Check-in/OK message from SPOT PCT Hawk

PCT Hawk
Latitude:34.29723
Longitude:-117.33228
GPS location Date/Time:05/31/2015 20:09:07 PDT

Message:I've set up camp for the night! Here's where I'll be:

Click the link below to see where I am located.
http://fms.ws/Nsaa2/34.29723N/117.33228W

If the above link does not work, try this link:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=34.29723,-117.33228&ll=34.29723,-117.33228&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

PCT Hawk

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Check-in/OK message from SPOT PCT Hawk

PCT Hawk
Latitude:34.34428
Longitude:-117.19571
GPS location Date/Time:05/30/2015 20:25:15 PDT

Message:I've set up camp for the night! Here's where I'll be:

Click the link below to see where I am located.
http://fms.ws/NrE3-/34.34428N/117.19571W

If the above link does not work, try this link:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=34.34428,-117.19571&ll=34.34428,-117.19571&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

PCT Hawk

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Check-in/OK message from SPOT PCT Hawk

PCT Hawk
Latitude:34.28126
Longitude:-117.02963
GPS location Date/Time:05/29/2015 19:42:58 PDT

Message:I've set up camp for the night! Here's where I'll be:

Click the link below to see where I am located.
http://fms.ws/NphtO/34.28126N/117.02963W

If the above link does not work, try this link:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=34.28126,-117.02963&ll=34.28126,-117.02963&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

PCT Hawk

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Check-in/OK message from SPOT PCT Hawk

PCT Hawk
Latitude:34.26368
Longitude:-116.82932
GPS location Date/Time:05/28/2015 17:08:24 PDT

Message:I've set up camp for the night! Here's where I'll be:

Click the link below to see where I am located.
http://fms.ws/No1tj/34.26368N/116.82932W

If the above link does not work, try this link:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=34.26368,-116.82932&ll=34.26368,-116.82932&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

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Photos Uploaded

Just updated the photos folder:

https://drive.google.com/folder/d/0B_-6KdFaC6WiZDdZaE5zaE9TdFE/edit

If you want to hike with me...

[First off, if you subscribe to my blog via email- I'm sorry for clogging your inbox. I've posted probably about 4 times in the last couple hours. But when you're hiking all day on the PCT, you think of things you want to say on your blog. And the more you think about it, the more of a "long-form" post those things become]

I know a few of you want to hike with me, so here are some things you should bring if you want to (also, maybe the comments section on this post is a good place to discuss where you want to hike with me so that I don't have 50 people hiking with me at once):

Must have:

• Sleeping Bag
• A backpack (to what extent is your decision)
• Tent (I may be able to provide you with a tent, but if you can find a small, lightweight 1-person tent, that would be best)
• Food for the time and something to carry it in (I carry 1 breakfast, 1 lunch (no-cook), 1 dinner, and 4 snacks per day- trying to total around 3000 calories per day)
• Decent shoes to hike in (lots of PCT hikers use trail running shoes; you just have to be comfortable hiking in them up and down hills for up to 10 hours each day)
• TWO pairs of socks (I highly suggest Darn Tough socks. They're spendy but are...darn tough...and they have a lifetime guarantee)
• Lightweight clothes to hike in (remember- you will likely be in these clothes the entire time that you are with me. No showers or laundry guaranteed)
• Water bottles (I suggest Smart Water water bottles as they are very durable and fit my filter)
• A hat (and maybe bandanna) for sun protection
• Rain gear (I just have a rain jacket)
• A first-aid kit sufficient for you (plus whatever medication you might need and blister care items if your feet aren't entirely callous)
• Whatever you plan to eat out of (i.e. utensils and dish; I have a pot and pan to cook with that you can use)

Highly suggested:

• Trekking poles (depending on your height, you could borrow some from someone else or just use ski poles)
• Sleeping pad (depends how hardcore you are- you could theoretically use a windshield solar reflector as a cheap, lightweight, 3/4 length sleeping pad)
• Toilet Paper
• Headlamp
• Sunglasses
• Warm jacket (I'm using a primaloft jacket that is very lightweight but warm)
• Ibuprofen (the PCT hiker's favorite drug- I take at least 2 a day)
• An external battery pack if you're planning on bringing electronics like an iPod or whatever (an external battery pack is just good to have in everyday life anyway- buy one)

Optional:

• Bug headnet
• Warm gear (gloves, hat, etc)

You should also be able to hike at least 2.5 mph with around a 40 lb pack for a few hours at a time. Try to keep all your stuff lightweight and it will make that "40 lbs" less

Summaries continued...

