out what my philosophy/goals are for this thru-hike. Hike fast or just in enjoy the experience, are both possible? Do I want prove something to myself? What’s the meaning to life? What are my plans after the trail. What do I really want from all this?

These questions whirl in my head at night, no real answers yet…..but stay tuned I may have a lead on the meaning to life one!

tentative schedule

Time to Burn

Life, Travel

Hey there readers…..crickets…..i know it’s been a bit but I’ve been busy and my internet is sketchy. So while I have been training more in the gym my hiking miles have declined. Did my training hike over the Poway mountain about two weeks ago and did a long stroll with my hiking buddy last weekend, but that about it. Been working out in the gym 3-4 times a week, sometimes twice a day. The weight hasn’t fallen off the way I had hoped, but then I eat crap. (must-eat-better) I can feel my muscles getting firmer and stronger, I can run longer and faster, best of all I feel good.

I’ve had to put most of my PCT training on temporary hold because…….agh!…the man burns in 17 days!!!! Headed to the burn in one week! I am so not ready, not even packed kinda.

Feeling weird about the burn this year, excited then not excited, unfortunately the not excited periods are longer than the excited ones. Oh well ten days to get my head in the game and my sh** together. There are so many things to be excited about this year. First time I am driving myself, ohh, road trip with as many stops as I want! Ranger training, fingers crossed that goes off without a hitch. I have so many friends coming this year that are first time burners! Just got the camp layout and I am tucked back in a nice little corner with some fun people. (agh , they better not change it).

I had written the burn off completely for next year…..however….as I see people on the trail this year are finishing up pretty early (ie before September).. I know that it is a wild fantastical dream but what an epic way to cap off a PCT hike but with the man burn!! A girl can dream……

Never give up….

Life, PCT

Gearing up for the PCT takes, well, effort. Now I see how and why people become obsessed with gear research. There are so many options and it’s all like a personal thing what you choose. You read one persons gear list and think, cool that seems reasonable, then you tally up the cost yea, no. Check out another gear list great that financially doable, but wait can I really get my base weight down to 8lbs? (base weight gear without food or water) Let’s face it I have never been a shopper, heck I just bought new trail runners I haven’t bought news in 7 years!! So I suppose I should get quality gear, it’s gonna have to last.

I can’t even begin to wrap my mind around what my food and resupply planning will be like. This task may well be the biggest I have ever taken on. Been reading so many blogs lately of people that have gotten off the trail for many reasons; from lack of money, training and just motivation. Makes me want to be that much more prepared. I really have to use these nine months to get REALLY ready. All the while reminding myself that what will be will be.

That being said, I just finished reading the Anish article in Backpacker! Wow, just wow. She did 44 mile days (and broke the PCT speed record 60 days and 17 hours and 12 minutes), that is just mad crazy. What a great story about not stopping, giving up and following through.

Happy 4th from the PCT

Hiking, PCT

Hope everyone is having a great 4th of July weekend! I decided at the last minute to…..go hiking, surprise! Well when I checked online all the camp sites were reserved, but Friday morning I called and they guy says “well we have a few that are first come first served.” Ok then I say I’m on my way, so I hopped in the car and headed over to Mt. Laguna. Now what he failed to mention was it was a cash only camp site, agh. (there is not a single ATM on the mountain, can-not-believe) So I had to run back down to Pine Valley for cash. The whole while people are passing me going up the mountain. I’m kinda freaking out because I’m thinking there will not be a single site when I get back. But a little fancy driving (read:speeding)I made it back and yeah got one of the last 2!!

After quickly setting up my tent I grabbed my day pack and trekked back to pay my camp fee. (again they should mention you will need your license plate number, whatever I just wrote gray cube and shoved it the box, seriously). I couldn’t figure out the ‘back way’ to get to the trail so I just started walking down the road. Glad I did, ended up stopping at Laguna Mountain Sports & Supply. What was right there when I opened the door….my ULA backpack! It was a sign!!!

Working there (on the 4th no less) was Dave, great guy. He sized me up and got me fitted with the right belt. It is so awesome (wish it were pink but purple will do), man it feels like a day pack compared to my other one. I went with the ULA Circuit, wanted the CDT but base weight is a concern. On the upside it came with all the stuff hand grips, loops for my poles, straps (lot of straps) for my bottles.

I’ll be going back to Laguna Mountain Sports & Supply they have all the stuff and then some. Plus Dave said he would do a shakedown (basically where he goes through my stuff and cut unnecessary weight).

Anywho, through my day pack in my new backpack and hit the trail. I headed north on the PCT for about 7 miles then headed back. Found the ‘backway’ into my campsite had few beers and watched the kiddos play. Man kids love camping.

