Gear check and book updates

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  I know this blog has been quiet as of late. I never updated or posted pictures from a lot of the hikes I've done in the last month or so, but I did them and will hopefully post about them soon. But first, just an update on the gear I used for the 30 mile hike:

First, I decided to get a water reservoir. I didn't really need one, as I'm pretty used to just filling up water bottles and carrying those in my pack. But once we got going on a lot of the longer hikes, stopping and starting to get bottles out of my pack because there aren;t any outside water pockets was getting annoying and slowing me down. Also, peer pressure, since everyone else on the CureSearch St. Louis team had some sort of hydration pack they used. The daypack I was already using had water reservoir capabilities already, so instead of spending a lot of money on a new fancy Camelback (which I would like one day, admittedly), I got a $10 Clyclone Hydro Reservoir from Walmart that cost $10. I really wanted a 3 liter, but they didn't have one in the store and I didn't have the time to risk ordering something online. The differences in price between the Walmart 2 liter and the REI 3 liters were so huge, that I figured if the Clyclone Hydro Reservoir fell apart and died on me, and least it had made it through the 30 mile hike and I would only be out $10. It worked out great, though. It was simple enough to attach the hose to and fit well into my daypack. The nozzle and pack didn't leak or break on me, held up well in the refrigerator, and kept me nice and hyrdated  on the 30 mile hike (and a few of the previous practice hikes, like the Berryman). The only issue was that it wasn't super easy to fill on my own (maybe none of them are) and I felt like the tube was just a TAD too long and cumbersome... I wish it had been a bit shorter. Other than that though, I was really glad I got it.

I also got a headlamp I found clearance at REI, the Black Diamond Moxie headlamp. I needed a headlamp because my group left the trailhead for the 30 mile hike at 4:15am, so the first 7 or 8 miles maybe were in darkness. I'd never done a night-hike before, and was really nervous. This headlamp which worked great expect that it is SUPER hard to open to get batteries in... seriously, I jacked up my thumb trying to open it and for awhile was afraid I wouldn't get it open before I left for Indiana. Luckily a hiking buddy managed to open it easily, so maybe it is just me. The light was bright enough for me to find the trail markers in the pitch darkness of the woods, was comfortable, and light. I didn't use any of the other features (the dimmer or strobe), but it was nice to know they were there. I even LED the group for awhile in the dark, and felt sercure knowing that my headlamp was the one finding the path and trail markers for those behind me!

I also made sure to make use of the trick of changing socks as often as possible. I started out with a thinner pair of hiking socks, then  changed socks at mile 10 and mile 20, ending with the thickest pair of socks I have.  It worked WONDERS. I know taking off your boots is not always recommended because your feet are swollen and hurting and it takes a lot to get them back on, but starting back on the trail with a fresh pair of socks feels AMAZING. I'm not sure exactly what brand of socks all of them are, but one of them is probably Wigwam and another is the REI brand of merino wool socks (the third I bought elsewhere and don't remember, and nobody wants pictures of my dirty socks so I'll leave them out).

I also used one Leki hiking pole that was given to me by a friend (the second pole was having trouble locking, so I left it at home). Because I couldn't figure out how to make it collapse all the way (I'm not sure it did), I left the hiking pole for myself at the last aid station to help me through the last 7 miles to the finish line. It was great.


On a slightly unrelated note, I've been reading too. I don't know if it was to gear myself up for the 30 mile hike, or to tell myself I could do it, or just because I'm still obsessed with the idea of doing the Appalachian Trail and other long-distance hikes one day in the future.

The Cactus Eaters: How I Lost My Mind -- and Almost Found Myself -- on the Pacific Crest Trail
by Dan White

Becoming Odyssa: Adventures on the Appalachian Trail
by Jennifer Pharr Davis

Currently reading:
Zero Days: The Real Life Adventure of Captain Bligh, Nellie Bly, and 10-Year Old Scrambler on the Pacific Crest Trail
by Barbara Egbert

Updates

Posted by Kara |0 comments

Had a beautiful warm weekend, but am fighting off a cold from my students and wasn't able to go walking or hiking at all. Now that the week has started, the cold has settled in my chest, which makes my asthma really act up very badly, so all in all I'm glad I didn't test my limits, but I'm sad I missed out.

