I heard about The Ultimate Hike through an email from my favorite outdoor store- The Backpacker. (the Absolutely Best place for equipment & advice about hiking I've found- Tell them Barbara sent you). The hike here will be 28 miles on the Foothills Trail ending at Oconee State Park. I can do that- it'll be tough, but I can do it no problem. The organizers even provide training to let anyone prepare for the event. From non-hike to distance hiker in 4 months- a great thing.
For me, the challenge will be the fund raising. Each participant, after paying $100 to join the group, agrees to raise a minimum of $2500 to donate to CureSearch & to offset expenses. Their expenses include support all along the trail , hotel accommodations, food & transportation. The organizers also provide a coach to train you on this. They have families that will give you their stories to use, videos of children who have been diagnosed & helped through CureSearch. All the while, you're working with a team of people in the area who are united by the common goal of raising funds & preparing for a physical challenge.
I left the informational meeting with a very good feeling about the group. But in the end, I can't commit my family to the money. My practical side keeps reminding me that any funds I don't raise come out of my budget. When it comes down to it, I like to help with my time & talents best; but that hill just seems to steep to guarantee I can climb over.
Monday, August 19, 2013
Monday, August 12, 2013
Accidental Peakbagging
This past weekend I went for my last hike of summer break. My daughter & I decided to explore the Mount Mitchell area & hike "The Mount Mitchell Circuit" listed in the book pictured below. The book said the hike would take us up & down 5 peaks, & through several microclimates of the Mt Mitchell area. It was rated as an all day (10.5 mile) strenuous hike- just what we were looking for to end the summer & recharge for the coming academic year.
I love this book- all the hikes I've tried have been excellent- written by Jennifer Pharr-Davis who lives in the area & hold the speed record for a supported AT hike. Her trail descriptions are very accurate & detailed. She includes GPS coordinates & details on how to find the trail heads & rates all the trails for solitude, scenery, wildlife & appropriateness for children. A really great book for someone (like me) exploring hikes in an area. The one thing I wish had been included are the blaze colors for the trails. For us on this hike, it turned out we explored a different circuit then was described because we didn't know which blaze colors to look for. It was a great hike, just not the one planned.
Mount Mitchell (highest point in NC) was covered in fog Saturday & this made for a very cool hike in many ways. It didn't let us get a lot of great pictures, but that just means we need to go back later. We started out walking up the sidewalk to the Mount Mitchell viewing platform. A ranger had told us that was where the trail started. We ended up backtracking down a little ways & started on the Old Mt Mitchell trail. The terrain was wet & fairly steep down for quite a ways. We ended up crossing a stream & hiking a flatter section (the Commissary trail) to a couple of large primitive campsites. Just beyond this, we came to another trail intersection & I choose to go left instead of right; my daughter wisely chose to go right but unfortunately we went my way. Her way would have put us on the right trail, but from the wrong end. Part of our issue was a section of the trail was on the Mountain-to-Sea trail. At some point, we had to get off the MST or end up a long way from Mt Mitchell. Going left took us back up to the Mt Mitchell viewing platform- so we were back where we started from.
As we walked back down the sidewalk, trying to figure out where the real trail was, we came to the interpretative center. The friendly ranger there gave us very clear directions on how to find the trail we were looking for. See, at Mt Mitchell, there are trails that go off from at least 3 locations- the lower ranger station, the summit parking lot & the picnic area. The trail we wanted- which climbed over 5 peaks- went off from the picnic area. So, heading off in the right direction, we climbed over Craig Mountain
& Big Tom.
Shortly after descending from the peak we decided to beat the rain by heading back to the car. By this time, we'd been hiking about 5 hours & were muddy enough. We stopped at the picnic area to eat & called it a day. We had great hike- challenging terrain with beautiful scenery & plenty of solitude- just a different hike. I definitely plan to go back & hike the actual Mt Mitchell Circuit now that I know where it is. If you go- the trail starts out with orange triangle blazes. You'll find them by going through the picnic area.
Happy Hiking!
