Getting Those Practice Hikes in, Winter Edition

It's winter.  Well, out West, it's barely winter but it's still winter.  My plan to do the Tahoe Rim Trail this summer means that I'm in full-on physical preparation mode.  I've been running, which feels good. I've endured thee years of near catastrophic injuries - Achilles tendon tear in 2011, tendinitis in 2012 (2 weeks before a half marathon I'd been training for, ugh), and a badly sprained ankle in 2014. Although I didn't have any injuries in 2013, I went through a tough year with three deaths and my parent's house burning down.  It wasn't a good year to feel hopeful about anything.  But I push on.  It's all you can do.  So finally, after a two year hiatus, I'm back to running.  And, of course, I'm walking a ton.  Between the two activities, I'm doing about 35 to 40 miles a week.  I'd like to get up to 50 miles a week but that's not always possible.  But it's a goal.

So yeah, it's winter (ish).  It hasn't snowed once in Fallon this year, which is very abnormal.  It's barely snowed in the Sierras.  But "barely snowed" means there's still quite a bit of snow up high and the hiking trails at Lake Tahoe are effectively closed to all but the most determined hikers (as in snowshoers).  I'm not afraid to say that I'm a fair weather hiker.  I have ZERO interest in plowing through the snow to set up a tent and freeze my butt off all night.  So I wait for things to thaw and warm up a bit.

Fallon has very limited hiking opportunities but the one redeeming feature of the area is that you can hike pretty much year round.  I already discussed my one terrain hike here.  But I've barely mentioned my weekly long hike - the Emigrant Trail.  The Carson River route of the Emigrant Trail passes about 5 miles west of Fallon and dates back to the 1830s.  I start near the Amor IX geothermal plant and head north.  It's an easy walk - sandy in places but it's mostly flat with a few very minor hills. The furthest I've made it is about 7.5 miles (keeping in mind that I have to turn around and go back the way I came).  It's monotonous.  The trail has long since become a dirt road driveable by most cars, so it's basically mile after mile of road walking with not much in the way of scenery.  But the benefit of walking the trail is you can go and go and go.  I walk it because it's accessible and even though it's not a strenuous, I can put my pack and get some miles in.  There's something to be said for that - it's still good training for motoring down a trail. As a historian, the trail (and its monotony) also makes me appreciate what the emigrants went through to cross the United States on foot (or wagon).

I've walked the trail so many times, I've memorized the roundtrip distances along the way - the 3 mile point, the 6 mile point, the 8 mile point, the 9 mile point, and the 12 mile point.  It's handy to know so I can set my goal for the day.  This year, the furthest I've made it is to the 9 mile point.  Eventually, I'd like to hike the section to where it dead ends into Highway 95 and back but that would be a 24 mile hike, which would take me all day.  A goal to work towards I guess.

This is pretty much what it looks like.  Miles and miles of this.

Several of these signs were put up near the geothermal plant, probably as mitigation for placing the plant so close to the trail.  I think they're kind of neat looking.  Apparently other people think so too, considering that a few have been stolen.

I Weigh My Summer Gear

One of the things all of the ultralight books and guides say is that you should weigh your gear - all of it, right down to the smallest thing.  I've never done this.  Instead, I've always adopted a "I know what I need and I'm taking it" kind of attitude.  That's not to say that I've been completely cavalier in choosing what gear I use.  I looked for and bought the lightest gear I could find and afford. But I'm no ultralight packer.  I like my comforts and, as they say, I carry my fears.  For me that means fear of contracting water born diseases; fear of running out of water; and fear of hypothermia.  This means that I carry an actual water filter (albeit a small one), the capacity to carry as much as 7L of water (although the most I've actually carried is 5L), and warm layers and rain gear even in the summer.  I also like to have certain luxuries with me like clean(ish) clothes to sleep in, a pad to sit on during breaks, and a pillow.  A good night's sleep is crucial for me.  Without it, I start to feel broke down and discouraged.  I could probably shave off a few more ounces here and there by forgoing some luxuries but I'm pretty satisfied with everything I have.  Peace of mind and a little extra comfort at night are worth the weight.

This is my solo summer gear.  When I backpack with my husband, the total weight actually goes down 2 pounds since we split the weight of the tent.  All weights are in ounces.

