My first crash course on learning the ways of the woods, by: Luke Baum
Me hiking at Dunes State Park in Saugatuck, Michigan. 2023 by Luke Baum
From January 2022, setting out to complete the Pacific Crest Trail has been among the forefront of my mind every day for over a year now. From getting comfortable with the wilderness again to experimenting with which hiking bag is best for me, the last several months have been filled with adventures, daydreams, research, and planning all in preparation for the PCT. In this guide, I will share how I have since gone from a beginning hiker to now ready to set food on among the longest thru-hikes in the USA.
Contents:
d. Food
3. Conclusion
Getting Back Out There
Me after climbing Sleeping Bear Dunes from the base, Sleeping Bear Dunes Nat'l Lakeshore. 2022 Luke Baum
When I committed to hiking the PCT in 2023, I knew that I would have to begin stretching my legs and getting out into the natural world again. When the idea to hike the trail was proposed to me, I realized that I had become increasingly disconnected from the earth over a time, and I wasn't as action-oriented as I knew I had the potential to be. Hayley and I agreed to thru-hike the PCT together, and it was now time to get back out into the wilderness and especially learn how to backpack for the first time!
Luke riding the Mishe-Mokwa in Lake Michigan. 2022 by Hayley Babbitt
Learning how to backpack means learning how to live the minimalist life. As soon as camping season peaked its head in the Spring of 2022, we took off on the road: (commemorated by us with a trip to the annual National Morel Mushroom Festival in Boyne City, Michigan)!
The photo documentation of my time during this season was lost when on another camping trip along the Peer Marquette my phone had fallen into the river. Because it had fallen in, it was unable to turn back on. All of my photos were erased; I hadn't enough storage in the cloud for them before its demise. Since then, I have upgraded the storage capacity by 100-fold to ensure that doesn't ever happen again.
HOWEVER, as a result of my phone no longer working, my eyes were open to how much I had been taking for granted in my everyday life. Social media had been a crutch for me, and I realized almost all of my free time had been spent scrolling through pointless content for hours. The new iPhone 6 I got couldn't run any of today's apps, so I was left with the basics. I was reminded of how valuable a text could be and how amazing our modern technology really was.
And so, I began my journey on discovering the essential from the luxury on most every facet of life. Showers were a privilege, a fridge was was a godsend, and a toilet was a straight up throne. I've learned that we don't need much beside positivity and gratitude, and the rest comes simply. I feel very privileged to say so.
It Doesn't Take Much To Get Back Into Camping!
"Under the Stars", Long-exposure shot taken of camp on North Manitou Island. 2022 by Hayley Babbitt and Luke Baum
As we get older, getting out and enjoying the wilderness seems to become harder and harder of a habit to maintain. In the grand scheme, I had neither a lot of time nor experience to draw from in getting ready to thru-hike the PCT. With a resolute passion and newfound excitement to achieve a tangible goal, I set my sights on learning how to mentally and physically prepare for a backpacking trip.
During the time and up until recently, I worked at Leo's Seafood Restaurant in downtown Grand Rapids. I juggled my time between working hard in the service industry, earning enough money for everything I needed, while also preparing in the wilderness to simulate my time at camp and hiking on the PCT.
Me boarding the Mishe-Mokwa transport ferry from North Manitou Island to Leelanau, Lake Michigan. 2022 by Luke Baum
It's been a whirlwind, and I've been dedicated to the "work grind" for a while now. Being an employee is not something I ever wanted to imagine for myself. I dedicated myself to working for not only several bosses but also every single person who walked through the front door of the establishment. This hard work not only taught me lessons for life and the trail but it also gave me the funds to continue on with both!
"Going" Outdoors
ON THE OTHER HAND: I'm advocating for myself to have to poo outdoors on the daily... so am I really that sane?
So used to the hustle-and-bustle, we take for granted all the comforts of civilization. Don't forget that in the wilderness, you may not have something you often rely on (i.e. powder room).
The only advice on this that I can really give for going outdoors is: just go for it! Once you dig the right hole (at least 6 inches deep), I swear it'll feel more natural than you think, and if not... grab a stone or a stump... just be careful of the bugs!
It's a Bug Bug World
Some bugs are dangerous and some are just working very hard to maintain their ecosystem.
Ticks: Here is an example of a dangerous bug. Ticks are technically arachnids, and they carry deadly diseases. I was very sorry when I learned of their unfortunate existence. They are small, which makes them even more dangerous. Here are the tips on the photograph of the info card provided to the left:
"- Remove as quickly as possible.
- Use tweezers to grasp the head close to the skin.
- Pull Gently.
- Use soap and water, or antiseptic on the bite.
Preventing Tick Bites:
- Use a repellent containing no more than 30 percent DEET.
- Use repellents that contain permethrin on clothing.
- See your healthcare provider if you have symptoms of fever, rash, body aches, or fatigue after a tick bite."
Anyway, I don't mean to scare you, just watch out for what bugs are in the area. If you want to read a little story of when Hayley and I weren't prepared for black fly season on North Manitou Island article, click the link.
Black Flies Hitching a Ride on Hayley's pull-over as we escape the beach, North Manitou Island. 2022 by Luke Baum
Food
Out in the wild, unless you're a master hunter/gatherer, you mostly have to rely on what you bring with you to determine what you call dinner. Experiment on what food you like and what food is easy and delicious to prepare on the trail.
Me and Hayley preparing our free-dried backpacking food with the JetBoil camp stove, 2022 Luke Baum
Since recommended to us by an REI employee and after some research, we settled on the Stash JetBoil, as pictured above. All camp stoves have their pros and cons; pick the one that you feel suits your needs the best because they're all a bit different.
Stay Flexible
Each trip you take is different, so your pack and packing list should adapt every time too. Just make sure you have what you need. Troubleshoot when you can so that you're prepared when you can't afford to. Use learning moments to their fullest potential! Adjust immediately and take notes for next time.
Supplement comfort when you can and shed the weight when unnecessary. "Lighter = more comfortable", and with all of the revolutionary ultra-light weight gear being produced, it's easier than ever to get out with minimal weight pulling you down.
When I first started backpacking, my pack was huge, and I brought way too much stuff with me on hiking and camping trips!
Lighter = More Comfortable
Me in full PCT gear stopping to bask in the sun, Saugatuck Dunes State Park, Michigan. 2023 by Luke Baum
Ultra-light backpacking was proposed to me by Hayley who had seen it on social media. After we were feeling discouraged about the weight of the gear we were lugging around on our trips, Hayley researched an alternative method. Ever since then, we've implemented the weight added to the overall pack into the discussion as a major factor. From the sleeping bag and bug-net-tarp-duo to the pack itself, we've configured our gear lists so they are specifically tailored to our comfort needs.
Click the link to read our article on which gear items we selected to bring on the PCT that are ultra-light!
Conclusion
Luke staring into the sunset off a dock in Glen Arbor, Michigan. 2022 by Hayley Babbitt
I know I have a lot to learn, and I'm so excited to go on my upcoming six-months-long thru hike of the Pacific Crest Trail this April 2023! Follow along as Hayley and I share updates along the trail and witness me going from beginner to experienced!
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