Thru Hike Journal – CDT2023 – PCT2019 – Thomas "Whitney" Vincent

Kategori: Planning (Planering)

  • Tjänsledighet beviljad! / Leave of absence approved!

    Tjänsledighet beviljad! / Leave of absence approved!

    Direkt efter nyår, andra veckan på jobbet så tog jag mod till mig och pratade med chefen om mina planer. Jag var nervös inför reaktionen. Jag hade även förberett en liten text på et A4 papper om hur jag tänkt mig semester/tjänstledighet. Min chef hade en väldigt positiv inställning och tog emot det hela mycket bättre än jag hade väntat mig. I mitt värsta scenario så var det att dra fram kortet om uppsägning, vilket inte behövdes. Efter mötet med min närmsta chef så fyllde jag i den formella tjänstledighetsansökan och skrev på och lämnade in den 17 januari. Den 24 januari fick jag tillbaka den beviljad och påskriven av VD samt personalchef. Det gick ju otroligt smidigt :). Nu har jag ledighet beviljad fram till den 7/10. Vilket är 5 månader och ger att jag har 157 dagar på mig. Den genomsnittliga thru hikern tar 149 dagar på sig. Så det är görbart på denna tid. Jag kommer dock ha delmål. Första målet blir att klara första veckan i öknen. Kommer jag igenom öknen och Sierras så kommer jag vara mer än nöjd. Vilket kanske då är någon gång i juli. Resten skulle vara en bonus. Men det blir till att stämma av en månad i taget

  • PCT Permit application!

    PCT Permit application!

    PCT Permit waiting in line…

    November 14 – Permit application day!

    The big day finally arrived and it was time to apply for the PCT permit so I could get my start date. The application Website were to open at 10:30 AM Pacific time. This ment 7:30 PM Swedish time 

    New for this year was the introduction of a waiting room. I entered the waiting room about an hour before. I was feeling more nervous and exited as the time was running down to the opening of the application. When the clock hit  10:30/7:30 I was a bit disappointed as I got the number 2731 in line. I had previously been thinking about starting more computers and browsers, but when it actually was time for my application, I did not do this. Probably when now looking back this was a mistake. I could read on the PCT class of 2019 Facebook page that people where doing exactly this. Opening more browsers etc to get a better chance to get a lower number in line, when entering from the waiting room. I think I was to stressed and I had also read that this might make you get thrown out of the line if you would have more then one browser open.

    Finally in! – Enter the Application

    I was closely following the PCT class of 2019 Facebook page and I could understand hat it would be though to get a start date in mid/early April as I wanted to. After about waiting 1:40 minutes I was finally in!. I went to April and cold see there was only one slot still free (34 and yellow). I selected it but when I pressed continue, I got the message that it was not available. April was now full!

    April is full 😦

    May 3 -My start date!

    After realizing that April was full i switched to March and selected a late March date, but the same thing happened now when I pressed continue. That the date was no longer available. I started to get a panic feeling. Available dates were disappearing fast every second. Was I not going to get a good start date. I then switched to May and could see that the first May date available was May 3. I selected it and hit continue fast. I was very happy when I was let through to the next page and I had May 3 in my hand. I filled out all details and I was happy. Although. I had to start rethinking. Was this even possible to do a thru hike in less time and starting in the desert when it is hotter? There is also a possibility to change the date. 15 more slots per day will be released on January 15 and cancellations will occur so that if I want to change I should go into the PCT Permit site regularly.  But the more I now think of it I think that May 3 is a good start date for me. Chances are good that I will keep it. Now I need to start looking into the gear I need 🙂

  • Hiking shoes – Salomon X Ultra 3

    Hiking shoes – Salomon X Ultra 3

    I will try this shoe now here in Sweden and see how it feels. I ordered them yesterday from addnature.se and they arrived today. I will give them a try immediately

    The Salomon X Ultra 3 has only received good reviews of those I could find, see below

    https://www.switchbacktravel.com/best-lightweight-hiking-shoes

    https://trailtopeak.com/2018/03/19/top-14-trail-shoes-for-the-john-muir-trail-and-pacific-crest-trail-2018/

    http://www.cleverhiker.com/footwear/

  • Inspiration from a 2018 PCT thru hiker

    Inspiration from a 2018 PCT thru hiker

    Last week I was invited to Jonas who now is back to Sweden, to listen to him present some stories and photos from his recent PCT through hike. He also showed and talked about his gear used. For me my plan to actually hike the PCT in 2019 became more real as I stepped into the room with 10-15 people as audience.
    Jonas presented me as ”This is Thomas and he is going to hike the PCT in 2019” . Felt good to hear but made me also a little nervous – Will I actually make this?