Backpack - Granite Gear Nimbus Trace	70.4
Sleeping bag - Sierra Designs CLO 25	18.1
Tent - Sierra Designs Flashlight 1	33.12
poles/stakes	16
Sleeping pad - Thermarest ProLite Small	11
Sitting pad - Thermarest Zseat	2
Pillow - Sea to Summit Aeros UL	2
3L Platypus	3.7
2 Aquafina 1L bottles	2.8
Water filter - Sawyer Squeeze	5.8
2L Platypus collapsible bottle	1.2
Ursak	7.8
JetBoil Flash	14.7
Plastic bowl w/lid	3
Light My Fire titanium spork	0.7
Rain coat - North Face HyVent 2.5	11
Rain skirt (homemade)	3
REI 60L rain cover	3.7
Patagonia Nanopuff pullover	10
Marmot fleece cap	0.9
Cotton stretch gloves	1.15
Patagonia Capilene thermal top	5.3
Polypro t-shirt	6.3
Columbia river shorts	5.9
2 pair Thorlo light hiking socks	3
2 pair Patagonia Active Briefs	2.3
microfiber towel	2
2 hankies	2
toothbrush	1.9
toothpaste	1
hair brush	1.1
Lighter	0.7
Brunton sighting compass	2.8
wallet	0.6
Samsung Galaxy 3	6.7
trowel	2
SPOT	4.8
Swiss Army Knife, "Tinker"	3
Nikon Coolpix camera	4
journal and pencil	2.8
Total Ounces	280.3
Total Pounds	17.5

.
Aside from the backpack,sleeping bag, sleeping pad, sitting pad, and pillow, I carried all of this gear with me last year on the PCT and I used all of it thoroughly and was glad to have it.  I've cut out a few things I didn't think were necessary (camp shoes and a book to read) and added a few comfort items (pillow and Zseat).  I'd prefer that my base weight be closer to 15 pounds but 17.5 is not too bad.  Fully loaded with 5 days of food and 5L of water, I'm looking at about 35 pounds total, which is about 4 pounds lighter than my max last year.

Edit 3/15/15 - I realized a couple of days after weighing my backpack that I'd left my first aid kit and some batteries in one of the pockets.  Hehe, oops.  So my pack actually weighs 63.5 ounces, which drops my base weight to 17.08 pounds.

Practice Makes Perfect

For me, probably one of the best things about doing a "short" trail next summer, is that I will be able to experiment with some changes I'd like to make regarding gear, food, and, honestly myself.

Gear
I liked the gear I had with me on the PCT.  I had minor quibbles with some of it but, hey, nothing's perfect.  Gear is actually the one thing I got really, really right during my hike in Oregon.  But there's always room for improvement, right?  To start with, my stuff was way too heavy.  Fully loaded with water and food, my pack was sometimes as much as 42 pounds.  Oof.  My goal for the TRT next summer is to get my max pack weight down to 38.  The easy way to do this is to shed extraneous items.  I didn't have many but they included camp shoes and a book. Those two items alone drop my pack weight by nearly 1.5 pounds.

The other way to dump weight is to use stuff that is lighter than my old stuff.  As much as I love my old North Face backpack, I'm retiring it in favor of my Granite Gear Nimbus Trace backpack.  The GG pack weighs nearly 2 pounds less than the NF bag.  It's also smaller and has a lower weight capacity, so I'll be forced to take less stuff.  I've also invested in a lighter down sleeping bag.  My old bag was rated at 15 degrees - far too warm for summer hiking. My new bag is rated at 25 degrees and weighs 1 pound less than my old one.

So there, a few minor changes in my gear and I've dropped 4.5 pounds from my gear weight!  However . . .  I'm also going to experiment with a new tent that is a few ounces heavier than my old tent (but not single walled, thank heaven) and I will probably be carrying a bear box, which is considerably heavier than my Ursak.  I've also decided to go back to using an air mattress because the Z Lite just isn't working for me.  And, because I like my comfort, I'm going to add a Z Seat so I have something to sit on for breaks.  But those two additions only increase my pack weight by 4 oz.  But still, it's more weight.  Sigh.  Obviously I'll need to do more thinking about gear weight but I figure I'm still saving about 2.5 pounds in weight with the changes I've made.  I'm considering going stoveless to save even more weight but the jury's out on that one (see next topic).

