[pct-l] Tuna Helper's 2012 Speed Record Attempt Blog and Photos

[hiker97 at aol.com]

Snow Bunny Unsupported JMT Reinhold writes: BTW....I understand Switchback's fire is still burning and he is    dreaming about some kind of  UL  "unsupported without resupplies"  PCT record attempt.  He claims he has the pre-stocked calories to do it.
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Switchback replies: The fire has been extinguished for right now.  I just got back from a 1500 mile motorcycle winter trike ride up to Shasta Lake CA for a new seat to be put on the Goldwing.  What an adventure.  I had Sierra winter fog, Reno NV 60 mph wind gusts, and 10-hour days in the saddle.  I had to go into the motel room at the end of the day to run hot water over me to reheat the skin to normal temperatures.  But as soon as I get everything cleaned up, I will be ready for more.  Spoken like any hardcore hiker or triker.  Like has been said, if I have to explain it, you won't understand.



-----Original Message-----
From: Reinhold Metzger <reinholdmetzger at cox.net>
To: pct-l <pct-l at backcountry.net>; ryan.weidert <ryan.weidert at gmail.com>; Hiker97 <Hiker97 at aol.com>; Deems <losthiker at sisqtel.net>; Edward Anderson <mendoridered at yahoo.com>; joseph kisner <lostonthecrest at hotmail.com>; Monte Dodge <madmonte53 at gmail.com>
Sent: Fri, Jan 11, 2013 12:26 pm
Subject: [pct-l] Tuna Helper's 2012 Speed Record Attempt Blog and Photos


                  Hey Ryan,
    Congrats on your outstanding accomplishment and thanks for sharing    it....I will forward 
    this to Scott Williamson.
    I remember your hike very well and followed it with great    enthusiasm.
    Scott Williamson, my friend and hero, as you already know also was    attempting to lower 
    his prior record in 2012.
    Yes 2012 was an exiting year...you blazing north and Scott blazing    south at record
    breaking speeds....things just don't get more exiting than that.
    Unfortunately both of you had to abandon your record attempts before    reaching the 
    borders.....you after 42.5 days and Scott in Oregon after 13 days    due to all the forest 
    fires.....BUMMER!!!
    But,....there is always next year, and the fire keeps on burning.
    I know after 13 PCT hikes (16 counting section hikes) Scott's fire    is still burning and the 
    undeniable, unquestionable, indisputable  "King of the PCT"  is    already dreaming about 
    another attempt.
    
    I understand Scott's obsession with the PCT.....I have a similar    obsession with the JMT.
    People ask me..."Why do you hike the the JMT so much"?
    I answer....."The  JMT  is like a beautiful women....and once    bitten,...forever hooked.
    Scott has the same problem....he got bitten by that beautiful  PCT    lady.
    Scott and I are not the only ones.....I suspect many members on this    list have the same 
    problem 
    
    Like I said...."THE FIRE JUST KEEPS ON BURNING".
    
    I don't know what it is about speed hiking that makes speed fanatics    push their bodies
    to the limit and endure suffering and pain in quest of elusive    records.
    
    Some folks say it's....."CRAZY!!!!
    
    I say.....There is something to be said about setting  "High Goals"     and then pushing your 
    body to the extreme to accomplish those goals.  
    Besides,....the suffering and pain soon will be forgotten,....but    the memories,....aaahhhhh 
    the memories,....they will last a lifetime.
    
    I like the way Brian Robinson  Robinson puts it.....Brian once told    me......."Reinhold, some 
    folks don't understand us,...they just don't understand the crazy    things we do,...but we crazy
    ones,....we understand each other."
    So you see Ryan,....I understand you,... however,  some folks don't    understand you.
    But we crazy ones, and there are many on this list, we understand    you.
    
    BTW....I understand Switchback's fire is still burning and he is    dreaming about some kind 
    of  UL  "unsupported without resupplies"  PCT record attempt.
    He claims he has the pre-stocked calories to do it.
    
    JMT Reinhold
    Your crazy trail companion
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
Hello All,
     It's been 6 months now since I got off trail near Crater Lake,
but I've finally wrapped up all my PCT stuff from the hike last year.
I managed 1864 miles in 42.5 days, and set new PCT Midpoint and
California records, but the entire trail record still alluded me. On
my attempt I took a great many photos and also kept an audio trail
journal for every day. Because of this, and the nature of the hike I
did, I wanted to share it with those who might be interested in such
things. Thus, I created a trail journal style blog, where you can read
the journal and or listen to the actual audio recording. Also
available on the page are links to my full 500 photo PCT 2012 album, a
link to download all of the audio journals, a like to download all of
my GPS tracks and campsite waypoints and a variety of other related
documents. It's been a while in the making and I'm happy it's almost
done! Who knows if I'll attempt it again, but I know now that it is
quite possible to exceed your own goals and nothing is out of reach!

The First Post (use the right side dates/Posts to navigate through the site)
http://www.pctspeed.blogspot.com/2012_10_01_archive.html

2012 Complete Photo Album
https://plus.google.com/photos/113529152827233483970/albums/5804036552665873505


GPS Tracks and Waypoints Download
https://docs.google.com/folder/d/0By2m6B0qS-XOSWdkOU1WVzRLOW8/edit

PCT Documents - Gear List, Split times, Daily Mileage Log etc.
https://docs.google.com/folder/d/0By2m6B0qS-XObGs3WUFFUDh5TWc/edit

The last post will go up today at 6:00pm MT, it's what my feet looked
like 2 weeks after I got off trail. Yeah, you don't want your feet to
look like that!
If you find a link that doesn't work or a different problem, please
let me know and I'll try and fit it!

Hope you'll enjoy and share with others.


Cheers,
Ryan "Tuna Helper" Weidert.