[pct-l] Fwd: 2015 ADZPCTKO After Action Report

Tue May 12 01:34:46 CDT 2015

How many showed up for session one and two for the Kick Off ??

Andrea Dinsmore
On May 11, 2015 10:10 PM, "Paint YW" <paintyourwagonhikes at gmail.com> wrote:

> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: Paint YW <paintyourwagonhikes at gmail.com>
> Date: Mon, May 11, 2015 at 10:42 PM
> Subject: 2015 ADZPCTKO After Action Report
> To: "pct-l at backcountry.net" <pct-l at backcountry.net>
>
>
> I attended the second session of the kickoff this year, experiencing some
> tumultuous, but for me, welcome weather, which is apparently getting to be
> the norm. It was my second kickoff, having missed 2013, & 2014.
>
> My trip down to the kickoff began at mile 210 of the PCT, starting at Ziggy
> and The Bears' trail angel house at Whitewater.
>
> I was delighted to be given the keys to a car, belonging to Carol, a trail
> angel friend of the Whitewater House occupants. Carol permitted me to
> drive, which was quite an experience, as I had been hiking since 2012, more
> on than off, and had left my vehicle in IL., so driving in CA., was
> practically a first for me, with a few noted exceptions however infrequent.
>
> I chose to go over the western flank of Mt. San Jacinto (Black Mnt.) with a
> stop in Idyllwild, at the Mt. San Jacinto State Park, in the hopes that any
> hikers still needing a ride to the kickoff could be picked up at the last
> minute for the haul south. The weather turned from sunny on the desert
> floor to dense fog on the way up the serpentine mountain road, with at
> times near zero visibility enveloping all motoring souls. There were no
> takers at the park, but a first session attendee was there to offer us
> encouragement.
>
> The next stop was Paradise Valley Cafe, amid ever deteriorating weather and
> driving conditions. Four valiant hikers were spotted walking along the
> road's shoulder, doing the road walk the old fashioned way- facing traffic
> and staying as far off the pavement as conditions would allow. Having said
> that, an equestrian trail, and a mountain bike trail, were both easily
> visible along the Pines to Palms Hwy., just off the road to the east, and
> would have been a better choice in my humble opinion, with perhaps a little
> pre-route planning for good measure.
>
> A quick stop at the Paradise Valley Cafe, near PCT mile 152, revealed about
> a dozen hikers busily engaged in the time honored tradition of scarfing
> down huge burger platters and quaffing some of the delicious craft beers
> that are available at this super hiker friendly oasis. All hikers were
> northbound, so there were no takers for a ride to kickoff.
>
> Undaunted, it was time to roll west the 7 miles it takes to reach Anza,
> home of my personal friend and trail angel Evil Goat, whom I met in Iraq.
> We established a great friendship at a large coalition military base,
> working together in support of the troops, as the both of us would
> enthusiastically walk seven and a half miles everyday, in order to eat our
> three daily meals at one of two preferred chow halls. After a quick stop at
> the local liquor store for a house warming gift of Irish whiskey, and an
> equally quick stop at Evil Goat's, it was time to bolt to Warner Springs.
>
> Warner Springs Community Center, mile 109.5 of the PCT, was packed with
> hikers in various stages of rest and relaxation. The kitchen hummed with
> volunteers preparing meals for hungry hikers, the laundry stack was fully
> engaged in washing and drying hiker clothes, showers were busy, computers
> occupied, tents, packs, and foot baths tended to, but no takers for a ride
> to the kickoff. I briefly spoke with Nancy, making a promised donation that
> I had pledged during my brief stay weeks ago to the head volunteer working
> the well stocked supply store, then headed out the door for Barrel Springs.
>
> It is worth noting that a San Diego County Sheriff's Deputy, was providing
> hikers with a ride to the USPO at Warner Springs, in an official vehicle in
> order to facilitate the retrieving of their resupply packages. Pretty cool
> community relations huh?