Food
Food is something I got really, really wrong on the PCT.  When I was planning for the trip, I focused too much on calories and not enough on nutrition.  I indulged in all the tasty junk food I love but failed to think about how empty those calories were.  The whole trip I hated just about everything I brought to eat. So next summer I intend to bring more whole foods like jerky, tuna, sausage, tortillas, cheese, dried fruit, and nuts.  The one thing that surprised me on the PCT was how I could happily eat a Clif bar every single day.  I thought for sure I'd get sick of Clif bars but I never did.  Bonus that they're actually full of good stuff.  I also really liked my raisin bran and dried milk breakfasts, so I'll definitely be bringing that again.

I've also considered going stoveless.  On the PCT, I didn't use my stove nearly as much as I thought I would.  At the end of the day, all I wanted to do was unwrap a Clif bar and shove it in my face.  I had little desire to dig out my stove and wait for something to cook.  Next year, for the TRT, I especially don't want to bring any food that requires a lot of effort to make.  If I bring a stove, it will be used to rehydrate or warm up food - and that is it.

I'll also be bringing supplements, especially electrolytes.  On the PCT, my body just ached constantly from the lack of nutrients and electrolytes and I am SO not going through that again.

Most of this junk is not coming with me again.

Me
I actually worked really hard on my improving my physical state before attempting Oregon last year. I lost about 20 pounds and walked 30-40 miles a week for months before going.  But I could have done better.  About 8 weeks before my trip, I got stressed out and resorted to bad behaviors to deal with it - eating too much and not exercising enough. I need to not do that this time.  My weight really held me back on the trail.  Never mind my pack weight - my personal weight was way too high and I paid the price in sore feet, aching muscles, and a bad attitude.  This year, I vow to do better.

I also want to use my TRT hike to work on my attitude.  Prior to hiking the PCT, I read too many blogs written by 20 year olds who talk about nothing but the miles they were doing every day and how fast they were walking.  I got way too caught up in proving that I could walk a lot of miles day after day.  So my days on the trail were a constant rush to get the miles in.  I rarely allowed myself to take a proper break because I was so concerned with getting down the trail.  But in hindsight, I could have done the same miles in a more leisurely manner - if you walk all day, you're pretty much guaranteed to do 16-18 miles.  You just will.  So next summer, I'm going to take longer breaks, eat more, drink more, and go at a pace that is comfortable for me.  More than anything, I'm going to practice patience with myself knowing that the miles will come no matter what.

My poor tired, mistreated dogs.  I'll be better to them next time.

My Next Big Adventure

If I had my druthers, I'd reattempt Oregon next summer.  Unfortunately, there's this little thing called reality that is getting in the way.  The reality that I have a really good job that I enjoy and worked hard to get.  The simple fact is, I won't be able to bank enough leave to take a month off from work next summer.  It was also incredibly generous of my employer to allow me to leave for four weeks and I don't want to push my luck by asking for a month off two years in a row.  I'm also taking a year to lick my financial wounds from a pretty expensive year - not just my trip to Oregon but all kinds of other things. This stuff is why you don't see many 40-year-olds on the PCT. We have all these gosh-darned responsibilities that keep us from doing the fun stuff we want to do. It sucks being a grown up.

So in the meantime, I'm pondering what to do with myself next summer.  I don't want to take a lot of time off for backpacking, so I can ensure that I have enough leave to do Oregon in 2016.  So, as the kids say, the obvious answer is obvious.  I'm going to do the Tahoe Rim Trail.  Lake Tahoe is only about an hour and a half from where I live.  It's also one of my favorite places on Earth
.  It's also not terribly long - only 165 miles, so I can do it in a leisurely week and a half.

Probably the best thing about doing the TRT is that it's my hood.  I grew up in Reno, so as a kid I was up at Tahoe at least once a week in the summer.  It's absolutely my favorite environment.  I love going up there when it's hot and dry and the pines and sagebrush smell so good with the combination of decomposed granite and pine needles crunching under foot.  I just love Tahoe in the summer time.

The TRT itself isn't ideal.  It's busy with hikers and mountain bikers - at times you feel more like you're in Disneyland than in the woods.  The mountain bikers especially make it less than ideal.  They chew up the trail and you're constantly stepping aside for them (even though they're supposed to yield to hikers).  But you know what?  Whatevs.  A big chunk of my hike will be in the middle of the week and I doubt I'll see much of anyone.

