Laundry and Logistics on the Pacific Crest Trail
A hiker's zero day is filled with chores, including laundry and resupply, as they prepare for the next leg of their journey
After a long stretch of hiking, a zero day is a welcome respite, and for one Pacific Crest Trail hiker, it was a chance to catch up on some much-needed chores. The day started with a delicious breakfast, courtesy of their host, Drom, who made a huge pan of shakshuka with tomatoes, onions, bell peppers, and herbs.
## Resupply and Errands The hiker and Drom then set out to tackle their to-do list, which included a trip to Safeway to stock up on groceries. They took advantage of the two bikes available at their Airbnb to make the trip, and the hiker bought double the usual amount of groceries in preparation for the next couple of weeks on the trail. They also made a point to pick up a tub of Oxiclean to tackle the daunting task of laundry.
## Laundry Day The state of their clothes was dire, with a white sun hoody turned grey and socks embedded with dirt. The hiker filled a tub with warm water, added the Oxiclean, and let the clothes soak for a few hours. The result was a deep muddy brown color, but after washing, the clothes were transformed, with the hoody emerging sparkling white again.
## Preparing for the Next Leg The rest of the day was filled with more errands, including a trip to the post office to pick up a new pair of shoes and ship out a box of food to Crater Lake. The hiker also stopped by a gear store to pick up some dehydrated dinners and tortillas, and spent the evening planning their route for the next week with fellow hikers over a big group dinner. As they prepare to head back out on the trail, they are aware that their next challenge is just around the corner, and they are taking the time to make sure they are ready.
