The first training trip

The ladies decided to do a training trip on the PCT (their first) over the 4th of July weekend.

They had hoped to cover the distance from Highway 50 at Echo Lake (near South Lake Tahoe) to Donner lake, on Highway 80. The total distance is about 60 miles, requiring a pace of 20 miles per day, about what they need to average next year. They came up well short and I'll let them say their own bit, but  here are my guesses as to why:

1. Altitude. They left sea level at about 9:00 AM in an exhausting 5.25 hour drive up to 5,000 feet where they slept on my sister's hard deck before heading out the next morning. So with about 18 hours at about 5000 feet, they drove up to Echo Lake at 7,500 feet and climbed to 9000 feet the same day. I've heard recommendations of 3 days to 2 weeks to adjust to exercise at altitude, and they clearly didn't have that. This likely led to their limited energy and sense of "getting their butt kicked" on that first day of 13 miles. This obviously won't be an issue on the "real" hike. They start in the desert and gradually climb over time.
2. Heat. Even at altitude, it was hot over the weekend. It was easily in the 80s and much of their walk was over exposed solid granite, which reflects light but absorbs and re-releases heat. They were above the tree line for much of the hike, so there wasn't a lot of shade to be had. It was hot!
3. Dog. They took our hound along for the trip. While the ladies are hesitant to blame the dog for not making their goal, I'm sure he slowed them a bit and he was clearly shot by the end of the day.
4. Training. They have been walking wherever they can, but neither of them has done more than about 15 miles or so in a single stretch at sea level. 20 miles per day for 3 consecutive days was quite ambitious.
5. Terrain. Looking at the entire section of the PCT, they climbed from a low point to very nearly the highest point in a single day. Once they crossed Dicks pass, it would have been pretty much downhill or level (with some up and down of course) for the rest of the 60 miles. But by the time they stopped, they were shot.

I think they definitely made the right choice to cut the trip short, especially given the spent dog. They hiked out to Emerald Bay the following day about 7 or 8 miles.

I think they learned a lot, everyone (including the dog) has recovered and most importantly; their spirit is unbroken.

Tech on the trail - how much is enough and how much is too much?

I'm an engineer.

If you know or love one, that's probably enough said. :-)

If not, suffice it to say I love electronic gadgets and can't get enough. My wife? Not so much... Therefore, I'm taking on the role of tech adviser for Liz and Melinda's excellent adventure.

We've come a long way from the time when being in the wilderness meant being cut off from civilization. Walkie Talkies, Handheld HAM radios, cell phones plus satellite communicators and phones are all available to help you stay in touch. But people who enjoy through hiking don't generally do it as a social exercise. It's about being self sufficient, strong, smart and resourceful enough to persevere through months on the trail. People who are good at that tend to be individualists and nature lovers who probably don't want a magnificent sunset vista on a remote mountaintop ruined by a squawking "you've got mail!" alert from some electronic device.

Some also say that use of tech on the trail might lead folks to make unwise decisions, fording a torrent or crossing a slippery slope that they might otherwise avoid if they didn't have a helicopter on speed dial. The trouble with relying on a rescue is that if there's a cliff at the bottom of that slope, the helicopter will only be able to pick up the pieces.

However, I think most people who would even consider a trip like this have the outdoor skills and good judgment to use tech appropriately. And the peace of mind that it can give participants and their families can't be underestimated.

After a lot of research, I suggested that L & M each take a smart phone and together take one satellite communicator. Of course these gadgets need juice, so an efficient solar charger with a USB connector is also required.

Stay tuned for future posts about my current thinking on the right devices and how I decided on them.

What's this all about?

My wife Melinda and good friend Liz are off on an adventure.

They plan to hike the entire length of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), Mexico to Canada, 2,660 miles, between April and September of 2015.

Yes; they are nuts.

I started this blog as a way to practice for setting up thier blog, which is linked on the right.

I hope to keep at it, chronicling what's it's like to help them get prepared, send them off, and switch to single parenthood (We have a 16 year old son) for 4-5 months.

Stay tuned for more....