About my trail name

Often people who hike the long trails like the PCT or AT have "trail names". Rather than going by their given name, they'll go by something more colorful or humorous. Often these names are earned by actions or given by traveling partners.

I've decided to take the name "Don't Panic". This is of course a reference to the Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy - as well as extremely practical advice.

Wrapping things up in Seattle

I moved out of my apartment yesterday. Despite the fact that I spent the last month slowly moving stuff to storage, there was still an enormous amount to be moved at the last minute. My mom spent the better part of the day helping my clean up and readying my apartment for inspection. 2 of my cats have permanent new homes with friends, and the other 2 are staying with a friend (and will eventually end up with Katie).

I have been going through a seemingly never ending series of tweeks to my gear list. I am finally down to the final few decisions about what to take (basically I just have to make up my mind about socks). With nearly all of my gear together, my pack weighed in at 10lbs (excluding food, fuel and water). This is pretty much the base pack weight I was shooting for - when I'm leaving town fully loaded with food and water, I should be carrying around 25 pounds.

My good friend (and former girlfriend) Katie started the PCT today, so wish her luck and stop by her blog.

Testing the stove

I went to Volunteer Park to test out my new alcohol stove: the Caldera by Trail Designs. I needed to add extra alcohol half-way through the cooking process in order to achieve a boil, so I still need some practice. However, the good news is that it works!

Don't Panic

Where is Jake?

I have a satellite beacon that will allow me to transimit my daily location as a travel along the PCT. You'll be able to track me here: "Where is Jake now?"

I'm flying to California and walking back!

Yup, that's right. I'm hiking the Pacific Crest Trail this summer. It is a 2,650 mile trail that runs all the way from Mexico to Canada. I figure that it will take me roughly 5 months to finish. I will be heading North from the Mexico border near Campo, CA on May 2 in the early AM.