There are so many tiny odds and ends that I still need, that I just know I need, for this trip. I keep acquiring these bits, flotsam and detritus of gear, tiny LED lights, bitty leathermans, featherweight mirrors, lengths of skinny cord. I don’t think I’ve made it all the way to the lightweight mentality…

Deciding to hike the Pacific Crest Trail turned out to be just one of many decisions. My initial online sleuthing sent me out into deep morass of innumerable options. The internet quickly informed me that the backpacking gear I already owned wasn’t good enough, light enough, or awesome enough, but couldn’t seem to come to…

  Ok, first attempt at posting audio. The plan is to try some podcasting while I’m out at the PCT. I’m trying to work out the kinks before I go – this blogging business is more complicated than it looks.  

I was surfing around on craigslist the other day and happened across a listing for a bear canister for sale. “Perfect!”, I thought. “I need one of those!” I ended up going over to buy the canister that evening. I walked up to the address the seller had given me and looked in. The front…

There was a small wolf in the office today, being wolf-sat by my co-worker for his brother. At 7 weeks old, it’s pretty adorable. (The wolf, not my co-worker, sorry Bill.) Bill said that even with rigorous socialization, when it’s fully grown it still can’t be left alone in the house with other dogs, cats, or…

I went to talk to my boss today. After discussing some details on my current assignment, I turned, closed the door, and said: “I’d like to take 6 months off. Is that ok?” He said, “well, sure.” So this is real. I’m really going to hike the pacific crest trail. I was undecided for a…