Planes, Trains, and late night bus rides.

Today was a travel day. Mammoth, to LAX, to Seattle. Got in at 2am.

Before I left Mammoth I was able to Hook up a couple of PCT hikers with some new Apex Packs http://apex.camp. They are stoked to get out there with their new 

Gear, I am too, Thanks Matt.

A Rare photo with Eric D in the background. PCT hiker going for the Apex. Twin spin flight out of Mammoth Lakes to LAX

Dorothy were not in Mammoth any more,

There are some Interesting people out at 1:30am in downtown Seattle :-)

Signs on the train. Encouraging you to put your headphones on and not talk to other people? Not sure they need to advertise being anti social.

After hostel cancelations flight delays  rebooking, and late night bus rides with Seattle's best, I made it, and equally as important my backpack made it! 

Checking things out around the fish market.

Getting ready to get on trail tomorrow. 

I hear there might be a fire up by the border. I hope it's clear to the Northern terminus. Then, next stop, Stehekin WA 

Washington Boxes!

Things are moving along just shipped Washington resupply boxes yesterday

5days until I'm climbing on a plane. 

Getting very excited for the journey to begin.

Boxes Boxes Boxes

Now to start packing Oregon boxes.

PCT 2015 / SOBO Prep

First thing this morning I got some e-mail messages from Matt at Apex.
The new Pack is shaping up great :-0.  Matt and his Girlfriend Have been working hard to create a backpack for my PCT trip. Matt hiked on the PCT last year (2014) and I met him at the Davison St Guest House,  in Mammoth Lakes, CA. We talked allot about gear and what we would want next time, things we liked and didn't like about our gear. We found that both of us were passionate about our gear, and talked at length. When Matt returned to China after his PCT hike he was inspired to make packs and gear for backpacking and bike touring. I have been invited to be one of his test pilots.

Matt and I have had many a conversation over Skype since then. Here we go, This thing is Custom baby, Custom! I'm digging this new one of a kind pack. Cant wait to get out there with it.

It's taken a few try's to get things dialed in, but it looks like we have a winner! Matt and his girlfriend have been amazing, lots of midnight oil went into this baby. Added length on straps, Angled side pockets split compartments in the back, roll top side load adjusters... and the list goes on.
I'm proud to be the owner of a custom Apex pack.

Matt also threw in an added treat to keep me dry. A new poncho tarp. You guys are awesome! From finding materials to sewing late night hours and following my crazy instruction. I really appreciate your help getting me some awesome gear...Thanks Apex!

 While they were busy finishing up my pack and getting it shipped off via  "Fed-EX"  :-)
I started the task of putting resupply boxes together.

 Notice the Shoes... 4 NEW pairs, Thanks to Altra and Sage to Summit in Bishop.

 A Lot more planning, packing, bagging and boxing will be going on here this next week. Yogis book and also being able to Pick "Eric Ds" mind about anything PCT has been a great help. "Eric D" is basically a walking PCT encyclopedia. he has an amazing wealth of knowledge after 7 PCT thru's and at least one PCT YO-YO maybe two?
Eric will be running the Hostel (The Davison St Guest House) this summer while I hike. The trail magic is already awesome. Without help from friends It would be  tough to do this. Matt, Michelle, Eric, Ande The Mogul, Carl, Maggie thanks to you all for making my dream become real.  
Have a good night yall!

Oh... did you notice the custom "Andy" stitching on the Left shoulder strap? I'm feeling spoiled.
Good morning China
Andy Fed-X Thies

Petzl Spatha Knife

Petzl has recently produced an upgrade to my favorite backpacking knife The Spatha. So I decided to purchase the new and improved version and do a side by side comparison. In the image below, the orange Spatha knife is my old faithful  I've had for 2 years, and next to it is my new mellow yellow Spatha knife.

Zpacks Altaplex Tent

Hi This is Fed-X 

And this is my new Zpacks Altaplex Tent.

Here is a quick YouTube of the set up 

http://youtu.be/J8iuhlJAOIs

I Set it up today, and absolutely love it. This is my new home for the summer! Weighing in at 16.9 oz, It took a full pound out of my pack. 

PCT 2015 !

Getting preped up again for my second leg of the PCT Sonora Pass (mile 1018) to Canada (mile 2660) ... I'm saving money, getting needed gear and stock piling food, all sorts of high protine food. Pack is weighing in at 10lbs base weight before food and water, and I'm getting excited !

Lately I have been doing some training hikes, to get the legs back in shape. This image (above) is Sherwin lake in Mammoth. A great first hike of the year!

2 days 42 Miles

After resting up 1/2 a day in Warner Springs Travis and I were the first ones to blast off in the morning for The 42 mile trek to Paradise Cafe on Hwy 74.