    Jonas went through his whole hike starting from Campo at the border to Mexico and ending at Manning Park in Canada. He showed pictures and I could get a glimpse of the life on the trail. Hiking the PCT is not only an experience of nature and the wild it is also a social event as it it is getting more popular (50 person/day starts every day in april) When hiking the PCT you will meet many people of different origin, backgrounds and ages. It is going to be fun. I enjoyed all Jonas pictures and description of many odd characters that he met.

    Gear – 343

    Jonas also talked about gear and the 343  concept developed by Jörgen Johansson. Meaning that the following gear should not add up to more than 3 kg

    1. Shelter (tent, tarp – divide by number of inhabitants!)
    2. Sleeping (sleeping bag/quilt + sleeping pad)
    3. Carrying (backpack)

    My notes during the evening

    I took some notes. So I could check some things out later

    Jonas said that American style of hiking is not as rigid as the swedes do it. It is more kind of  rock n roll. It will suit me fine 🙂

    The PCT is divided into section A till L

    The Guthooks app is used for map. Works well with a phone in flight mode and a big power bank.

    Places of interests

    Some places along the trail that Jonas mentioned are as follows:

    • Mount Laguna
    • Mikes place
    • Hiker heaven
    • Muir pass (One of the hardest sections on the trail)
    • Evolution valley
    • Tuolumne Meadows
    • Etna (A very nice town)
    • Steve Potts (A MTB legend)
    • 3 days off in Bend and Portland (Was too nice and comfortable)
    • Timberland lodge
    • Bridge of gods
    • Trout lake

    Gear

    Some gear stuff to check out

    • Gossamer Gear tent (used by Jonas)
    • Gortex socks (Very nice to have when wet)
    • Recommendations for noobs is to hike in light weight boots
    • Recommends a Soto stove
    • Recommendation can be to check out the Merell or Keen boots

    Jonas offered me to be his personal Coach. I am very happy for that

    Hiking shoes

    First thing for me is to sort out what shoes I will go with. I think this will be very important. I want to buy and try some shoes soon. I have always hiked in heavy boots before and I have not have had any problems. But the longest hike so far is maybe 10 days. When reading and watching YouTube, I understand that a majority recommends and hikes the PCT in Trail runners.

     

  • Permit Application date is November 14

    Permit Application date is November 14

    The PCTA.org now just communicated that the date when the 2019 permit application is opened. On November 14 2018, at 10:30 am US Pacific time. This will be at 1:30 am Swedish time, so it’s going to be a late night between Tuesday and Wednesday,, with little sleep, between November 13-14 here in Sweden

    The website is opened for application. 35 permits per start day will be available an 15 more on January 15. As there has been an increase of permit applications every year as the PCT hike gets more and more popular, they now this year are introducing a waiting room at the website.

    I will aim for a permit mid April. Very exited and hoping to get one.

    Link to PCT permit page

  • B1/B2 Visa application approved today!

    B1/B2 Visa application approved today!

    I have decided to start writing the blog in English. I have included the google translate below so it should be easy to read fairly well in any language 🙂

    Today was a very sunny and nice morning in Stockholm. The city showed its best side, water and sunshine. I went to the US embassy by foot I had an interview appointment at 9:30 PM. When I arrived at the embassy entrance it was about 30 people inline. A US embassy guard asked if anybody had a laptop. I said yes and he told me I couldn’t bring it in and the option I had was to leave it at the church across the street. I left the que to leave my laptop at the church. They wanted 30kr to store it. So good business for the church by the embassy!

