I understand there are thunder storms in the So. Cal. mountains.   Heavy snow in Wrightwood.   Freezing levels down to 3,500 feet.   8 to 14 inches new snow. 

Hope it doesn't delay my start. 

Many ask me if I intend to mail food and supplies to myself along the way.    There  are two schools of thought on this.    I would guess that about half of the thru hikers on the PCT mail the bulk of their supplies and about half simply buy their supplies at stores as they go.    I plan on the latter method, except that I will mail food ahead to two locations:   Kennedy Meadows and Warner Springs.    I may also, at times, send supplies ahead by mail in a box (actually a bucket) which will accompany (or bounce) with me along the trail.     
 
 Those who have hiked the trail seem to agree that even if you do resupply by mail you will almost inevitably be stopping at towns for additional food, etc.    So why bother with the huge effort of shopping and mailing I ask myself?    So I will stop at towns, probably once every 4 to 6 days to resupply with food and fuel.     That's the plan. 

I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived. I did not wish to live what was not life, living is so dear; nor did I wish to practise resignation, unless it was quite necessary. I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life, to live so sturdily and Spartan-like as to put to rout all that was not life, to cut a broad swath and shave close, to drive life into a corner, and reduce it to its lowest terms, and, if it proved to be mean, why then to get the whole and genuine meanness of it, and publish its meanness to the world; or if it were sublime, to know it by experience, and be able to give a true account of it in my next excursion. For most men, it appears to me, are in a strange uncertainty about it, whether it is of the devil or of God, and have somewhat hastily concluded that it is the chief end of man here to "glorify God and enjoy him forever."

Regarding packages and mail:         
Addresses and printable mailing labels for resupply points along the way are here:  
http://www.pcta.org//planning/before_trip/labels.asp

Letters can be mailed first class.   Packages should all be shipped by USPS Priority Mail, unless it is to a location that only takes UPS.    These are noted on the pcta list.    If you mail by First Class Mail or Parcel Post the chances are too great that I will not receive it.    Flat rate priority mail boxes are a very good.    Postage cost for a medium to large box ranges from $10.95 to $14.95.    Using regional rate mail service is a little bit cheaper but can only be done on line.  

Do not use Fed Ex.

However you send the box, please make sure that I DO NOT have to sign for it.

I do not have firm dates for when I will be at specific locations.    If my itinerary says I will be somewhere on June 5, its possible that I will get there several days or even a week early, or late.  Therefore it is a good idea to plan for a box to get to the town a couple days earlier than my scheduled ETA.    If you are planning on sending something I suggest you email or leave a voice mail to check on my arrival date and to late me know that I need to pick something up at the post office.

 Packages and mail will always be welcome.    If you do send something please  be sure not to send something that has to be carried.    Food is good.   Books and similar items will have to be sent back home.

It is very important that you address each letter/box as detailed on the pcta address list.   Do not forget to write:  "Hold For PCT Hiker.   ETA: (date)"  on the bottom left corner of all boxes and letters.    It is also helpful if you write my last name in big black letters on all sides of any box.    Surprise packages would be nice, but I have got to ask for all my mail.    If I don't know you have sent something, I won't know to ask for it.    So if you are sending me something, please send me an email or voice mail to tell me about the package. 

Everyone had been thinking the Sierras would be easy this year because of the low snow conditions.    From the looks of this we may be wishing we had heavy snow instead.   http://thesheetnews.com/archives/12565   

Gear List:
Gear will change according to the section I am hiking.    For the first 700 miles,  which are largely in the Southern California Mojave and Sonoran Deserts,  the following are the major gear items I will be carrying:

pad, gossamer gear, torso, night light                               2.50  ozs.
pad, neoair                                                                      14.10
ground sheet, tyvek                                                          2.00
tarp, z-packs, cuben fiber, w/ cords and stakes                6.50
bivy, katabatic, bristlecone,                                              7.00
quilt, down, enlightened equip., revelation                    25.00
bandana                                                                            1.80
hat, rain, fred meyer                                                         2.20
jacket, down, montbell                                                     8.70
jacket, windshirt, patagonia                                            4.90
pants, windpants, montbell                                             2.90
rain jacket, cuben fiber                                                   4.70
socks, injini, toe socks                                                     1.60
socks, neoprene socks                                                      4.70
socks, wigwam, merino wool                                          2.80
camera case, bubble wrap                                                0.40
camera, sony cybershot                                                   4.10
hydropel                                                                           0.50
leukotape                                                                          0.50
sunblock, aloe gator, spf 30                                             0.50
platypus 2 liter water bladder                                          1.30
stuff sack, cuben                                                              1.00
water bottle, 1 liter, empty                                               1.00
water bottle, 1 liter, empty                                               1.00
aqua mira                                                                         1.20
cup, 8 oz. plastic,                                                             0.70
Pot - titanium - MSR .85 liter                                          4.50
spoon, lexan, orange                                                        0.30
stove, Isobutane, Crux                                                     3.20
windscreen                                                                       1.30
trekking pole, titanium goat                                             3.52
compass, small                                                                 0.10
gps,  garmin foretrex 401                                                 2.60
map, w hefty bag case                                                      0.80
backpack, ULA, Catalyst                                               48.00
trash compactor bag                                                         2.15
wallet, granitegear, zippered envelope,                            0.60
chairless strap                                                                   1.80
deet, ultrathon, 12 hour                                                     0.50
flashlight - tikka plus                                                        2.70
glasses and case                                                                1.00
lighter, bic, disposable                                                      0.60
matches, waterproof                                                         0.30
notebook, pencil & hefty bag                                           3.60
sunglasses                                                                         0.70
superglue, single use tube                                                 0.04
trowel, aluminum tent stake                                              1.10
z-line 50'                                                                            0.70
hand sanitizer                                                                     1.30
toothbrush                                                                          0.40
duct tape                                                                             1.50
gerber pocket knife                                                            0.60
umbrella, montbell                                                             5.80