As we walked back down the sidewalk, trying to figure out where the real trail was, we came to the interpretative center. The friendly ranger there gave us very clear directions on how to find the trail we were looking for. See, at Mt Mitchell, there are trails that go off from at least 3 locations- the lower ranger station, the summit parking lot & the picnic area. The trail we wanted- which climbed over 5 peaks- went off from the picnic area. So, heading off in the right direction, we climbed over Craig Mountain
Shortly after descending from the peak we decided to beat the rain by heading back to the car. By this time, we'd been hiking about 5 hours & were muddy enough. We stopped at the picnic area to eat & called it a day. We had great hike- challenging terrain with beautiful scenery & plenty of solitude- just a different hike. I definitely plan to go back & hike the actual Mt Mitchell Circuit now that I know where it is. If you go- the trail starts out with orange triangle blazes. You'll find them by going through the picnic area.
Happy Hiking!
Monday, July 29, 2013
Dogs on the Trail
I love walking & hiking with a dog- it simultaneously makes you more & less approachable. Friendly people- by that I mean dog pet people- smile & sometimes stop to pet my dog. Unfriendly people- non-pet people- steer clear of the dog & often won't even make eye contact with me. With a dog, I not only have a walking or running buddy, but an eager partner who's excited to go anywhere regardless of the weather. All around, a great deal & why I'll probably never be without a dog in my life.
Here is my current hiking buddy- Phoenix.
Almost all my hikes include my dog Phoenix; he also backpacks with me. For overnight, he has a pack to carry his food & dish. He also carries out all our trash, my camp shoes & our poop shovel. I carry his bed, our tent & the water. It's a great partnership. So as I get ready to hike the AT next summer, it was never a question of if Phoenix would hike with me- of course he would! It makes me sad that there are areas on the AT that ban dogs- the Great Smokey Mountains National Park in TN & NC & Baxter State Park, MN both don't allow dogs in. Dogs also aren't allowed in Bear Mountain Museum & Wildlife Center in NY, but they offer an alternative route, so Phoenix & I are cool with that.
There is a trend in some wilderness areas to ban dogs from coming in at all. I can understand this up to a point. Bad owners let their dogs bother wildlife & other people out enjoying themselves- sometimes they bother me as I walk my dog responsibly! But I really feel this is a case of a few bad apples spoiling it for the bunch & that's unfortunate. I totally get that it's the owner- not the dog- that's to blame for the bad dogs in the parks. Dogs are just doing what they're asked (or allowed to get away with) & being dogs; the dog owner is the one making the decisions about what to do & where to go. The owners are the ones who need to work with their dogs & behave in a way that lets everyone enjoy the park experience in their own way. Not everyone likes dogs, & wildlife certainly should be left unmolested by pets in a park.
So here are 3 simple rules for becoming a Good Dog Owner when on the trail:
1. Use a leash! Phoenix has an extending leash but doesn't always get all 16 feet of it. When walking by other people on the trail or in crowds, he stays at my side by my choice (he likes it, too, since he's rather shy). He can interact if someone wants to pet him, but not everyone does. When we hike away from people, Phoenix can wander ahead of me or linger behind as he chooses without getting in anyone's way. Fortunately, he rarely pulls, so I can even use a waist belt & know I won't be jerked off balance with a full pack while we walk. He's a great dog- the only time he gets off leash is when he has to go under an obstacle I have to go over, or to go down to a stream that's a little beyond leash distance. Know you dog.
Keeping your dog on a leash is live saving. Phoenix loves to meet other dogs- I encountered a bear on the trail- she was about 100 yards ahead of me & stopped when she saw me. I stopped, too, but Phoenix went to meet her. Because he was leashed, I was able to stop him before he got past me. After staring at us for a time, the bear looked into the woods she'd come out of & soon 3 cubs crossed the trail behind her. An amazing site! When the cubs were gone, mama walked off after them. Phoenix & I waited a while before continuing on our way. I did more talking & singing more than I had before just to make sure mama bear knew exactly where we were. If my dog hadn't been on a leash, he would have been killed or injured, or worse, he would have realized the trouble he was in & ran right back to me with mama bear pissed off & in pursuit.