    Went back to the line and it took more than 30 minutes to get inside. On the inside there was a 45 minute wait until I was called in for interview. The first person to interview me was a Swedish man who asked me why I was applying. I told him about the PCT and he wanted to know more. I told him about the PCT permit and that the hike is getting more popular each year. He had understood that on the increase in Visa applications. We made some jokes on my passport photo, as I look like a serial killer on it 🙂

    I then had to sit and wait again for about 20 minutes to get the message if the Visa is approved or not. My name was called again. I now had to do the 10 finger fingerprint and a woman asked me questions, if it was ok with my job to go (answer that I haven’t told them yet) if it is ok with my wife ( answer yes).

    I then got the message that my Visa application is approved!!

    This is another step towards the PCT adventure dream! We will see if all the pieces will fall in place so it will become true.

    The next step is to get the PCT permit on November 1 and do a lot of research on gear, food etc to learn more on

  • 31 peaks! – 40 års jubilerande utbytesstudent- The High Sierras 1978-79

    31 peaks! – 40 års jubilerande utbytesstudent- The High Sierras 1978-79

    Here is the list of the 31 Siearra Nevada peaks I climbed with the Hoover family, during my exchange student year in California, 1978-79

    Rank SPS -peak Peak Section Elev. m Elev. FT Group Date of asscent
    001. Mount Whitney* Mount Whitney 04. Corcoran to Whitney 4419 14498 Mount Whitney Group 21 juli 1979
    007. Mount Langley Mount Langley 03. Olancha to Langley and West 4275 14026 Mount Whitney Group 14 juli 1979
    009. Mount Muir Mount Muir 04. Corcoran to Whitney 4271 14012 Mount Whitney Group 21 juli 1979
    014. Mount Keith Mount Keith 08. Kings-Kern Divide 4260 13976 Mount Whitney Group 29 juli 1979
    015. Mount Stanford (N) Mount Stanford 08. Kings-Kern Divide 4259 13973 Mount Whitney Group 2 augusti 1979
    017. Mount LeConte** Mount LeConte 04. Corcoran to Whitney 4246 13930 Mount Whitney Group 15 juli 1979
    025. Mount Kaweah* Mount Kaweah 06. Kaweahs and West 4207 13802 Great Western Divide 30 augusti 1978
    026. Mount McAdie** Mount McAdie 04. Corcoran to Whitney 4206 13799 Mount Whitney Group 16 juli 1979
    031. Red Kaweah Red Kaweah 06. Kaweahs and West 4182 13720 Great Western Divide 29 augusti 1978
    033. Mount Corcoran Mount Corcoran 04. Corcoran to Whitney 4180 13714 Mount Whitney Group 1 oktober 1978
    038. Mount Tom Mount Tom 16. Humphreys Basin West 4161 13652 Mono Recesses-Humphreys Area 23 juni 1979
    043. University Peak** University Peak 09. Kearsarge Pass Vicinity 4142 13589 Mount Whitney Group 28 juli 1979
    044. Mount Ericsson** Mount Ericsson 08. Kings-Kern Divide 4140 13583 Mount Whitney Group 2 augusti 1979
    050. Cloudripper (Inconsolable Range pk) Cloudripper 14. North Palisades 4122 13525 Palisades 13 maj 1979
    114. Cirque Peak Cirque Peak 03. Olancha to Langley and West 3932 12900 Mount Whitney Group 13 juli 1979
    143. West Vidette West Vidette 08. Kings-Kern Divide 3820 12533 Mount Whitney Group 4 augusti 1979
    156. East Vidette** East Vidette 08. Kings-Kern Divide 3766 12356 Mount Whitney Group 4 augusti 1979
    162. Thor Peak Thor Peak 04. Corcoran to Whitney 3751 12306 Mount Whitney Group 22 juli 1979
    169. Lippincott Mountain Lippincott Mountain 06. Kaweahs and West 3738 12265 Great Western Divide 27 augusti 1978
    171. Pilot Knob (N) Pilot Knob 16. Humphreys Basin West 3732 12245 Mono Recesses-Humphreys Area 31 december 1978
    174. Mount Stewart Mount Stewart 06. Kaweahs and West 3719 12200 Great Western Divide 28 augusti 1978
    183. Vandever Mountain Vandever Mountain 02. Mineral King and Kern River 3641 11947 Southwest Sequioa Area 4 juli 1979
    188. Independence Peak Independence Peak 09. Kearsarge Pass Vicinity 3579 11742 Mount Whitney Group 28 juli 1979
    216. Black Hawk Mountain Black Hawk Mountain 23. Bond Pass to Lake Tahoe 3154 10348 Emigrant Wilderness Area 27 maj 1979
    217. North Maggie Mountain North Maggie Mountain 02. Mineral King and Kern River 3119 10234 Southwest Sequioa Area 3 juli 1979
    232. Mount Starr King** Mount Starr King 20. Clark Range and Vicinity 2771 9092 South Yosemite Crest 25 mars 1979
    233. Homers Nose Homers Nose 02. Mineral King and Kern River 2750 9023 Southwest Sequioa Area 1 juli 1979
    235. Tinker Knob Tinker Knob 24. Northern Sierra 2728 8949 Granite Chief-Northwest Tahoe Area 15 april 1979
    236. Half Dome Half Dome 20. Clark Range and Vicinity 2694 8840 Central Yosemite Sierra 24 september 1978
    243. Sawtooth Peak (N) Sawtooth Peak 01. Southern Sierra 2438 8000 South Sierra Crest 28 december 1978
    247. Lamont Peak Lamont Peak 01. Southern Sierra 2264 7429 South Sierra Crest 29 december 1978