5/23: (~10 miles) to get out of Idyllwild, we hiked the Deer Springs Trail to PCT mile 183. It was an uphill climb of about 2,500 ft in about 3 miles. It probably took us about 2.5 hours making a record 1.2 mph! Coolest part was that we hiked from gloomy, foggy Idyllwild through the clouds to an amazing view of an ocean of clouds as far as you could see (photos will be uploaded soon if not already)

5/24: (~20 miles) hiked to the famous trail angels Ziggy & The Bear. We hiked about 16 miles downhill, then 4 miles through the desert in the fiercest winds I've ever been in (and I just graduated from 4 years of college in Ohio). Unfortunately, after lunch my foot really hurt and I limped the last 9 miles of the day (not fun downhill and in lots of wind). Got a box at Ziggy & The Bear and camped on their back porch with a few other hikers

5/25: (10 miles) hiked in the wicked desert to the oasis of the Whitewater Preserve. Plenty of people there on Memorial Day. Unfortunately- this was the worst day for my right foot. About halfway to the preserve (4 miles in) I felt a pop in my foot and it hurt way more than usual. Very painful 4 miles (again down a steep hill). Got to the preserve where there was plenty of shade and decided to stay there for the night (only 8 miles hiked at this point). David and Rebecca moved on and I set up my hammock and read my Kindle. After about 5 hours I decided I didn't want to make this a Nero (Nero: "Near-Zero"; to some people a single-digit day) so I hiked 2 more miles to make 10 miles. Camped next to Whitewater river

5/26: (19.9 miles) hiked (again in the grueling desert) this day but it was a bit better- by 10am I hit Mission Creek and the remainder of the day was spent following Mission Creek (crossing over it multiple times). I carried very little water because I was so close to water all the time (only about 1.75 L) and that was nice on the shoulders. Took BIG breaks (couple 1 hour breaks and about 2 hours for lunch), which caused me to reach the campsite just barely before total darkness

5/27: (12.2 miles) easy hike. Got up later than usual (6am) and got going later than usual (7:30am). Was told that I could hitchhike from Onyx Summit to Big Bear (where my original plan was to hike almost all the way around Big Bear Lake to the Cougar Crest Trail at PCT mile 277.9. This would fortunately cut a couple days out of my schedule. Hiked all day (lots of up and down) and finally came to a sign at the Onyx Summit made by some trail angels with a water cache (these trail angels weren't mentioned in any other information that I've seen so it was a surprise). Called them and I'm staying tonight at the house of Papa Smurf and Mountain Mama in Big Bear (they gave me a ride from the trail). This place is great! Not only do we get a place to sleep, but I get to use this computer, a shower, laundry, and food all free of charge (I'm adding to their donation box, of course)!

5/28 [anticipated]: (0 miles) planning to take my first zero tomorrow. Gonna rest my foot, explore Big Bear a bit, do laundry, get my box from the Fawnskin post office (planned there instead of Big Bear because it'd be closer to the Cougar Crest Trail). Also probably will meet up with Rebecca and David for lunch or something tomorrow (they're also taking zeros). May even join them for more trail!

The best way to follow my progress...