I've attempted to get some fun in other ways. I've attended two classes at my local REI lately, two talks given by the same couple. One was about their Appalachian Trail thru-hike (2,181 miles from Georgia to Maine), and the other was a slide show of their thru-hike of the Pacific Crest Trail (2,650 miles from Mexican border to the Canadian border), both with helpful tips on camping, food, gear, and mail drops.  I hadn't been as familiar with the PCT, but hearing them talk about it and watching the gorgeous slides made me want to hike it as much as the Appalachian Trail, if not more! I hope one day I actually get to DO all these things, instead of just talking and reading about it.

Also, they recommended this website that I absolutely love now and have decided if I do get a tent, I want one of these: Tarptent.com  I can't believe how lightweight these are!

On a more uninteresting note, I got my hiking pants shortened (finally!), so now they won't get dragged down with mud and water! I'm pretty happy about this.

Winter Weather hiatus (or, how I am too lame and cold to go outside)

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I haven't been doing ANY hiking recently, due to a number of reasons. I became an Aunt in early December when my nephew was born. The holidays came quickly after that, along with running around trying to see all my friends who have moved away from St. Louis and were home for the holidays. Then this January, we've been bombarded with bad weather. First a winter storm that dumped over 8 inches, and just the last few days a huge ice storm (we were also supposed to get nearly a foot of snow, but it missed us and we got mostly ice and a bit of snow). I would actually LIKE to start some winter hiking, but a combination of a lack of proper winter clothing, pure laziness, and a fear of not being able to stay on a trail kept me in. I'm pretty ashamed of this actually. I HAVE been trying to go to the gym here and there though. It's not part of my routine yet, but I'm getting better. I'm hoping that while I'm not hiking, at least getting to the gym a couple times a week will keep me in some kind of shape. Unfortunately I'm not always making it once or twice a week... I have a lot of work to do!

Hiking has never been far from my mind in these last few months. I got my very own set of hiking poles for Christmas from my parents and a cute hiking kit from my aunt and uncle for Hanukkah including hand warmers, a Shenandoah National Park water bottle and an Appalachian Trail bumper sticker. I attended an REI class on winter weather hiking, where I learned a bit about proper winter clothing and winter hiking safety measures (I also bought a wicking layer of silk there, because the smart wool underclothes were WAY out of my price range). I am signed up for another class at REI about preparing to hike the Appalachian Trail-- even though I'm not actually planning on hiking it any time soon, I think this class will get me in the mindset and give me a chance to meet and talk to interesting people preparing to take on this feat.

currently reading: There Are Mountains to Climb: An Inspirational Journey by Jean Deeds

                                                          photo source: http://www.goodreads.com/
The holiday hiking themed haul:
(be reminded that I am not being paid to show the brands in the pictures below, nor have I even tried any of my holiday haul yet, so cannot endorse one brand over another)

More purchases, but still no hiking

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Next week it will have been two months since I've gone on a hike. Preparing to get back into hiking very soon, despite the long weeks of very hot and stormy weather. Met a few more people interested in hiking through a friend, so might have yet another hiking club I'll be able to join when I don't feel like going on my own. My allergies and asthma got better for awhile, then came back (but much less worse this time) for awhile, but I think I'm about ready to at least start slow by next week, if the weather isn't too killer hot.

Went to the big REI sale today. Bought another pair of merino wool hiking socks so that I won't have to wash the same pair every time I go. I also finally bought a pair of pants to hike in that aren't jeans, and they were almost $20 off the normal price! REI brand women's rendezvous convertible pants with UPF +50. It is a blend of 95% nylon and 5% spandex, and they seem very lightweight and roomy, which will be a great change after hiking in sticky, uncomfortable jeans for over a year. They're a petite size, so they actually will be just right with my boots on, and zip off just under the knee to convert into shorts if I get really overheated (though I'd like to avoid that and avoid ticks if I can, but it is nice to have the option). I also finally caved and got a membership at REI... this means 20% coupons, free rock climbing on their wall, and discount prices to some of their classes. Once I get into backpacking and needing more equipment, it will be nice to have those discounts too.

