Need to do more of this!

Working on the base mileage for the NPT in August.

Winter Hiking

Building Endurance

Pinnacle State Park

 Hike w/ Aaron

Continuing Some Mileage

Putting In Some Mileage

New Years Day 2023 Hike w/ Brian

 Nice to get out w/ Brian!

Interloken Trail

Didn't feel great. Got a late start, so I was pushing the pace on the way north. This caused me to miss a turn and head down the gorge Trail which really threw me off. I had also set my watch on ultra track, and it was giving me all sorts of screwy readings, like a 2 minute kilometer, and told me my total distance was 13 km. But clearly from the way back, much shorter. But I made it to a new trail, saw some people, a very cool owl, and was able to continue to test my setup. The Solomon boots still agitated my right ringtone, but on the way back I had moved my insole and added a second layer of sock and it was no problem. Something I can fix going forward, instead of buying another pair of boots.

Old Forge, Bald Mountain, Family Hike

 Finally got in some outside time now that we are done w/ cleaning out Woodsedge apartment. It was much harder than I expected, but the family did a great job toughing it out.

Synthetic vs Down Puffy Evaluation

Shake-down winter hikes. Near identical circumstances but there was no sun on Sunday and it was 14deg instead of 11deg. I wanted to know if I would be warm enough in my layers, and how sweaty the jackets would get. Didn't realize it on Saturday, but the water bladder was empty. I refilled it with 2 liters for Sunday. Both days I wore the hood from the base layer and I definitely noticed the wind pushing through my knit hat. And both days the water in the hose froze!

• Saturday
• REI Revelcloud synthetic jacket
• 11deg, slight breeze, sunny
• Water bladder empty
• Darn tough crew socks
• Sunday
• REI Magma down jacket
• 14deg, slight breeze, cloudy
• 2L bladder
• Smartwool over-the-calf socks
• Common clothing
• Patagonia tech t-shirt
• REI fleece midweight hoodie
• Wool Buff
• Puffy jacket
• Motorcycle goggles
• Hat
• EMS gloves (not including liner)
• Under Armour lined wind pants
• Asolo boots

Synthetic puffy results: surprisingly I was completely comfortable and warm. I should get a hood or shower cap to fight the wind, but overall I was good. I was even more surprised when I got all done and there was no sweat on any layer except my t-shirt - the fleece & puffy were completely dry.

Down puffy results: I wouldn't say I was any warmer or colder, but I also feel the wind cut through the jacket a bit more. I didn't use the hood, but it would have been handy had it been any windier. There was a little sweat that got though the fleece & onto the jacket, but not enough to make the jacket ineffective.

All-in-all, it was a solid, effective test. Nearly an hour outside in sub-freezing temperatures and I was warm enough. I might benefit from some leggings, but it certainly wasn't needed for this, and in the woods the wind would be less, right? The Smartwool socks were fine on the hike, but they were way too warm when I tried to wear them in the house. The Darn Tough socks were also long enough to keep the boots from irritating my ankles and fine in the house. The goggles were sort of useless - I had to be so careful breathing or they got foggy in moments. Maybe real ski goggles would be better?

I'm also rethinking footwear. With the boots I feel so much more protected from everything. One concern is whether or not they affect my Achilles negatively, but for the moment things are okay. I know they're heavier, and if they get wet inside it will take longer to dry, but they also feel so bulletproof when I'm wearing them. Certainly, during cold weather, they're much better than trail shoes.

 

Mile hikes with the Boys

Hiked with Brennan & Belle on Saturday, then Brian & Brennan on Sunday.

 

(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.

(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.

(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.

(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.

5 miles on the FLT w/ the Boys

Brennan griped about having to go and then he had a rash on his waist and his feet were hurting. Still made it through without a big problem, though. It was all uphill at first and I considered cancelling - but the weather was perfect and the bugs were nearly non-existent. Good start to the Hiking merit badge.

6 solo miles

Six more miles today. Ended up going solo which was okay since I was pushing to close a loop on the M13 section I'm working on. Bugs still not bad - only had one on me the whole trip. Rain pants are 20 years old and they need to be replaced! I took off the jacket after 1 mile and just used my hat to regulate temperature.

Garmin Connect

3.72 solo miles

Nice & chilly to start with pleny of mud. Hence, I didn't bring Belle. The boys were still asleep when I left and I wouldn't have made them anyway - I wanted to put in some miles and get over 10 for the year so I just listened to Backpacker Radio while I walked. Had some good laughs and still made it home in time to get Brennan to the church Easter Egg Hunt.

Backpack was about 29 lbs and I considered not even taking it, but in the end decided it was a better idea to take it just in case. Not sure why it's so heavy, though - maybe due to the switch in sleeping pad & addition of water. I really packed like I was going for a few days including puffy jacket, rain gear, pillow, liner, etc... A little annoyed I didn't make it to the next parking spot.

3 Dudes Hiking

Unexpectedly chilly and light rain throughout. Brennan really fought us about going, but Annie supported his going and after his nap on the way to the trail, he was in good spirits. Lean-to site is wicked awesome. Really need to remember to wear boots & bring extra socks! Muddy in some spots and with the steady rain, we weren't quite ready. Short trip, though so no biggie. I carried my 20+ pound pack. Boys carried daypacks with water & snacks. Brennan & I wore sneakers - stupid choice. Found a tick on my pants as I was driving home - yech.

Hiking w/ the Boys

Got both boys to go with me, but Lil b wasn't happy about it at first. He didn't gripe much, but he wasn't his usual jolly self. Got a nice bit of hiking, but not as far as I was hoping - started an hour late and took many mini-breaks for the kids. No dog today - too muddy and I wanted to be able to focus on the boys. My L foot external edge gave me a bit of grief after 1 mile, but not enough for me to stop. I did wear a 20 lb pack - sleeping bag, tent, bear canister (full), cook kit, toiletries, and 2L of water - lucky I had 2 bottles as Brian missed packing his in his pocket so he took one of mine.

Lessons learned:

• Bring contractor bag to keep pack contents dry!
• Turn around on path intermittently to be sure trail is marked both ways (especially near fallen trees) - and see if you dropped anything :-)
• Double check your load! Brennan chose to not bring his pack which didn't click to me, but that meant we didn't have his emergency inhaler OR a first aid kit. Stupid.