Nordman Adventures: 2020

2020/08/23

(7.48) Brian's first ever backpacking trip

Brian & I hiked from the trailhead to middle settlement Lake, stayed overnight, and returned. It was a much shorter hike that I remember, just about three and a half miles in each direction. We didn't get started until late in the day because of some holdups at home. I don't think we hit the trail until about 4:00 p.m.

The trail was much different from my last visit, and even finding the trailhead took several drive-bys. For future reference, it's 1.9 miles south of the Ha-De-Ron-Dah trail access with a large parking area across the street. The drive to the trailhead is right next to the Forest Fire sign (pictured).

There has been a lot of logging also which rerouted things. He wasn't eating and drinking enough on the hike in and had a start of a breakdown about a mile from the lean to, so we took a longer break and I made him eat a cliff bar and drink a lot of water. That changed everything for him and he had a good time.

The lean to was occupied so we had to find a nice camping spot not far away. The outhouse was gone so the toilet paper we brought to refill had to be carried back home.

Very cool moment number one was when we saw a bear cub and her mom coming down a tree in the distance. I pulled out my bear spray, but they were happy to run in the other direction. Very cool moment number two was the 5:38 a.m. wake up with lightning and thunder and rain. Brian said he was scared in his own tent, but he toughed it out like a trooper. The rain didn't last long and we were quickly on the trail back to the van.

I had thought of going two nights and staying at middle Branch Lake, but it was enough for him and his first time.

He remembered to download some office episodes and he watched that at camp while I cooked dinner. The whole point for me was to verify my load out, and make sure Brian had a decent time. We lost the trail once or twice on the way back to the car, but obviously, we kept calm & made it work.

Brian's pack was about 13 lb total. I carried all the food and cooking gear. Brian carried his extra clothes, sleep stuff, shelter, and we each used one trekking pole for the hike. He needed two for his tent and I just brought a tent pole for mine. His pack weight was about 13 pounds. My base was about 12 but I also carried extra water.

On one hand, I think we would have slept better with hammocks. But on the other, how nice it was to be in the tent and able to pack nearly everything into my backpack in a dry tent. I think with a hammock I would need some sort of gear sling or something, otherwise the backpack & other items might be left on the ground or some other place where it would get wet.

(3.58) Family Hike

This was a fun impromptu afternoon. Brian was in a mood until he got something to eat and a lot to drink. Brenda was a good sport the whole way. Annie and I had good workouts. One really amazing thing happened, Brennan spotted a porcupine halfway up a tree. I didn't even know they climbed trees! The lean-to was occupied when we got there so we couldn't hang out that much, but it was just a day hike anyway. A good experience for all. Allison was at dance camp so we'll have to go a different time with her.

2020/08/15

(27 Miles) Two-night backpacking w/ Aaron: Watkins to Bradford

Aaron came along for the fun of it and it was an experience. We had to filter a lot of water, about 10 L at least, and the Sawyer filter definitely degraded. If I'm going to keep using that one I'll have to remember to bring the back flush system. This was the same route I went last year, but in opposite direction. I couldn't believe how dry the area was. We almost didn't stay over that first night, but in walking to the road to find a place with signal to call Annie, we found a couple puddles we used for the night. First night was at Parks Hollow lean-to. Second night was at Moss Hill mean to. The hike between the two was not easy! Met a few young guys hiking in the other direction, first time that ever happened to me. Then at Moss Hill, met Mark from Finger Lakes magazine, and Robin & Joy. That's pretty cool. Everyone had a tent, but Aaron was so tired and so social he didn't have enough time / energy and ended up just sleeping in the lean-to. I got a small blister on my left toe, but all in all I was good. However, I trashed my Solomon Pro Odyssey after this hike. They've been around a while and they did not feel comfortable in general. Didn't hurt, but wasn't great. Definitely learned about filtering water, and how important it was to scout the area before leaving - water was an issue that was always on my mind.

2020/06/29

(6.26 miles) Day Hike with Aaron & Mary

Due to some time constraints, changed the original plan and since we had two cars, we started above the lean-to, and walked down to Wixon road. That section from the lean-to to Wixon road as much harder than it looks due to all the walking at a slant. My ankles hurt a little, but it was only 6 mi. Generally, not much to see due to all the foliage, but it was good company and a good test.

(6.1 miles) Solo Hike on Crystal Hills Trail - 6 wet & soggy miles

Wore my Salomon boots and due to recent rain and tall grass, feet were soaked as soon as I started. Didn't get any better, and I had to wade through a river near the turn around point so feet were even more wet on the way back. I used the SMD Flight 30 as a bit of a test run and it was comfortable with about 10 pounds in it. Hated going solo, but glad to get outside.

2020/02/27

Coronavirus

Outbreak you may recall - within 1 month it killed over 2K people. Not sure how it will affect the USA. Our family bought some extra food, medicine, and water just in case the country gets shut down. The stock market is taking a nose dive and now I'm personally worried about retirement in another 10 years! Will we have enough???

This first set is from Feb 27, 2020.

Then, around mid-March, we in NY received a "stay-at-home" order and all the schools & non-essential businesses were ordered to close. Here are some other images from April 2.

It's stunning how nonchalant President Trump was at the start and how starkly different things are now. The current "hope" in the US is that the infection apex will be mid-April and then things will slow down & eventually stop. But no one knows yet if this is seasonal like the flu, or if it will stay vibrant all year round.

It's been nice being home with you kids more, but I do have about 10 - 100 time the stress that I used to. We are worried about our jobs, your grandparents, our health, retirement savings, provisions for living at home, etc... Before all this, the only thing I worried about on a daily basis was whether or not my boss would notice I wasn't that busy. That and what was I going to prepare for everyone to eat for dinner.

2020/02/10

Runners Knee

Started having runners knee (L). Been trying to add a few jogging laps during my January workouts. Then added some weight to my squats and that's what I get for that...

2020/02/03

(7.12 miles) Watkins Glen Solo Hike

Why didn't I bring Belle??? She would have loved it. I ended up stowing the trekking poles and didn't see anyone else so I really wish I'd chosen differently. Beautiful hike, though. Backpack, with 2 liters, was at 17 pounds. Good workout all around.