I can't wait to get back into the swing of things. Maybe next weekend...?

Happy New Year!

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Very cold weather and busy holidays have kept me indoors for over a month now, it seems, which I am really ashamed of. I had sworn that I would try to keep this up in the winter months, but have slacked off. One of my New Year's resolutions will be to continue to keep up hiking all year round, for both pleasure and health. I can't wait to continue exploring new hikes around Missouri, as well as revisiting old ones, especially in the spring. I'm even currently convincing my father to take a trip with me this summer to Arkansas to hike Mt. Magazine! Hopefully I'll start getting out there again soon now that all the holiday bustle is over with, even if it means braving a bit of cold to do so.

I got this book, Hiking St. Louis by Evie P. Harris from my sister  for Christmas! It is very short and sweet, with hand-drawn maps (which I'm a little unsure of). I'm really excited because it has new hikes in it that aren't in the 60 Hikes in 60 Miles book. I am also excited because my sister and I haven't had a chance to hike together yet, so I'm looking forward to that.

A relative of mine lent me these really fantastically awesome hiking poles to try out next time I go hiking. While over at the house for Christmas Eve dinner, I got into a conversation with him about hiking, finding that he shares my interest, and I was really excited when he told me I should give these a try. They even adjust to fit my height! I remember seeing people in Austria use these while hiking, but have never tried them myself. It's also exciting to find someone new to discuss hiking with, and he gave me some neat ideas of trails to try in the area.

My relative also lent me this book, Everyday Wisdom: 1001 Expert Tips for Hikers by Karen Berger, during the same visit. I haven't had a chance to explore it much yet, but it seems to have everything from basic survival tips to more expert backpacking tips-- one day I would really love to be able to be experienced enough to go on a backpacking trip (though not alone, since my directional and map-reading skills are severely lacking).

Purchases!

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REI was having a sale, so I thought I'd treat myself to some hiking gear. My sneakers that I usually wear hiking are at least a couple of years old, and don't seem to have the traction or support I need in some of the more difficult trails. I want to keep this up more than anything, so hopefully the money I spent will remind me that I better get out there!
   Buying hiking shoes is not easy. The store was insanely busy, so while I was helped quite a bit, I still didn't get all the advice I probably needed. I ended up buying a pair of women's Vasque hiking boots on sale. Even though I was told at first that these shoes were better for narrow feet, the other pair that the woman brought that were better for wider feet never seemed to fit quite right despite the two different sizes I tried on. The Vasque shoes were the ones that felt the best at the time, and I walked around in them and went up and down their fun fake rock to try them out. I brought the Vasque shoes home and haven't worn them around quite enough yet to gauge whether they are right for me. It's hard to tell because I'm not sure if the shoes simply don't fit right or if I'm not wearing them. After wearing them around the house a little, the top arch of my foot hurt, but I think it was because I tied the laces too tight. It also felt strange walking around in them, but I am not used to wearing a shoe with a high ankle like that. What I need to do is hanker down and actually wear them around the apartment every night I can for a week, and then make a decision. It would be a shame to have spent a good sum on a pair of shoes that didn't fit just right-- I'd hate to be caught on the trail with blisters!

I also may have bought some socks there because I realized that perhaps one of hte issues with the shoes was that I was wearing little girly ankle socks with them, and those are hardly the right socks for hiking at all, much less for shoes with high supportive ankles. These, while strangely costly (hence the reason I only bought one pair... I'm sure I can find appropriate socks at Target or something), at least will give me the feel I need to decide whether I will be keeping these shoes or bringing them back. I maaay be overthinking this, but it really is a hard play to call.

 

sorry about the terrible pictures.