Her and Her Pack

Wow...neglected much?

2010-01-06T18:46:00.000-06:00

Totally been neglecting you, my sweet personal escape. I've not been on a trail in months, but have been dreaming. I've been looking at all of the lovely local fun to be had in the places we may be stationed...trying to see if there is anything that catches my eye.

I toil over articles, maps and trail reviews...looking for the perfect "back to the trails" trail. Something for the four of us...and then something for just me, maybe.

I dream of new tents (like the Eureka K-2 and the GoLite Xanadu 4 and the ultimate...the Bombshelter) and of cool but useful gadgets that can be got.

Soon enough, I will be semi-settled somewhere and can most truly start planning a new adventure. In the meantime, I'll ponder the possibilities.

Well, that's moot....

2009-04-26T14:10:00.003-05:00

the hike is off, courtesy of the rental car company asking for an extra $200 on the deposit (bringing it to $400 plus rental cost). So I'm going to putter around Portland, sans personal transport, for a week.

There's plenty to do there, I've been told and read, so I will not lack fun...possibly even a couple of day type hikes in city.

In the meantime, I'll set up even better plans for the next mommy vacation and keep hiking local.

T Minus...

2009-04-12T00:12:00.002-05:00

one month!!!! Roughly. I'm so incredibly excited it's scary.

I've opted for several small day hikes and some city sightseeing while in Vancouver, mainly to keep the family happy that I'm not off traipsing around glaciers (big babies). Washington is going to be an overnight at Ozette (if I can get a spot) and then two nights on the Hoh River Trail (just going to the ranger station then back) if I can stretch it that far. If not, I may see about one of the trails around Heart of the Hills.

In Vancouver I've got Lynn Canyon, Deas Island, Stanley Park and lots of other small things to tinker around with. No set plans there until I get a feel for the city and my own energy levels. I'm still hunting for good pubs and cheap eats in the city if anyone has a list they care to share.

The tent is getting pulled out sometime next week for an airing and go over with the waterproofing goo. Bag has been trialed on the upper deck and is definitely good for this trip. Pack has been tested on a short 3 mile round trip to the grocery store down the road (have no idea what the weight was but it was WAY over what I plan to pack)...I got some really weird looks from townies on that one.

I have my packing list set and have a couple of things left to get. Thinking on getting some of these to take along (since I tend to lose/damage/DESTROY any toothbrush that takes a trip with me). Of course, I 'could' just pay attention to what I'm doing, but why?

Still testing out yummies to eat. The Zatarain's pouches are a go, Jack Link's teriyaki nuggets are a must and now I've found these wonderful goodness bags (Breakfast Blend is the bestest)...they are sooooooo on the menu for breakfast and whenever.

Moral of the post: I'm insane. But I still need a good pub recommendation for Vancouver.

Oh the things you can do...

2009-03-22T15:23:00.002-05:00

At the suggestion of some couchsurfers (google it) in Vancouver, I've done a little more digging for fun trails that are overnighters or day hikes. Have mercy...how will I ever choose?!?

Below are some parks/trails that I am seriously considering...also considering canceling my reservations at the hostel and just having addresses on hand for nights that I want a bed instead of a bag. This vacation just got a whole lot more interesting than what it was in the first place...mercy the decisions to be made in less than 2 months!

Joffre Lakes

Fraser and Thompson River Canyons

Mount Seymour

This is by no means all of my choices...let's not forget I'll actually be driving from Portland, OR to Vancouver, BC anyway. Lots and lots of distractions along the way. Ozette is kinda out of the way for that drive and may be a trip that I wait on. Take that one with the spousal unit and the littles since it is a family friendly way to go. So I'm looking at trails along the way, northeast WA now. Hoh to Third will be a by myself kinda thing later. See, I told you my planning was erratic...but now I've got to settle on something, time grows short!!