2. Don't let your dog poop on the trail! It's easy to teach your dog where to use the bathroom. They don't go in your house, or they have a spot they use in the house. Apply this same training outside, but be responsible for accidents. I hate scooping poop- does anyone actually enjoy it? So I try really hard to anticipate Phoenix's needs & make sure he's at a trash/leaf pile when nature calls. I always have 2 bags tied on his leash just in case, but no one complains if he deposits another pile in their yard waste. On the trail, I use the same kind of logic. I taught him go off trail, then bury his waste with debris or dig a hole. The same principles applied to house training apply to trail training- know when your dog has to go & praise them when they do it right. The only thing more disgusting than dealing with my dog's poop is stepping in dog poop. Do unto other, guys.
3. Walk your dog often! Practice makes perfect & that's especially true with dogs. A lot of time walking with you, dealing with crowds & other critters makes both you & dog better at working together on hikes.
Happy Trails!
Here is my current hiking buddy- Phoenix.
Almost all my hikes include my dog Phoenix; he also backpacks with me. For overnight, he has a pack to carry his food & dish. He also carries out all our trash, my camp shoes & our poop shovel. I carry his bed, our tent & the water. It's a great partnership. So as I get ready to hike the AT next summer, it was never a question of if Phoenix would hike with me- of course he would! It makes me sad that there are areas on the AT that ban dogs- the Great Smokey Mountains National Park in TN & NC & Baxter State Park, MN both don't allow dogs in. Dogs also aren't allowed in Bear Mountain Museum & Wildlife Center in NY, but they offer an alternative route, so Phoenix & I are cool with that.
There is a trend in some wilderness areas to ban dogs from coming in at all. I can understand this up to a point. Bad owners let their dogs bother wildlife & other people out enjoying themselves- sometimes they bother me as I walk my dog responsibly! But I really feel this is a case of a few bad apples spoiling it for the bunch & that's unfortunate. I totally get that it's the owner- not the dog- that's to blame for the bad dogs in the parks. Dogs are just doing what they're asked (or allowed to get away with) & being dogs; the dog owner is the one making the decisions about what to do & where to go. The owners are the ones who need to work with their dogs & behave in a way that lets everyone enjoy the park experience in their own way. Not everyone likes dogs, & wildlife certainly should be left unmolested by pets in a park.
So here are 3 simple rules for becoming a Good Dog Owner when on the trail:
1. Use a leash! Phoenix has an extending leash but doesn't always get all 16 feet of it. When walking by other people on the trail or in crowds, he stays at my side by my choice (he likes it, too, since he's rather shy). He can interact if someone wants to pet him, but not everyone does. When we hike away from people, Phoenix can wander ahead of me or linger behind as he chooses without getting in anyone's way. Fortunately, he rarely pulls, so I can even use a waist belt & know I won't be jerked off balance with a full pack while we walk. He's a great dog- the only time he gets off leash is when he has to go under an obstacle I have to go over, or to go down to a stream that's a little beyond leash distance. Know you dog.
Keeping your dog on a leash is live saving. Phoenix loves to meet other dogs- I encountered a bear on the trail- she was about 100 yards ahead of me & stopped when she saw me. I stopped, too, but Phoenix went to meet her. Because he was leashed, I was able to stop him before he got past me. After staring at us for a time, the bear looked into the woods she'd come out of & soon 3 cubs crossed the trail behind her. An amazing site! When the cubs were gone, mama walked off after them. Phoenix & I waited a while before continuing on our way. I did more talking & singing more than I had before just to make sure mama bear knew exactly where we were. If my dog hadn't been on a leash, he would have been killed or injured, or worse, he would have realized the trouble he was in & ran right back to me with mama bear pissed off & in pursuit.
2. Don't let your dog poop on the trail! It's easy to teach your dog where to use the bathroom. They don't go in your house, or they have a spot they use in the house. Apply this same training outside, but be responsible for accidents. I hate scooping poop- does anyone actually enjoy it? So I try really hard to anticipate Phoenix's needs & make sure he's at a trash/leaf pile when nature calls. I always have 2 bags tied on his leash just in case, but no one complains if he deposits another pile in their yard waste. On the trail, I use the same kind of logic. I taught him go off trail, then bury his waste with debris or dig a hole. The same principles applied to house training apply to trail training- know when your dog has to go & praise them when they do it right. The only thing more disgusting than dealing with my dog's poop is stepping in dog poop. Do unto other, guys.