In the Sierra's the cuben fiber tarp gets swapped for a hexamid cuben fiber tarp-tent and I will add an ice axe, crampons, opsak, and bear canister. 

In Washington the the hexamid gets swapped for a Henry Shires tarp tent which is better designed for rainy weather.

Generally I will be hiking without a tent and expect mostly to be cowboy camping.   I do not carry a sleeping bag and instead use a quilt/robe which I use inside a lightweight bivy.    The one luxury item I allow myself is the neo-air airmattress which adds 14 ounces.   The list above is not complete but it include the great majority of what I will be carrying.    Altogether I expect to be hiking with a base weight of 12 to 15 pounds depending on conditions.   

My tentative itinerary follows with approximate arrival and departure dates at the various stops for resupply.   Although it can be only approximate, my actual progress shouldn't be off of this by more than a week or so.  

Start Point: Campo
Depart: 4-20-12 (Fri)
  Campo to Mt. Laguna  3 days
    +2 extra on-trail days for ADZPCTKO, Lake Morena   
Arrive:      4-24-12 (Tue)
Depart:      4-24-12 (Tue)
42.9 mi

Mt. Laguna to Warner Springs  (4.1 days)
Arrive:      4-28-12 (Sat)
Layover:         1.0 days    
Depart:      4-29-12 (Sun)
67.7 mi

Warner Springs to Idylwild  (4.8 days)
Arrive:      5-4-12 (Fri)
Layover:         1.2 days    
Depart:      5-5-12 (Sat)
69.6 mi.

Idylwild to Cabazon  (1.8 days)
Arrive:      5-7-12 (Mon)
Layover:         0.0 days    
Depart:      5-7-12 (Mon)
64.3 mi.

Cabazon to Big Bear City  (4.0 days)
Arrive:      5-11-12 (Fri)
Layover:         1.0 days    
Depart:      5-12-12 (Sat)
Cumulative distance: 276.3 mi

Big Bear City to Wrightwood  (5.7 days)
Arrive:      5-18-12 (Fri)
Layover:         0.0 days    
Depart:      5-18-12 (Fri)
89.6 mi  Cumulative distance: 365.9 mi    

Wrightwood to Agua Dulce  (4.8 days)
Arrive:      5-23-12 (Wed)
Layover:         1.2 days    
Depart:      5-24-12 (Thu)
89 mi.  Cumulative distance: 454.9 mi

Agua Dulce to Tehachapi  (6.9 days)
Arrive:      5-31-12 (Thu)
Layover:         0.0 days    
Depart:      5-31-12 (Thu)
102 mi.  Cumulative distance: 555.1 mi

Tehachapi to Onyx  (5.9 days)
Arrive:      6-6-12 (Wed)
Layover:         0.0 days    
Depart:      6-6-12 (Wed)
92.7 mi.  Cumulative distance: 647.8 mi

Onyx to Kennedy Meadows  (3.2 days)
Arrive:      6-9-12 (Sat)
Layover:         2.0 days    
Depart:      6-11-12 (Mon)
49.2 mi.  Cumulative distance: 697.0 mi

Kennedy Meadows to Independence  (6.0 days)
Arrive:      6-17-12 (Sun)
Layover:         1.0 days    
Depart:      6-18-12 (Mon)
87.4 mi.  Cumulative distance: 784.4 mi

Independence to Vermillion Valley Resort  (6.1 days)
Arrive:      6-24-12 (Sun)
Layover:         1.9 days    
Depart:      6-26-12 (Tue)
86.9 mi.  Cumulative distance: 871.3 mi

Vermillion Valley Resort to Red's Meadow  (1.7 days)
Arrive:      6-28-12 (Thu)
Layover:         0.0 days    
Depart:      6-28-12 (Thu)
29.4 mi.  Cumulative distance: 900.7 mi

