Journey Return

Spring is in the air. The black-headed grosbeaks, acorn woodpeckers, and hummingbirds are just returning. Madrone blossoms rain down, looking like patches of snow. Allergy goo flows from the nose. The newborn black-tailed fawns prance through the front yard following their cautious mother. The garden weeds are joyfully excommunicated. Evasive maneuvers are used dodging the numerous and erratic-driving marijuana garden-starters on my drive to and from work. Bees are hard at work in the berry patch. Bird song volume and blossom fragrance grows daily. Forest hues are turning a vibrant, new-growth green. Spring. It’s a special time.

And now, time for a gear list. Maybe it’s the scientist in me or my love of scheming but I just can’t help myself. The cataloging of gear and its weight brings a certain kind of joy. It’s like a game where I try to find the lightest possible solution. Simply, planning and calculating is fun shit. Some people knock having a low base weight but my joints thank me. And who needs more of a reason than that? Fingers crossed that my foot will cooperate and I actually get to put this gear list into action.

for PCT miles 652-1504
early June through mid-July