Travel
First of all I have to mention that today is "Pi Day", which is
celebrated on March 14th (3/14) around the world. Pi (Greek letter “π”) is the symbol used in mathematics to represent a constant — the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter — which is approximately 3.14159. I think the name "Pi Day" has a nice, snappy sound. I'm no mathematician and never did understand what Pi is all about though.
There have been questions about my post yesterday and the possibility that I may carry a 40# backpack this summer. I hope it is much less although I won't know until I get a few more of the larger items. So far out of the "big four", I have the following: Tent 4#.8 oz. I may be able to reduce this weight by a few ounces, by substituting titanium stakes (which I already have) for the heavier stakes that came with the tent. My sleeping bag is 3#. No way would I even think about getting a lighter weight bag, as this is the warmest and most comfortable sleeping bag ever. Thermarest pad is 1# 3oz; there are lighter ones out there, but I've mentioned that I want a full length pad and won't settle for anything less. I don't have the pack yet, but hope it will be in the neighborhood of 3#. Those are the big four, and mine will weigh in at about 12-14#. Ultralight backpackers carry about 15# base weight, plus food and water.
Then I need a stove, fuel, water filter, flashlight, compass & maps, water bottles, bug repellant, personal items such as toothbrush, etc. Depending on the rules for where I hike I may be required to carry a bear cannister to store food and personal items - anything that would attract bears. Those cannisters can weigh up to 3#. So I will be lucky to total up to 20 or 25# base weight.
Water weighs 8.3# per gallon; I haven't determined yet what kind of food I will carry. Mountain House and other such companies make some good backpacking dinners that you just add boiling water to, and they can be eaten right out of the package. They are expensive, and the weight of the packages adds up. Add clothing (you count the weight of what you wear, including your boots, etc., so you can see where I can easily approach 40# total.
This is why many backpackers try to shave ounces off wherever they can, some even going so far as to trim the handles of their toothbrushes! I have never done that and never will, but I'll look for other ways to reduce weight. I'll carry the lightest and smallest camera I own, but I may have to leave my cellphone behind! I won't bring technology on a backpacking trip because for one thing, then you have to add a solar charger; I've read journals of hikers who have well over 5# of technology but go ultralight on things that compromise their comfort. Does that make no sense to anyone but me?
Those of you who live and travel in RV's will enjoy way more comfortable travel than I will, but I will be traveling in places you can't reach. There is a trade-off for everything. What I'll miss most of all is my black lab, Smoky, who was the best hiking companion anyone could ask for.
My post yesterday mentioned a trip I made to Linville Gorge, NC, where I saw the ghostly lights. Here is the bottom of the Gorge in daylight.
And here is Guy, photographing a waterfall. We camped near this spot.
I have a few more pictures I will scan and post tomorrow. On second thought after viewing these scanned pictures on the finished blog, I might not post more. The photographs I have in my hand are beautiful - color is good and everything in the pictures is distinguishable. I can't take as good a photo in digital as I can with a plain old film camera, but they lose everything when scanned digitally. What a shame.
- More Photos
I scanned a few more pictures from my backpacking days, and I may have to post them a few at a time. First of all I hae done a lot of thinking about my plans this year and realize that the hernia repair may make it difficult to realize my goals, at least...
- Back To Home Depot
I had gone there yesterday intending to look for Endust in the section with cleaning supplies. I knew exactly where that has always been, so I went directly to it to find it had been moved. I don't mind asking for help when I need it,...
- I Survived!
Just got back from the Volksmarch, which turned out to be 11.08 km! I'm too weary to figure out the conversion, but it's probably somewhere around 7 miles. I can never remember if you divide by 1.2 or multiply by .6, or maybe it's...
- Just A Few Thoughts Tonight
Traveling and camping items are spread all over my living room and kitchen and I wonder if it will all come together by next weekend. Add to that all the little things I need to do this week and calls to make, I worry I'll be rushing at the...
- Have Dinner In South Africa
Voulezvousdiner Have just launched a new special offer. ...