TRT here I come!  Meanwhile I have a long winter to get through.

A Trip to the Oregon Coast

I've been going to Oregon a lot in the last couple of years.  Last year, I believe I went 8 different times.  Now that my parents are living on the coast, it's become my go-to spot for vacations (it always kind of was but now it's even more so).  Anyway, Jeff and I loaded up the dogs last week and headed to Oregon to stay in Yachats, our favorite getaway spot.

My initial plan for hiking on the coast was to hike from Washburne Campground to Haceta Head.  But months of lethargy since my backpacking trip in Oregon have resulted in my physical state being less than ideal, so I chickened out on this short (4.3 miles round trip) but hilly hike. But I did manage to do other little hikes.

As a kid living in Eugene, I went to the coast with my family at least once a month.  My grandmother's favorite spots were always Cape Perpetua and Haceta Head so I've been there many, many times but I always love going back.  Cape Perpetua is managed by the Forest Service and has a great visitor center and numerous hiking trails to enjoy.  Many of the trails meet up or follow the Oregon Coast Trail.  In fact, if I wanted I could hike from Yachats to Cape Perpetua and back.  It would be a long hilly hike but satisfying.  I really enjoy walking to places that I previously only ever drove to.  It's part of my desire to see things in a different way - lately I've been forcing myself to slow down and check things out more thoroughly and I'm enjoying it immensely.  It makes the "known" fresh and interesting again.

At Cape Perpetua, Jeff and I did the short hike out to the Giant Spruce.  It follows a stream, climbing gradually to the tree.  It was nice to be on a forested, duffy trail again.

Lovely little trail.  Built by the CCC in the 1930s, apparently.

I was fascinated by this trees growing out of a "nurse log."

This tree is growing out of a "nurse stump."

Jeff and dogs by the Giant Spruce - 40 feet in circumference. 

Wow.  Tall tree.

After Cape Perpetua, we went up to Haceta Head and walked the short trail up to the lighthouse - supposedly the most photographed lighthouse in the country.  I've been coming here forever but it's always a lovely sight.

Jeff loved the lighthouse symbol on this sign.

Nice view of the Haceta Head beach and assistant lightkeepers' duplex.

Lighthouse peeking out from the hill.

My kind of artsy photo of the lighthouse.

Other photos from our trip:

Stormy view from the north viewpoint at Sea Lion Caves.  That's Haceta Head in the distance.

The Alsea Bridge at Waldport. The historic bridge was demolished in the 1980s due to structural concerns but they kept the beautiful old lights and towers and incorporated them into the new bridge.  The light is solid glass that has solarized to a nice honey color (due to selenium in the glass).

Jeff checks out one of the towers at the end of the bridge.  As a historic preservation specialist, it makes me happy to see these old elements of the historic bridge preserved.

Mt. Shasta as we cruise south on I-5, heading home.

Advice to New Backpackers - The "Do's"

Following up my last post that was a bit on the negative side, here is my list of "Do's" for new backpackers:

Think hard about what you're trying to do
     a. Take a good, hard, honest look at yourself and your situation.  How much experience do you have outdoors?  How fit are you?  What is your inspiration for trying backpacking?
     b. What is your Plan B if you can't do what you set out to do?
     c. Make a list of all the things you'll need and calculate the cost.  I thought I had almost everything I needed for long distance backpacking but in the end, the only things I already owned that went with me were my backpack, compass, and Swiss Army knife.
     d. Be realistic about what you can handle.  If you're just beginning, try a practice hike that is rated "easy" or "moderate."  You may be surprised that even these trails aren't as "easy" as they're supposed to be - especially when you're carrying a heavy backpack.