The next morning I tossed all my stuff in the car then headed out on the trail again, this time south. Got in 8 miles! What a great area to hike in, the views a awesome! At one point everything was just right, I was feeling good, high energy, music was flowing….and I thought man I could hike for hours like this! That’s a good feeling!

Deep Creek to Peak

Hiking, Life

So last weekend I was supposed to go to this hyped up 3 day pool party. As I was getting myself syked up for the weekend, Thursday evening, getting together swimwear, camping gear and making a shopping list……..I see on Facebook the invite is no longer on my event page. Hmmm, after clicking and some reading between the lines i figure out it is cancelled. I was bummed I really had my little heart set on soaking up some sun chilling by the pool……but no.

Then it hit me….free weekend…..whatever shall I do. Well, I’ve been talking about going to Deep Creek for five months and as luck would have it it’s pretty close to Mt Baldy a place I needed to get back to. All of a sudden I couldn’t wait for the weekend again. I spent most of Friday printing directions and reading reviews.

Saturday morning I headed out to Apple Valley, it’s about a 2 hour drive that goes fast til you get to the dirt road that leads to Bowen Ranch. That road, while only 6 miles, seems to go on forever. I was anxious too since I wasn’t sure what I was getting myself into (some of the online reviews weren’t all that favorable to parking at the ranch.) I was parking at the Ranch because it was only a 2 mile hike from there, the alternative was to park for free and hike 3 mile sketchy trail or a longer 6 mile.

Reviews should be taken with a grain of salt. The crazy man I read about at the Ranch was nowhere to be found, just a nice lady who called me adventurous for going alone! She was quite nice, collected my parking fee (5.00 for day 10.00 overnight which is weird since there is a sign half way there that says no camping), warned me of rattle snakes, asked if I had enough water, gave and explain the “souvenir” map then sent me on through the gate. Easy peasy.

After parking I jumped in my swimsuit (nudity is accepted at the springs but I tend save that for more familiar settings) through some snacks and drinks in by pack and I was off. The trail is pretty easy to follow and all downhill to the springs. There are some pretty nice views walking along the ridge before you descend to the hot springs.

It was not packed as the review suggested weekends would be, I got there about 11 (after the hour hike. There was a small gathering, but spread around the different springs. The springs were described to me as magical that is about spot on. There are a number of springs (I forget the names) some warm, some very hot, even a pipe that spills warm water right on you. There are beachy areas on both sides of the cool water creek and plenty of shade.

Yes, there were some nakkid older men and like 2 topless girls, besides that everyone was clothed. After dipping in the hot and cold I parked myself on the beach and chilled next to some friendly people from Santa Monica. They were funny, had music and wine! They too called me brave and adventurous for coming alone….hmmm.

I enjoyed the experience and would like to go back, maybe drag some friends along and camp illegally! There were a lot of people heading down there (with beers and guitars) as I hiked out in the evening.

After dinner and a good nights sleep I headed over to tackle Mt. Baldy, the mountain that shut me down about a month ago. This time I was ready for it, rested, shades, snacks, tunes, mountain dew and a map to the elusive steep side trail. Somehow last time we missed this (not well marked) turn off. (hint hint its by the yucca plant just past the falls)

But the time I made it to the Ski Hut I felt so great and full of energy, maybe it was the mountain dew, or because last time I was well hung-over, slightly. Either way this time I was moving very steadily with my tunes, just crushing it, on the steep part no less.

I began the climb towards the summit the trail crossed a small stream and I stopped and dipped my bandana in the cool water. I felt so outdoorsy. There was quite a few people on the trail but we tended to be pretty spread out, leap frogging when anyone stopped for a breaks

. Unreal view caused me to stop in my tracks i felt good until I got up to around 10,000 feet elevation. The temperature had dropped and the summit did not seem to be getting closer. That’s when it hit me all the people on the switchbacks above me we gone! Hallelujah!! I made it! The air had became cold and very breezy but the views from up there are outrageously beautiful. I quickly put on jacket and snapped some photos before settling into one of the stone forts for some gotta get down snacks!

As always what goes up, must come down. This elevation gain was transferred to a similarly steep descent complete with uneven gravel loads of scary fun. By the end of the day my knees are shot but I was so happy I practically skipped back to the car!

So of the six pack of peaks……..1 down 5 to go!!!

Mt. San Antonio — aka Mt. Baldy —It’s the first peak in the list over 10,000 feet.

Mt. Wilson –a top elevation of 5,710 feet.
Cucamonga Peak 8,859feet summit.
San Bernardino Peak tops out at 10,649 feet,
Mt. San JacintoPeak, 10,834 feet
San Gorgonio — the highest peak in Southern California 11,503 feet

TRAIN AND PREP

Hiking

My hiking training and preparation has been going splendidly. (knock on wood) Operation pay bills/save money is underway. Fighting the urge to buy gear, need more time to save and research. I want the right equipment, for me, even if it costs a bit more (hopefully not). Thing is I’ve never been much of a shopper so this pains me. In a perfect world someone would just say ‘hey you a need this …..buy it here, done”. But no, there are tons of things. Some things you really need, something’s you don’t; something’s you might need, or not; some you can buy used others not so much. It make my head swim, you should see all the lists and excel sheets I have compiled. It’s ridiculous.

