April has arrived! I accomplished my winter goals, and it is time to get excited about the spring and summer. I pull out at the end of this month, and I am beyond thrilled at the thought of traveling again. Even though I am not wandering far, it is four months of new adventures ahead!

As I have already mentioned, my primary goal is to section hike the western half of the Palouse-to-Cascades Trail and to do some other long-distance hiking/walking (maybe some Pacific Crest Trail?). I want to see my new state up close and personal, which only walking can provide. So, an important question becomes, what gear do I need to have an enjoyable,comfortable, and safe experience?

For now, I am using my Cabela’s day pack that zips off of my carry-on suitcase. It is just the right size for a day hike and should also fit the 10 essentials that every day hiker needs. I will purchase for a higher quality pack at some point, certainly by the fall.  Here are my notes about the 10 essentials:

1. Map and Compass –My cell phone apps will be plenty since I can recharge it every night. I am also carrying a small recharger that I will juice up in the evenings and carry with me.
2. Sun Protection – check
3. Insulation – I have a full set of rain gear but may buy a better rain jacket
4. Illumination –headlamp
5. First-Aid Supplies – check
6. Fire – I use the Weber fire starter cubes. They are lightweight and I have used them repeatedly in the field. They are the best, trust me!
7. Multi-tool and Repair Kit – check
8. Nutrition – check
9. Hydration – check
10. Emergency Shelter – I still need something lightweight, maybe a backpacker bivy sack.

To that essentials list, I have added:

•  My personal locator beacon
•  Water filter
• Journal, colored pencils
• Small bowl for Tango and his food

My biggest challenge is finding the correct shoes and socks. This will be ongoing, with the ultimate goal of finding great shoes for my Camino de Santiago walk in 2020. After reading everything I could find about shoes and long distance walking, I discovered that this is all a matter of personal preference. I am leaning away from my heavy hiking boots (except for rainy days and muddy trails) and towards finding a lightweight, waterproof shoe. Like most of us, it takes time to find shoes that fit well. In my case, I need to accommodate a high arch and a wider foot. I am starting with a mid-range ($55) running shoe, the Ascics Gel-Contender. I tried higher-end Ascis but found they pinched too much. The Contender slips right on my foot, like Cinderella’s slipper. It is super comfortable, and when my foot starts to ache (at about 3 miles), I can sit down, take off the shoes for 15 minutes, put them back on. It helps a great deal. After 30 miles in the shoes, I am blister-free so I bought a second pair. A good shoe will last for 500 miles of walking or running, which will get me through the summer. But will they be heavy-duty enough? Will they be enough support for the Camino? As I travel, I will stop at REI’s and other stores to try on different brands and start getting ideas for a waterproof shoe. The Contender is a good start, however.

Socks are another head-scratcher. Everyone has a preferred brand, most commonly Darn Tough Socks or  Smart Wool. Merino wool is the overwhelming favorite material. I have come to love Smart Wool socks in all weights so will probably invest ($18 each) in their lightweight hiking socks. I am also trying more affordable quick dry, airy but padded Nike low cut socks and am happy with them as well (3 for $18). I gag a bit when I think about spending $18 on a pair of socks while billions of kids around the world don’t even have shoes.

With all this thought about footwear, I should be able to prevent blisters. However, I am also taking some runner’s gel, which keeps the foot sliding in the shoe rather than rubbing, the main cause of friction and blisters. I will also buy some silicone toe sleeves and, of course, moleskin. Keeping my feet healthy is the top priority. To that end, I will start by hiking/walking two days and resting one day. Repeat. Repeat. That is how Camino Hikers start out. Eventually, they can extend the schedule to 3 or 4 days between rest stops. However, my practice walks are already helping me strengthen for this summer.

Clothes are also a consideration. It won’t be such an issue this summer since I am not overnighting on the trail. On the Camino, having lightweight, easy-to-wash clothes is essential so I am experimenting now. I have one pair of new, ultra-light hiking pants that I found at Goodwill for $8 ($80 retail) and am experimenting with some low-end quick dry t-shirts and shorts from Walmart. I got an end-of-the-season killer deal on a Merino wool/ fleece blend vest from Orvis ($40 on sale, $90 retail). I am going “hi-low”, spending more on the most important stuff and less on everything else.

HIking poles? On the Camino, I will use two, but for now only one. I need to hold Tango’s leash in the more populated parts of trails. Even one will help! I have a mid-range, collapsible pole for now. Not sure yet which way to go with these.

Hikers on long distance trails must have something that doesn’t cost any money but is essential: a trail name. If you don’t have trail name when asked, other hikers will assign one. I don’t want to end up with something mundane like Granny or Limp-Along, so I have given considerable thought to what I want. The big reveal: I am My Girl (after the Temptations song of that name). Tango is henceforth known on the trail as Moondancer (as in the Van Morrison song, Moondance).  

So, while I never want to speed up the passing of time, I am counting down to our next phase and I should be geared up without spending too much.