An update, finally!!!!

I told you I'd be bad at this!

So, latest updates:

• Got my challenge grant approved. Have lots more stuff to get, but my budget's gonna be a lot happier now that some of my gear has been covered!
• Finally concerned about my pack weight. Trying to keep it to 25 lbs or less, but I'll be happy if it's under 30.
  
• I am really, really behind on preparation. Every day I wonder if I'll be in shape in time.
  
• Still needing to plan an overnight trip to get ready...
• Need to get familiar with my GPS...
  

Whoa, crud. I've got two months to go til I leave. I'm getting more and more nervous as this trip is becoming a reality, but I've been told my nerves are a good thing because this is something I really want to accomplish.

More to come later.

AGH.

Monday was a training hike day up at Mt. Si with my coworker/friend Marjie (who I definitely owe a lot to since she's keeping my butt on course with training). Got my pack up to about 30 lbs, including snowshoes in our packs just in case we met up with some snow along the way (we ran into about a half inch of snow about a mile and a half up).

And my butt was officially kicked after a two and a half hour hike. Not that I felt overly physically strained, but this was the first time I had worked on inclines with a pack almost as heavy as I'll be taking with me, and I was tiiiiired (just ask my boyfriend, I started nodding off last night as we were talking). It was a great day and a great hike, but it definitely is kicking my butt into gear!

Oh, and I'm 9 lbs down! Hopefully 10 by the end of the week (halfway to goal!)

There's too much to be done in three months time... it will be awesome to see the outcome. :)

Whoops...

So it has been brought to my attention that I had previously revealed a few details too many about my trip... that has been edited and that information is only available to my friends and coworkers, and in verbal format only :)

Thanks to those who expressed concern for my safety. I know you're all looking out for the best interest of the trip and your feedback is much appreciated.

To do this week...

-Continue work outs
-Go to Wednesday Map and Compass course
-Speak with fellow REI employees about the gear I have/need for the trip (especially JJ, Michael and Greg who have done or will be doing the trail soon)
-Cross my fingers that public affairs approves my grant!

Not an incredibly busy week ahead, but until I hear from corporate I feel like I just need to continue getting in shape and maybe continuing to purchase gear to offset the final cost.

I was talking to one of my coworkers yesterday, and I will probably take him up on his offer to borrow one of his five backpacking stoves. On the other hand, I hate cooking at home, I'm wondering if it's worth it to try to cook on the trail?

I know I still have a lot to learn, and many workouts ahead to prepare, but the closer this trip gets, the more excited I am becoming! I can't wait to go to class on Wednesday!

First Post! There's so much to tell...

Hi everyone! I suppose I'll tell as much as I can tell you in this first blog. Just so you all know, it is going to be a long one... but I'll try to keep it interesting.

My name is Kayla. I'm a 23 year old woman originally from Gig Harbor, Washington, but I currently reside (and will probably stay for a while) in Tacoma. I graduated with a degree in Communication (emphasis PR and Advertising) from Pacific Lutheran University, with no clue what to do with my $100,000 education besides attempting to get into retail management. So for the time being I'm a sales specialist (clothing and shoes!) at REI, and I dabble in bartending. I would love to go back to school for my MBA in human resources or sustainable business, but that's at least a year or two in the distance.

Enough about my life story, though. This blog is about my adventure, my vacation of sorts coming up this summer. Since so many people want to know about my plans, where I'll be, what I've done to prepare, and so on... I figure blogging is the best way to keep people up to date. I guess I'll start out in an FAQ format.

Q: Where/What is the Wonderland Trail? And why did you decide to do this trail?

A: The Wonderland Trail is a 93 mile trail encircling Mt. Rainier, known for its many elevation changes. The highest point is on Panhandle Gap, where the trail peaks at 6750 feet. As my coworker Melissa puts it, "there's no flat ground on that thing."

What led me to decide on this trail was really random. I came across the trail in a book about loop hikes. Seeing that it was such a long trail, I figured it may be fun to do a backpacking trip there over the summer. However, after picking up Discovering the Wonders of the Wonderland Trail, a book detailing the trail and how to prepare/plan/pack for it, I learned there was much more to preparing for this trip than just purchasing the gear I didn't own. So, since March I have made this something to work toward.

Q: How have you been preparing?

A: I am working out a lot more, that's for sure! I'm reading about the trail, going to map and compass courses, breaking in my boots, going on practice hikes with elevation gain, and talking to other experienced outdoor enthusiasts (working at REI makes these people easy to find)! On top of that, I have lost 7 pounds and I am on a quest to lose 13 more before I leave! It'll be easier for me to get around with less of me to carry (I am not all that large, but I can definitely afford 13 lbs to go).

Q: You work at REI, so you must get a sweet deal on all the gear you still need?

A: Yes, yes I do! In fact, one of REI's many employee benefits is the chance to receive an REI employee challenge grant! The requirement was that I had to submit a grant proposal stating why this trip is a personal challenge for me, and list what items I would purchase with this grant. So far the grant has been approved by my store manager, but it is really up to Public Affairs to approve or deny my grant proposal. I'm awaiting their decision with crossed fingers! Should I be approved, I will be purchasing my tent, long underwear, cookware and my first aid kit.

I think I've covered all of what I've been up to so far... updates to come. I definitely welcome and appreciate feedback from all of you! :)