Shawn Guest Post #1

What does all of this mean for me, Shawn, the guy in the chair

“Guy in the chair”

Characters in superhero movies that provide technical support to the main hero. They can usually hack, and they are always sitting in front of a computer screen and talking into headsets.

Ned to Peter Parker "Hey, can I be your guy in the chair? You know there's always a guy, with a headset, telling the other guy where to go".

(Urban Dictionary)

So what is Shawn doing all of this time?

Hey everybody! I’m not one to write sprawling posts but I do like to post pictures and thought I might share some things on my side. I’ve had a lot of questions about what I’m doing with Madison being out on trail so hopefully this will help clear that up.

Basically, my primary function is to be her “guy in the chair”. Essentially, I’m coordinating with her so that I can mail out her resupply boxes, book rooms when necessary, communicate critical weather info, and deal with real-world things. Outside of that, I’ve just been dealing with the overwhelming amount of snow we’ve been getting in Tahoe and taking care of Scoop & BlueBell.

What goes into a resupply box?

Resupply boxes are filled with anything and everything she needs for the next section of her hike. We have a massive Google Spreadsheet with all of the various Post Offices, grocery stores, and hotels that receive packages. Based on her progress and supplies, I’m usually mailing out new boxes with enough supplies for 5-14 days depending on what section of the trail she’s on. Here’s a rough list of some of the things I have to account for.

• Maps for the next section

• Dry meals

• Refrigerated meals

• Extras (granola bars, electrolytes, etc)

• Refills (meds, supplements, first aid supplies)

• Gear (replacement socks/shoes, changing weather stuff, trekking pole gaskets, etc)

• Surprise snacks & letters!

What about the cats?

They’re dumb and I’m managing. BlueBell likes to help with the resupply boxes. Scoop pretty much demands that I pick up the slack when it comes to head and back scratches so I’m swamped.

BlueBell likes to help with resupplies

So what now?

I’m as excited as everybody else to see what’s next. For now, this is how I support Madison’s journey. I’m hoping to make a couple trips out to visit and hike with her but that depends on her progress as well as my inevitable job search (the sabbatical must end 😩). I have a surprise in store soon but I’ll post more details about that soon.

If you’d like to send something out to Madison like treats, letters of inspiration, etc. just let me know. I can help coordinate where it needs to go so she can get it. I know that she’d love it.

It’s cool that “Find My” shows the PCT!

Example bonus box with Madison’s ice axe and other snow supplies

The dreaded “Red Room” has become the “Resupply Room”

All of the resupply boxes initially prepped with their dry foods. I will go through all of them again and add missing components before shipping them out

Just a few of my resupply bins

One of my fancy planning sheets that I used to make sure that I don’t forget any food components

Examples of some yummy homemade backpacking meals

“The Spreadsheet”. My source of truth

Bonus Content

I recently returned from Star Wars Celebration in London. While I was there, happened to run into someone that I just HAD to message Madison about. She’s always been a huge fan of Yellowcard so I had to make her jealous by letting her know that I ran into their lead singer, Ryan Key, while wandering the show floor. I’m not sure if it cheered her up during a rough time or made her jealous. Either way, 🤷.