F.A.Q.

So when people find out that we're doing this 5 month hike - that is just as ridiculous sounding to you as it is to us by the way - they tend to have some curiosities (e.g. What the hell are you thinking?!, or You have to carry 5 months of food?!). So let me take this opportunity to clear up some of your uncertainties and address your inquiries.

Q: What the hell are you thinking?!
     A: As D-Day creeps closer, I'm beginning to ask myself the same question. It is a crazy idea. There is no getting around that. But we are pumped for this adventure! Now is the time to do it. We are fortunate enough to have the opportunity to take 5 months off from normal every day life; we are out of school (for now), we have not quite met our desired career goals, and we have generous and unyielding support from our friends, families, and coworkers. This adventure may have started off as Lindsay's pipe dream that most blew off, but it has become a reality that drives us all. We may not make it the entire 2,650 miles. We understand that. Shit happens. But we are sure as hell going to try. As little as we are able to get outside and experience true nature in Reynoldsburg, Ohio, we are passionate about the outdoors and cannot wait for our soles to hit the backcountry.

Q: You have to carry 5 months of food?!
     A: As big as these guns are *kisses biceps*, I don't think they are quite capable of lifting the several tons of food required to feed a hungry hiker for 5 months. Instead, we will carry approximately 3-7 days worth of food at a time and resupply whenever we arrive in a trail town. For an extended time prior to leaving for the trail, we have been dehydrating food and stocking up on dry food that we will repackage and ship to the local trail town post offices. But our resupply method doesn't stop there; we will also be purchasing goods in town to supplement our mailed portions. It is also in those towns that we intend to engorge ourselves with as much hot and fresh restaurant meals as socially acceptable. Feel free to mail us as much food (and wine) as you want ;)

Q: Do you sleep in a tent?
     A: 5 star hotel every night. Yes, we sleep in a tent. We invested in 2 high quality, ultralight backpacking tents from Henry Shires Tarptent that weigh a mere 2.5 pounds each. Split that weight between 4 people and you've got hardly any weight on your back! We even have these super comfortable 1/2 inch foam sleeping pads that give the phrase sleep like a rock a whole new meaning. Brings us close to nature!

Q: Do you shower?
     A: If Gaia cannot stand our stench any longer, she will rain upon us. Unfortunately, we will likely have to bear some nose-bleeding body odor. I just hope the deodorant sticks make the weight cut! Other than rain, we will wash in streams, rivers, ponds, and lakes. And when we earn the sparse opportunity to sleep in a hotel bed after hiking though the wilderness into town, we will bathe as nature did not intend.

Q: Where do you use the bathroom?
     A: Does a bear shit in the woods? If he doesn't then I don't know where we are going to go.

Q: Are you taking a cell phone? How will you charge it?
     A: Yes, we are taking our phones to use for blogging, pictures, communication with our resuppliers and loved ones at home, and, of course, emergencies. The PCT is said to have service on approximately 70% of it's length. However, we do not intend to always have our phones turned on. We invested in a solar power charger and have external battery packs that we will charge in town.

Q: Are you taking a gun to protect yourselves from bears?
     A: Nope. I am a highly certified bear whisperer with a PhD in bear wrestling.

Q: What about rattlesnakes?
     A: Ah rattlesnakes you ask. Rattlesnakes have these rattley things on the ends of their tails that make noise when they shake them. When they do that, it means "I'm letting you know I'm here. I don't want to bite you but I can if I need to defend myself. So back the F^(K away!" and we intend to do so. However, if all else fails, Lindsay is a vampire. She can suck the poison out like Edward did for Bella.

Q: What do you do about *lowers voice to a whisper* the Mexicans?
     A: There seems to be some concern from friends and family about being so near the border and the presence of illegal aliens. I say, if it ain't illegal, it ain't any fun. Can anyone say new best friend! But really, we have to hike 20 miles from the border to the kick off event at Lake Morena the first day because it's not advised to camp within the first 20 miles of the PCT. So we will only be at the border for a short time and there is apparently a strong border patrol presence in the area due to the PCT.

Alright, enough with sarcasm. Time to be serious. This trip has its dangers. It comes jam packed with potential hazards, illnesses, and ailments. We will encounter wildlife. We are entering their home. We will inevitably acquire some blisters, cuts, scrapes, body aches, and sprains. We run the risk of dehydration, starvation, giardia, and falling off of a cliff. We have to be attentive and prepared for any number of things to happen. This is why a motto of ours has been and will continue to be always take preventative measures. We don't want to have to deal with any of these hazards or ailments, just as we don't want to have you worry for us. Thus, we plan to be attentive, take precautions, and preform tasks safely and hygienically sound. Just know that we will be OK!