Travel
Friday--rhymes with Pi Day!
First of all I have to mention that today is "Pi Day", which is
celebrated on March 14th (3/14) around the world. Pi (Greek letter “π”) is the symbol used in mathematics to represent a constant — the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter — which is approximately 3.14159. I think the name "Pi Day" has a nice, snappy sound. I'm no mathematician and never did understand what Pi is all about though.
There have been questions about my post yesterday and the possibility that I may carry a 40# backpack this summer. I hope it is much less although I won't know until I get a few more of the larger items. So far out of the "big four", I have the following: Tent 4#.8 oz. I may be able to reduce this weight by a few ounces, by substituting titanium stakes (which I already have) for the heavier stakes that came with the tent. My sleeping bag is 3#. No way would I even think about getting a lighter weight bag, as this is the warmest and most comfortable sleeping bag ever. Thermarest pad is 1# 3oz; there are lighter ones out there, but I've mentioned that I want a full length pad and won't settle for anything less. I don't have the pack yet, but hope it will be in the neighborhood of 3#. Those are the big four, and mine will weigh in at about 12-14#. Ultralight backpackers carry about 15# base weight, plus food and water.
Then I need a stove, fuel, water filter, flashlight, compass & maps, water bottles, bug repellant, personal items such as toothbrush, etc. Depending on the rules for where I hike I may be required to carry a bear cannister to store food and personal items - anything that would attract bears. Those cannisters can weigh up to 3#. So I will be lucky to total up to 20 or 25# base weight.
Water weighs 8.3# per gallon; I haven't determined yet what kind of food I will carry. Mountain House and other such companies make some good backpacking dinners that you just add boiling water to, and they can be eaten right out of the package. They are expensive, and the weight of the packages adds up. Add clothing (you count the weight of what you wear, including your boots, etc., so you can see where I can easily approach 40# total.
This is why many backpackers try to shave ounces off wherever they can, some even going so far as to trim the handles of their toothbrushes! I have never done that and never will, but I'll look for other ways to reduce weight. I'll carry the lightest and smallest camera I own, but I may have to leave my cellphone behind! I won't bring technology on a backpacking trip because for one thing, then you have to add a solar charger; I've read journals of hikers who have well over 5# of technology but go ultralight on things that compromise their comfort. Does that make no sense to anyone but me?
Those of you who live and travel in RV's will enjoy way more comfortable travel than I will, but I will be traveling in places you can't reach. There is a trade-off for everything. What I'll miss most of all is my black lab, Smoky, who was the best hiking companion anyone could ask for.
My post yesterday mentioned a trip I made to Linville Gorge, NC, where I saw the ghostly lights. Here is the bottom of the Gorge in daylight.
And here is Guy, photographing a waterfall. We camped near this spot.
I have a few more pictures I will scan and post tomorrow. On second thought after viewing these scanned pictures on the finished blog, I might not post more. The photographs I have in my hand are beautiful - color is good and everything in the pictures is distinguishable. I can't take as good a photo in digital as I can with a plain old film camera, but they lose everything when scanned digitally. What a shame.
- More Photos
I scanned a few more pictures from my backpacking days, and I may have to post them a few at a time. First of all I hae done a lot of thinking about my plans this year and realize that the hernia repair may make it difficult to realize my goals, at least...
- Back To Home Depot
I had gone there yesterday intending to look for Endust in the section with cleaning supplies. I knew exactly where that has always been, so I went directly to it to find it had been moved. I don't mind asking for help when I need it,...
- I Survived!
Just got back from the Volksmarch, which turned out to be 11.08 km! I'm too weary to figure out the conversion, but it's probably somewhere around 7 miles. I can never remember if you divide by 1.2 or multiply by .6, or maybe it's...
- Just A Few Thoughts Tonight
Traveling and camping items are spread all over my living room and kitchen and I wonder if it will all come together by next weekend. Add to that all the little things I need to do this week and calls to make, I worry I'll be rushing at the...
- Have Dinner In South Africa
Voulezvousdiner Have just launched a new special offer. ...