dbBrad and Benton off to hike across Washington

The Pacific Crest Trail goes some 2600 miles from Mexico to Canada and passes through one amazing place after another. I'm off to hike the Washington State Portion, or most of it!

dbBrad and Mount Baker

And I'm taking the dbDog with me. Benton and I will be hiking for 40 days and though we won't get all the way across Washington, we will hike roughly 350 miles of the trail starting near Canada and coming to within a short distance of the Columbia river.

Benton, the world's cutest Australian shepherd as a puppy at the beach.

Fran and Ed will deliver us (dbBrad and dbDog) to Rainy Pass and make the first food drop 5 days later at Trinity. Joe Green will join me on the Stevens Pass to Snoqualmie Pass section and dbDad will join me from Chinook to White Pass. Fran and Ed will drive to southern Washington to supply food twice more before kindly offering our weary feet a ride home!

dbBrad organizes his food on a lawn in Capitol Hill for four separate food drops!

I've been hiking for 35 years in the northwest and have crossed the PCT many times, but never hiked on it, per se. Usually I cross it on the way to a specific destination with mountaineering in mind. Most of my gear is set up for survival and navigating in the high alpine, but this is different. Thru hiking isn't about the destination or the camping--it's all about the hiking. So I've been scrutinizing my gear and making some new purchases, locally!

We Love the Benton Dog!! dbBrad and dbDog prepare for departure!

Sarah at Wander on Whidbey is my Hero. Her store feels and looks great, she's knowledgeable and friendly, but most of all she's not carrying junk products. Sarah has made a conscious choice to market quality products and has set priorities on sustainable and local.

Benton (cutest Aussie hiker on the PCT) models his new pack sponsored by Wander on Whidbey

I purchased a dog pack, a new stove that's quiet and some clothing from Wander on Whidbey. I actually looked at these products at REI but knew I'd purchase them locally from Sarah, regardless of the price difference. Imagine my surprise to see her prices were better than REI's.

Sarah and Lucy at Wander on Whidbey, one of my favorite stores.

So with Help from Friends and Family, we're off. See you again around the 4th of October.