Train before going
     a.  If you're already an athlete and run marathons before breakfast, great.  Otherwise, get yourself into at least decent shape.
     b.  Walk.  And then walk some more.  And then go walking again.  Being on your feet and moving is the best way to train for long distance backpacking.  I logged about 500 miles in training walks before I went to Oregon.  It goes without saying but walk with your backpack on, gradually building up to 35 pounds.
     c.  If you've never been backpacking and you plan to do a big trip, do at least one 3 day practice trip before you go.
     d.  Load your backpack with stuff and get used to putting it on and taking it off.  There's a technique to it.  Be careful - I almost through out my back while practicing with a 35 pound pack.  When I'm by myself and don't have a handy rock or tree stump to help, I pull the pack up onto my knee by the straps, slide an arm through, and push it around onto my back.
     e.  Practice loading your backpack.  Play around with where you'll put stuff and how you'll stack things in the interior.  The rule of thumb is light stuff on the bottom (usually your sleeping bag), heavy stuff in the middle (usually your food supply), middling weight stuff on top (various ephemera - I always kept my water filtration stuff on top where it was easy to get to).  Maybe I'm obsessive but I spent hours and hours at home packing and repacking my backpack, trying to find the right balance.  If your backpack is off balance on the trail, you'll notice it and it won't be fun digging everything out and readjusting.

Study your route
    a.  Look at maps, read trail journals - whatever it takes but become familiar with where you're going.  Have at least a basic idea of how far apart water sources are or sections that could be strenuous or long.  If you're new to backpacking, planning is super important.  REI does trail basics classes, so if you don't know how to read a map or use a compass, you might consider taking one.
     b.  Carry maps and a compass.  For the PCT, the Halfmile maps are awesome.  They not only show the trail but resupply points, camp spots, and water sources along the trail.  Halfmile and Guthook have also developed smartphone apps for the trail, which a lot of people rely on entirely.  I had them as well but used my maps most of the time to spare my phone's battery.  I also encountered a bunch of hikers who had been caught in a downpour that ruined their electronics.  Paper maps won't break if you drop them and don't need batteries.  I kept mine in a Ziplock bag in case of rain.

Get to know your gear really well
     a. Trying on that new backpack at REI with (hopefully) 30 pounds of sandbags in it is one thing - carrying it "for reals" is something else entirely.  My husband bought an Osprey backpack that fit great in the store but then he ended up despising it on the trail.  Load up your backpack with your backpacking gear and take a walk - even if it's just around the block.  Walk up some stairs, walk downhill, walk uphill, step over things, bend over, etc.  Do everything you can to see how it will feel in a variety of situations.  This should point out pressure points or other problems.  Don't be afraid to take the backpack back to the store if it doesn't work out. A good fitting pack is probably the most important piece of gear you'll have.
     b. Set up your tent in the yard and get in it.  Take it down and put it in its stuff sack.  Is it a pain to set up and take down?  Imagine setting it up in the wind or in a tight spot or in a hurry - will it work in these conditions?
     c. Try a few different outfits in various conditions.  Prior to backpacking, I had logged hundreds (maybe 1000s) of miles hiking for my job.  I had always worn army surplus pants, cotton cowboy shirts, merino wool socks, and hiking boots.  My practice hikes clued me in that this was not a good backpacking outfit.  I don't know why.  Possibly because backpacking involves hours of virtually non stop walking on trails whereas my job requires cross country "bushwacking" where protective clothing is a must.  Anyway, my old clothes didn't cut it for backpacking, which was a big surprise.
     d. Use your stove at home before going on the trail.  Try making some of your backpacking food with it.  Is it a pain to use?  Is clean up an ordeal (imagine being without a sink or soap)?

Wear light hiking shoes or trail running shoes
     a. Before the PCT, I was a staunch hiking boot person.  I tried trail running shoes after reading about lots of other hikers who had switched to them exclusively.  They're right, running shoes are the way to go.  They're lighter than boots and are more flexible, so your feet will be less tired at the end of the day.  The flexibility also means that you'll get fewer blisters from them.  The ankle support that boots are supposed to give you is a misconception that has persisted for too many years.  A good, supportive running shoe will give you just as much support without the added bulk of a boot.
     b.  Try out different styles and brands.  Give trail running shoes a chance.  Because of their flexibility, they will actually make greater contact with the ground than a pair of hiking shoes with heavy Vibram soles.  The only benefit of the Vibram soles being that they will last longer but a pair of running shoes should last at least 500 miles.
     c.  Try out different types of socks.  I used to always wear Merino wool socks until this summer when I discovered they were giving me heat rash.  I switched to synthetic Thorlo socks and haven't had a problem with heat rash or blisters.
     d.  Wear gaiters with your low hiking shoes or running shoes.  They will keep out dirt and debris and anything you can do to keep clean is well worth it.  Dirty Girls are the preferred gaiter of PCT hikers and I love mine too.
     e.  Buy your shoes a minimum of 1/2 size bigger than normal.  Most people go up a full size to account for the splaying or your toes and how swollen your feet get from a day of walking.