3. Walk your dog often! Practice makes perfect & that's especially true with dogs. A lot of time walking with you, dealing with crowds & other critters makes both you & dog better at working together on hikes.
Happy Trails!
Thursday, July 25, 2013
Day Hiking & Backpacking- what's the difference?
I've heard backpacking described as a series of day hikes put back to back. The basic idea may be true, but as I've transitioned to a backpacker, I've found some differences that need to be kept in mind. Here is a list of some of those differences-
Packs: An overnight pack is typically bigger than a day pack, but that's a minor point. A day hiking pack needs to carry first aid supplies, food and water for the day, and maybe some extra clothes or a rain jacket. Depending on the day and length of the hike, I've gone without any pack at all! Fit of the day pack is important, but not critical. Anything you wear for a few hours can be uncomfortable or pull slightly without any real problem.
Backpacking requires more things to go in your pack. So in addition to the items listed above, you need a way to purify your water and overnight supplies. For me, this includes a water filter, tent, thermarest & sleeping bag. Even going as light as possible, my overnight pack is sturdier and heavier than my day pack. This pack also needs to ride tighter to my body- more like a piece of clothing- than my day pack. A hip strap keeps the weight from resting completely on my shoulders and a chest strap pulls the weight close to my back; both straps help the weight stay in one place rather than shifting around as I walk down the trail.
Until recently, I decided not to weigh my pack before going on a trip. Pack weight is always a balancing act between comfort & weight; I went as light as I could ever time I packed, but really didn't want a number in my mind to mess with me. This spring, I finally weighed my pack- pack weight is calculated without food or water since those are variable & change on the trip. I was happy that the weight was better than I thought it was; more on gear and weight in a later blog.
Shoes: Day hiking is pretty forgiving on my feet. I've hardly ever had a blister & never had bruised toenail from day hiking. I could go in running shoes or boots- either was fine. I made the decision about which to wear based on the wetness of the trail & how I felt. For backpacking, I need boots with stiff soles, good traction & good side to side support. A better base became very important with the heavier weight I carry when hiking for several nights.
Hiking Sticks: I hardly ever use these when day packing. Right or wrong I don't know- my reasoning is that without the poles, my ankles and knees are getting stronger. With 15 to 20 pounds less on my back, no poles works fine. I never backpack without my 2 leki poles with shock absorbers. I love those poles! They help me keep my balance on slippery leaves, rocks and through streams. There have been many times those poles saved me from bad falls or helped me over tough trail- I highly recommend having 2 hiking poles.
Food: When I hike, I tend to eat more junk food than I do in my non-hiking life. I enjoy the salt and fat of potato sticks for any longer or hot weather hike I do- day or overnight. My other staples are mojo bars and paydays. I love that they're sweet, but not too sweet, and that the paydays have a salty edge to them. I am a salt nut and it so far hasn't caused any problems. Keep in mind that I mainly hike in South and North Carolina and being a Yankee girl- I sweat! For a day hike, I usually add an apple or orange, and maybe a peanut butter sandwich if I plan on being on the trail most of the day. For a backpacking trip, neither of those foods pack well. My mojo bars and paydays serve as lunch and snack. I have to have coffee in the morning- nescafe has a hazelnut instant that comes in single servings. It's pretty good mixed with cold water. For breakfast and snack, I make my own GORP with chex cereals (cinnamon and chocolate). I do a chex mix kind of thing with raisins, craisins, walnuts and sunflower seeds. Dinner is still a learning process. I like not cooking- I eat dry ramen or cold couscous with different thing mixed into both. It's not bad, but I hold out hope for something better. The no-cook idea is a balance between weight and comfort again. My stove and fuel are fairly light; my pot is heavy. By not cooking, I also don't need a rag for cleaning or any soap. It's a good bit of weight I don't carry all day for 1 warm meal at night- it works.
Clothes: Day hiking or backpacking, wicking wear works infinitely better than cotton. Dry weave everything- undies, hat, socks. For day hikes, I can get away with wearing a cotton t-shirt or other cotton garb. Not backpacking. Staying dry can be life saving and is way more comfortable. After any hiking adventure I usually have dry cotton clothes waiting for me in the car. The difference is on a backpacking trip, the car might be several days away. When I'm on an overnight hike, I also need things that can dry quick after a wash or a rain. I carry extra socks- happy feet make a happy hike- and an extra pair of undies. Other than that, all the clothes I carry I expect to use daily. The only exception is rain gear- gotta have it, hope not to use it.
