Gaiters in MN? Yeah, you betcha!

Surprise, surprise, it's not quite Spring in MN yet. This past weekend (and all the rest of this week) our high temps were in the mostly 30s, and our low temps have been 20s and teens...with more snow on the way. Oiy. I attempted to stay in the tent on Sat night, but when I came inside after a couple hours to put on more layers, I found my bed to be too much of a temptation. I know, I know, there won't be any soft, warm beds on the trail, but it seemed ridiculous to pass it up now. The weather has also taken a bite out of my training schedule, unfortunately. My daily mini hikes have turned into extra mini hikes and gym treadmills. How quickly we turn into wimps!

But this isn't to say that I haven't been productive! I've made more meal packets, some awesome granola bars, and fruit jerky. Plus, I was able to go over my gear and separate it into Mandatory and Slightly Less Mandatory. It was helpful to see other hikers' gear lists on their blogs to compare, so I'm including mine for the same reasons, plus the weight for each item, because it is ALL about the weight, gosh darn it! But before I post all the nitty gritty, my latest gear item arrived, and I'm geeking out about them. My Leva trail gaiters!

I know. They scream Sexy, but I'm telling you, these are where it's at. They are super lightweight (+), quick drying (+), were cheaper than most other trail gaiters (++), don't require insole straps (+), and will keep the dirt and rocks out of my shoes (++).  Bonus, just for you guys: check out my shockingly white legs! Don't look too long, or you could go blind...

Tentastic

Hey chickadees!

The tent has been shaken out, set up and seam sealed! Woot woot!
This weekend will be more practice days--ten miles with full pack and then backyard tent camping. I need to get more miles in with my shoes, but walking around the streets has proved to be incredibly boring. I'm hoping that a trail along the river will help lessen the monotony of sidewalk walking!

Commiserate: I have been so good about putting on my Hike Goo before every walk, so that I don't get blisters, and then I went dancing and got a HUGE blister on the bottom of my foot. I'm telling myself now is the perfect time for a longer walk, because I'm sure blisters will be the least of my pains on the trail, but it's still frustrating how something so little can be such a bother. :/

Celebrate: my tent feels awesomely roomy, and getting it all ready is making me insanely excited! I also got in touch with a fellow 'Bree' who hiked the PCT last summer, and was able to ask her some of my pressing questions (namely, the snake and bear situation), and I feel somewhat more reassured about what I can probably expect. Btw, her blog is awesome (google Bree hikes the pct)--and the way she tackled the trail is way beyond my current abilities, but something to aspire to!

That's it for tonight. Next post will include my gear list and backyard camping updates!

Spring Training!

Today Ellie and I went on our first mini hike of the season, because it was FINALLY warm enough spend some time outside! We criss-crossed the river for about 5 miles--just enough to help break in my second pair of hiking shoes, and for me to feel assured in my decision not to take Ellie on the trail! While I love her to pieces, my dog is not meant for significant trail walking--the concept of covering any distance in a reasonable amount of time, by walking in a semi straight line, and forgoing other distractions, is way beyond her. Alas.

In other news, I'm hoping to do some backyard camping this weekend to get a feel for my equipment--it's supposed to be in the 60s later this week, which is basically summer in Minnesota!

DTT (Days till trail): -55

Things I learned last week: If you decide to go to Costco and get a bunch of food items to make some huge meals, it probably means your dehydrator is about to break. Good news, though! You can finish dehydrating your meals in the oven! Set the oven to 170, crack the door, and dry away. It's not recommended, nor is it economical, but in a pinch, it'll get you through. Hopefully.

Things to do this week: 
-seam seal the tent
-make awesome granola bars
-try out powdered milk to see what it's like
-dehydrate all the fruit I just bought
-get denatured alcohol and try out my homemade cat food can stove
-spend the weekend in the tent, trying out my gear!
-buy bear spray
-try not to have any more dreams about getting chased by bears

Snow, snakes and Spaghetti

4-5-14 Hey all!

So, it's another delightful day in MinneSNOWta, as we woke up to 5 inches and counting this morning. Spring, you're such a tease!

In any case, I have enough trail preparation to keep me busy, even in the most snowed in of conditions. Last night I spent the evening researching snakes in California. Informative, yes; a little scary, yes.  Now I can add snake bite to my list of top fears. However, this has prompted me to invest in one of those SPOT gps systems, in which you can send an SOS signal by satellite, should any danger befall you. This eases my mind (as well as my mother's) A LOT.

Here's the website, in case you want to give yourself a shudder:
http://www.californiaherps.com/identification/socalherps.html#Snakes

There are lots of different snakes in California, but basically the only venomous snakes to humans are Rattlesnakes. So, at least there's that. :/

Here's what I've learned so far about avoiding/handling a snake bite:

1) NEVER SUCK OUT THE VENOM!
EVER. You might be tempted; that might have been what you heard you should do, but don't do it! You're just ingesting the venom again--and putting something sublingually (under the tongue) helps it get into the blood stream even faster.

2) AVOID GETTING BITTEN IN THE FIRST PLACE!
ALWAYS. Be vigilant. Don't stick your hand our foot into crevices. Don't put your face near a snake. No matter how cute it looks.

3) Trekking poles are your friend. Use them to distract a snake.
Then back away slowly, preferably not into another snake. (See #2)

4) If you get bit, don't panic. HAHAHAHA!
But seriously, keep your heart rate low. HAHAHAHA!
Compress the area above the bite (The venom flows through the lymph system, so you want to reduce the flow, but not cut off blood circulation completely)
Signal for help, ie get a SPOT gps system.

Feel safer? Yeah... me too...


Food prep of the day:
Spaghetti. And lots of it. I am up to 65 dinners, made by yours truly, packaged and ready to go. Only 50 more to go...Speaking of which, I should call this post done and start thinking of more meals to make!

Peace out, chickadees.

Preparation 4-1-14

Minnesota is having the last laugh this April Fools--woke up to snow and a cold 19 degree morning, after having a lovely 50+ degree day yesterday. I have been hoping to get my tent set up outside (I still need to do some seam-sealing) and get some practice nights under my belt with this new tent and sleeping bag.
Two months still seems  a long way off, and yet I feel the anxiety/excitement building exponentially...

T-Minus: 2 Months before I start the trail.

What I'm currently doing to prepare: Dehydrating food. Dehydrating food. Packing food. Dehydrating food. Breaking in my trail shoes. Buying more food. Making little bags for all my food items/breaking things down into smaller portions.

Distractions: Listening to tons of music and watching plenty of TV. Might as well binge before it's all gone.

Dreams: Had my third dream about being chased by a bear. Could this be my greatest trail fear? Yes. Yes, it is.