A Tent Possiblility

2009-03-15T21:01:00.003-05:00

I meandered around Wally World last night for a few...couldn't resist the camping section naturally. I picked up the Ozark Trail kids tent, checked it over on size and such...it might well be a good option for me.

Of course, it requires actually buying it instead of putting it back on the shelf and thinking 'later'. If it doesn't work out, the littles will have a tent all their own to play in downstairs, right?

So, next week, I'll be getting it...waterproofing it...breaking it down and stuffing it in a sack (lord no I won't be using the bag it comes in...what are you crazy?) and giving it the benefit of the doubt. Pike Run will be the first test of endurance for it. Don't know when, but soon!

Two Things

2009-03-10T18:55:00.002-05:00

Thing One: I think I might call the hostel and push my check-in back a day and add one more day to my stay. That way I can go ahead and try to do the Hoh to Third. I have to check up on shuttles before I do that though since availability on it is what the whole thing relies on. The one that I've found so far is listed as out of service right now due to illness, so the hunt continues.

Thing Two: I don't want to HAVE to buy socks...I knit after all. But I hate to knit socks...see the conundrum? I have lots and lots of cotton socks, none of which are particularly comfortable in my boots. So I gaze longingly at my small wool stash and choose a skein. Yes, my backwood friends, I've started knitting some nice comfy wool socks for my adventure. I am about half way through sock one...hating it but knowing that it's better this way. Really it is. I keep saying that to convince myself you know.

So the point of this....I need a shuttle service that is open and reasonably priced...I hate knitting socks but am doing it for the love of my feet and boots. Sigh, the things an obsession will drive you to do.

Expansion on Today's Trek

2009-03-07T19:45:00.002-06:00

Now that I have the time, I'll expand! The littles are in the tub at the moment washing the soot from themselves. Gotta love burn season.

Anyway, we started out really late. Actually hit the trail around noon or so after a late breakfast and some lazing around the house.

The littles were more than happy at the beginning to be running about in the woods. I did a lot of saying 'Stay on the trail' and 'Don't jump in the river' even though I had to fight the practically irresistible urge to do those things myself. Better for them to learn the safer way now than later, right?

We did clamber down a trail that wasn't really a trail at one point. It was a dry stream that at some point connected a loop in the river but hey...it still got us to where we were going and the spouse didn't know until it was too late. After we picked the real trail back up, there was the cave to explore a bit (not too much though) then a nice climb up some natural rock steps cut into the bluff. Stunning view of the river from there (the spouse who is deathly afraid of heights about heart attacked on me when I took the youngest to the edge).

Bridges to cross, hills to climb, rocks to jump from and LOTS of burned out areas. The wind was whipping today, even deep in the woods, stirring up soot. I don't know when they did the burn, but it sure smelled fresh.

Only had to pack the youngest a little way, no more than a half mile over all, which is a massive improvement over last summer. He kept asking if the trail was 'the way out', lol. Yes love, it is. Didn't have a real meltdown from exhaustion until the last 500 yds or so of the trail, then we rounded a bend and saw the car. The world was right!

Not a bad day overall...we finished at a quarter past two. So a little over a mile an hour even with the breaks. Not shabby at all.

I didn't take a full pack this go round though. Saving that for Pike Run which the spouse now agrees to since the littles proved they could easily do almost three miles without much drama.

Stats:

Swimming Deer Trail - St. Francois State Park
2.7 miles
2 hours (with young children)
moderate difficulty with minor rock climbing and very few steep hills

Not too bad

2009-03-07T17:30:00.005-06:00

Today's adventure at Swimming Deer Trail that is. The littles did really well, considering. Lots of hills, lots of rocks...very little crying! We averaged a little over a mile an hour, with the boys (ages 5 and 3), including one rest/water stop and one snack/water/rest stop. Not bad at all given this was the first hike they've been on since last summer. We enjoyed ourselves which was even more important really.

The only low point was...well...it is burn season. Lots of charred ground combined with high winds today made for a sooty hike for a little over half of it. The littles are filthy but my boots are pretty well broken in. A bonus to everything. Now for some pics.