>
> Retracing my steps along the PCT as best I could with a car, was turning
> out to be quite enjoyable- thrilling in fact. The weather was much better
> at the lower elevations, but that would change shortly with a climb up to
> the mountain town of Julian.
>
> Barrel Springs, mile 101 of the PCT, had several hikers transitioning in
> and out of the watering hole, but again, no takers for a ride to the
> kickoff. Several enthusiastic conversations unfolded between the hikers
> present, and this driver and passenger, before the two of us took off for
> Scissors Crossing.
>
> Looking up at the San Felipe Hills, from an automobile was a bit uncanny,
> seeing how I had traversed the hills four consecutive years on foot.
> Scissors Crossing, mile 77 of the PCT, was unoccupied, save for a few
> bottles of water, some oranges, and a few apples that a good natured soul
> had left for the inbound hikers.
>
> I thought about staying down in the desert, eventually reaching Interstate
> 8, via the Overland Stage Route, which would have taken me past another
> favorite stop on the trail- the Stagecoach Resort RV Park, but realized the
> high route would take me to several PCT way points, not just the one, so
> Julian was chosen as the way to the next "elevated" hiker water stop.
>
> Again, near zero visibility, high winds, and driving rain greeted us as we
> ascended the route into Julian. Sunrise Trailhead was the next stop. Due to
> the limited visibility, I blew past the turn-off for the parking lot at
> Sunrise Trailhead, slowing just enough to make the second entrance, which
> put us right next to the pit toilets. Good thing, because nature was
> calling. I chose the door on my left as I approached the small building,
> and in doing so, found an empty stall. I suspected that hikers might be
> hunkered down in the stalls due to the rapidly deteriorating weather. I was
> half right. While taking care of business of a standing nature, I thought
> that I either heard voices or was mistaking the howling winds for the same.
> Being the curious type, I opened the door to the adjoining stall to find
> not one but three hikers hunkered down. After a good laugh and the exchange
> of a few pleasantries, one of the hikers asked me if I knew of anywhere to
> camp out of the weather. I answered in the affirmative and said that they
> were presently in a campsite, and advised them to just lock the door. I
> returned to the car and immediately sought out my base layer top, down
> vest, and rain jacket. Finding a pack of blueberry muffins, I returned to
> the hikers and offered them a couple of muffin hugs each.
>
> Turning my attention to the task of driving to the kickoff, I returned to
> the vehicle only to discover two hikers walking south across the parking
> lot, in the driving rain and near zero visibility. I assumed they were
> looking for the trail and yelled out to them that it was to the east,
> pointing with my left arm towards the Sunrise Hwy. They replied back in a
> similar fashion, shouting out that they were looking for the water source.
> I turned to face it, seeing nothing but a grey fog bank and driving rain. I
> yelled to them that they needed to turn around and head north, following
> the gravel parking lot until they reached two corrals of metal piping,
> which would be divided by a dirt road, and to take that west about two full
> blocks in distance until reaching a water tower, and beyond that they would
> find the livestock trough/tank. They thanked me and then we bid each other
> good bye. I then got back in the car and headed south for Pioneer Mail
> Picnic Area.
>
> I spotted a tent setup at Pioneer Mail, likely put up in haste, and noticed
> someone under the squalid pit toilet's entrance roof, and someone else
> entering one of the stalls. Driving further onto the grounds, a hiker was
> spotted approaching a parked vehicle that was unoccupied. I shouted out to
> her, and she asked in reply if I could take her anywhere. Yes, anywhere. I
> asked where her pants were- meaning rain gear, and she replied that they
> were in her pack. She had on the most basic of short shorts, and was
> getting pelted by the driving rain. I got out to make room for her gear
> which she had to retrieve, and found it necessary to immediately don my
> base layer bottom and rain pants, or face the real prospect of hypothermia.