Carry nutritious food
     a.  It's tempting to bring lots of high calorie snacks on the trail but there is no way you'll be able to carry enough food to replace what you've burned (unless you're only going overnight).  On my Oregon trip, I made the mistake of bringing too much junk food - high calorie but not very nutritious.  Bring as much unprocessed, whole foods as you can.  It will need to be dehydrated to save weight but you'll be much happier than if you'd brought processed junk.
     b.  Experiment with the food you'd like to bring.  I discovered that I disliked almost everything I brought.  Your cravings may surprise you.
     c.  Bring supplements and take them consistently. A good multivitamin, some form of magnesium, and an electrolyte drink powder are a must.  I brought Emergen-C and Gatorade powder and enjoyed them thoroughly but didn't bring vitamins or magnesium and paid the price in cramping muscles.

Take care of yourself
     a.  Keep yourself as clean as you're able.  Switch out your socks, rinse out your shirt, empty the dirt from your shoes.  Carry wet wipes and take a "bath" every night - especially your private areas. Staying clean isn't just a good morale booster, it will help you avoid chafe, blisters, and sores.
     b. Pay attention to how you're feeling and take care of problems immediately.
     c.  Give yourself a break.  You don't have to keep up with everyone else and if you need a zero day, take it.  The trail's not going anywhere.
     d.  At least once a day, take your shoes off and rub your feet.  Let your feet air out and change your socks.

Have fun!
     a.  Take lots of pictures.  You may never be here again and what you're doing is amazing!
     b.  Look up and appreciate small moments.
     c.  Learn more about yourself than you ever knew before.
     d.  Gain wisdom and confidence.
     e.  Keep a journal so you can read back over your experience.
     f.  Keep your sense of humor and know that "it can always be worse and nothing lasts forever."
     g.  Learn new and weird skills like how to poop perfectly into your "cathole."
     h.  Sleep on the ground.  Drink water from the earth.
     i.  See the stars!
     j.  Get weird looks from day hikers.
     k.  Come home excited about running water and refrigeration.
     l.  Learn how bad your BO can really get.
     m.  Realize that all you really need is 35 pounds of equipment, food, and water.

Aww, time off the trail in a crappy motel.  Heaven.

Advice to New Backpackers - The "Do Nots"

With the popularity of the book, Wild, by Cheryl Strayed and the upcoming movie based on the book, folks are predicting a large increase in the number of people attempting the Pacific Crest Trail next year.  The Pacific Crest Trail Association has even started a separate page and blog to "deal" with the presumed upcoming influx of new backpackers.  Lots of seasoned backpackers are shuddering at the thought of so many "newbies" on the trail.  Fears range from "too many people on the trail" (and all the damage that can cause, especially in regard to trash and waste) to "the number of emergencies will increase."  Personally, I think it's great that the book and movie are inspiring people to hit the trail.  We live in a beautiful country with lots of wilderness areas that should be explored and experienced.

For this post, I thought I would offer some advice for people looking to hit the trail (or any trail) next year.  This is meant to be general advice, not a how-to or a gear guide.  I'm going to start with "don'ts," which seems a bit negative but I think there are quite a few misconceptions about backpacking and being outdoors in general.