As far as training, that is going well! I’ve dropped a few more pounds, woo freaking hoo! Really it’s due to the increased amount of hiking/walking I have been doing. That’s it. If I clean up my diet I’ll be at my goal weight in no time. (weird, I am dropping like 30 pounds….only to carry a 20 pound pack(or less) hmmm).

Anywho, now that I am staying in Poway, mostly, getting out in the mornings and evenings is easier. Besides I have found some pretty nice hiking trails in the area, with hills, big hills. Best of all there are hardly any people on them! I have them all to myself, unlike Cowles, so many people. Oh the other day I wasn’t alone, some dude come trudging up behind me, about scared the living crap out of me. At least he was cute, named Brandon, we chatted for a bit but he was not going as far (or as fast) as me. I was in just started on a training hike where I go as fast as possible on this 7 mile loop! Noticed my climbing speed is better, no more of that, whoa stop and get a breather mid climb crap, yea me! Operation be a bad ass hiker is GO!

SIDE NOTE: No I will not divulge the location of my cool new hiking spot; don’t want the word to get out. You know it’s like a fishing spot thing. I will however blindfold you take there and let you hike with me, maybe.

El Nino/El Nina

Hiking, PCT

Recently when talking with a friend about my 2015 PCT trip he casually says, ‘well you know it’s supposed to be an El Nino coming up’. Great just great. I have a feeling I will hear about this over and over. Oh yep there it is, over on a PCT forum:

While El Nino is no certainty of a big winter, El Nino has resulted in some of the heaviest winters on record. So there it is. A 10 month, April 1st, 2015 prediction. The perfect storm of ingredients all lined up like ducks in a row. This is in no way a scientific evaluation, just my mindless ramblings.

Okay, so there is going to be weather. I’m personally ok with that, and will not get myself all worked up over it. Maybe there will actually be water in the creeks, so I can filter water and not carry tons, for miles. Snow in the Sierra’s great, I’m signing up for a mountaineering course anyway. Rain in Washington, guess I’ll buy a rain coat and make a skirt. This girl is ready and going weather or not.

Really , really?

Hiking, Life

So I dubbed last weekend bad ‘decision weekend’. The decisions weren’t even that bad (I’ve made worse) but they certainly rather ridiculous. Sometimes I just get overly excited and don’t think things through, you know logically. So here’s what happened….

It was Memorial Day weekend and I really wanted to do something since my trip to the desert was out. Decided that I needed to do some hiking and Mt Baldy had been on my mind for a while. Out of the blue I stumble upon MissyKat having an extra ticket to Myth Masque in LA, something else I had wanted to do. Of course I decided I could do both, bad idea. A friend told me so but I was all whatever. Bad ideas are built on not listening.

Now Myth Masque is not just any masquerade ball in LA, people go all out with costumes. I, of course did not have a thing to wear. After totally stressing, I ended up buying a corset that was way out of my budget, bad idea.

Friday night a friend had a housewarming party that I ended up staying way too late at, bad idea. But I was having such a good time, I have great friends, you would have stayed too. So staying out late Friday meant a Saturday morning rush to finish my costume and pack the car.
Did I mention I hate driving to or around LA. Agh. The traffic is mad crazy and there are just people EVERYWHERE. Plus there is nowhere to park. The stress of me driving and a valet parking situation led the me rewarding myself later that night with……drinks!!! Bad idea.

But again you would have too. It was a festive atmosphere, the venue was spectacular, the costuming was top notch, the company was good, so …..I got my party on. Bad idea.

After about 4 hours of sleep I dragged myself up (makeup still on from the night before) and started what was supposed to be a simple one and half hour trek to Mt Baldy. I was meeting Liz and Mark at 8. I had planned on grabbing some food/drinks for the hike on the way……that did not happen. Why…..in my sleepy has I totally took a wrong turn and got lost (sorta) at least went way outta of the way. Didn’t get to the mountain until 9:30 (sorry Mark and Liz).

So in my frazzled state I grabbed my day pack, 2 bananas from the backseat, and Gatorade. And I was off….in the clothes I has slept in! In my mind I thought we could ride the chair lift up and cut off 4 miles, it wasn’t running. (actually it was but my lack of planning I did not realize it didn’t start til 10) So we just set off for the shortest route to the top, seemed like a good idea, but we missed the turn off for that short route, doh! (side note: there is a true lack of signage on this trail, it is a true guessing game which direction to go.)