If you're looking for the best way to see my progress on the PCT compared to the last spot or the rest of the PCT, here's what you should do:

1) Download and install Google Earth: http://www.google.com/earth/download/ge/agree.html

2) Download the latest PCT data file from Halfmile: http://www.pctmap.net/google/

3) Open Google Earth and, in the menu, go to "File" > "Open" and open the PCT data file you downloaded from Halfmile

4) Take the latitude and longitude from my posts and put them straight in the search bar like this: 34.12526, -116.75784 (this is where I stayed last night)

Custom message from SPOT PCT Hawk

PCT Hawk
Latitude:34.26382
Longitude:-116.82950
GPS location Date/Time:05/27/2015 18:01:31 PDT

Message:I've reached a town! Here's where I'm at:

Click the link below to see where I am located.
http://fms.ws/NmZEM/34.26382N/116.82950W

If the above link does not work, try this link:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=34.26382,-116.82950&ll=34.26382,-116.82950&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

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Check-in/OK message from SPOT PCT Hawk

PCT Hawk
Latitude:34.26382
Longitude:-116.82947
GPS location Date/Time:05/27/2015 17:42:01 PDT

Message:I've set up camp for the night! Here's where I'll be:

Click the link below to see where I am located.
http://fms.ws/NmY3Z/34.26382N/116.82947W

If the above link does not work, try this link:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=34.26382,-116.82947&ll=34.26382,-116.82947&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

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Post via SMS

Every step taken on the PCT is one bit of scenery that you will likely never see again

Check-in/OK message from SPOT PCT Hawk

PCT Hawk
Latitude:34.12526
Longitude:-116.75784
GPS location Date/Time:05/26/2015 20:55:22 PDT

Message:I've set up camp for the night! Here's where I'll be:

Click the link below to see where I am located.
http://fms.ws/NlA_C/34.12526N/116.75784W

If the above link does not work, try this link:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=34.12526,-116.75784&ll=34.12526,-116.75784&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

PCT Hawk

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Check-in/OK message from SPOT PCT Hawk

PCT Hawk
Latitude:34.01041
Longitude:-116.67133
GPS location Date/Time:05/25/2015 18:44:41 PDT

Message:I've set up camp for the night! Here's where I'll be:

Click the link below to see where I am located.
http://fms.ws/NjbD1/34.01041N/116.67133W

If the above link does not work, try this link:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=34.01041,-116.67133&ll=34.01041,-116.67133&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

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Photos uploaded

Just updated the photos folder

https://drive.google.com/folder/d/0B_-6KdFaC6WiZDdZaE5zaE9TdFE/edit

Check-in/OK message from SPOT PCT Hawk

PCT Hawk
Latitude:33.93774
Longitude:-116.69836
GPS location Date/Time:05/24/2015 20:01:36 PDT

Message:I've set up camp for the night! Here's where I'll be:

Click the link below to see where I am located.
http://fms.ws/NiC_t/33.93774N/116.69836W

If the above link does not work, try this link:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=33.93774,-116.69836&ll=33.93774,-116.69836&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

PCT Hawk

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Check-in/OK message from SPOT PCT Hawk

PCT Hawk
Latitude:33.84000
Longitude:-116.73656
GPS location Date/Time:05/23/2015 19:17:59 PDT

Message:I've set up camp for the night! Here's where I'll be:

Click the link below to see where I am located.
http://fms.ws/NgnSK/33.84000N/116.73656W

If the above link does not work, try this link:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=33.84000,-116.73656&ll=33.84000,-116.73656&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

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Photos uploaded

Just updated the photos folder

https://drive.google.com/folder/d/0B_-6KdFaC6WiZDdZaE5zaE9TdFE/edit

Fire closure

In 2013 the Mountain Fire swept through areas that the PCT traverses, burning over 27,000 acres of land (thanks Wikipedia!). This section of the PCT remains closed. Last year some hikers attempted to cross through the closure and were fined $2,500 each. There is an official detour but it involves a lot of road walking and a very small campground. To avoid that, many hikers are hitchhiking the 17 miles from the Paradise Cafe to Idyllwild. David, Rebecca and I have done that and are staying in a hotel in Idyllwild tonight (we were lucky to get a room on Memorial Day weekend) and will be hiking the Deer Spring Trail and rejoining the PCT at mile 183 tomorrow.

More summaries

5/18: (14 miles) hitchhiked out of Julian at about noon. But first had free PCT pie a la mode at Mom's Pies (youtu.be/Wo89Fdo_-14). Lots of uphill, but got my music going and hit about 3.2mph at some points! Almost stepped on a rattlesnake! Camped at a water cache.