Don't overpack.  Whether you're planning an overnight hike or an entire thru hike, the less weight you carry, the better your experience will be.  There are many, many things that people think they need for a wilderness adventure but in the end won't use at all.
     a. Personal protection.  Leave the handguns and bear spray at home.  You won't need them and they weigh too much.  Unless you have those things at the ready on a holster, they'll be useless to you anyway.  I use a SPOT emergency transponder in case I get into trouble.  But it also has the added benefit of tracking my progress so my friends and family know where I am (very useful if people are meeting you at trailheads).
     b. Cooking accessories.  Keeping in mind that lighter is better, the maximum amount of cooking accessories you will need are a stove (and fuel), a bowl/cup with screw on or locking lid, and a spoon/fork combo.  If the point of your trip is to make a gourmet meal at your campsite, then you might want to bring more but backpackers don't need anything else than the items listed.  I use my cup/bowl for everything from eating to drinking.  To clean it, add some clean water, put the lid on, slosh it around a bit, then drink the water.  Water is precious and you'll be getting the last dregs of food this way.
     c. Books.  Dead weight.  If you're planning on doing long distances, you will never have the energy to read while on the trail.  Cheryl Strayed brought several books with her and found time to read them but this is definitely the exception.
     d. Lots of extra clothes.  Backpacking is stinky, dirty business and you'll be tempted to bring extra fresh clothes.  Bring precisely what you'll need and nothing more.  Gauge this based on the time of year, obviously.  For summer, socks and undies are the only extra clothes you'll need (aside from rain gear and warm layers).
     e. Camp shoes.  There is a lot of debate about camp shoes and I did carry them this year in Oregon but I would definitely leave them behind next time.  I used mine primarily to access muddy water sources where I needed to wade out a bit - but my feet got muddy anyway.  If you're bringing camp shoes because your feet really hurt at the end of the day, you should maybe rethink your footwear choice.

Don't listen to the hype and HYOH (Hike Your Own Hike)
     a. Decide for yourself what kind of gear works best for you.  There is a lot of information out there about gear but until you try something out for yourself, you won't truly know if it works for you.  For example, I bought a pair of Brooks Cascadia running shoes (the most popular PCT shoe) for the trail but they did not work for me.
     b. Unless you're an ultra marathoner or an avid backpacker, don't expect to make "the big miles" right away.  You'll read lots of trail journals and blogs that talk about 30 or 40 mile days.  This is not realistic for most people and don't expect to be doing those miles right from the start.  Train before you go to gauge how much you can handle in a day but also use the first 3-4 days on the trail to get acclimatized.  At first, try not to do more than 12-14 miles/day.  Starting out too hard too fast is a sure way to get hurt and demoralize yourself.
     c. Hikers tend to get poetic about the trail and they also tend to gloss over the not-so-great stuff.  Their journal entries make it sound like every day is the most amazing day ever.  This isn't exactly true or honest.  If you have the right attitude, you'll surely have a great time but also be aware that there will be days where you're just not into it.  Don't let the bad days dissuade you from your goal.

You don't have to hike the Pacific Crest Trail.
     a. There are lots of long distance backpacking trails in the U.S.  Try doing one close to home - it'll be cheaper and you will get to see your area from a totally new perspective.
     b. If you're new to backpacking, I highly recommend you try a backpacking trip of 3-4 days before you tackle long distance walking. This will give you a chance to figure out if it's something you really like - with the added benefit of giving your gear a thorough test.

Don't prove the seasoned hikers right.
     a. Follow the principals of Leave No Trace.  Pack out everything you pack in.  If you carried it in, you can carry it out.  Bury your poop deep and way off the trail and far from water sources.  Stay on the trail - DO NOT cut the trail to get down (or up) a slope.  Trail maintenance crews work hard to keep the trail nice and you'll be causing erosion problems if you cut the trail.
     b. Don't foul water sources with your dirty clothes or dishes (see above about my "swish and drink" method of cleaning).  If you have to rinse something out or want to wash off, go way down stream from anywhere people would gather drinking water.
     c. Be polite.  Say "hi" on the trail.  Be courteous.  Don't burden other people with your problems unless it's a real emergency.  Yield to horseback riders.  The best way to do this is to step to the side where the horse can see you - don't stand behind a tree where the horse might be surprised by you.  Mountain bikers are supposed to yield to hikers but in my experience they rarely do.  It's much easier for hikers to step aside for them.

Don't quit in the first 3 days
     a.  The first few days on the trail are the hardest.  Your body is getting used to what you're doing and there will be some aches and pains associated with this period.  You probably will also be surprised by how tired you are and by how bad you're "sucking wind."  That's totally normal.  Just keep going and it will get better.
     b. Don't compare yourself to others.  There's always another faster hiker on the trail or someone who seems like they can power up the hills.  Hike Your Own Hike and don't worry about that stuff.

Next: The "Do's"  Yay!!

Me and my friend Melissa on the PCT south of Lake Tahoe this summer.  I learned a ton about my endurance and my gear doing practice hikes before attempting Oregon.

A great day on the PCT in Oregon.  Water that doesn't need to be filtered - woohoo!