> The temperature had plummeted with the increase in winds, and getting wet
> was now a serious matter. My companion asked why she was in such short
> shorts. I could only guess. I said the boys like the kind of shorts the
> young woman had on, as one educated guess. Disclosure: I am 57 years young,
> and I like the short shorts. The only appropriate clothing in this kind of
> threatening weather however, is the kind that will protect you to the best
> of it's ability. In the face of bad weather it made no sense to have one's
> weather protection in one's pack. Hey- I call it like I see it.
>
> After making room for our new riding companion, it was time to boogie. The
> next possible stop where hikers might be sheltering up, and not necessarily
> looking for a ride to the kickoff, was the pedestrian vista/overlook ramp,
> just north of Mt. Laguna campground on the Sunrise Hwy. I pulled in to the
> parking area and quickly checked under the ramp area as the foundation was
> a bulwark against the driving rain, and any hiker caught in the storm would
> likely find the structure a good place to wait out the rapidly brewing and
> now- somewhat fierce weather. No cigar. Nobody home. So, it was off to the
> lodge in Mt. Laguna, per our new companion's request.
>
> I know the lodge proprietors to be two no nonsense type of guys, so I
> offered to arbitrate for the hiker, in the event the owners might be of a
> charitable nature, and permit her to piggyback with someone that already
> had a room. In fact, one of her friends was supposed to be holed up in the
> lodge. The owners were not interested in revealing the name of any
> occupant, due to privacy concerns, so that was a dead end. I proffered that
> one could stay at the Burnt Rancheria C. G., or the Desert View Picnic
> Area, although that is an unofficial site when it comes to camping,
> (parsing words if ever there were any) however- the community seems to
> tolerate PCT campers/squatters, so I drove over there to show the hiker a
> spot that could be home for the night. The hiker knew her friend was in a
> lodge room and was determined to find him. My passenger (her car) insisted
> that we take her to the lodge so that she could look for her friend, so
> that's what we did. The hiker knocked on adjoining doors and both were
> answered, leading her to success in that she entered the room of one of the
> occupants. Having successfully delivered an ill prepared hiker to an
> excellent shelter, our duties were done and it was time to drive directly
> to the kickoff.
>
> In review, stops were made at Mt. San Jacinto State Park, Paradise Valley
> Cafe, Anza Liquor, trail angel Evil Goat's house, also in Anza, the Warner
> Springs Community Center, Barrel Springs, Scissors Crossing, Sunrise
> Trailhead, via Julian, Pioneer Mail Picnic Area, the vista/overlook ramp
> near Mt. Laguna C. G., Mt. Laguna Lodge, and the Desert View Picnic Area.
> All in all, the drive was filled with surprise, danger, excitement,
> memories, anticipation, reflection, and the expectation of great things to
> come. A fine start to the day.
>
> By the time I reached Interstate 8, I couldn't determine whether I needed
> to go east, or west. A moment with an open and functioning map application
> on my phone, gave me my answer. I began to remember my bicycle ride last
> year, taking me from Phoenix, AZ., to Campo, and thought seriously about
> taking old highway 80, which runs parallel to the Interstate, to the
> kickoff. Noting the time- it was almost 5:30pm, I elected to drive on the
> Interstate, shortening the time it would take to get to Lake Morena.
>
> Buckman Springs Road, appeared almost immediately, and a quick exit had us
> on a road that provided sporadic views of the PCT. I am smitten by the
> trails' influence on me, and I get downright giddy whenever I am in an
> automobile and I can actually see the trail. It's the closest thing to
> magic for this middle aged kid.
>
> A couple of stops and turns and then the kickoff comes into full view.
>
> The first order of business is to register, and the second order of
> business is to see if a spot can be had for Carol, my non-hiking passenger.
