Below is what’s up with us as the year closes down. We have saved $6,400 so far for this adventure. We have spent $6,250 on expenses prepping for this hike with gear. Spending will slow down as we save up some more for the final gear we need and the amount we need to hike it.
We are sure everyone in the world is hoping 2021 is better. We hope everyone is ok and safe. We hope this time of year finds comfort to you and we look forward to better times ahead outside and close to the ones we love.
Thanks for everyone’s support!
Dan & Chantal
Chantal got a great sleeping bag from Mountain Hardware for $539CAD down from $800CAD from Altitude Sports on a Black Friday sale. It’s a bag that goes down to -18.
View the bag’s details here.
We bought a tent from MSR and we picked the Mutha Hubba NX 3 Person/3 Season Tent. We picked it up for $509CAD down from $679CAD.
You can view the tent specs here.
Attended another zoom with PCT hikers sharing advice to new peeps wanting to hike the PCT.
The zoom meeting was set up by Carol from Thru-r. This one was far the best with the information shared. I took notes and afterward… I googled gear and resources talked about in the show.
Noticed two GTA hikers thinking about the PCT for 2022.
Would be nice to reach out and talk a bit and share some planning tips and ideas. Looking forward to following them and their hikes. Would be great for Chantal and me to meet up with them in 2021 down the road and talk about the planning. If not in person… then on zoom one weekend morning.
As I’m writing this post and posting the photos above. I get a message on FB below:
That’s awesome!!! Can’t wait to connect more with local peeps hiking it before us and eventually with us in the same year.
Dan bought with his own money, a luxury item to bring with us to hang on our tent.
Symbolism and tradition: Tibetan Prayer Flags
Traditionally, prayer flags are used to promote peace, compassion, strength, and wisdom. The flags do not carry prayers to gods, which is a common misconception; rather, the Tibetans believe the prayers and mantras will be blown by the wind to spread goodwill and compassion into all pervading space. Therefore, prayer flags are thought to bring benefit to all.
By hanging flags in high places the Lung ta will carry the blessings depicted on the flags to all beings. As wind passes over the surface of the flags, which are sensitive to the slightest movement of the wind, the air is purified and sanctified by the mantras.
Dan bought with his own money an ACG Balaclava to use on cold windy days to hide from the elements.
Might just use it Sierra Mountains and then up in upper Washington State when the winter weather is approaching in the mountains. Bought with my own money and will use it this winter and test it out to see if it’s good for the trail. Paid $55CAD from www.lessoneseven.com and got to break it down using Sezzle over four payments which I love. I might have bought a pair of Nike ACG React Terra Gobe Barely Volt shoes for 50% off as an early Birthday present to myself.
Triple Crown coffee made its way to California that Dan bought with his own money.
Friend and Patreon supporter Kirk had his bag rip but he was able to save the coffee. Carol from Thru-r received hers (photo below) and an extra bag to give away to a future PCT hiker on her zoom calls. I just wanted to support this coffee brand. Listen for this brand as a sponsor on our first couple of podcasts dropping soon.
Worked out the opening of our Podcast with our welcome message and listing our sponsors.
We will open our podcast with a little clip and will follow our stirring violin opening of a Trampled By Turtles cover of a song called “Wait So Long”. We shortened the violin a little and we like it. We hope it grows on you as you become familiar with our podcast as it leads to the first segment. We posted it on YouTube to share below. (LOL the opening clip is just taken from a phone call to Chantal late one night.
Attended another Thru-r Zoom Meet-Up
Listened to Carrot Quinn. You can listen here. I need to listen to more podcasts next year in the background.
Sent out two ‘Thank-You’ cards to two new Patrons. We have 13 in total. If you would like to support us, you can hit Patreon here.
