(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.

 

(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.

West Point

I made all the purchases & arrangements for this. Even did the grocery shopping. For my very first event, it went okay.





Drove to Camp Bullowa on Friday night. Advance party was supposed to be Matt, Paul, & Sara, but Matt had house trouble and Sara had a surprise Dr appointment so I had to get the boys out of school quickly and get on the road. Because of that, we didn't arrive before dark which made setup difficult. We never even deduced if we were in the correct camp site or not.

 The game was a blow-out and we were late arriving which meant late for tours, etc... It worked out okay, but could have been better. I fell short on the arrangements - no water supply and I didn't gather info on how to sign up for tours, where the scoutmaster activities were, etc... I could have done better.

After the 3rd quarter the scouts decided to visit the West Point Museum which was cool. But it was closing soon after we arrived - started late because some scouts were in the bathroom / food lines. After the museum we had to walk briskly back around the stadium and luckily caught a bus to take us back to our parking site. Then we were in the dark, AGAIN, trying to make dinner - frozen hamburger foil packets.

Boys were exhausted on night #2. That's why Brian is wearing his winter jacket in the second tent picture.

Camp Brule Camporee

One night affair. Drove down Saturday morning, set up camp, made chili, the scouts set up their catapults / trebuchets, and then there were a bunch of night-time activities, including a ropes course. Both boys did great. Brian was able to do the ropes course, but Brennan was too young & too cold. Boys slept in the half-dome tent while I stayed solo in the Lunar Solo. It got down to 25 degrees at night! It was a good time, but exhausting.

FLT Multi-day hike: 31.46 Miles

Hiked Thursday night to Moss Hill Lean-to. That was a bit more tense than I was expecting - got dark and there were 2 problems: I lost the white blazes twice and the battery on the headlight was draining - I'd forgotten how to lower the lumens output. But in the end I made it to the lean-to. And when I got there I saw a couple eyes staring at me. Not big enough to be a bear, but not a tiny rodent either. Maybe it was a fox? I found in the morning that whoever had been there prior threw their food garbage into the fire pit. The last couple miles of hiking I was certain I'd forgotten the tent stakes but was SOOOO glad that they were in the tent bag when I arrived. 

Gear List Here

Also glad I used the skinny titanium set as they fit in the grooves between the floor boards. I set up the tent in the lean-to, I know I'm not supposed to, but I wanted another lay of protection from rodents & scavengers. I hears something run on the shelf in the lean-to and it knocked some acorns and screws onto the floor.

Full day 1 started well, though I could have started sooner. Love this picture below - how often have I seen those large green areas in the hills while driving and wondered what it's like up there? Now I know! Awesome view and a cool memory. There's a lake in the distance - Lamoka, I think.

I did my best to control my pace as I knew I was in for a really long day, and I was very cognizant of water availability. Unfortunately, for the last 5 miles or so, I totally didn't take a break or much of a drink and I certainly overdid it and I really felt it when I arrived at Sugar Hill - the red cheeks, the overheated head. On the bright side, since I hiked too quickly, I got there earlier than expected and had extra time to relax and recover. I napped for an hour after set-up. Eventually I made dinner, popped my 2 small blisters, and just relaxed some more. It was a very windy night and there was some rain, but the MEIR tent held up well, though I definitely wouldn't consider it a full 2-person tent at only 43 inches wide. It will be okay for the boys for a couple years, though. I was so comfortable on just the Z Lite I considered sleeping on just that, but inflated the NEMO Astrolite anyway. It wasn't a good night sleep or very restful. Again, I think that's because I overdid it. I did discover just how comfortable the Adaptor Liner is, though - I should grab another couple of those. It was pretty important,too, as I had developed some chafing and needed to remove the clothes to let everything dry out. It was basically perfect. The 30 deg quilt was a bit much, but at least I wasn't cold.

Saturday ended up being the final day. The blisters had been addressed, but somewhere during the hike my socks got wet inside my shoes. The Leuko tape stayed on to cover the blisters, but the bottom of my right foot was really getting sore. And there was a TON of downhill which created the blisters in the first place. I definitely COULD have continued, but I completed 2 of my 3 goals: 

1. go on a solo hike and not die
2. complete the previously abandoned attempt from Sugar Hill to Watkins Glen
3. complete M14 map of the FLT

If I had made it another 4 miles to Burdett I would have completed the M14 map, but there was no place to camp so I'd have to return to Wakins or continue for another 2 or 3 miles. It just didn't seem like the smart thing to do. Given how much I ate, drank, and slept and how slowly I moved Sunday, it was the right call. I made it through Julie's Crossing with no problem as the trail was well beaten. There was a lot more to the WG park then I knew and it was really cool to see. I didn't see anyone else on the trail until I got to the state park. It was cool to be solo, especially as I consciously lowered my pace and stayed as slow as I could and take breaks (or not) as I wanted. But next time a partner might also be fun.

