new motto

Life is uncertain... don't sip!

ear cover thingie

I don't know about you but first thing in the morning these days it is really cold... as in 38-40 degree cold. I know, I know, that isn't cold for lots of folks but for hiking, my ears get really cold. I resist wearing full coverage hats though, because I get too hot. SO, I've been thinking of how to construct an ear cover that will velcro closed over my ears, work with the visor, yet leaves my head free to expel the extra heat I am generating. I could have bought a simple headband kind of thing but what fun it that? What do you think?

With visor

Simple closure

I generally wear a visor, year round in cold, rainy, hot weather. So this design is perfect for my favorite one. The material is a wind blocker fleece, stiffer than most and dual colors, black on the inside. To hide the dirt?

Front packs

Hey all. In my quest to find the perfect packing system I have come across an idea to balance the weight of a backpack with a couple of front backs. A company from New Zealand called Aarn makes a complete system of back and front packs. Being a commercial pack company their gear needs to be bomb proof and I wondered if I could make something similar, yet way lighter. Thus I spent the better part of yesterday coming up with a pattern I think would work and making the first of the two front packs. I still haven't completely decided how to attach them but that will come with time.  Fun!

Builders paper

Can you see my pencil scratches?

All cut and ready for assembly

Left and right pouches

Wait...

Voila! It weighs .6 ounces

Hennessy Hammock for sale

Here goes. I have an Ultralite Backpackers Asym Classic for sale. I have used it maybe 8 times, only 2 nights in the backcountry. Included in this package is the hammock, dedicated tarp, undercover, treehuggers, snakeskins, but no underpad.... it got ripped so I don't feel like I should sell that. Everything is in excellent order, clean, etc. I seemed to remember from the last time I used it that there was a snag on the mosquito netting but I couldn't find it to photograph it. It was very small. New, without the underpad, this would cost $299.99. I would like to sell it for half that at $150.00, plus shipping. The replacement pad costs $29.95 at HH website. Here is a photo of it from their website.

Oh, the reason I am selling it is that I am now using a Warbonnet hammock and can't see keeping gear I won't be using. Maybe you'd like a new(ish) hammock?

Backpacker Asym Classic 1 lbs 15 oz / 860 g Photo & Specs Recommended Accessories Customize $199.95

For myself, or others and myself?

I have been thinking for a few weeks now about hiking, self involvement and/or how to make my thru-hike attempt seem less selfish and more about helping others. Of course, one question might be, why do I think I need to make this hike about something other than myself? Isn't it enough to just have fun for 5-6 months, without making it about other people and their needs? Well, in theory yes. Yet I know from past personal experience that if I have committed to something other than myself, I am more likely to be able to push through tough times if I have committed to other people,  organizations, etc. And this has more to do with my own limitations than my selfless wish to help others. Of course, it isn't one thing or another. Both things are true and, like most folks, I am a bundle of contradictions.

Given all these ideas and musings,  I have decided to blend this hike with a wish to raise money for the City of Hope. Why the City of Hope? My friend in L.A. was recently dx with a very rare, nasty, aggressive kind of cervical cancer. Other than that really bad news, being an American and self employed, she also has no health insurance so she was looking at not being able to treat the cancer in any meaningful kind of way. Fortunately, she was accepted into a treatment program at the City of Hope, with no cost to her. This is an amazing and remarkable blessing in my friends life. To know she will have the best chance of living without the worry of losing her home and everything she has worked for all her life, is something I want to support. So, I hope to make some kind of plan to raise monies for this worthy organization. More information to follow.

Gear Sale!

It's finally time I got rid of some of the extra gear I have hanging around. Over the years I have purchased packs and cookpots, some of which I never used and the others only very slightly. The prices will be well below my original cost and I hope a good deal for someone else who needs quality gear at cheap prices. Here goes!

I have a two year old ULA Circuit, size small with a medium waist belt. It has been worn for about 20 days on the trail. Recently washed, no nicks or tears. In excellent shape. The only issue is cosmetic. There was some sap on the back panel. It has been removed and is no longer sticky but it did stain the material. It has the newer (as in brand new, $30 worth) S shoulder straps. Works better for some women and slight men... I would keep it but I also have the ULA P-1 which I like better... who needs two of them? Weighs 35 ounces and costs $200 new. I'm selling for $100. SOLD!

front

back showing new straps

Sap stain, no longer sticky!

The second pack is a Gossamer Gear Mariposa. Purchased in 2005 for $129.95 Size small which fits 16" to 19" torsos. Weighs 20.5 ounces. I wore it twice for training hikes but never used it on the trail. It never really fit me but it is sure to fit someone! I think the higher of the torso range would be better. I'm a 16" and it was too long for me.  I don't know,  how is $70 dollars? Still looking for a good home!

sil nylon

back with pad

Last but not least is a Snowpeak Trek 700 titanium pot with lid. The photos show some water spots but this is one of those items I never used in the field. Silly me. My scale says it is 4.4 ounces but the website lists the weight at 4.8 ounces... maybe they are including the stuff sack, which I don't have. New they are $39.95 but for you? 20 bucks would do it. Sold, pending the arrival of a check.

So if you are interested or if you have any questions, leave a message here or email me at shskye@cabrillo.edu. Thanks for looking!

Stove set-up

I am relieved to have decided on my PCT trip stove set-up. I have used so many different stoves over the years, from home made soda can stoves to a Whisperlite white gas stove, that I have a hard time deciding on which way to go. I finally went with the cheapest stove, the easiest to use and a modified cozy cooking method. Instead of putting my food in a freezer bag to cook I'll just use my pot with a cozy on it! Easy-peasy. Here are some photos.

pot (with everything inside) in cozy on scale...

Fancy feast cat food stove!

Pretty simple

One decision down, many, many more to come...