5/19: (17.7 miles) hiked to a campsite just before Warner Springs. Went from very high elevation to bare desert meadows in the hot sun to small forest oases next to rivers. This day marked one week on the trail!

5/20: (11.8 miles) hiked the extremely long 0.5 miles to Warner Springs. The Resource Center caters a lot to hikers. They were supposed to open at 8, but didn't open till around 11. Picked up a box at the post office and used the Resource Center's computer to catch up on emails. Left at 2 pm and hiked until dark.

5/21: (19.2 miles) hiked 7 miles to a place called Trail Angel Mike's. Really it was just some guy's run down, hoarder-like, and garbage-filled house. Mike wasn't home and it was really sketch. Met up with Rebecca (who had left camp an hour before me that morning) and also saw David (who I hadn't seen since the day before). David left just as I got to Mike's and I didn't see him till the next day. We hiked to Nance Canyon and camped near there.

5/22: (11.7 miles) didn't get enough water at Tule Spring the night before so realized I had very little water this morning. Hiked half a mike back to a nearly empty water cache to get about 0.25 liters (not really worth it). Then rationed the water as I hiked in, through, all around, and above (preposition party!) Nance Canyon. Rebecca had once again left an hour before I but I met up with her and David at a cool little water cache. We then hiked into the clouds (literally)- up and up and up. Then over the ridge and up to the highway where we were picked up and taken to the Paradise Cafe (fantastic burger and Bundaberg ginger beer!). There we decided to skip the detour around the fire closure and hitchhike all the way into Idyllwild for a hotel again! (More on that soon)

Check-in/OK message from SPOT PCT Hawk

PCT Hawk
Latitude:33.75126
Longitude:-116.71800
GPS location Date/Time:05/22/2015 14:57:22 PDT

Message:I've set up camp for the night! Here's where I'll be:

Click the link below to see where I am located.
http://fms.ws/NexxE/33.75126N/116.71800W

If the above link does not work, try this link:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=33.75126,-116.71800&ll=33.75126,-116.71800&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

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Custom message from SPOT PCT Hawk

PCT Hawk
Latitude:33.75122
Longitude:-116.71794
GPS location Date/Time:05/22/2015 14:48:34 PDT

Message:I've reached a town! Here's where I'm at:

Click the link below to see where I am located.
http://fms.ws/Nex7H/33.75122N/116.71794W

If the above link does not work, try this link:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=33.75122,-116.71794&ll=33.75122,-116.71794&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

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Check-in/OK message from SPOT PCT Hawk

PCT Hawk
Latitude:33.47930
Longitude:-116.57330
GPS location Date/Time:05/21/2015 18:23:17 PDT

Message:I've set up camp for the night! Here's where I'll be:

Click the link below to see where I am located.
http://fms.ws/Ndfcm/33.47930N/116.57330W

If the above link does not work, try this link:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=33.47930,-116.57330&ll=33.47930,-116.57330&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

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Check-in/OK message from SPOT PCT Hawk

PCT Hawk
Latitude:33.34149
Longitude:-116.62695
GPS location Date/Time:05/20/2015 20:19:43 PDT

Message:I've set up camp for the night! Here's where I'll be:

Click the link below to see where I am located.
http://fms.ws/NcFpv/33.34149N/116.62695W

If the above link does not work, try this link:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=33.34149,-116.62695&ll=33.34149,-116.62695&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

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Transitions of the oils

Quite a few hikers on the trail this year are using coconut oil instead of olive oil. Not only does it have ~6 more calories per ounce, but it also tastes better (I'd rather have coconut oatmeal than olive oatmeal)! So if you have yet to send out a box, I would very much appreciate coconut oil instead. Thanks!