Red's Meadow to Tuolumne Meadows  (2.0 days)
Arrive:      6-30-12 (Sat)
Layover:         0.0 days    
Depart:      6-30-12 (Sat)
36.1 mi.  Cumulative distance: 936.8 mi

Tuolumne Meadows to Sonora Pass  (5.3 days)
Arrive:      7-5-12 (Thu)
Layover:         0.0 days    
Depart:      7-5-12 (Thu)
76.4 mi.  Cumulative distance: 1,013.2 mi

Sonora Pass to Echo Lake Resort  (4.0 days)
Arrive:      7-9-12 (Mon)
Layover:         1.0 days    
Depart:      7-10-12 (Tue)
76.2 mi.  Cumulative distance: 1,089.4 mi

Echo Lake Resort to Sierra City  (4.9 days)
Arrive:      7-15-12 (Sun)
Layover:         0.0 days    
Depart:      7-15-12 (Sun)
102.1 mi.  Cumulative distance: 1,191.5 mi

Sierra City to Belden  (4.5 days)
Arrive:      7-19-12 (Thu)
Layover:         1.0 days    
Depart:      7-20-12 (Fri)
91.7 mi.  Cumulative distance: 1,283.2 mi

Belden to Old Station  (4.3 days)
Arrive:      7-25-12 (Wed)
Layover:         0.0 days    
Depart:      7-25-12 (Wed)
88.4 mi.  Cumulative distance: 1,371.6 mi

Old Station to Burney Falls State Park  (1.8 days)
Arrive:      7-26-12 (Thu)
Layover:         0.0 days    
Depart:      7-26-12 (Thu)
45.9 mi.  Cumulative distance: 1,417.5 mi

Burney Falls State Park to Castella  (3.6 days)
Arrive:      7-30-12 (Mon)
Layover:         1.0 days    
Depart:      7-31-12 (Tue)
82.9 mi.  Cumulative distance: 1,500.4 mi

Castella to Seiad Valley  (6.7 days)
Arrive:      8-7-12 (Tue)
Layover:         1.0 days    
Depart:      8-8-12 (Wed)
156.6 mi.  Cumulative distance: 1,657.0 mi

Seiad Valley to Ashland  (3.0 days)
Arrive:      8-11-12 (Sat)
Layover:         2.0 days    
Depart:      8-13-12 (Mon)
64.5 mi.  Cumulative distance: 1,721.5 mi

Ashland to Crater Lake Post Office  (4.3 days)
Arrive:      8-17-12 (Fri)
Layover:         0.0 days    
Depart:      8-17-12 (Fri)
105.4 mi.  Cumulative distance: 1,826.9 mi

Crater Lake Post Office to Shelter Cove Resort  (3.2 days)
Arrive:      8-20-12 (Mon)
Layover:         1.0 days    
Depart:      8-21-12 (Tue)
79.6 mi.  Cumulative distance: 1,906.5 mi

Shelter Cove Resort to Sisters  (3.1 days)
Arrive:      8-24-12 (Fri)
Layover:         0.0 days    
Depart:      8-24-12 (Fri)
77.1 mi.  Cumulative distance: 1,983.6 mi

Sisters to Timberline Lodge (4.7 days)
Arrive:      8-29-12 (Wed)
Layover:         0.0 days    
Depart:      8-29-12 (Wed)
117.8 mi  Cumulative distance: 2,101.4 mi

Timberline Lodge to Cascade Locks  (1.8 days)
Arrive:      8-31-12 (Fri)
Layover:         3.0 days    
Depart:      9-3-12 (Mon)
49.3 mi.  Cumulative distance: 2,150.7 mi

Cascade Locks to White Pass  (6.0 days)
148.1 mi
Arrive:      9-9-12 (Sun)
Layover:         1.0 days    
Depart:      9-10-12 (Mon)
148.1 mi.  Cumulative distance: 2,298.8 mi

White Pass to Snoqualime Pass  (4.0 days)
Arrive:      9-14-12 (Fri)
Layover:         0.0 days    
Depart:      9-14-12 (Fri)
98.6 mi.  Cumulative distance: 2,397.4 mi

Snoqualime Pass to Skykomish  (3.5 days)
Arrive:      9-17-12 (Mon)
Layover:         1.0 days    
Depart:      9-18-12 (Tue)
74.5 mi.  Cumulative distance: 2,471.9 mi

Skykomish to Stehekin  (4.5 days)
Arrive:      9-23-12 (Sun)
Layover:         1.0 days    
Depart:      9-24-12 (Mon)
97.8 mi.  Cumulative distance: 2,569.7 mi

Stehekin to Manning Park  (4.0 days)
Manning Park finish   
Arrive:      9-28-12 (Fri)
88.8 mi.  Cumulative distance: 2,658.5 mi