Fires in California are raging. People are leaving their homes to burn and evacuating. And two fire firefighters have lost their lives just yesterday. I watch the news update this morning in tears and horror. It’s just so sad and seems like it has become a more regular occurrence in our lovely state.

As you know, theMAN and I have been doing a lot of training hikes with a heavy load in our packs to simulate the demands of backpacking. I have also had a lot of bodywork (release of adhesions limiting my ankle mobility) and been doing some ankle-specific strengthening. During this period of healing, I have not been running due to the vulnerability of my ankles post release.

Additionally, I have done a lot of research in ketogenic backpacking foods, sourced items to keep me fueled with high-quality, energy-dense foods. The time and money in getting adequately ready-to-trek not been small. It has also displaced my Spartan training. For this reason, I didn’t want to let go of the backpacking plan (as we did last year when the snow prevented access to the trail we had a permit to hike).

Therefore, we’ve rerouted our backpacking trip out of the Trinity Alps and are actively coming up with a new plan. Final plans are still being worked out as there are a number of fires we need to keep clear of and we are limited to places that are able to issue last-minute wilderness permits. Options include Carson-Iceberg in Stanislaus National Forest and Forth of July Lake in Toiyabe National Forest.

Although we don’t plan to hit the trail until Monday, I probably won’t post an update here until after our return and a period of reentry/recovery. At a minimum, my mom and sons will know the final plan. I also will post something on social media (IG) when we are back on the grid (for those who follow me there).

In the meantime, please pray for all those affected by the wildfires.