Other blogs

I just added links to the blogs of the two hikers that I've been mostly hiking with since the beginning. You can find these links on the right side panel --->

Custom message from SPOT PCT Hawk

PCT Hawk
Latitude:33.27449
Longitude:-116.64500
GPS location Date/Time:05/20/2015 10:11:12 PDT

Message:I've reached a town! Here's where I'm at:

Click the link below to see where I am located.
http://fms.ws/NbV-M/33.27449N/116.64500W

If the above link does not work, try this link:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=33.27449,-116.64500&ll=33.27449,-116.64500&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

PCT Hawk

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Check-in/OK message from SPOT PCT Hawk

PCT Hawk
Latitude:33.26951
Longitude:-116.64090
GPS location Date/Time:05/19/2015 17:40:07 PDT

Message:I've set up camp for the night! Here's where I'll be:

Click the link below to see where I am located.
http://fms.ws/Nae34/33.26951N/116.64090W

If the above link does not work, try this link:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=33.26951,-116.64090&ll=33.26951,-116.64090&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

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Check-in/OK message from SPOT PCT Hawk

PCT Hawk
Latitude:33.16690
Longitude:-116.54370
GPS location Date/Time:05/18/2015 18:30:17 PDT

Message:I've set up camp for the night! Here's where I'll be:

Click the link below to see where I am located.
http://fms.ws/NZG4W/33.16690N/116.54370W

If the above link does not work, try this link:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=33.16690,-116.54370&ll=33.16690,-116.54370&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

PCT Hawk

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Updated photos

Just updated the photos folder. Warning- one picture is blisters and another is backpack shoulder bruises

https://drive.google.com/folder/d/0B_-6KdFaC6WiZDdZaE5zaE9TdFE/edit

Summary thus far

I have gotten some questions about mileage. Here's a brief synopsis of each day thus far:

5/13: (20 miles) hiked from Campo, CA to Lake Morena. Camped at the campground. Tough first day at 80° or so with a big hill climb

5/14: (19 miles) hiked from Lake Morena to mile 39. Was about 55° or colder. High elevation, hiking through the clouds. Stopped once rain picked up to set up tent around 4 pm. Cooked dinner then attempted to sleep. Tent was leaky

5/15: (~3 miles) woke up with tent in the snow. Was snowing and raining at about 6000' on Mt. Laguna. Quickly packed up the wet gear and just decided to power through the weather to the town. Took a couple hours where I was freezing and soaked to the bone. Got to the Pine House Tavern where a bunch of other hikers (about 27) were waiting out the weather we ate food there and slept on the floor that night. Got my first resupply and bought a new tent that was 1 lb lighter and actually waterproof! But the upgrade cost a small fortune of $550.

5/16: (18.5 miles) pretty easy day from the tavern, spending the morning hiking through woods that resembled Oregon or Washington. Then suddenly on the edge of some cliffs opening to the desert down below. Spent the rest of the day hiking the edges around the desert 

5/17: (18 miles) really tough day. Up in the 80°s the majority of the day. After about the first hour, descended rapidly (painful on the knees) about 900', then immediately ascending about that same elevation. Spent the rest of the day hiking under the hot sun in a total desert. Got bad sunburn on my hands. At mile 77, hitchhiked with the guy and girl I'm hiking with to Julian, CA (At lunch we reserved a hotel for the night for us). Luckily, within about 5 min a nice old lady picked us up. The main reason for hitching to Julian is that the next reliable water source from when we got water around lunch time at mile 68.4 is at mile 101. Also there's a shop here that has free pie for PCT hikers :)

Custom message from SPOT PCT Hawk

PCT Hawk
Latitude:33.07771
Longitude:-116.60118
GPS location Date/Time:05/17/2015 18:10:34 PDT

Message:I've reached a town! Here's where I'm at:

Click the link below to see where I am located.
http://fms.ws/NXukG/33.07771N/116.60118W

If the above link does not work, try this link:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=33.07771,-116.60118&ll=33.07771,-116.60118&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

PCT Hawk

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Check-in/OK message from SPOT PCT Hawk

PCT Hawk
Latitude:33.07809
Longitude:-116.60114
GPS location Date/Time:05/17/2015 17:53:47 PDT

Message:I've set up camp for the night! Here's where I'll be:

Click the link below to see where I am located.
http://fms.ws/NXtp1/33.07809N/116.60114W

If the above link does not work, try this link:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=33.07809,-116.60114&ll=33.07809,-116.60114&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

PCT Hawk

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Check-in/OK message from SPOT PCT Hawk

PCT Hawk
Latitude:32.97787
Longitude:-116.52701
GPS location Date/Time:05/16/2015 17:00:40 PDT