  • PCT – The Pacific Crest Trail

    Pacific Crest Trail eller PCT, som dom som vet säger, är en sammanhängande vandringsled ifrån Campo i Kalifornien, som ligger vid Mexikanska gränsen till Kanadensiska gränsen i Washington state. Närmast är Manning Park som ligger i Kanada

    Sträckan är 2,659 miles (4,279 km) och tar 5-6 månader att vandra beroende på tempo mm. Gör man hela sträckan i ett svep så kallas man för through hiker och man kan gå från söder till norr (NOBO) vilket är populärast eller norr till söder (SOBO)

    För att klara vandringen så måste man komma iväg vid ett datum som passar ens tänkta tempo. Det går inte att starta för tidigt eller att komma försent. Detta på grund av snötäcke och väderförhållanden i Sierra Nevada bergen och Cascades i Washington.

    Vandringsleden har senaste åren blivit otroligt populär och jag tror att det är några tusen som genomför en through hike varje år (Måste kolla siffran)

    För att gå leden behövs ett permit för ett exakt startdatum och det är endast max 50 vandrare som släpps iväg varje dag.

    Jag ägnar nu tid på att ta in info om PCT. Det finns mycket på nätet då det är många som gått. Det är bara att googla så hittar man bloggar, facebook-grupper och youtube videos om allt man behöver veta

    Läs mer om PCT på ex Wikipedia

    eller på Pacific Crest Trail Association 

  • Inspiration från Jonas – PCT thruhiker 2018 – Ta steget!

    När jag var funktionär på tävlingen Ö till Ö, så lärde känna Jonas som också var där för att arbeta som funktionär. Det kanske var 4-5 år sedan. Jag har haft honom i mitt instagramflöde och kan se att han gillar friluftsliv, vandringar etc.

    I våras så såg jag att han skulle bege sig ut och göra en PCT through hike. Dvs att gå från Mexiko till Kanada genom Kalifornien, Oregon och Washington. En vandring som tar ca 5-6 månader och tar en bla genom ”High Sierras”.

    PCT through hike var inget som fanns i mitt sinne. Men nu har det bitit sig fast och jag kan inte släppa tanken på att kanske göra det själv. Detta tilltalar mig säkert extra då jag bott i Kalifornien i 2 år samt spenderat mycket tid i Sierra Nevada bergen. Jag älskar Kalifornien och människorna där – Feels like home! Det är även 40 års jubileum sedan jag bodde där 1978-79..

    Jag började följa Jonas vandring från Mexikanska gränsen i april 2018 och han har nu nått målet vid den Kanadensiska gränsen i början/mitten på september 2018. Grymt inspirerande att följa. Jag fick omedelbart en lockelse – Att det här kan jag också göra och varför inte redan så snart som möjligt.

    Jag har nu börjat ”chatta” med Jonas och det känns väldigt inspirerande att få tips direkt ifrån någon som gjort denna vandring

    Jag hade innan detta aldrig hört talas om PCT….

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