Okay, so go HERE for the pics...blogger is taking AGES to upload!

So...

2009-03-06T20:56:00.002-06:00

no Pike Run tomorrow. Going for something shorter, probably Swimming Deer (or whatever it is, lol).

Good news is I've found a little something to do other than Stanley Park while I'm in Vancouver. Lynn Canyon Park is a must see for me.

Still looking for stuff to do though...I have about six days to fill!

Oh Canada!

2009-03-04T22:35:00.002-06:00

I need something to do in Vancouver other than hit the pubs and Granville Island! I've got Stanley Park on the radar for a day but something else would be nice...got ideas for something that is out of the city, within a decent driving distance and I can get done in a day?

Lay 'em on me!

Pike Run Trail (Weekend Plans)

2009-03-04T18:28:00.002-06:00

Since the weather is going to be fairly decent this weekend, I'm dragging the family off to Pike Run for a little 'together' time.

Don't know how the littles will do, this is a test...only a test...lol. We'll see. They do fine at campgrounds (ie not hiking to camp then hiking some more), this is a first. I had thought about hitting up Berryman Trail since it's closer to home, but the spouse is more comfortable going to St. Francois since we've been there before (Mooner's Hollow Trail). Works for me!

So we pull out the tent, make a food list and figure out all the details for a quick decision trip. This should be fun!

And...

2009-02-26T00:10:00.003-06:00

the bag and jacket I've been waiting on FINALLY arrived.

Here's the bag and here's the jacket. Excellent condition, just as stated on GT. Shipping was a nightmare though, thank you much UPS. Once they finally got their crap together and got it here I was a happy chic.

The bag is going to take a bit of getting used to for me, it's my first mummy. I'm an all over the place sleeper so that will be tamed a bit I believe. So much for spreading out...but I get hot easy and this one is WARM, so I'll likely be unzipped a lot. It's also a little on the heavy side at 4lbs 9oz but hey, I won't quibble with the price or quality. Besides, for a short hike it's going to be fine. Oh yeah, it's going to be Ozette Loop this go 'round. Hoh to Third will have to wait I'm afraid. I'll work my way up to it over the summer and hopefully be able to tackle it next spring.

The jacket, I'll test it out when it's a bit warmer here in MO. The next month or so will be good, I hope. I'll hit lovely Pickle Springs with it since the temp there drops and raises with elevation (and there's a lot of it). Now to decide whether or not to take my imps along. Last time I went the youngest was strapped to me and the oldest was totally engrossed in picking up every single acorn he came across. Tiny little 1.7 mile trail took Mom, the imps and myself almost 4 hours (I think...I was a little foggy by the end of it). Both are walking now, but youngest protested loudly on the last hike (Mooner's Hollow) and I ended up packing him on my back up the steepest section of the trail while he happily snoozed away. Let's just say that 1/2 of Pickle Springs is as steep or steeper than that trail...not sure I want to take them with me!!

Three months to go...I really have to start getting back on the local trails, kiddos or not, and getting the ball rolling. Think, if it's warm enough this weekend, it might be time to start doing just that. Load the pack with useful and useless stuff and head out for a day. Yeah, that's it.

Crap...just checked weatherbug. Snow and 30's. WTF Ma Nature! 60+ today and snow in two...welcome to Missouri!

It's a Purty Thang...

2009-02-19T23:10:00.003-06:00

to spell in the speech of my sweet Southern niece. My pack that is. Came in the other day and I've been having way too much fun tinkering with it and checking out the carrying capacity.

Perfectly adequate for the actual hike bit, btw. Since it will just be me, myself and I on the trail in May, this one is exactly what I was hoping for. Future/longer expeditions out will require something bigger, but I really want to get fitted for something that I'll be lugging on my back for a full week or more.

