Bucket
Organizing a pack that works like a holster is fun to do. But preparing a holster for a reality that I do not yet know, makes this not so fun. The rethinking is out of control. After meeting up with Tommy, I felt much more confident and I began to slowly categorize our pile of gear. First aid. Water and food. Clothing. Light and electronics. Tools and materials. Sleeping and tenting. All of it fell nicely into place.
But let us address the food situation. I had created with Tommy's guidance a loose itinerary; estimating miles per day, based on elevation and terrain. Each day had a mid goal and ambitious goal, and the map accounted for an invisible asterisk noting swim days and rest days with little to no mileage. From this schedule, I put together a food plan. Food is heavy, and I am the food carrier. The first 100+ miles offer a few stops with food, showers, resupply and post offices. The guys do not know that pancakes, burgers and eggs are a possibility, so this will be a fine surprise. Water is plentiful throughout the hike. So I think we will have an adequate adjustment period to our new life.
The second half is less inhabited. No pancakes. Many rangers. Many stars. Mailing to the Muir Ranch and then again to the Independence Post Office is necessary. The mileage is significant between the two, and the hope is that, by then, we will be relatively seasoned, and will be able to cover ground at a decent trek. Our bear canisters can hold 7-10 days of food, and will carry us between these drops, and through to the end of the hike. The back up plan is to hire a mule to drop food during this stretch. Soooo, I mailed a (required) large Carps bucket (Karps? I can't remember which it be) full of food, refuel, chocolate to the ranch. Apparently they carry these buckets by mule and open boat, so it needs to withstand weather conditions, as well as keep from attracting rodents. I met the most unfortunate post office attendant, who gave me a terrible time for mailing a bucket. She put me through the ringer until I said "Tell me what it is we need to do to make this happen. What do you need from me?" All the while, I was peering and eye-pleading that the other attendant would notice and come assist. Maybe 30 min later I got out of there and my goods were mule bound. Total contrast; the receiving post office in Independence was super nice, and offered to help us with our travel between the post office and trail. Human kindness is winning, by the way. The deeper I get into this, the more we see it.