Brian’s BLOG – Page 3 – Truly One Foot In Front of the Other

No one

In the past three days I’ve met no one. As I hike I watch the trail ahead and I see other footprints in the sand. They look old and nothing like my own print which is precise and defined. No one has been here in days.

My Brooks Cascadia trail-runner footprint on the barren trail.

Dry historic trail

At various points you have to cross from one person’s land to another’s. To do that you need to open gates and close them after you’re through. Here is one where I just crossed through, turned around and saw these distant snow covered mountains along with the brilliant morning sun.

I’ve been hiking part of the historic Oregon and California trails. I think about all those people whose only means to get there was to come by wagon train and walking through this inhospitable high desert (elevation 8700 feet). I now truly understand viscerally what that journey was like.

Wrong way Joe

Well I got up early and headed out, but I didn’t do my homework and hiked north about 5 miles when I should have hiked south.

Call me wrong way Joe!

Whenever I see a trail marker I say aloud “On Trail”.

Me after hiking North then returning to camp and finally heading in the right direction, that is, SOUTHBOUND AKA SOBO. *(Photograph Courtesy of J. Watt)*

Made it to the start

We’re happy!

We made it near to South Pass City and where the trail crosses Highway 28.

We’ve arrived at Highway 28 where the CDT crosses. Note: little did I know but this is the northbound side of the trail and tomorrow I’d goof and go that way when I should have hiked southbound. *(Photograph Courtesy of J. Watt)*

Leaving home

Heading to the trail.

Before we leave a picture of two adventurers – father and son.

Buzz cut

To maintain my social distancing Justin cut my hair. Or shall I say he “buzzed it off” to 1/4″. I feel so much cooler now and it is very manageable. It feels like I have some hair when I rub it with my hand, but looking at this picture it looks as if I don’t have any at all. Ha! And I love the look on his face. It’s the “OMG What Have I Done to my Dad” look.

Just asks… “Dad, do you want to leave something on the top”. I respond… “Nope”.

Justin is now worried that that he’s done too much!

Supported hiking

This is a first. My son offered to keep me safe and isolated during to the COVID-19 Pandemic while I hike so he’s going to support me. I will stay on the trail (not go into towns to keep them and me safe) whereas he’ll precede me to the next meeting point. He’ll carry all the resupplies along with a roof top tent and SHOWER – yup a 4.5 gallon pressurized water with a nozzle shower. He drove from California to Austin to pick me up. Also he got a COVID-19 test before he left, which was negative. Together we’ll drive to South Pass City WY where I’ll start hiking and he’ll drive to our next meet-up (see Plan). Hike, meet, repeat…

Just arrived in Austin with Columbus Autohone, the white clamshell attached to roof rack.

A test drive with his sweetheart a few days before with the roof tent popped up. They said the view is great from up there! (Photograph Courtesy of J. Watt)

The shower is the black pipe (black to help with solar heating). It holds about 4.5 gallons of water with a spigot and nozzle at the end. The “T” in the middle is where you fill it with water and there is an air valve so you can pump it up for a pressured shower experience. Slick!

My son, Justin, standing under the shower nozzle shortly after assembling it and mounting it to the roof car rack. I think by now you should have gotten the idea that a supported hike is quite different than normal. *(Photograph Courtesy of J. Watt)*

Equipment and supplies preparation

Each hike requires a certain amount of equipment. I already have most of the stuff, but things wear out and I’ve got to replace them. For example, shoes. On the AT I started with lightweight trail runners and later switched to a hiking boot. So online I purchased one pair of Brooks Cascadia 14 Trail-Running Shoes and two pair of Oboz Sawtooth II Low Hiking Shoes. Along with them I got a new Petzl rechargeable head lamp and Inova microlight for use in my tent.

Just a small sample of the equipment I recently bought for the section hike.

Then there is consumables, such as food. For example, dehydrated dinners and other items, for example, cherry Tootsie Roll Pops – yup only cherry – sixty of them – Yum!

About 50 dehydrated dinners and 60 cherry Tootsie Roll Pops for dessert

I can’t say I have everything, but I have enough to get started. Then it’ll be up to me and Justin to fill in anything missing when we’re on the trail.

Physical preparation

Once I committed to this section hike I’ve been physically preparing. This includes wearing a 25 lbs. weight vest and hiking up and down Austin hills. Although Austin TX is relatively flat my first choice is Mount Bonnell.

Along with the vest, I wear a cap for the sun and earphones to listen to books and podcasts. It also includes me wearing my COVID-19 face mask when encountering people, but if no one is around I remove it so I can breathe more easily.

By the time I’m done exercising I’m a big ball of sweat. Thanks Austin for the humidity!

It’s back on!

With the help of Justin, my son, as support, I’m planning on getting back on the CDT from South Pass City WY to Cuba NM for a LASH (Long Ass Section Hike).