    

In total I was out from 5:30pm Thursday - 5pm Saturday. It was a solid test of my ability - mental & physical - as well as my gear. The Gregory Zulu pack was comfortable 99% of the time, the tent was  solid during the extreme wind and roomy, the food was good and the cookset worked well, and the sleep system continues to improve. I can't think of much I'd do differently given the setup I had - aside from not carry extra water on Friday, take a set of flip-flops next time, and get some lighter items (already ordered a new 1.5lb tent). Still on the fence about the nalgene bottle. It was good when I wanted to roll out my calves, but it is definitely heavy.

***** NEED AQUA MIRA NEXT TIME AS BACKUP *****

I do need to stretch a lot more next time. It's 2 days later and my hamstrings are still tight despite my Yoga in the morning & stretching during the day.

Backpacking w/ Brian

Love my 4" Sea to Summit pad. We were pretty comfy at night but for some reason we are ALWAYS on an incline and sliding down during the night. I need to bring double pillows from now on - I slept a bit but not soundly.

Things we forgot: Brian long pants, winter hat, gloves. Brian had chicken teriyaki for dinner and I had mushroom risotto. Then oatmeal for breakfast. I had an upset stomach around lunchtime on Sunday, but otherwise all was good. Legs are sore for us - my quads, Brian's calves.

BSA Boston Trip

Drove up to New England Base Camp in Milton, MA. With me & Brian were Seojun and Will Stetter. Great group to travel with. We left at 9:32am Friday, 5/25 and arrived at 16:42. Stopped twice for about 20 minutes each plus an emergency 2 minute pee on the side of route 88 near Oneonta for Brian.

Sleep system: Coleman air mattresses, sheets, sleeping bags, real pillows. My mattress kept deflating. Brian had an accident on his the 2nd to last night. And because it was so hot during the day and we were so active, it was a horrible time to not get enough sleep! But we powered through and made some nice memories. Fortunately I had purchased an air pump that recharges so I didn't have to have electricity because the camp site was hundreds of feet away from the nearest outlet.

Food: cold cereal, sandwiches, campfire pies, bag lunches, etc... Once or twice Brian & I ate out, but not much. It wasn't the healthiest of times, but it was fun. Although we had camp stove & cookware, we didn't use it at all. Larabar supply was completely consumed - love those!!!

Water: Gregory 3L bladder was key for me & Brian.

Ozark Trail day pack was very uncomfortable. And not having side-pockets to stash stuff quickly was a huge pain.

Clothes: Always bring jacket & winter hat in daypack! We went to Fenway to watch Red Sox and it got so cold they sold out of blankets! I bought us some hats and it was just enough for us. We weren't comfortable, but it wasn't miserable either.

Crazy weather! Wicked hot Friday & Saturday (90℉). Very chilly & windy Sunday (55℉). Rained Sunday night before we left Monday morning (67℉). A little of everything except snow.

Scouts @ Kiwanis

Someone said it got down to 24℉ last night and I believe it! Brian had my 0℉ bag and I had my 20℉ Kelty Tuck. We were in the REI Half Dome. No rain. He was on a Therm-a-Rest and I had a Big Agnes inflatable. Got here at 5:30pm, bet at 9:30pm.

I heated water & gave Brian some freeze dried spaghetti while I have rice w/ lentils from home. I slept well until 11:30 but saw my watch every hour until 3:30 when Brian woke to pee. I hadn't wanted to wake him but I was holding for 2 hours myself! At that point I grabbed a fleece liner and put it around my wind pants & coat. We then slept until 7.

My pad made a lot of noise every time I moved until I put a liner around it.

We again slept on a slope and slid down all night. Brian did great and was warm enough. I'll need another 0℉ bag I think!

Oatmeal for breakfast since the rest of the scouts weren't up yet. Love the new cooking system Annie & the kids got me for my birthday and it was only $27.

