LiquidCowBoy - Pacific Crest Trail Journal - 2009

Meals - Training - Meals - Training - What A Vicious Cycle!

"Do it while you're young" That is the advice I've gotten from most every adult I've spoken with regarding my future plans, and is a major part in my decision to thru-hike the PCT. Last year, I had a dilemma - to take a year long job in Australia where I'd make a bunch of money and get a ton of experience for my 'future' career, or go back to the states, wait a year, then hike the PCT... well Im here now, so you guessed it, I dropped the job, explored New Zealand for a month, got a contact gig in Alaska for 6 months and then started planning out this trip. Needless to say, im glad I took the path that I did in that fork of my life. I guess driving alone across Australia does give you plenty of time to examine yourself, what you want, and what goals to put higher up on the list.

Reflections aside, im thankfully making great strides in my preparation (its about time... T - 10 days...) and training. Im forever indebted to my parents for allowing me to take over their home while all my gear and food these last few weeks. And ever more indebted for their help with logistics of shipping and meeting me in a few places with my food. Oh how easy it is to take their love for granted.

Meals, Meals, Meals. Im trying to count calories for most of my meals. Why? Because im tall and skinny and really don't have a lot of anything to lose, thus I gotta know that im getting a TON of calories each day..or else I may just blow off with the wind. Im just not sure how im going to eat 4-5000 calories a day. That seems like sooo much food, however im sure I'll be happy to be able to dig in at dinner time. Im sure one would agree, that purchasing and making at least 100 days of meals in advance is an experience in itself, not to mention pretty weird. I mean a typical person will plan out meals for say, a week or so, and here we are "planning" over 15 weeks.

Also, through all this packing of food stuffs, I've come to notice how much excess packaging there seems to be on EVERYTHING. What a waste! Im just glad that while on the trail i'll be actually creating less pollution and waste than if I were living in a house and driving a car. Think of all the fuel that isn't burned, or electricity that isn't used, plus of so much more. I think more people should get outdoors for longer stints to reduce their impact on the world.

Another food prep day tomorrow and a 10 mile walk-about. The 20 miles from yesterday in the 80+ degree sun haven't hit me hard yet...and I hope it stays that way.

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