> Due to the two session arrangement, the kickoff is noticeably less crowded
> than what I remember about the 2012 kickoff. Carol is assigned to the same
> site that I am signed up for, and there is plenty of room for her car,
> which is a good thing because she is planing on sleeping in it, thanks to
> the purchase of a luxurious inflatable mattress from REI.
>
> The registration process was simple and a one stop affair. Welcome- check.
> Questions- check. Register/pay- check. ID Badge- check. Bandana- check.
> Raffle- check. Parking fee- check. T-shirts- check. Tent tag- check.
>
> Almost immediately, familiar faces or trail names are spotted, sending the
> endorphins to work. Carol and I exchange between us, what interests we have
> in the kickoff programs- namely the 6:30pm talk by Pepper, on his and
> Traumas' winter PCT hike. In the mean time, Carol heads over to the gear
> manufacturers' quadrant, and I seek out a dear friend and trail angel
> extraordinaire, Mr. Big Fig.
>
> Guino, another dear friend from Mammoth Lakes, had spotted us pulling into
> the campground, and joyfully escorted us to our site by jogging along
> Carol's car, dutifully announcing to anyone within earshot that his bud
> (yours truly) was in the house. I suspected that he may have been indulging
> in adult beverages, and in short order, I confirm this suspicion.
> Undaunted, the both of us exchange hugs and go through the usual and
> customary gyrations good friends display when reunited.
>
> Over at Mr Big Figs,' evidence of him cooking- his nearly world famous
> greasy tacos, is everywhere. No surprise, as I was lucky enough to enjoy
> three of those delicious culinary delights in 2012, right after reaching
> kickoff after climbing up out of Hauser Canyon. That was the first time I
> had met him, and the second time was at mile 702 of the PCT, at 10:30pm, on
> July 31st, 2012, at Kennedy Mdws. He offered me a "canned ham" trailer to
> sleep in that night. A kind and totally unexpected gesture.
>
> Due to circumstances completely within my control, I skipped the standing
> room only lecture in the pavilion featuring Pepper, electing instead to
> hang with my "boys," doing what boys do, well into the night.
> Unfortunately, my decision to cowboy camp later that night proved to be a
> bad call, as I awoke to a rather heavy mist which quickly turned into a
> light rain, then rain-rain, prompting me to go into warp drive and assemble
> my tent in a most expeditious manner. Note to self: next time I engage in
> late night activities with my "boys," assemble ye old tent first. Or, as
> Homer Simpson would say: "DOH!"
>
> The threatening weather never reached critical mass Saturday, but did in
> fact do so that evening. The respite in the weather, gave everyone a chance
> to commiserate, visit the gear manufacturers, participate in class
> pictures, attend indoor and outdoor presentations, and have an overall
> great day at the kickoff. I took interest in inspecting an 8oz. pack by
> Gossamer Gear. I engaged in conversation with some BLM personnel at their
> booth, educating them on several critical websites that are favorites of
> hikers. Half Mile's PCT maps, the PCT water report, PCT-L, Trail Journals,
> Postholer, and PCTA (in particular, the Community tab, with special
> attention to PCT Live and the Journalists.) I gave one interested person a
> quick tutorial on Half Mile's cell phone application. I also advised on
> Guthook's app., and David Money Harris's I-trails app. The person was quite
> surprised by all of the sites and by the depth at which they function.
>
> The Wolverines were doing shakedowns as usual, and had a number of
> spectators captivated by the patient and methodical ways in which the
> shakedown mentors went about the task of separating unnecessary gear from
> their respective owners. The conversations between gear owners and weight
> reduction experts could easily be heard and provided teaching moments for
> those in the "audience" open to their suggestions. Seeing is believing.
> Hearing it firsthand, reinforced the lessons. One could "debate" the
> choices of gear elimination being made, right inside one's own head. Keep?
> Pitch? Donate? Mail? Important? Excessive? Ridiculous? Agree? Disagree?
> From my cold dead hands? OK? Yes? No?
>
> The class pictures are always fun and this years' effort was no exception.
