I’ve been so late in updating this blog, it turns out that moving out of a flat and renovating a house while working and preparing to hike is a but of a stretch!

Anyhow my PCT permit is for the 25th March, pretty ideal on a year where the snow pack looks to be much less than 2019.

At the start of my 2019 hike, it turned out that leaving my water filter in the aircraft hold was a critical error, leading to it immediately failing. Thankfully the amazing Austin Kindig, who I’d only just met, walked with me and filtered my water until I could get a replacement 100 miles later. A great way to make a friend, and he’s putting Freddy and I up in San Diego next week, and even driving us to the trailhead! He’ll be starting a little later, but he’s young, so will definitely catch me up…

As for kit, I’m using a new site this time: https://packstack.io/pack/2768/pct-2022. A few changes to last time; great new pack from a UK company, AtomPacks, and a less bulky, but hopefully just as warm, sleeping bag.

Now just praying for a negative COVID test.