Now Liz and Mark are in great shape and good hikers so they were ready to take that mountain. I was pleading with my legs not to revolt. That was the weird thing about the whole hike, I was feeling good from the waist up. From the waist down my legs felt like lead, every step not painful, just hard. I managed to drag myself to the lodge after a gazillion breaks. Then the death march began, for me anyway! (let it be know if it hadn’t of been for Mark & and Liz I would have turned back, heck I might not have gotten out the car! They are fun to hike with and put up with all my whining.) We went up this stretch of rocks that was steep and seemed to never end. I kept telling the others to go ahead as I was basically pausing every third step.

I finally made it to the top (well that top anyway). From here it leveled out a bit as you cross Devils Backbone. I must say even in my exhausted state, WoW what a view!! You can see clear down to the desert floor and the cool breeze rushing across the peak was refreshing. We rested here before starting across the tiny trail that led to the summit. There were plenty of people coming down from the summit (they obviously did not miss the mystery turn off).

The thing about hiking is you get plenty of time to think. The one thing on my mind that last sections was ‘holy carp next year I’ll be doing this with 25 pounds on my back, dear goodness’. The other thing about hiking is the distance between utter misery and euphoria is very short. As I trudged along I reflected on all the bad decisions I had made recently made and came to two conclusions, I can’t change them and don’t have to make anymore.

A term used frequently on the PCT is HYOY (hike your own hike). When we turn that last corner and I saw that 700′ vertical climb to the summit was when I stopped. Hiking my own hike meant letting the others go on and my turning back. Sure I could have limped up there just to say I did, but that most likely would have meant me being rescued or spending the night on the summit.

Long story short (after all that lol) I went back down, Mark and Liz made it to the summit then we all took the chair lift back to the parking lot!

All in all it lessons were learned and memories were made. I’ll go back and bag that summit, everything in it’s time!

Quitting something is hard. But it’s also valuable. ~Anish

2 a day

Hiking

Been getting back out there!! Mostly doing a lot of walking around the hood. There are tons of hills just of the front door. Love the looks I get when decide to take my backpack instead of the day pack. Managed to figure out a few 3- 4 miles loops. Trying to get myself up to 4 miles in the morning and at least 4 after work. I’m not much of a morning person so the morning routes are tough. The after work routes are working out good now that I found a nice trail near work, the South Poway Trans County Trail!

What can I say it’s time to tone this body up, there is a very busy summer coming up! Just scheduled BRC Ranger training for July in Napa! Oh the man burns in 105 days!

Adventures..,similar but different

PCT

Lately I’ve been ruminating over all the similarities of the adventures I undertake. Mainly Ragbrai, Burning Man and the PCT. They are all quite similar but different, but things I gravitate to all the same.

Check the links to see what these are all about, because I could go on for days about them all. Basically Ragbrai is a weeklong bike ride across Iowa, Burning Man is well TTITD, and PCT a long distance thru hike (for me anyways).

Things…..

In each of these experiences you really want to pack ALL THE THINGS, you convince yourself you need ALL THE THINGS (you really don’t). THING is you have to transport the things. You pack them on your bike, in vehicle or on your back. I’ve seen bikes weighted with more than 60 pounds of ‘gear’ on Ragbrai, but your rolling so….hills are a b***h thou. On the PCT, for your own enjoyment you will want a whole lot less, a shakedown will take care of that. Burning Man well heck if it won’t all fit in or on top of your car you upgrade to a Uhaul!

Danger….

There is a level of physical and mental preparedness that is necessary for each of these endeavors. If you choose to go unprepared, which some do, you will wise up quickly pay dearly. Each one of these contain a level of danger involved that could, well, result in death. But hey, nothing like a little death and danger to make things exciting.

Goodness…..

On both Ragbrai and the PCT there are a lot of people willing to help you out. On Ragbrai they are called Iowans; on the PCT they are called Trail Angels. I’ve heard tales of how generous trail angels are; I have experienced the generosity of Iowans. These are people who when a bunch strangers on bikes roll into town they open there hearts and homes. Iowans will let you stay in their house/camp on their front lawn, do your laundry, drive you the next town, fill you with adult beverages, then grill you dinner! One time we camped in the town square of a very small town, in the morning some local ladies brought out the best the best egg casserole and oj for breakfast, just because. At Burning man this comes in many forms, people helping put up your camp, gifting food, presents, hugs, rides, even a shoulder to lean on.

Then there is the time. Ragbrai runs a 7 days (+3 if you bag out from Des Moines), Burning Man runs a week also (unless you have early entry or stay late then it could be 10-14 days). The PCT 4-5 months, time commitment indeed. So if you a looking a adventure, I highly recommend checking your vacation time then heading out to any of these. Why not? You never know what dangerously amazing experience you might have!