Oh boy, what every week. Rather a lot was occurring in probably the most optimistic manner attainable. A day I´ll in all probability always remember, a 3-day journey to Vancouver sums up intensive days I must share with you. And, most significantly, large steps in direction of my Pacific Crest Path Begin:
The most effective snowboarding on the earth:
As you would possibly know, I´m at the moment working at Mike Wiegele Helicopter Snowboarding in Blue River B.C., a fairly distant and particular place. Mike Wiegele was a pioneer for helicopter snowboarding within the 70s and constructed a bit of paradise lodge in the midst of nowhere, a cute little city alongside the Yellowhead freeway. My residence for the second winter season. Sure, we will go snowboarding with company every time there are open seats within the helicopters. A fairly cool deal with and undoubtedly the rationale I utilized within the first place, and returned this winter.
However Sunday was additional particular. Along with three associates, we had been capable of catch a uncommon alternative to lease our personal helicopter and information for a brilliant particular employees low cost. We had our personal helicopter plus information and weren’t solely allowed to hitch snowboarding however may herald what we wished to ski and will go onerous. Work onerous – play onerous.
THIS WAS SO FUN!
And undoubtedly, the snowboarding expertise I’ve been eager for since my very first day right here. If that is spoiling my snowboarding long-term? I don’t know, however perhaps 😀
Figuring out that I´d by no means be capable of afford this as an everyday visitor, I´m greater than humble and grateful for the experiences and reminiscences I was capable of make right here. Due to MWHS for every little thing 😊.
Off to the Huge Metropolis:
The day after, I left cute little calm Blue River for a 3-day journey to hustle and bustle Vancouver for my VISA appointment on the US embassy. I wrote about my visa battle in a earlier publish. So, clearly, I used to be nervous. After all, there was no apparent cause to disclaim my visa utility, however you by no means know. Driving the 2,5hours right down to Kamloops to catch the tremendous quick 50-minute flight and 20 minutes within the sky prepare and I´m downtown. First time in a much bigger city in 4.5 months. Straight overwhelmed by every little thing: Folks, buildings, individuals, noise, scent, …. Loopy 😀
However I made the perfect out of it! Strolled round, obtained a haircut, visited a few of my favourite locations for meals, made new associates within the hostel, and even went to a hockey sport – a must-do when in Canada. Extra importantly: I GOT MY US VISA. And it went fairly easily. Within the interview, I used to be requested why the 90-day ESTA isn´t sufficient. On my reply, that I wish to hike the Pacific Crest Path and might´t do it that quick, the officer solely replied with: “Why do individuals wish to hike that”… A query I’ll undoubtedly ask myself at one or one other second throughout the hike.
It´s gonna occur (time to freak out)
However THIS is a large step for me. The final large administrative barrier handed and it´s getting actual. In 48 days, I´ll begin my hike. I nonetheless have hassle picturing myself mountaineering and beginning this journey. All this has been in my head for such a very long time, and the thought that I´m going to really do it’s unimaginable. Simply unreal 😊
Time to get into detailed preparations once more. The final 4 weeks I used to be a bit lazy in that regard. However truthfully, I learn a lot about “don´t overprep” and that issues will work out. I simply want some extra overview about sure issues. And my to-do record earlier than leaving Blue River is gigantic 😊.
Preps breakdown:
Gear:
There’s a full cart at Amazon, Garagegrowngear.com, and sixmoondesign.com. I simply must order it and I´m good to go. Some issues like my solar hoodie I´m going to purchase at REI both in San Francisco or San Diego. Gear is about and I can´t wait to pack my Kakwa55 for the primary time. As I left principally all of my gear in San Francisco, I would like to attend a bit longer – however I´m thrilled to pack this bag.
Resupply
I must get into the element planning and work on my overview of resupply cities on the way in which. By now, I do know the place I wish to ship containers to. However I would like a greater understanding of the place I can get stuff in-between. Once more: My technique is to ship lunches and dinners in containers for the part till Kennedy Meadows (first 700 miles). On this stretch, I assess if that is how I´m going to proceed, or if one thing must adapt.
Additional, I must take into consideration what I would like in each resupply field regardless of meals. Hygiene stuff, dietary supplements, gear replacements/additions and different issues I wish to restock. Huge considering forward, however in the long run it ought to be carried out in a single centered night session.
Admin
I nonetheless want native permits, as my Pacific Crest Path Lengthy Distance Allow begins in Agua Dulce. So, I would like to get the Cleveland forest allow and the Mt. Jacinto Wilderness Allow. Mt. Jacinto I can get as walk-in on the ranger station. For the Cleveland allow, I must fill out a kind 1 month prior. Which is quickly (I´m so thrilled and getting chills each time I remind myself, that it’ll begin quickly :D).
Tech
I must enlarge my Google Drive to x00 GB, and to lastly set up the photograph backup to not solely empty space for storing on my telephone however to have the ability to get them within the drive when having wifi. Moreover, I must activate my SPOT plan and must work out what to do with my Canadian quantity and signing up for an American plan. I considered maintaining my Canadian as exchanging the quantity on each 2-factor authentication on the telephone seems to grow to be an increasing number of a serious ache within the a**. However we´ll see.
Bodily
The final weeks have proven, that I´m fairly pleased with my legs and that the combination of ongoing 20.000 steps per day, cardio, snowboarding, stretching, and many others. put me on a stable base to begin mountaineering. After all, I haven’t carried out the tremendous lengthy prep hikes, however a minimum of I´ll have one proper earlier than leaving for San Diego. I´ll hike with my cousin and his spouse the Misplaced Coast path in California mid-April. This will likely be a great check run for all my new tools and I can´t wait to spend high quality time with these 2 superior people in nature.
Mentally
The nearer my begin day is coming, the extra I have the sensation that I’ve no clue what I´m about to expertise. After all, I do know about how multi-day mountaineering feels, and all the talents with tenting and stuff. However truthfully, I by no means hiked a desert. I by no means hiked that lengthy. I solely know that I´ll get on the sting of my consolation zone lots and that it’d begin straight away. However I believe I´m mentally ready for that, and that I can endure lots. And in the long run, that is what counts, what you’re prepared to beat.
For me, that is probably the most superb factor of an journey, proper? The uncertainty of consequence, the large unknown you courageously stroll into.
Thanks for studying, go away a remark, subscribe, and comply with me on my Pacific Crest Path journey <3
Simon
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