At some point today I'll be getting in a bag and jacket I snagged on GearTrade, will definitely update on that when they show. Shipping has been a bit slow for me, but I am an instant gratification kinda girl when it comes to shopping and Monday was a holiday (sha!) which messed with my happy world. I've almost gotten over it though.

Plans for which hike I'll actually go on are still up in the air. I'd love to do the Hoh to Third this year, but don't see myself being comfortable with my fitness level by May. Hey, miracles happen but I don't bank on miracles. I bank on being ready. I could do it if I HAD to, but I want to enjoy the hike...hence the up in the air on which trail I'll be hitting.

For the most part where plans are concerned I've just been keeping tabs on the trail reports and stuff over at thebackpacker.com hoping for some inspiration. Maybe it'll strike soon, so I know which route to take!!

Secondary Plans

2009-02-14T23:09:00.002-06:00

Okay, since I'm working on timing here I've added a couple of other shorter hike possibilities. I boo-boo'd and made my hostel reservations a day earlier than I really planned (brain telling me something?), no biggie and I can totally change it. But I'm thinking on something more round trip-ish for the hike so I don't have to shuttle and try to be at the pickup on time (not my strongest point, the on time thing).

Cape Alva/Ozette Loop - roughly 9 miles round trip. Enough for a single overnighter, if I can stretch it that far...well, I know I can. Just sayin'. Then I would have an extra day tacked on somewhere, either an overnighter in an area hotel or try to get in at the hostel a day earlier...dunno.

Shi Shi to Ozette - 15 miles, definite two nighter. Shuttle.

And of course, the original plan The South Coast Route - roughly 18 miles. Definite two nighter, shuttle required. Oh, and I would be working it in reverse with the hardest bit at the beginning (ie those loverly rope ladders).

I figure early/mid May shouldn't be too crowded, especially with all the nasty weather that delayed schools this winter therefor delaying summer release. It really doesn't matter crowd wise to me...I can sleep on a rock if need be, lol. I just really don't want to push through the last of it to try to meet a shuttle, but will. Sigh, rambly I know. But this is a real issue for me.

Pretty Darn Well Set

2009-02-13T22:15:00.002-06:00

Gear wise at least...for the trip in May.

I went with this pack (please let me get my junk in there!!) for the hike itself. Figure it should be big enough for just me for 3-4 days. If not, I'll hunt down something else, I got time.

I'm torn on a tent though. We have a 3 person dohickey from Ozark Trail that we used last summer in Branson...seems too big for just me though. Plus I'd have to break it down from the bag it's in to fit my pack...sigh. Been looking at some smaller tents, but don't want to go overboard with the $$ since this is my first solo and I may not enjoy it (HIGHLY UNLIKELY). Suggestions would be good here. Seriously considering one of the Coleman's Kids Tents (tent one, tent two) and a Wenzel StarLite (reviews on this one aren't so great on Amazon and Walmart.com).

At any rate, the tickets are bought and the plan is set pretty much. I just really have to decide...Vancouver first or hike first. I believe it will be hike first 'cause lets face it...I might just like Vancouver a little too much!!

I am a gear junkie...

2009-01-31T10:55:00.002-06:00

which poses a problem for May, since I will be hauling it all by my lonesome!

There is so much cool stuff out there to tinker with in the backpacking world. Really there is! And to make it worse, I stumbled across this site. Oh my packin' heaven! There is more there than just my kind of gear btw. Don't get sucked in too far, but definitely check it out (I'll add the link to the left too).

I just about have the trip for May planned out. I'm going to have at least 10 days to have some fun, only need 3 for the trail, 4 if I take my sweet time. So I racked my brain to find more to do, I will NOT be cutting my trip short just because I finish the hike. The plan, a hostel in Vancouver and a little city exploration before I have to have a passport to cross the border.

So it will be a vaca/hike this May! I'm just waiting on my trail maps to come in so I can really plan the hike, not that I will stick to the plan. Anyone who knows me will tell you that I like to deviate entirely too much for most people's comfort.