Message:I've set up camp for the night! Here's where I'll be:

Click the link below to see where I am located.
http://fms.ws/NWUiB/32.97787N/116.52701W

If the above link does not work, try this link:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=32.97787,-116.52701&ll=32.97787,-116.52701&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

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Custom message from SPOT PCT Hawk

PCT Hawk
Latitude:32.86207
Longitude:-116.42000
GPS location Date/Time:05/15/2015 21:03:15 PDT

Message:I've reached a town! Here's where I'm at:

Click the link below to see where I am located.
http://fms.ws/NVBl6/32.86207N/116.42000W

If the above link does not work, try this link:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=32.86207,-116.42000&ll=32.86207,-116.42000&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

PCT Hawk

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Check-in/OK message from SPOT PCT Hawk

PCT Hawk
Latitude:32.82958
Longitude:-116.41891
GPS location Date/Time:05/14/2015 17:19:48 PDT

Message:I've set up camp for the night! Here's where I'll be:

Click the link below to see where I am located.
http://fms.ws/NTUmY/32.82958N/116.41891W

If the above link does not work, try this link:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=32.82958,-116.41891&ll=32.82958,-116.41891&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

PCT Hawk

You have received this message because PCT Hawk has added you to their SPOT contact list.

Ready for Adventure
FindMeSPOT.com

Photos uploaded

I've uploaded some photos of the southern terminus here:
https://drive.google.com/folder/d/0B_-6KdFaC6WiZDdZaE5zaE9TdFE/edit

Fwd: Check-in/OK message from SPOT PCT Hawk

- Derek Antrican
Mechanical Engineer
derekantrican.com

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: <noreply@findmespot.com>
Date: May 13, 2015 3:29 PM
Subject: Check-in/OK message from SPOT PCT Hawk
To: <derekantrican@gmail.com>
Cc:

 PCT Hawk
 Latitude:32.68594
 Longitude:-116.51756
 GPS location Date/Time:05/13/2015 15:30:09 PDT

 Message:I've set up camp for the night! Here's where I'll be:

 Click the link below to see where I am located.
 http://fms.ws/NRrFR/32.68594N/116.51756W

 If the above link does not work, try this link:
 http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=32.68594,-116.51756&ll=32.68594,-116.51756&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

 PCT Hawk

 You have received this message because PCT Hawk has added you to their SPOT contact list.

 Ready for Adventure
 FindMeSPOT.com

PCT Hawk
>  Latitude:32.67927
>  Longitude:-117.04332
>  GPS location Date/Time:05/12/2015 21:39:16 PDT
>
>  Message:I've set up camp for the night! Here's where I'll be:
>
>  Click the link below to see where I am located.
>  http://fms.ws/NQh3m/32.67927N/117.04332W
>
>  If the above link does not work, try this link:
>  http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=32.67927,-117.04332&ll=32.67927,-117.04332&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1
>
>  PCT Hawk
>
>  You have received this message because PCT Hawk has added you to their SPOT contact list.
>
>  Ready for Adventure
>  FindMeSPOT.com

Gear

Usually people do a video of their gear, but I have limited space on my phone and won't be doing much video. Instead, here's a bunch of pictures of my gear. If you want to see any specs, the link on the right labeled "PCT Gear" has all that for almost every piece.

(I also realized that in the future when I do most of my blog posts it will be from the Blogger app on my phone. Unfortunately, that app only lets me post one photo per post. If I need to post multiple photos in the people, I'll need to do multiple posts, so I apologize in advance for that).

All my gear:

Food System (pot, utensils, etc):

Sleep system (tent, sleeping pad, sleeping bag, etc):

Backpack:

Water system (purifier, some containers, etc):

Clothes (other than the ones I'm wearing):

Some misc & small items (first aid, personal care, etc):

Electronics (chargers, GPS, etc):

Other misc items (reflective umbrella, frisbee, other games):

Physical Preparation

Because my first few weeks will be spent in the dry heat of SoCal (and a week and a half to two weeks in the Mojave Desert), I decided that my hair needed an overhaul. So I chopped off my beard and got a really short haircut: