I know this is old, but you don't need to fit all of your food into the bear canister leaving KM. There are no cannister requirements until you get a bit past Crabtree meadows near Mt. Whitney and Crabtree has bear lockers. So you can use traditional hang techniques and so on until you get into the required canister area. Interestingly, if you or other folks had some modicum of support, it would be best to get resupplied out of Cottonwood pass campground at mile ~745. For fast hikers, this allows for a resupply there and the ability to make it all the way to Reds Meadow without another resupply. That can save multiple days total time through the sierras and not having to go off trail.
old man my ass - you are totally wrong about the average hikers to Kennedy. according to vlogs its day 74!!! how in gods name are you crushing these miles? Those hikers bailed on you because they didn't want to be shown up by an old man. You are killing it -
Hi I am enjoying watching your hike. The snakes are freaky. I was wondering if your bracelet is one with a soldiers name and if it is who are you honoring? My son is a medically retired Major in the army. He was critically injured and blinded in an Isis suicide bombing in Jan 2019. He wears a bracelet like yours to honor his friends that died that day. Going to hike the at next year. Going to watch your videos for motivation this year. Thanks for your service.
The name on the bracelet is SFC Ronald E. Smith, Special Forces and LRRP. He was listed MIA while conducting a mission in Laos in 1970. When this type of bracelet first came out in the 1980s, they were worn to draw attention to those still MIA. The wearer would wear the bracelet until the soldier came home. I have been wearing the same bracelet since I was a young 2LT, almost 35 years now. At some point when I was a Major, the military changed SFC Smith's status from MIA to KIA, remains unrecoverable. SFC Smith was never coming home. I continue to wear the bracelet as a daily reminder that some have given far more than me. While not suffering the same or as extensive of injuries as your son, my daughter was also medically retired from military service due to an injury she suffered in Afghanistan. I have been a dependent of a deployed soldier, I myself have deployed to combat, and I have been a parent of a deployed soldier (two in fact). I can tell you, as you already know, that being the parent of a deployed soldier is the hardest of them all. Thank you and your son for your service to our country. I hope you enjoy the videos of my journey.
Thanks for your gear advice. But, I don't use the straps, because I worry about getting the poles tangled up in my legs if I trip on them. Glad you were able to meet Ken & Thia. I've loved their vlog. They sound like great people.
I applied for and received my permit prior to COVID-19, just like everyone else on trail this year. The PCTA issues thru hike permits on behalf of the US Forestry Service. The USFS did not invalidate any of the permits this year, and the PCT was open the entire way when I walked the trail. Please note, the PCTA has no official inherent authority over the Pacific Crest Trail. All authority is derived from the USFS, who manages the PCT on behalf of the American People.
Great to see you out there with those kids pounding out miles. Keep an eye on that phone, the old adage “problems that go away by themselves come back by themselves “. Does that outfitter have fishing gear to rent? You will be hiking through great fishing areas.
It is good to hear a hard charging Infantyman admit the criticality of comms. That being said, my most frustrating days on the AT were phone problem days. Take care, Low Gear AT-18.
How did your feet hold up? how have you dealt with blisters ? .. I usually just throw tape on my feet and leave it on for 5 day intervals for resupply .. I don't think vaseline will work on the feet, but it works great on the arm pits and butt
I definitely agree with others comments on vblog quality and your progress so far. Nothing like having a 7000 cal meal and still being hungry. I am still interested to know your cal consumption per day on the trail.....
Your doing great.. my brother is in the area of Kennedy Meadows also Look for him and his wife Road kill and gridlocks are their trail names. Nice snake
