First round of resupply boxes packed and shipped, mountaineering course complete, final gear list set, health insurance squared away, one-way Amtrak ticket from LA to San Diego purchased, transportation to trailhead arranged, auto-pay set up for my credit cards… I’m probably forgetting something... Hopefully something minor.

The main focus of the last week has been on food. I bought what I thought would be enough food for my first 6 mail drops, made way more homemade granola bars than I actually needed, and then began playing a massive game of Tetris as I tried to figure out how much food I could cram into a medium-sized Priority Mail box. About 11 pounds was the answer, saving some space for my paper maps, disposable contacts, vitamins, and body wipes (i.e. disposable showers). Wrap those puppies in some red-white-and-blue packing tape to help them stand out among the hundreds of hiker boxes waiting at each post office, and I’m good to go.

I also made one last pass over my gear. The Kindle didn’t make the cut, thanks to the Kindle app that I downloaded on my iPhone (which actually works pretty damn well). That’s half a pound saved. I also got a free sewing lesson, courtesy of my mom, and patched the holes in my hiking pants. Hopefully I remember what she taught me if I need to stitch a gash in my arm (or patch another hole in my pants, which is far more likely).

...like this

I don’t think I have ever spent this much time and effort preparing for anything. And the preparation could have been much more involved if I didn’t have awesome trail angels back at home (i.e. Mom, with help from Dad and Darby) who are going to be stuffing and sending resupply packages as I make my way along the trail. My hat goes off to the hikers who complete this hike “unsupported”, without the help of folks back home. And don’t even get me started on how impressive it was that people in the 80’s and early 90’s were able to do this with 50-60 pound packs and without the Internet at their fingertips. Unreal...

A skill that I'll hopefully never have to use

There are still a handful of days until I start, but between the Stagecoach music festival and then actually getting to the trailhead, there won’t be much time for last-minute preparation (aside from a quick shave of my head). So now that I have done what I can to prepare, it’s time to get on the trail and see what happens! I’ll keep you posted.