After Mile 1, I started fantasizing about what my bag would feel like after I sent stuff home..
The Kindle has to go. So does the tripod. Everything I’d need for the whole trip, gear wise, is in this bag. Now that time has come and gone.
I’ll send this stuff back to my dad along with Oregon/Washington weather clothing items: sweat pants, winter fleece, and winter skull cap, which I hope to get sent back at a later date.
Between 4L of water, food, fuel and the rest, I had to be packing 50 lbs today.
The next Post Office is around mile 40, after a short walk to town. In all, I hope to cut about 5 lbs.
For now, I’m at Mile 15.4, camped in a valley next to two girls who also started today. Like all of us out here, there isn’t a simple explanation to why they’re on the PCT or how they know who they’re hiking with, but with each person I meet I feel a little more connected to the country I call home.
The surprising person of the day was near Mile 5. Audrey, from Arizona by way of Vermont, was in the skeleton event in the late ’80s winter Olympics. I would’ve never seen the devil may care attitude during a passing glance. No doubt she’s a bad ass if hurling herself down ice luge head first is on her resume.
After Day 1, I’m safe, sound, sore, and full of about 2 boxes of mac and cheese. Good night.
