Lbealsjr - Pacific Crest Trail Journal - 2007

Dropped the Papers

After a lot of consideration over the past couple of years I have come to the conclusion that this (the Navy) just isn't as much fun as it used to be so I "dropped" my papers today. For the civilians out there - basically I submitted my retirement request. Now I am waiting to see if it will be approved. I will have 24+ years in (the last ten as a Naval Officer) and it is about time to get on with what I want to do with the rest of my life. Which is mostly hike and be outdoors if I can swing it.

My last big hiking trip was a ten day loop in through the Olympic National Park/Forest over 14 years ago. Lots of things have changed in the backpacking world since then. My pack weight was around 75+ pounds using one of the first Jansport internal frame packs that I had purchased in 1981. Love that pack, it has been with me all over the world. But for this trip I purchased a Dana Design Terraplane a couple of years ago (been thinking about this a long time)as I haven't quite embraced the whole golite philosophy yet. My game plan is to spend lots of time hiking and very little in town resupplying, so I wanted a pack that could handle the extra weight and volume.

Boots right now will probably be Montrail Morraines for the Sierras (I hiked those during my college and high school years) with maybe some Merrell leather boots in the desert. I had to have one ankle reconstructed due to an active duty injury and I am not taking a chance with lighter boots.

Well enough for now...

Clear skies

Bear

Bear AKA Lawrence Beals

PIG DEAD. SOLDIER ON.

Entry 1 of 13
First :: Previous :: Next  :: Last