> I had a blast as did my friend Guino, because I have hiked four consecutive
> years in a row, so I was able to join the classes of 2015, 2014, 2013, and
> 2012. Guino, who has hiked the PCT, 9 years out of the past 10 years,
> joined me for the first four class pictures, stepping away during the class
> of 2011 picture, seeing how he was hiking the AT that year. He reentered
> the class pictures starting in 2010. Unfortunately, for him, the subsequent
> years in the past decade of  2000 to 2009, were all lumped together, so
> after that- the party was over for him. He groused a bit, but I couldn't
> tell how serious he really was about being lumped by the decade into a
> class picture. The 80's had but one lone hiker representing the class. The
> 70's, always a crowd favorite due to it being founders, pioneers, and plank
> holders, had the first female solo southbound hiker- Teddy Boston, and the
> Funk Brothers, representing their class. There were a few other hikers
> present for the 70's class picture, but regrettably, I did not know them by
> name.
>
> I attended a couple of the presentations: the water report, and flora and
> fauna. The water report presentation was packed. Half Mile, and Double Tap,
> provided excellent reports. My rookie year, I carried 2 gallons just about
> everywhere, and took extreme interest in most of the water sources, taking
> pictures of many of them. I just about couldn't help myself by commenting
> on a number of the critical water sources along the trail in southern
> California. Hopefully, I did not earn the ire of anyone in the room for my
> repeated contributions. I ad libbed on a few of the stops, offering perhaps
> excessive details as to the services available at places like Warner
> Springs, and Stagecoach RV, which weren't necessarily pertinent to the
> water issues. The audience gave Half Mile (and Double Tap) a rousing and
> well deserved, lengthy standing ovation.
>
> The flora and fauna presentation was put on by Ceanothus. The format
> included slides and commentary, with a casual feel permitting comments and
> questions by the speaker and the audience. Several laminated field guides
> and books were displayed on a table at the front of the room, giving anyone
> interested hints for further material to study pertaining to the syllabus.
> I plan to get my hands on one or more of the laminated guides, likely the
> flora, to help in identifying most of the plants encountered along the
> trail. Ceanothus was approachable outside the confines of the presentation,
> for a followup question/comment I had, and would have easily devoted more
> time to my questioning if I had any others to ask of her.
>
> Due to threatening weather, a decision was made to move the video and
> raffle over to the pavilion. This move proved to be on the money as the
> rain came as predicted later in the evening.
>
> The big event of the day (evening) proved to be the raffling off of donated
> gear, followed by the 2014 class video.
>
> Frodo, gave an impassioned speech regarding the PCT, enjoining everyone to
> collectively roll up their sleeves and pitch in where ever their talents
> could be used for the benefit and perpetuation of the trail. I believe it
> was well received and coming from someone that walks the walk, left a
> lasting impression on everyone in the room. The weather offered up a
> contribution too- bringing much needed rain to the parched desert, adding
> the appropriate ambiance to the night's program.
>
> Pro Deal, emcee of the class video presentation, implored the crowd to send
> a little enthusiasm his way, for the time honored tradition about to take
> place, to little or no avail. I think the 5, or 20 mile hike, that most
> people made to get to the kickoff, or the long drive or ride to the park,
> on top of the possibility of imbibing in spirits, or stuffed with a high
> calorie meal, prior to the raffle and video, may have contributed to the
> crowds' subdued reaction.