So, that's my take on the major differences in day hiking trips and overnight hiking trips. Not a complete list, but a good start on some basics.
Packs: An overnight pack is typically bigger than a day pack, but that's a minor point. A day hiking pack needs to carry first aid supplies, food and water for the day, and maybe some extra clothes or a rain jacket. Depending on the day and length of the hike, I've gone without any pack at all! Fit of the day pack is important, but not critical. Anything you wear for a few hours can be uncomfortable or pull slightly without any real problem.
Backpacking requires more things to go in your pack. So in addition to the items listed above, you need a way to purify your water and overnight supplies. For me, this includes a water filter, tent, thermarest & sleeping bag. Even going as light as possible, my overnight pack is sturdier and heavier than my day pack. This pack also needs to ride tighter to my body- more like a piece of clothing- than my day pack. A hip strap keeps the weight from resting completely on my shoulders and a chest strap pulls the weight close to my back; both straps help the weight stay in one place rather than shifting around as I walk down the trail.
Until recently, I decided not to weigh my pack before going on a trip. Pack weight is always a balancing act between comfort & weight; I went as light as I could ever time I packed, but really didn't want a number in my mind to mess with me. This spring, I finally weighed my pack- pack weight is calculated without food or water since those are variable & change on the trip. I was happy that the weight was better than I thought it was; more on gear and weight in a later blog.
Shoes: Day hiking is pretty forgiving on my feet. I've hardly ever had a blister & never had bruised toenail from day hiking. I could go in running shoes or boots- either was fine. I made the decision about which to wear based on the wetness of the trail & how I felt. For backpacking, I need boots with stiff soles, good traction & good side to side support. A better base became very important with the heavier weight I carry when hiking for several nights.
Hiking Sticks: I hardly ever use these when day packing. Right or wrong I don't know- my reasoning is that without the poles, my ankles and knees are getting stronger. With 15 to 20 pounds less on my back, no poles works fine. I never backpack without my 2 leki poles with shock absorbers. I love those poles! They help me keep my balance on slippery leaves, rocks and through streams. There have been many times those poles saved me from bad falls or helped me over tough trail- I highly recommend having 2 hiking poles.
Food: When I hike, I tend to eat more junk food than I do in my non-hiking life. I enjoy the salt and fat of potato sticks for any longer or hot weather hike I do- day or overnight. My other staples are mojo bars and paydays. I love that they're sweet, but not too sweet, and that the paydays have a salty edge to them. I am a salt nut and it so far hasn't caused any problems. Keep in mind that I mainly hike in South and North Carolina and being a Yankee girl- I sweat! For a day hike, I usually add an apple or orange, and maybe a peanut butter sandwich if I plan on being on the trail most of the day. For a backpacking trip, neither of those foods pack well. My mojo bars and paydays serve as lunch and snack. I have to have coffee in the morning- nescafe has a hazelnut instant that comes in single servings. It's pretty good mixed with cold water. For breakfast and snack, I make my own GORP with chex cereals (cinnamon and chocolate). I do a chex mix kind of thing with raisins, craisins, walnuts and sunflower seeds. Dinner is still a learning process. I like not cooking- I eat dry ramen or cold couscous with different thing mixed into both. It's not bad, but I hold out hope for something better. The no-cook idea is a balance between weight and comfort again. My stove and fuel are fairly light; my pot is heavy. By not cooking, I also don't need a rag for cleaning or any soap. It's a good bit of weight I don't carry all day for 1 warm meal at night- it works.
Clothes: Day hiking or backpacking, wicking wear works infinitely better than cotton. Dry weave everything- undies, hat, socks. For day hikes, I can get away with wearing a cotton t-shirt or other cotton garb. Not backpacking. Staying dry can be life saving and is way more comfortable. After any hiking adventure I usually have dry cotton clothes waiting for me in the car. The difference is on a backpacking trip, the car might be several days away. When I'm on an overnight hike, I also need things that can dry quick after a wash or a rain. I carry extra socks- happy feet make a happy hike- and an extra pair of undies. Other than that, all the clothes I carry I expect to use daily. The only exception is rain gear- gotta have it, hope not to use it.