It's 10:30am and the scouts are just cleaning their breakfast dishes. Pete Reif is making chili for lunch, but I may stick with my mashed potatoes. Need to leave by 3pm to get ready for Easter Vigil fire.

Scouts at Kiwanis

Boy Scouts overnight w/ Brian. Made mountain pies on the fire which were nice. Went to sleep at 10 after playing cards in the tent for a few minutes. Didn't play w/ the other boys at all. Rained much of the night and the REI Half-dome - 16 years old - finally sprung a leak right above my head. I need a better air mattress due to my hips. Didn't sleep much - ran 2 soccer matches Friday just before going to the camp.

It got down to 46℉ in the morning, probably colder in the night. We had my phone for white noise so at least Brian slept okay. When he woke, he didn't want to stay for breakfast & I really needed a bathroom so we left.

Can't believe it, but I left my sleeping bag at the house. There were extras so I got lucky. Definitely can't use that tent in winter without a better sleeping bag than the summer-weight one they loaned me.

Green gate for the camp is 1.38 miles up Kerrick Hollow Road on the R.

Green down jacket & winter hat were perfect. Even though I was in shorts it was good. Also glad to be wearing hiking boots & thick socks.

Spencer Crest w/ the Boys & Belle

Hike at Spencer Crest w/ Belle & the boys. Much easier hike than I was hoping but there were still some hills. We all had fun - Brian and I tried our backpacks. I need a new one! Maybe Brian, too, but his isn't even 1 year old.

Then went home & slept in yard in Coleman tent w/ no rain fly. Although it's a 4-person tent, we were cramped to Belle couldn't stay with us. It rained at 1 a.m. but we all slept pretty well. I had 3 pillows which helped but my sleeping bag was still uncomfortable. New one of those, too. And a good pad.

Cooked muffins in orange peels which were pretty good, but some charring due to the flames so the boys didn't eat them much. The eggs & bacon in a paper bag was a complete bust. The sides of the bags got so hot they flames & then the whole thing fell off the stick and into the fire.

Tray to hold hot food was great. Large measuring cup (4 cups) was good to mix batter & then pour.

Brook -n- Wood for Nordman Apple Picking

Brook -n- Wood
1947 Route 8
Elizaville, NY

Here camping with Annie, Jeffrey, and Velicity. Met up w/ Uncle Rudi, Uncle Eb, and Carlos. Others too, but don't know them all. Pot-luck dinner had a lot of stuff, but we didn't bring anything. We already ate our hot dog

Lessons Learned:

• Always put rain-fly on tent, or at least make it quick to put on
• Good call on Tarp
• Bring saw to cut firewood for ourselves & to leave for next campers
• Leave firewood for the morning
• Always bring foots & liners for tents. Kids were cold because tent was so big.
• Radio next time! Kurt go you one for his wedding that is really nice.
• Shovel!!!

Black Mountain

Friday - Saturday (5/28-29) Colleen & I went hiking up Black Mountain. Next time, just take the Thruway unless going for the scenery! Took around 4 hours to drive and my brakes go so hot I had to pull over and let them cool before continuing. Nice shopping outlet in Queensbury. Colleen was a blast as usual. Heard some large animals in the night. Next time, be prepared. Bugs weren't bad at all.

Seneca Rocks, WV

Climbed in a cave. Man I was scared. I got so cold my fingers & toes were numb. I started to back off the rock, but Dan wouldn't let me really, and I found a good rest where I was able to relax and get the blood going. By then it was raining so much we decided to leave, but AFTER I finished the route. Went back to White's Run Road. Dog was still there so now we're waiting to use phone again.

Don't know what's going to happen now. Except lunch, that is. Good thing I brought rain gear!! Feet are still toasty thanks to Wigwam. Boots are great. Long underwear pants are nice. Wool inserts from my army gloves are a MUST from now on. I envy Dick's slippers - I'm still stuck in my heavy boots.

Gotta remind myself to THINK before I climb & not rush it. Be patient & confident!

Seneca Rocks, WV

First morning. Dick had plastic cups & mess kit which was very useful. Boil water & use plastic cups while using stove to make something else. Bought a tarp for the tent and stupidly put it beneath the tent. Woke to a nice pool between the tent floor & the tarp. Dick had a small knife that was way more useful than a Swiss Army knife - and I going to be opening wine, for example? There's always a P38 to open cans.
A dog came wandering by: 567-2243, Frank Hoffman, PO Box 73.

It's raining, but wigwam wool socks are keeping feet very comfortable.