The Final Countdown

By Tyler Socash
IG: @tylerhikes

"Do not open until airborne (or whenever, it's not like I can stop you)."  I accelerated into this adventure with an unopened letter gripped tightly in my hand.  As I wait to board my first flight I'm realizing that pulling an "all-nighter" probably wasn't ideal given that I'll be entering the Pasayten Wilderness of northern Washington in 12 hours.  This is one of the most remote sections of the Pacific Crest Trail — there's only one paved road that leads you to this majestic part of the country.  Over half of the glaciers found in the lower 48 states are located here, and I'm told that there are a lot of lynx in the North Cascades, too.  Cool. 

When you leave for a long distance thru-hike your world really turns upside down. Almost everyone on the Pacific Crest Trail is in limbo.  A lot of loose ends have to be taken care of before you embark on a 5-month quest.  I happened to be typing my final grad school paper only a few hours ago!  It's been difficult to sleep with my life in a state of flux... 

10 years in Rochester... What a run!

Suddenly you realize that you've said your last goodbyes.  (These are a little awkward due to the fact that the future is so uncertain.)  You realize that your apartment is completely empty.  There aren't any keys in your pocket.  Effectively, you become homeless.  It's bizarre, but I'm ready for the trail to become my new home. 

Things that you've been potentially taking for granted go by in a flash.  Your last shower, your last hometown restaurant meal, your last view of downtown.  You try to give everything magnitude because you never know when you're going to see certain people or things again.  I guess a lot of it won't sink in until it's really gone.  Good thing I give powerful hugs!  I'm not trying to be melodramatic, but it is a bit shocking to realize that all of the normalcies of yesterday will soon be replaced by oddities and new experiences tomorrow.   

Choose your own Adventure - Daily if Possible!

For the first time in a long time I don't feel anchored down to anything.  No work projects, no deadlines, no grad school assignments, no, "Oh sorry I can't hang out tonight I've got this thing."  Even weekends have a palpable finite feeling to them — come Sunday morning you understand that work is happening Monday.  Now no barrier stands in my way.  There's nothing holding me back.  It's "retirement," but at 28!  I feel limitless.  I feel free.  I feel like I can do anything. This feels awesome.

...Gosh it's weird not having any keys in your pocket!

As I amble down the jetway I'm blissfully unaware of how arduous my undertaking actually is.  The lady next to me on my first flight leans in and asks, "Are you going on a hike?!"  "Yes, a long one!" I replied.  "Well I wish you luck," she said with a smile.  I'm sure I'll need a lot of luck.  Thanks random lady!

As I stand on the brink of my greatest adventure I notice that life becomes an endless series of countdowns.  Whether it be the next vacation, life event, etc. we are always looking ahead.  Tonight is my last foreseeable countdown.  I'll take my first steps on the PCT tomorrow, and I couldn't be happier.  Every view will be new!  I can sleep wherever I want!  (Yes, while being mindful to camp on durable surfaces!)  Countdown freedom!

Oh right I forgot that I set this blog post up with a cliffhanger.  If you hung on this long and were like, "Jeez FINALLY!" then this payoff is for you...  People should write more letters.  Hand-written letters.  As this multi-ton vessel somehow achieves liftoff, I am now free to open this goodbye letter addressed to me.  Vow kept. 

Within the goodbye letter, which was word for word one of my favorite letters of all-time, a friend reminds me that we can choose to make the most out of every single experience... no matter how mundane the experience might be.  Why waste time counting down when we can live every day?  He also quoted Shawshank Redemption, which was really well done but it unfortunately doesn't tie in with the "countdown" theme that I apparently pigeonholed myself into... 

The point is that you don't have to walk the Pacific Crest Trail to have an exciting experience.  All you have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to you.  Maximize your time with friends and family.  You never know when one of them is going to up and leave for the PCT ;)

Yeah, that was a Gandalf quote back there.  Bonus points to you!  

Until our next meeting...

Oh and I made it to Seatte.  BOOM!

"Area Man Leaving Area"

By Tyler Socash
IG: @tylerhikes
http://vestigo.co/blog/go-explore-tyler-socash

Circled round by kingly mountains, breathed upon by healing balm sits a town symbolized by a bear face bumper sticker.  A town so singular that despite its small size and meager year-round population, it is instantly recognized as the place, "Where the fun never stops!"  Some place warm.  A place where the beer flows like wine.  A place where the snowmobilers instinctively flock like the salmon of Capistrano...  This place is home. 

"So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."  This Mark Twain quote seems very fitting at the moment.

Ten years ago today I went sailing on First Lake in Old Forge, NY.  Dylan, Patrick, and I had our own mini-adventure.  This was one of the little things that I loved about growing up in a small mountain town.  Adventure was everywhere!  You could get lost in the Ha-De-Ron-Dah Wilderness on one side of town (shout out to the gang that remembers this notorious day), REALLY get lost in the Moose River Plains on the other side of town, or look down upon the lake-speckled & wooded vastness while standing atop Bald Mt. in the middle.  Ten years ago we just happened to pick sailing, but we truly could have done anything.

                                         

Hey look!  It's Bald Mountain!

My upcoming trip is not without peril. Don't let this clip from Good Day Rochester fool you...

