Thursday, November 21, 2013

Not so Fantastic Gear Choices, and Definate Maybes

Thursday - Nov. 21, 2013
Word of the Day: Foolishness


Heavy, Heavy 1999 (Guffy Campground)



"Methinks that the moment my legs began to move, my thoughts began to flow." ~ Henry David Thoreau, American Author


As my legs were moving this summer, the thoughts did flow indeed! And as the days moved past, my thoughts were dwelling more and more on what gear just wasn't working. For example, as I made camp each night and broke camp each morning, first thought was "Wow, this Tyvek ground sheet sure is noisy!" Sure the Tyvek is pretty light, but if I'm disturbing all the other hikers who are trying to sleep, what good is it doing me?  This will be the first casualty, but what to replace it with? Not sure yet, I'm thinking of using ripstop nylon. Light and quiet. I would be willing to entertain ideas of ground sheets that worked for others.

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

My Favorite Gear

Wednesday - Nov. 13, 2013
Word of the Day: Comfort
 
"Everything you need is already inside." ~ Bill Bowerman, Co-Founder of Nike

Lego's gear all in one neat package

I thought I would do a mini review on the gear we used on the PCT this last summer. I'll highlight the major gear we loved on this post, and show the pieces of gear I'm not so enamored with on the next post.








Friday, November 8, 2013

Starting the Training

Friday - November 8, 2013
Word of the Day: Discipline

" Never underestimate the power of dreams and the influence of the human spirit". - Wilma Rudolph, American Athlete

I thought that I may as well publish a post using my iPad, as this is what I'll be using along the trail. It is a little harder to find the pictures, but I'm sure that with just a bit more practice, I'll have it down.

So, I have started the physical training most hikers find necessary in order to last the first few miles, let alone the whole trail. My neighborhood is not conducive to strenuous hikes, as it is perfectly flat. Most days I load up my pack and walk really quickly through the streets, hoping to stay out longer and longer, and for more and more miles. These pictures on this post were taken at a nice little park near my house, that is right on the Willamette River.


The Willamette River