Training and Prep

So we've got a blog.  What that means I'll try to figure out as we go.  Mostly it should provide a great way to keep all of the family, friends, and anyone else who cares to read, updated on our latest antics.  We have been busy busy and there is a lot to do before our estimated departure date ~ 19th of March, but we're slowly chipping away.

In the last post of Beth's she is sounding a little wishy washy on the bike ride back to Tahoe upon completion of the hike. To that I say,

"Do. Or do not. There is no try." - Master Yoda

Training
We've done a couple training rides on our brand new Ron Burgundy colored Surly Long Haul Disc Truckers, and its safe to say we're both pretty danged pumped on them.  We've logged about 60 mi and 5000' vert on them so far which is approximately equivalent to our day 1 ride out of Tahoe.  Sooooo, it's a start.  I hauled my trailer with about 35 lbs of gear, and Beth loaded her panniers full of chicken...yah, chicken.

It turns out climbing rope and the entirety of my bike tools along with about a gallon of water makes for a descent sized load that should be close to the weight I'll be pulling.  For our ride yesterday, Beth loaded her panniers with cans o' chicken amongst a plethora of layers and other such items.  We took a few moments on old myers grade yesterday to nerd out and document our touring rigs as they are thus far.

Action mock touring photo = most boring action photo ever taken

Unless you look as good as this girl!

Besides biking we've both been trying to get into some alright hiking condition so we can hit the trail...and not die.  Beth's been swimming at 6 am like an animal, and going on some runs.  Ive been running quite a lot since Ive been working in Jackson (CA), because there isn't much to do around those parts.  I put in an 18 miler mostly trail run the other day with Dahlia, and I can't get enough of it.  Still working on bottling just a fraction of what Dahlia's got because she makes it look a little too effortless.

Cool as a cucumber

FOOD
Beth mentioned we went to Winco last weekend which meant an expected 15 minute shopping trip to stock up on oatmeal pies and other junk food for our PCT boxes escalated into a two hour extravaganza of filling (and sometimes spilling) bags with dehydrated staples that will get us through the long trail days ahead.  Some of the aformentioned goods include; instant spuds, rice, beans, hummus, soup mixes, dried fruits, trail mixes, coconut, and my favorite find of the day, blueberry muffin mix (for camp deserts).  All the while the Winco sample lady fed us chocolate strawberries...which was awesome.  That's it for now, we're in the process of dehydrating lots of chicken and are gonna be making a bunch of meals today.

Winco is THE place to get backpacking food.

Speaks for itself