Evolve Now!

I have been thinking about a few different random subjects that I want to share with you. When you hike all day everyday you start thinking and thinking.... So here it goes:

1. Don't wait to tell your friends and family that you love and appreciate them. In fact, stop reading this blog and do it right now! Evolve now.

2. Our lives are delicate. Our bodies can be resilient. Respect yourself. Evolve now.

3. We don't need role models. We ALL need to be model citizens. Evolve now.

4. Racism will end when we see others in ourselves. It takes courage. It takes humility. Evolve now.

5. The cells in our bodies completely regenerate in six years. Evolve now with out even trying!

Love, Gourmet

RIP Garrett Richardson

I was at mile 174 Campground thinking about my former student and planning on calling him when I had coverage on my phone. Five minutes later Jayne texts me with tragic news that Garrett sadly passed away from stepping on glass and losing blood. Garrett had a very tough last two years. There were two separate family tragedies in that time too awful to mention in blog post. Garrett suffered terribly and I used to call him every few months just to check in or to rap about Seahawks football. Garrett was an excellent musician, and a great friend. He will be missed by many and specifically the Seattle Drum School family.

I am heartbroken.

Oh... The Learning Curve

Hi Folks,

Its Day 10 on the PCT. Last night I headed up 2 miles from Idyllwild, CA. I ditched my food here in town and planned to stay the night up on the ridge and then hike South for 27 miles then hitch back to town. This is what thru hikers call slack packing where you can carry less and hike more. (In theory) I cowboy camped up on the ridge with an amazing sunset and beautiful views to Palm Springs, CA. I woke up and tried to find the trail amongst tons of snow. There were bootprints everywhere and I couldn't find the trail. I was not lost, but time went by and I knew I couldn't make all the miles with very little food so I turned around and went right back to town. So now I am chillin' in Idyllwild, CA. It's a very cute mountain town that is crazy busy on the weekends and like a ghost town during the week. I learned a few things from yesterday. 1. My navigation skills are well... lacking. Yes, that's a good word for it. 2. I like sleeping outside my tent. Cowboy camping is the way to go. Easy clean up, no tent stakes, and I like looking at the stars. 3. I prefer hiking with a buddy, but I am comfortable alone. I met an amazing hiker named Eric who yo-yo'd the PCT in a single season. That means he hiked From Mexico to Canada and back. He's only the second person to do that. He helped me out with some of my gear and I have since mailed some things home. Meeting someone like that is incredible. Sometimes you meet super athletes. He's like the Michael Jordan of thru hiking. Oh yes- he's thru hiked the PCT ten times. You could say that he IS the PCT. Anyway, what a pleasure. I am heading up the ridge again in the morning with Alaska who's another thru hiker who works as a cameraman for Deadliest Catch on the Discovery channel. I am doing two days of 15 miles per day. (Shorter that I like, but hey he's got a GPS and I have nice food so there you go.) Then I will hitch back to Idyllwild and then spen one more night here and then hike north. Big Bear in one week from now. I am having fun and everyday has new challenges, new people, and new friends. I think the key word is: Flexability.

Love, Gourmet

Day 2 Snow!!!

What a crazy day... The first 8 miles were beautiful ridge walking a gradual upward climb. The weather was sunny with a few mixed clouds very nice conditions. Then it all changed. Raining sideways and snow mix. We got to Mt Laguna wet and cold. Oakdale picked up his package and we flagged down some hikers who rented a small cabin. They let us stay here and its a good thing too. Its snowing with about three inches of snow and 65 mile an hour winds. Our new friends are: father daughter team carlos and ? And clay who just finished college at University Puget Sound. I cooked a big lovely meal for Oakdale and me. And I earned my trail name today: Gourmet. I like it. We might be here for two days because of weather. I am very concerned about some of the other thru hikers that I started with. This is a big storm. Now I am sitting here, warm and watching Canucks hockey. We walked 17 miles today. A short day according to Oakdale. I am just trying to keep up. (Drafting) We will see what tomorrow brings...

