Day (-23) 0 Miles
March 29th, 2016
Soon Carolyn and I will embark on a journey west to try our hand at hiking the entire 2,650 mile Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). Our permits have been approved for an April 22nd start date from the Mexican border in Campo, California, and we fly out to San Diego on the 20th to start this adventure.
I knew that after completing the Continental Divide Trail (CDT) it was probably inevitable that I would end up on the PCT at some point to finish up the Triple Crown, but I didn’t think it would have been this soon. Sometimes life happens and you have to make decisions, really tough decisions; decisions that have no right or wrong answers just different outcomes. This was one of those junctures. It will be sad to say goodbye to all the friends and coworkers that have been a large part of my life in Ohio for the past two years, but at the same time it is exciting to venture off into unknown and unpredictable territory.
Over the weekend, Carolyn and I took a short 10 mile hike at Oak Openings Metro Park with fully (almost) loaded packs to get somewhat of a training hike in. The pre Spring weather has been favorably warm and pleasant lately. It’s a beautiful park with a lengthy 14 mile loop that traverses a variety of woods and meadows.
I’ve spent countless hours and miles the past couple years running this and other trails in the park and have become very familiar with it. I’ve seen it in all seasons and all types of weather…sun, rain, snow, lightning, hail…you name it. I’ll be sad to say goodbye to this little trail running gem that was so close to where I lived. Below are some pictures from the park.
There’s a lot to get in order now. Crunch time has begun.
