"not all who wander are lost"

I have been slowly preparing myself for my next wandering adventure. I first came up with the idea for this type of extreme extended backpacking adventure somewhere around 1999. I started to be aware of where the Pacific Crest Trail passed though the Cascade Mountains about that time, and began to wonder what it would be like to spend more than a few days or weeks living in the wilderness. Is it possible for me to tire of sleeping in a tent and wandering through the alpine meadows and ridges for days on end. I purchased my first PCT book in 2003 and it has been in the back of my mind ever since as an idea of something I needed to do.

I purchased a one way plane ticket to San Diego today. My plan is to walk home from there. It may take me a while to cover the entire 2665 or so miles. There will be sections that are closed due to forest fires, forcing a re-route that may be shorter or longer. There will be extra miles walking into towns to resupply my food bag, shower, and charge my camera batteries. I will walk some extra miles to get out of the mountains and meet up with Jennifer at the south end of the Sierra Mountains where she will join me for a few weeks of walking from Mt. Whitney to Yosemite. 

It is possible that I have bitten off more than I can chew, or I may surprise myself as my physical strength and ability to keep walking long miles day after day. I hope that I loose some of the extra physical and emotional weight I have been carrying around the last 7 years. I expect to meet wonderful people as I have on previous travels. 

I will upgrade to a smart phone for the trip so that I can stay in touch more easily and not be reliant on the local libraries for internet access. 

I will not be carrying a gun or bear spray. My weapon of choice is my mind. I have years, decades of experience to help me make the right decision and stay safe. 

I will carry lots and lots of water in the desert. 

I will enjoy the quiet. 

I will practice being patient and compassionate with myself. 

I will get better at writing with practice. What types of stories do you want to hear from the trail?