Today Zac sent only three spots with his GPS device. His first spot was sent at 6:50 am his time. He was getting an early start. His spot was (32.97719 - 116.52675). Today it looks like he did a lot of downhill hiking. His starting elevation was 5260 feet. His next spot posting was (32.01261 - 116.5264). This was around 12:20 pm. This location was along the Mason Valley Truck Trail. The elevation here was 4690 feet. The last spot I received today came from near Scissors Crossing where the trial crosses highway 78 at the San Felipe Creek. (32.09822 - 116.47218) The time was 5:45 pm. Elevation is 2252 feet here. A drop of almost 3000 feet from the time he started this morning. Today he completed 25 miles. Walking downhill makes a difference it seems. Still no verbal communication. I did get a message from Julianne. Her group was at Mt. Laguna this morning. They are about a day behind him. I’m sure that seeing some familiar faces would be a great treat for him. Since I have not received another spot from him I can only assume that he is going to camp here for the night. His total mileage so far, as of his last spot, is 77.6 miles. He has 32 miles to go before reaching Warner Springs and his first Post Office delivery of food and notes from well wishers.

Today I did not hear from Zac at all. I am assuming that he is out of cell phone service. I did receive several spots from his GPS device. From the locations I received I can tell he is on the move.

Here is what I know from the information I have received. He left Laguna Mt this morning and sent his first GPS spot (32.86672- 116.42008) around 10:10 our time. That is 7:10 am his time. This location is close to where he stayed last night. The next signal location I received was spot (32.8942- 116.42802). You can see this on Google maps if you zoom in enough. You can even see the trial and follow it to his next spot at (32.92449 - 116.48154) which I received at 3:45 pm our time. The next spot sent to me was around 4:45 pm. The location was (32.93678 - 116.48338). This looks like rocky terrain from the satellite photo on Google maps. That last coordinates received today was (32.97716 - 116.52679). This puts him in Anza-Borrego Desert. http://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=638 This link has some pictures of what he is hiking through.8:15 pm was the time of the last communication received today so we can only assume that he is setting up his camp here. This could be the Pioneer Mail Trail Head picnic area. If this is the case, Zac has hiked about 10 more miles today.

He should be getting to the post office mentioned in Wednesday’s post around the middle of next week. If you are planning to send him any mail, please keep it light. He might appreciate some folding money.

Zac is in Mt Laguna tonight resting in a lodge. He said it is the only one in town. He sent his spot (32.86672 - 116.42008) at 10:00pm. He is 43 miles into his trip and his legs are feeling a little fatigued. Last night was a chilly one. He woke up to frost on his tent. The trail today was not well maintained. He climbed to an elevation of near 6000 feet. An increase of almost 3000 feet. He will recharge his phone and camera and hopefully his body tonight sleeping a comfortable bed. He met some through hikers today from New Zealand. These fellow hikers began the PCT on the same day as Zac, so he will be seeing them several times along the way. He is meeting interesting people from all over the world it seems. He was calling from a phone booth because he had no cell service there. He is not sure what his goal will be for tomorrow. There is no designated campground for 30 miles or so. He plans to go as far as he can and will set up his camp off the trail somewhere. He is sore but his spirits are high. Our conversation was short but I got the impression he was enjoying himself. You can enter these spots into Google maps and see his last location. If the street view option is available, you can see the terrain at that location.

Zac called this afternoon and said he was done for the day. His feet were blistered and sore. He was going to give himself a rest for the remainder of the day so he can get a good start the next day.

During the night of his first camp at Hauser Creek, he said it was chilly but comfortable. After a Powerbar breakfast he was on his way. He had walked about ten miles on what had for the most part been a washed out trail. He was going to camp at the Boulder Oaks Campground at spot 32.72972 - 116.48411. He was 26.4 miles into the trip. The campground was closed but he would still make it his camp for the night.

He said that today’s hike was very hot and hard to walk but was filled with beautiful scenery. He saw lizards everywhere. Some were the size of squirrels. He saw a few roadrunners as well as several humming birds. The rabbits he saw were fairly large. He had his first water crossing today at Cottonwood Creek. About mid day he stopped under an oak tree and dined on Graham Crackers and peanut butter before moving on. The trail was washed out for most of the day. He said it was hard to find any level ground to stand on. It apparently took a toll on his feet. He decided to stop early so he could rest them some.

He said that another traveler had also decided to camp at Boulder Oaks Campground tonight. His name was Keith and he was bicycling from St. Augustine Fla. to San Diego Calf. His journey that had started in February was almost over.

Zac was hoping for smoother trails tomorrow. He is planning to get as far as Mt. Laguna where he could recharge his phone and get a burger or two or three. He said he might even stay there a couple of nights before continuing. He told me that he is not on anyone’s clock. He is having a fantastic adventure. He wants to be at Warner Springs in 4 or 5 days. He will pick up his first post there.

