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.

BSA Brian 7/8 - 7/13

Brian: Sleep system was great: Outdoor Research Bug bivy, Sea-to-Summit Comfort Light SI pad (2"), Kelty Bestie blanket, and Cocoon Travel pillow. Even worked well overnight at Hilltop. Didn't use a sleeping bag once.

Brett: Used my Sea-to-Summit 4" pad atop the cot mattress. I didn't sleep great, no surprise, but it wasn't that bad. The Walmart camping blanket left something to be desired, but I survived. Mosquito netting was fine, but the bugs weren't too bad this year. Hanging the netting - bring a rope and clothes pins - the only horizontal tent pole is at the apex and goes front-to-back. I saw one rig where a rope was tied round each end and loose so the netting would fit down to the cot.

BRING JACKET & HAT FOR COOL NIGHTS & COLD MORNINGS
It got very cold overnight and fortunately I had extra winter hats in the car. The only jacket I had was my EMS lined wind-breaker. It must be 20 years old.

WATERPROOF the shoes if they don't bring 2 pairs of shoes because of the morning dew. Brian wore wool socks so this wasn't much of a problem, but it could have been. He didn't wear his hiking boots at all.

DAYPACK is crucial to avoid trips back-and-forth to camp and avoid losing items. If you wear your jacket in the morning because of the cold, what do you do with it when it gets too hot by 10? Brian left his water bottle at stations constantly until he started using his backpack as his daypack. Nice to put hats, jackets, water in. Also will be good for Brennan & his wet swimming clothes.

See BSA blog for other notes.

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.

MSL with Kurt (2 of 2)

Bring poncho to cover things, it's not just for you. Get them-a-rest pad. Need better sleeping bag. Froze overnight. Condensation frozen in the morning. SO glad to have stove & thermos. Put things in bivy w/ you if you don't want them frozen (water, lighter). Oatmeal & hot cocoa were fantastic as was instant capuccino. Now it's snowing!

Next time, thick socks no matter what. That way at least if boots aren't a perfect fit, there won't be room for foot to move & create blister. Also bring baby wipes for latrine and a chair / stool for around the campfire.

MSL solo (2 of 2)

Back in the car now. Did NOT sleep well - R eye sore. Beautiful morning though. A little chilly which kept bugs away at first.

From now on, no need to bring stove unless it's winter. There's enough firewood available. Also, need heat shield for stove - wind had a huge impact on the flame. It took 10 minutes to boil 1 cup of water.

Didn't need the extra socks. Didn't need (or use, actually) the pillow. Gotta bring handkerchief next time. Had to use my t-shirt and then had to wear long sleeve shirt on the way out this morning. I was thinking of heading to Canada Lakes Wilderness Trail, but changed my mind. It looks easy to reach and I want to head home.