January 1      Training hikes:  Go for weight and time

Today we were off on one of our three-times-weekly “PCT training hikes”, in the rain as usual for this time of year.  We live in Petaluma, California, and just west of town there is a perfect place for PCT practices–Helen Putnam Park.  It’s hilly, it’s got lots of trails, lots of views, and what more can you ask for?

This morning, we had just finished our climb up the longest, steepest hillside in the park, when we met a dad and his two boys on their bikes.  “Hey, did you guys just come up The Face?” the dad asked.  “Yup, we did.”  “Man, you are GOOD!” said dad, as he and the boys took off to kamikaze down.  I’m not sure which of us is crazier.  I wouldn’t really want to WALK down The Face, much less go tearing down it on a bicycle.  But a lot of people think we are the crazy ones for wanting to do the PCT again.  Too bad–they don’t know how awesome it is.

When we did the PCT in 2005, we focused on MILEAGE in our practice hikes, steadily increasing it as our personal PCT Kickoff Day in May drew nearer.  Well, 5 months on the PCT taught us we should have done our practicing differently, and yessiree, we are putting that knowledge to use now!

What we learned was that though increasing mileage is helpful, even more important is CARRYING WEIGHT.  That way, the most vital component of making it to Canada–i.e., your FEET–get sufficiently acclimated and toughened up.  That way, no blisters when you are climbing up into the Lagunas or the San Felipes down in Southern California, and no aching, throbbing feet at the end of the day.

Also, when we were focused on mileage, it was a real pain trying to plan hiking routes.  I spent a lot of time with a calculator and trail maps.  This time, I said, “Phooey!  We’ll just steadily increase the AMOUNT OF TIME we spend hiking, and who cares how many miles?”  So that’s how we do it now.  It’s way less hassle and lots more fun.

Each week (and this began in November) I increase the amount of weight I carry on EVERY hike, by ONE POUND per week, so that by the beginning of April I am carrying 25 lb. every time I hit the trail.  (Bill, being a guy, has no use for such finessing.  He just stuck 20 lb. in his pack from Day 1 and says he’ll increase it some more later).

On the TIME side of the “PCT practice equation” we do one ALL DAY hike per week, and choose the roughest, toughest trails we can find in our area (we particularly like Point Reyes National Seashore trails) because the PCT is one rough, tough trail.   Then we have TWO SHORTER HIKES on other days.  In November, these were one and a half hours each, but each month they increase by 15 minutes, till by April they are two and a half hours.   The reason for this is that when we did the PCT in 2005, we found that it helped us if we took a short break every two and a half to three hours.  So these shorter hikes are like one of those “time sections” we did on the PCT.   We use the trails of Helen Putnam Park by Petaluma to do these hikes, or sometimes just walk the bike paths around town.

Practice hikes are also a great way to test out new gear and new ideas.  I came up with a plan for a lightweight, hands-free way to carry a hiking umbrella, and tested it while we practiced.  Works great!  I think I will enter it in the “gear contest” at ADZPCTKO!