Area hiker leaving area to hike over 6,000 miles

Sure, I'm excited... I'm on the edge of a huge adventure!  I know where I'm heading... The Pacific Crest Trail will take me through 7 National Parks, 48 wilderness areas, and 2,650 miles of fun!  New Zealand and the Appalachian Trail will be soon to follow.

But there will also be many lonely nights when I'll miss where I'm from...

 Surviving Brown's Track on my first 90-miler with Natalie, Tina, and Olin! (Photo Credit: Seth Jones)

 Avalanche Pass in the High Peaks Wilderness with the parents!

The Adirondacks will always be my home.  I love it here.  I loved growing up in a small town with only 26 kids in my graduating class.  I loved hiking Bald Mountain with friends.  I loved playing hockey at North Street.  I loved hanging out at The Lakefront and The Place To Be.  I loved the Arcade and The Strand.  I loved Nutty Putty.  I loved Enchanted Forest Water Safari.  I loved the mighty hemlocks and stately Cathedral Pines.  I loved skiing at McCauley Mountain.  I loved the Green Bridge.  I loved golfing in Thendara.  I loved Lock and Dam.  I loved floating the Moose River.  I loved our campfires at Triple Left and the Dynamite Shack.  I loved how Columbus Day was always my favorite holiday.  I loved the fall foliage.  I loved our starry nights.  I loved the abundance of amazing wildlife.  I loved the clean air.  I loved the long, character-building winters.  I loved throwing snowballs.  I loved the stillness and the peacefulness.  I loved the Fulton Chain of Lakes and the haunting loon calls.

Talk about a paradise... 

...May it forever remain the same!

 Winning Sectionals at the Dome in 2003 with the coolest kids!

  Completing my first round of the 46 High Peaks with my family (Mt. Colden)

And the people!!!  The characters of Old Forge are legendary!  The kids growing up in our great town get to know everybody.  What an amazing social experience!  All of the teachers/staff at Town of Webb!  All of the small business owners who employ us!  All of the adults who become mentors and coaches!  All of the amazing people who protect our town!  All of the people who support us at our athletic events, concerts, and plays!  All of the people who come out for Columbus Day!  All of the Bubs!  We grew up among Olympians!  We all earned our stripes by singing Down by the Bay with incredible caregivers in kindergarten!  All of the summer friends and relatives who visit us because we live in an amazing destination!

How lucky it is to grow up in a community comprised of the most genuine and caring people!

 One of the greatest days of my life... Buttermilk Falls, Bog River Flow, Tupper Lake canoeing!

 Please don't be mad at me if this is illegal.  The view was just too good to pass up!!!

If something doesn't challenge you, it doesn't change you.  Even though it's tough to leave a safe haven behind, other mountains are calling, and I must go.  I must set sail, venture out!

This post is a shout out to every person who has ever called Old Forge and the surrounding communities, "Home."  This post is to let you all know that I love you.  This post is a promise that that I will make our town proud.  When people on the trail ask where I'm from, I will smile wide and say, "The greatest town in the world.  Old Forge, NY."

Until our next meeting,

Tyler "Totally Loves the ADK" Socash

Follow the journey @tylerhikes on Instagram this June

PCT Preparation on the Cranberry-50

By Tyler Socash
IG: @tylerhikes
http://vestigo.co/blog/go-explore-tyler-socash

One of the largest lakes in the Adirondacks sits quietly within the northwest portion of the Park...

Cranberry Lake is peaceful.  It is massive.  I clearly understand why Bob Marshall loved this place so much.  There is a 50-mile loop hike around the body of water, although most of the trail is away from the lake's tree-speckled shoreline.  You'll mostly be exploring the Cranberry Lake Wild Forest and the Five Ponds Wilderness area during the trek.  For those of you who have aspirations of getting into long-distance backpacking, this might be a perfect launching point to consider.  I used this trip as a fun (3.5 days) PCT preparation hike, and it was a great experience with friends!  (Well, hiking with Paul was just OK...)

A view from High Rock, a .1 mile detour from the Cranberry-50 Trail

Our crew hiked the trail in a clockwise direction.  We carried everything that we would need while in the wilderness for 3.5 days (food, bear canisters, tents [lean-tos are usually occupied on weekends], water filters, appropriate non-cotton clothing, headlamps, first-aid, etc.). As always, we made sure that we were abiding by the seven Leave No Trace Principles while we were enjoying the Great Outdoors!

A map of the Cranberry-50 Trail, with official tent sites!

Make sure that you detour to High Falls (upper left), Five Ponds if you have time (upper right), and Cat Mountain (bottom center) if you do the trek.  You won't regret these side trips!  Unless you get injured at one of them.  DISCLAIMER: Tyler is not responsible for your outdoor injuries.

If you'd like to see a tylerhikes original feature film about the Cranberry 50, click the link below!
I promise that it's really good.  I did all of the editing and everything.  I'm Michael Bay.

People will often ask me, "How do you prepare for a hike like the Pacific Crest Trail?"  The answer is to hike, a lot!  Nothing gets you in shape for hiking like hiking.  Go out on some microadventures near your hometown.  Climb some smaller hills after work or take your dog down a nearby trail.  Shout at the moon.  The time to adventure is now...  Or, to quote Bilbo... "It's a dangerous business Frodo, going out your door.  You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no knowing where you might be swept off to..."  And now, to quote Pringles, "Once you pop, the fun don't stop."

Be Awesome!

Tyler "Not on the Trail Yet" Socash