Zac Finley
General Delivery
Warner Springs, CA 92086
(760)782-3166

September 13, 2010

Zac began his 5000 mile hike today from Campo, California (Mexican/California border) at 10:03 this morning. He hiked 16 miles to this spot 32.66119 - 116.54524 which is Hauser Creek. He has seen thousands of lizards. The weather was hot with a cloudless sky above. He also saw several roadrunners. He will camp tonight at Hauser Creek and replenish his water supply. Along the trail today, Zac met two other hikers. He talked to Brant (Zac's dad) via cell phone a few times today and said that the scenery was beautiful. The beginning of a great journey.

This will be my last post before I leave my laptop in San Diego and starting the trail. I’ll have written this post while riding a train in route to San Diego, during the night hours when there wasn’t gorgeous scenery to observe and people to talk with. No internet on the train, but power outlets were available. So this blog couldn’t be posted until today with a little copy and paste help from a word document.



The above picture shows every last bit of my gear, food(in the green and orange stuff sacks at my feet), clothes, and bare necessities for the trail, all spread out in my parents deck back home in Georgia. I thought it would be interesting to show you all how much I’ll be carrying on my back for nine months and that it can all be packed away and fit inside the backpack. My full backpack with everything you see in the above picture is shown to the left. With the two nalgenes(very durable/unbreakable water bottles) full of water and seven plus days worth of food the pack weighs in at thirty five pounds. Most of my equipment is brand spanking new or used by yours truly just a few times. I spent a great deal of time researching what pieces would be the best for me. This gear is my life for the next nine months. It will be my home, my bed, my kitchen and my wardrobe. This gear will ensure my safety, keep me comfortable, and may even save my life on the trail. So it was very important to carefully research every bit of it to make sure I was choosing the best. So, I compared different tents, sleeping bags, backpacks, stoves, pants, shoes, water treatment, jackets, and so on. With most items I compared I had to study their weight, durability, cost, size, and then the weight again.



I tried to find the lightest weight gear that could compact to very small sizes. On the trail, less is more. But at the same time, I needed to make sure this lightweight gear would be strong enough and durable enough to withstand the beating I’d be putting it through everyday for 5000 miles. And along with all that, would the gear be easy and comfortable to use. So after reading many reviews and asking around, and even trying out a few items in stores(not many stores with the gear I needed in Yellowstone National Park, where I had to do most of this planning) I feel confident in all my tools.



Looking at the picture above with my gear spread out, and going left to right, top to bottom, I’ll try to give you an idea what everything is. My sleeping bag is a Montbell ultra light super stretch down hugger. It weighs only 31 ounces, is rated to 25 degrees Fahrenheit and stuffs down into the size of a football. I had the opportunity to get inside one of these very comfortable bags in a Bozeman, Montana shop before purchasing it online. Pricy, but I feel like it is well worth it for how important it will be to me every night.The yellow egg crate design sleeping pad is the Thermorest Z-Lite. Very soft, light and affordable. A black bandana is resting on top of my sleeping pad in the photo, and will be used to keep the sun off the back of my neck, and sand out of my mouth in the case of an unlikely sand storm. Next to the sleeping pad are my Patagonia thermal underpants and long sleeve shirt, good for layering and keeping out the cold on those very chilly nights. Below that are my two Mountain Hardware, lighter than air, t-shirts. I love these. Moving over the other couch are a pair of Columbia convertible pants that are so light and thin, they fold into the size of a softball. They also unzip at the thighs to make shorts. Next to the pants is my very water resistant Stoic jacket. No bulk to it, but thick enough to keep out the cold, wind and most rains. Another plus was it has no seams, meaning it was welded completely together, giving it more strength and durability. Sitting in between the pants and jacket are three pairs of undies and a mesh Budweiser ball cap I found half buried in the orange sands of Arches National Park backcountry. Spread out, but not erected, is my single pole tent. It is the Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo weighing in at 26.5 ounces and packs down to the size of a large bunch of bananas. It is a non free standing tent, meaning it must be staked down in order for it to stand. It requires only the one pole you see leaning against my sleeping pad, or a trekking pole, and six half ounce stakes found in the blue sack leaning against my sleeping bag. I bought this tent online last Spring, and was very pleased with it all summer backpacking in Yellowstone. Beside the tent are another pair of convertible pants(Mountain Hardware) that unzip as shown at the thigh, but are slightly thicker and heavier than the Columbia’s.