Mt Laguna Post Storm

The storm is finally over and two nights here in Mt Laguna have been really fun but ready to be hiking again. It was special to cook on a gas stove in our little cabin! I made two breakfasts of potatoes and eggs with garlic and pesto. We been stylin'! It looks clear out with no wind. 20 miles of ridge walking with big views and snow on the trees is in our future for the day. Then down 5000 ft to the desert floor. I am concerned about the hikers behind me that had to stay in a tent through this storm. That would have been very challenging. Keep y'all posted.

Lotsalove_ Gourmet

Walking Thru Snow

We walked 23 miles yesterday through soft snow. There was about 18 miles of stellar ridge walking with huge views. You could even see the Salton Sea which is a very strange place I am told. Met new friends Mike and Stephanie. They are planning on spending time in Seattle after their thru hike. It would be nice to spend time with them.

I am doing well overall. I love my food and having a great time with my crew: Oakdale who I met at Campo. He's hiking to Big Bear, and Clay who I now call "snowblind" because he didn't have glasses yesterday. He hitched to town and got a pair then caught up to us later which was an amazing feat after doing many miles.

A quick note: my phone connection and internet is much worse than exected sadly. Everone who has at&t is styling, so my posts will only update when there is a connection. You dig?

Much love, Gourmet

Day 5 update

Well, this is Jayne here blogging for Marc. He is having problems with his phone although no one else seems to be. It sounds like he is going to try to rent a phone from a carrier who gets reception up in the mountains better... Arg.  Marc made it to mile 96 last night (Tuesday) and was hoping to be in Warner Springs, CA tomorrow which would make it mile 110. He has been booking it so far, and seems to feel great. His feet were sore one of the days, but his friend Nate met him on the trail with some Weekend Warrior from Sister Sage....no blisters. 
 Sounds like Idlewilde has a nice Farmers' Market if he hits it on the right day- nevertheless he will find nice organic veggies at most of the stops. After that Big Bear is his nex stop @ mile 265. He has been going with the food he brought with him on the plane and supplementing with fresh veggies & cheeses. Apparently the first thing he ate on the trail was Miner's lettuce and because of all his great hand made food, his trail name is "gourmet"! That's my guy!

I will try to blog when he can't. If anyone wants to send him a package send it to Marc Fendel c/o General Delivery Big Bear City CA, 92314. check the spreadsheet for the next drop and comment here so he/we knows.
peace,
Jayne

Day 1 On The PCT

I did not plan on walking 26.6 miles on day one, but that what happend. Scout and Frodo are the nicest people on the planet. They picked me up from the airport, fed me salmon dinner, put me up for the night, fed me breakfast and brought me to the trailhead. Now that is something! I already me some great people: clutch, scott & dianna, (these folks were at the same house) also: Peru, wild bill the PE teacher from San Diego, and Oakdale who pushed me to walk far yesterday. I am in my tent. Its pretty cold out. Thankfully warm in the tent. Some beautiful country yesterday with rolling hills, catus, sage, intersting rock formations and perfect hiking weather. They say there is a big rain storm coming. No sign of it yet. Keep y'all posted.

More walking in a while....

Departure!

Ok now for the first official post of this crazy adventure. I am sitting in the Oakland airport waiting for my next flight to San Diego. These airports never change: sterile vendors, people of all walks of life, old men with fanny packs, women with too much makeup and stinky perfume, crying kids, all with one thing in common: nobody wants to be here.

I had a tough time getting my stomache to settle yesterday and this morning. Those that know me, know this is pretty common. Call it nerves? Anyway, feeling a bit better now.

Keep y'all posted. Campo tomorrow! Wheeeeeee.....

Trail Angels

http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=cVi6Ce0vvZM

Just watch this short video and see why trail angels are so important for us thru hikers. A big thank you to all of you!

What's In Your Resupply Box?

Watch "Basic needs - extreme happiness" on YouTube

If you haven't seen this video, I promise it will make you smile.

All Eyes On Campo!

This is what it looks like right next to the California/Mexico border. I will be right there on April 12! Yeeeeeeha.