>
> I surprised myself, and probably everyone else in the room, by standing up
> and saying quite confidently, that I could get the crowd enthused with
> something called the rally clap. I believe I had been indulging just enough
> in adult beverages prior to the gathering, that I had lost most if not all
> of my inhibitions- enough so to take a huge risk without any fear of
> failure whatsoever. I was granted the floor, and proceeded to instruct the
> crowd on the finer points of the rally clap by giving them a demonstration,
> then asking for one hiker to count out the repetitions- I suggested five
> repetitions. Well, I gave it my best shot and did a rally clap for the
> audience. The idea was for everyone to do something spontaneous, but for it
> to work it would take every one's participation in the room, and- it
> required people to react in unison, and- with much enthusiasm. I had
> absolutely no idea if this act of a crazy man would work, but it was only
> going to take about 2 whole seconds to find out. I slapped my hands
> together; clap,    clap, clap-clap-clap, clap-clap-clap-CLAP, clap-clap.
> The room erupted with the most beautiful, loud, coordinated clapping that I
> ever witnessed. To me, it was a group synchronized in a singular moment of
> unity. It said- COMMUNITY! I just about fainted because the crowd NAILED
> IT! Well, if there was going to be a grade given out for enthusiasm, this
> group got an A plus. I doubt that I would ever try such a stunt again. WOW!
>
> The video was all it was cracked up to be, and they are getting better by
> the year. Great, great, great soundtrack.
>
> Site #32. This is the site the Andersons stake out each year. They are
> trail angels in Green Valley, located at mile #478 (2 miles south) and have
> the trail angel thing pegged. This was my first year hanging with them at
> their site, once the kickoff was over. One cool thing they do is- spot
> hikers coming into Lake Morena, and at precisely the right moment, clap
> hikers in to the park. Some of us rookies, kept jumping the gun, initiating
> our clapping way too soon. Mrs Anderson (Terrie) would have to continually
> remind us to hold our fire, until we saw the whites of their eyes... sort
> of, kind of. Eventually, the problem students got it right. The hikers were
> treated to chili, made by Mrs Anderson, and several hiker volunteers right
> on site. This chili had everything in it INCLUDING the kitchen sink.
> DE-licious. Hikers, could hang out, pitch a tent, cowboy camp, get down
> with their bad selves, or rescue kittens and little puppies at site #32.
>
> The park cuts the Andersons some slack, due to their prominent trail
> angel/PCT status, plus their tradition and longevity at the kickoff, and-
> seeing how it's the kickoff, or the day after the kickoff, lets the number
> of hikers per site policy slide a bit. That being said, once the Andersons
> left, I made the mistake of luring hikers to site #32, with the ol'
> clapping routine, loading up the site beyond the normal 2 tent (8 people)
> per site policy. For the record- I paid the $27 per day fee... but soon
> thereafter, came under the wrath of the MAN. The park staff agreed to 4
> tents (8 people) per site, on a day by day basis. I left on the following
> Friday, so that was the end of the agreed upon flexibility/leeway.
>
> FWIW: I missed the Friday evening meal, which I believe was bean burritos.
> However, breakfast was oranges, apples, bananas, bagels, cream cheese,
> peanut butter, multiple juices, hot coffee, and bean burritos. A decision
> was made to use cabbage, instead of lettuce in the burritos, as lettuce
> doesn't keep nearly as well as cabbage. It was an excellent decision. I
> would rather have cabbage in my burritos anyway, having tried it this
> kickoff and finding it to be a delicious alternative.
>
> Garbage bags and recycling bags were placed at all of the picnic tables.
> This was an excellent idea. Portable restrooms placed in strategic
> locations, along with wash stations seemed to be sufficient in number. The
> updated park sewer system held it's own. Hiker etiquette reminders,
> compliments of Switchback, were abundant and said the right things in the
> right temperament.
>
> The organizers have the kickoff down to a science and deserve a tremendous
> thank you for the awesome vibe that they impart on the hikers as they set
> out on a hike of a lifetime.
>
> Kudos to the hikers, sponsors, manufacturers, volunteers, park staff,
> workers, donors, participants, angels, alumni, maintainers, and every other
> sentient being that puts forth an investment in the idea that one can walk
> a continuous ribbon from Mexico to Canada. How crazy is that?
>
> Best to each and every one of you,
>
> PaintYW
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