All the smaller items on the floor starting from the left include my cookware(blue shammy towel, MSR pocket rocket, Giga power fuel, pot, bowl, spork, 1/3 measuring cup, food scraper, and lighter, all in which fits inside the pot), stick of deodorant, homemade first aid kit in zip lock baggie, two nalgenes( one of which I have carried since my very first summer in Yellowstone), and my first pair of shoes. I say first pair, because I will go through at least six pairs in 5000 miles of trail walking. So, I have already purchased four pairs to be sent to post offices close to the trail when I need some new kicks. All my shoes will be light hiking or trail running shoes. NO BOOTS! Behind the shoes is my journal, sections I’ve torn out of a PCT guide book, trail data book, the new testament, PCT visitor permit, fire permit, and a special picture, all of which is sealed up in a zip lock baggie. Then I have a small jar of peanut butter(great calorie source) and my Duck pack. The Duck pack is a rain cover for my entire backpack while I’m hiking. A few different sized waterproof stuff sacks for storing my tent, sleeping bag, and clothes lay next on the floor.



Back below my cookware on the floor I have my Turtle Fur skull cap, that I proudly wore driving Bombardier snow coaches in Yellowstone. Next is a bright Petzel headlamp, mini camera tripod, four carabineers, GPS, compass, SPOT, eye glasses case, and a toothbrush. For easy packing and slightly lighter toothbrush, I will be using just the replaceable heads for electric toothbrushes. Below that are four pairs of North Face water wicking socks, iodine tablets for water treatment, insect repellent, multitool, and cell phone and camera chargers. Next to them are my Yak Traks. They are basically very simple lightweight crampons for better stability and traction when walking over slick snow and ice. Below those on the floor is my Platypus water filtration system. Lighter, faster, easier, and more water than a pump filtration system. It uses gravity to send water out of a “dirty” bag through a tube and filter, and then into the “clean” bag. Very cool! Next is my small Sony Handy Cam video recorder, that I’ll be using for still pictures as well. Used it all winter after receiving it as a Christmas gift from my family, and have been thrilled with its’ video quality and satisfied with the still photograph quality. It’s case is to the right in the photo above, as well as my monocular. This is the same as binoculars, but obviously with only one lens to peer through. Below that lies my two Leki trekking poles that will soften the blow to my knees, give me more stability in snow and river fords, and possible assist me in warding off any rattlesnakes I’ll encounter. Last, and certainly not least amongst all my gear is my backpack, in which everything I described above, will carry. It is the Granite Gear Vapor Trail weighing only an ounce more than my sleeping bag, but with the strength to carry forty pounds and keep me very comfortable.



All my food for seven plus days is included in the top photo as well, but is just contained in the orange and green stuff sacks at my feet. All that food was described in my previous post. So there is all is! My life’s necessities for 5000 miles of backpacking in 35 pounds on my back in the photo to the right!

I have now arrived in Sacramento, California from Denver, via Amtrak train. The station here, where I'll be for the next hour before taking another train to Bakersfield, has internet. So, maybe I'll have time to get another post in at the next station while I'll have to wait again. The train ride through the Colorado Rockies and the Sierra Nevada was amazing. Gorgeous views and friendly people, with their own excting stories, from a returning Iraq soldier to a family from little town of Big Piney, Wyoming.

Haven't been on here to post in about a week, due to busy preparations, planning, visiting family and friends, and just being lazy. Within the next hour I'll be leaving Lilburn, and heading for the Atlanta airport. There, I'll be leaving my family and meeting up with my first trail angels, Andrew and Jennifer. Andrew is flying back to the states from Paris after spending the past 24 days traveling Europe. I'm looking forward to his stories. Jennifer lives in Atlanta during in between season time from the park. They are both returning to Yellowstone by April 11th. So Jen has kindly offered to give me a lift as far as Denver on their way to Yellowstone. The three of us will drive through the night tonight, and arrive in Denver by tomorrow evening. Saturday morning Jennifer and Andrew will drop me off in Denver and head to the park for their respected summer jobs. I'll be catching a train in Denver, Colorado that will be taking me to Sacramento, California. I'll jump on another train there to Bakersfield, California. I'll finally arrive in San Diego, California after a bus ride from Bakersfield. Friends in San Diego will pick me up at the station there with some time to relax, grab one last meal from society, and drop me off at the border and the start of the Pacific Crest Trail.

Today I tied up all the lose ends with my final plans and backpack preparation. I'm leaving home with over seven days worth of trail food and supplies. The picture on the right is what seven plus days worth of food looks like. Oatmeal, cereal, pop-tarts and powdered milk for breakfast. Ramen noodles, mac & cheese, tuna, and one Mountain House freeze dried meal for dinner. I think it was Jamaican style chicken and rice. And about 22 snacks for walking lunches consisting of Snickers bars, Power Bars, Cliff Bars, granola bars, beef jerky, dried fruit, and peanut butter. All this food, minus the peanut butter jar, fit into two stuff sacks, seen below. All the food is very high calorie and easy to prepare and pack.

Got to run to the airport now for my first leg across the country. More to come on the rest of my gear and some final photos of preparation by tomorrow night while I'm in Denver. Happy Trails!