So I'm off to Australia soon (Perth > Sydney > Melbourne) to see if it's a place where I could potentially live. 🥳
Since I'm in the region it's a perfect opportunity to visit new Zealand AND the Cook Islands 🏝 Obv expensive, but a lifelong dream (the Cook Islands, don't really care for NZ sorry). Should I do it? Or should I rather stay in Australia longer?
I was nervous to deal with liquid insecticide (intense warning label) but I successfully treated my hiking clothes with Sawyer Permethrin Insect Repellant. I used the soak method, which involved using rubber gloves to dump the insecticide on my clothes inside large Zip-loc bags. The pants didn’t really soak up the liquid very well so sprayed them after as well. Once soaked, I hung them to dry on my back porch. 🤞🏼this works. Will test them out this weekend.
The first photo is the view from near my camp on Cloudy Pass. Today has been incredible but tough. Hiked 20 miles with 6400’ elevation gain. This is not like the PCT, it’s rough trails that go straight up for hours. But i’m so happy, I wanted an epic long weekend and Glacier Peak Wilderness is providing that in spades so far.
Planning some sewing projects to replace disposable plastic bags for these final uses:
electronics
med/hygiene
portioned calories
sets of portioned calories
cold soak bag
pack liner
I already have systems of bags I reuse so sizes are easy to spec. I’ll mostly use Dyneema remnants. It’s air/water tight(ish) and see thru. I’ll seam seal and add zippers to some and roll tops to others.
The smoke was looking to be bad at Steven’s Pass so I hopped on the PCT at Timberline instead after work on Thursday. Hiked 4 miles and set up camp. After the PCT departs the Timberline Trail, it enters a majestic forest heading towards Timothy Lake. Just before dusk the wind picked up and I received a possible thunderstorm warning. Luckily I packed my rain jacket.
I made this image a little while ago and (surprise!) it's already out of date in a few areas, but it was fun to lay out all the gear that makes up a normal short hike for me. I've tried to aim toward #ultralight but also not be dumb about, and I am kinda old so keeping some niceties like the chair make my. time out in the...
Very glad I decided to make the drive. I didn’t know what to expect but the views and trail are stunning. Lots of shade. I’m camped the first night a couple miles from Knife’s Edge and about 4 miles from Old Snowy Mountain. Should be on the ridge by sunrise so I can attempt to scramble up to the top of Old Snowy. Incredibly excited.
Mount Hood looks stunning from up here on Table Mountain. I was informed by a frankly terrified-looking day hiker that black bears were seen up here last night. I’m proceeding with caution and will update you if I encounter them. 🐻🗻☀️
Hiking the Timberline Trail this weekend, which circumnavigates Mount Hood. Currently hiking CCW from Timberline Lodge to Elk Cove. Knocking out about half of the mileage today to relax the next two days. I slipped in Newton Creek and soaked my right foot. Having a great time though, so good to be back out in the wilderness!
Exploring a beautiful section of the PCT this weekend. Alpine lakes all around with many views of Mount Rainier. Really glad I made the long drive up here. Just saw a man hiking barefoot with a walking stick. A few mosquitoes but my permethrin treated clothes are working really well so far.
I made it up to 8,300 feet on Mountain Jefferson, which is the highest I’ve been standing on Earth. A little challenging but I had a great time and the views were beautiful. Camped near Shale Lake and explored the area. Very quiet here because most thru hikers are in Washington or California. Have only seen 3 people and they were all headed up Jefferson.
I finally got around to setting up the tent in the back yard again. I wanted to test out my sleep system one last time. I got a new sleep pad last fall but it was warm out when I slept on it. It's the Sea to Summit Ether Light XT with an R value of 3.2. My previous Big Agnes pad was rated at 4.8. I just want to be sure it's warm enough for me. It's getting down to 37 F tonight, so it should be a good test.
Better to find out now than when I'm on the trail. 🥶
🧵 1/7
October 1, 1983: After crossing Pollywog Stream on a logging road bridge, the AT proceeded to Rainbow Stream, which it followed for a good distance upstream, passing a long series of cascades and small waterfalls in the boulder-strewn shallow waters.
This is the very starting point of the Hoh Rainforest where the Hoh river is about to meet the Pacific Ocean. Over the last few days we hiked from here (Oil City) up to 3rd Beach — 17 miles along the South Coast Route in the Olympic Wilderness. More fun pictures to come. #PNW #OlympicNationalPark #Backpacking #Rainforest
I packed up 5 days worth of food for the start of my thru-hike. I have my first few days planned out and it will take me 4 to 5 days (depending on mileage) before I stop at my first hostel.
Food bag includes: Cook kit with fuel, 4 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 dinners, 3 snacks per day, and electrolyte drink mixes. 9.76 lbs in all.
Puts my total pack weight with 2 l of water at 30.5 pounds. Ugh.
All the gears...
I made this image a little while ago and (surprise!) it's already out of date in a few areas, but it was fun to lay out all the gear that makes up a normal short hike for me. I've tried to aim toward #ultralight but also not be dumb about, and I am kinda old so keeping some niceties like the chair make my. time out in the...
OC Waking up above the clouds