So, that's my take on the major differences in day hiking trips and overnight hiking trips. Not a complete list, but a good start on some basics.
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
AT Prep Work
The time is now to start backpacking long trails. My kids are both adults, now & mostly out of the house & my knees aren't getting any younger. I also have a sense of urgency because my best hiking buddy- Phoenix the Dog- is also getting older. To bring him, he needs to carry his own stuff- he's not getting any younger either.
So I started last year hiking the Foothills Trail in SC/NC. A beautiful & little known long trail that goes between Table Rock & Oconee State Parks traversing some of the most gorgeous & challenging terrain SC has to offer. I started my quest with my daughter- we did 2 nights on a side trail from Jones Gap to Sassafras Mnt & got hail in April. The Took on a solo 4 night trip from Table Rock to Bad Creek & tested my skills. I did great, but found moleskins useless on a toe blister that cost me a toenail. I Flip-flopped from there doing a night from Oconee to Fish Hatchery in the pouring rain, then 2 day hikes from Bad Creek to White Water Falls & from Fish Hatchery to White Water Falls. All 77-78 miles walked!
A lot of lessons learned:
- I have a vivid imagination that can work against me at times, but I'm a great hiker & covered more ground easier that I thought I would.
-I can do no cooking easily for breakfast, but haven't found a great no-cook dinner yet. I've tried dried ramen mixed & cold couscous with mixed results. By that time of day, I need salt!
-I like warm weather hiking better than cold weather hiking. Lighter gear & less extras to take. This is the opposite of what I thought I'd prefer.
More lesson will come of course, but life is learning. It never stops.
So next summer, I'm going to begin tackling the AT in sections. This year (& this year's blog) will focus on getting ready to do that. So far, I've been reading lots. Some I recommend for you:
-Becoming Odyssa by Jennifer Pharr Davis is excellent & she's local! I hope to visit her hiking store this fall & read her other book on setting the speed record for the AT- 46 days from ME-GA!
-Southbound & Walking Home are 2 books by "the Barefoot Sisters." These 2 hiked from ME-GA in winter & then decided to walk back home to enjoy the spring flowers. Excellent trail details although not a guide book.
So- more post from me this year on this & similar topics (probably). I look forward to hearing from you, too!
So I started last year hiking the Foothills Trail in SC/NC. A beautiful & little known long trail that goes between Table Rock & Oconee State Parks traversing some of the most gorgeous & challenging terrain SC has to offer. I started my quest with my daughter- we did 2 nights on a side trail from Jones Gap to Sassafras Mnt & got hail in April. The Took on a solo 4 night trip from Table Rock to Bad Creek & tested my skills. I did great, but found moleskins useless on a toe blister that cost me a toenail. I Flip-flopped from there doing a night from Oconee to Fish Hatchery in the pouring rain, then 2 day hikes from Bad Creek to White Water Falls & from Fish Hatchery to White Water Falls. All 77-78 miles walked!
A lot of lessons learned:
- I have a vivid imagination that can work against me at times, but I'm a great hiker & covered more ground easier that I thought I would.
-I can do no cooking easily for breakfast, but haven't found a great no-cook dinner yet. I've tried dried ramen mixed & cold couscous with mixed results. By that time of day, I need salt!
-I like warm weather hiking better than cold weather hiking. Lighter gear & less extras to take. This is the opposite of what I thought I'd prefer.
More lesson will come of course, but life is learning. It never stops.
So next summer, I'm going to begin tackling the AT in sections. This year (& this year's blog) will focus on getting ready to do that. So far, I've been reading lots. Some I recommend for you:
-Becoming Odyssa by Jennifer Pharr Davis is excellent & she's local! I hope to visit her hiking store this fall & read her other book on setting the speed record for the AT- 46 days from ME-GA!
-Southbound & Walking Home are 2 books by "the Barefoot Sisters." These 2 hiked from ME-GA in winter & then decided to walk back home to enjoy the spring flowers. Excellent trail details although not a guide book.
So- more post from me this year on this & similar topics (probably). I look forward to hearing from you, too!