Sponsored

Well it looks like I've picked up a couple of sponsors!  

First, Steven Bogos.  I became great friends with him while I was living in Japan. He is an Australian and likes video games.  He also likes to write about video games.  So if you have a game journalist job, contact him on Twitter: @StevenBogos

I'll be carrying this flag in his honor.  

Next, Backwoods Brewing.  This company is located in Carson, WA.  In the county I grew up and which the PCT cuts through, Skamania County.  I graduated high school with the brewmaster, Kevin Waters.  I didn't know years later he was going to make delicious beer.  He was also kind enough to sponsor me on my journey!

Be sure to check out the links in the side bar!  Thanks to both of my sponsors!

Warming Up!

Next week I start my big adventure.  I'll be hitting the PCT!  Between now and then, I have a lot of preparation to take care of.  I've also had plenty of restless nights. 

Yesterday, I managed to summit Larch Mountain with close to my full pack weight. That's somewhere around forty pounds counting food, water, and gear. My base weight is around seventeen pounds.  I'll talk about the headache that is base weight, another time. 

This was my first time attempting Larch Mountain.  It's a short drive outside of Portland, OR.  The trailhead is at Multnomah Falls.  Round trip, it's around twelve miles with the summit at 4,000 or so feet.  The hike up is spectacular!

The trail is also a loop.  Since I didn't have a map, I just stuck with out and back.  Next time, I'll bring a map.

The weather was "almost perfect" for a day like today.  I was able to see all of the mountains in the region (St. Helens, Rainier, Adams, Hood, and Jefferson) despite it being a bit hazy.

I'm not sure if I'll be able to get another hike in by my start date.  But after today, I'm feeling much more confident then I was last month.  I guess the small amount of training I did in Japan paid off.