Enjoy the link...later!

Naturally...

2009-01-08T09:30:00.002-06:00

Ma Nature decided to take a crap on my weekend plans. Was going to take the littles on a short trip via Pickle Springs this weekend (tiny loop through Hawn State Park that is simply fantastic...less than a day hike) but the temp is going to drop again...sigh.

If it was just me I'd still go, but really I don't feel the need to expose myself to whining 5 and 2 year old noises about cold and wet (did I mention they are calling for snow that will likely pass us by AGAIN). So I wait, maybe next week.

Update on the RTE Uncle Ben's Rice: Taste, not bad. Time to heat up, longer than the Zatarain's. I don't think I'll be packing any UB's with me in May, mainly because I would have to add a protein to it therefor adding more weight to the pack.

Weekend Discoveries

2009-01-05T09:58:00.003-06:00

I've given a lot of thought to trail food this weekend. I have issues with the freeze dried stuff (call me a food snob), so much so that I don't even store it in my prepping life. I can't imagine forcing myself to eat it on the trail....gag! The only solution of course is to become a trail gourmet, which should be interesting as most of the time it will be only me to cook for.

While I'm still trying to decide on a good mess kit (thinking on this...Texsport 5 Pc. Kangaroo Mess Kit), I have been practicing with the sterno (my favorite medium btw) and an old Coleman kit. Trying to keep the weight light of course, I looked to RTE (ready-to-eat) kind of things this weekend to play with. Just heat and eat.

Bonus!!!! After I boiled the water to heat this (Saturday) and this (Sunday), before popping the pouches in the water (naturally) I poured some of the boiling clear liquid into my cup with some honey and a tea bag. I left just enough water in the bottom of the pan to cover the package, pulled it from the heat and put the lid on. Water stayed hot enough to warm the package through in just a couple of minutes. By the time my tea was brewed and drinkable, the chow was ready to go.

At less than $2 a meal (including one bag of M&M's and a chocolate chip granola bar for desert...no not all at the same time), these were keepers for me. Taste was pretty good, though I could just as soon go without the sausage in the Red beans and Rice...it wasn't bad, just a personal preference. So far, the Zatarain's have done well in cooking time, weight and taste department. They will likely be part of the package in May.

Next weekend, I'm going to try out some of those Ready Rice thingies from Uncle Ben's. They are already working at a disadvantage to the Zatarain's RTS pouches because the UB's don't have a protein/meat source in them, just rice and flavorings. Zatarain's has some of those just rice RTS pouches too, I'll probably get some of each to try out since the Zatarain's have a shorter listed cooking time (for microwave btw, not sterno). Always good to do some comparing!

Ambitious to the End

2009-01-03T19:51:00.000-06:00

Since this is my first post on this blog, I SHOULD introduce myself...but I won't. You need to get used to disappointment in expectations now. ;P

For those that traveled over to see what the funny is from my other blog, HOWDY!!! Hopefully you'll enjoy this one as much as the other, this one is bound to be full of hilarious situations that my prepping side should be prepared for but probably isn't. Besides, you'll get to know me a bit better over here (most likely) since I won't be writing to please an audience (though I don't do it much over "yonder" either).

Ambitious to the end...that's me! I've been on the backpacking sidelines for over 6 years and have finally decided to pick it back up. 30 pounds overweight, most wholly out of shape and pack-less. What am I thinking!?! FUN!! That's what I'm thinking!

Here I will ramble on about planned and unplanned trips, equipment, food, trails, maps, blisters, scrapes and all the other fun stuff that goes along with the packing bit. Since I'll be starting out fresh (in so many ways), I'll share my personal observations on all of the above as well as what are bound to be some interesting family reactions to my renewed interest in something that they find odd anyway.

That's the gist of it for now...have a good post in the works on my upcoming HUGE, BIG TIME solo trek in Washington...I've been researching like crazy on it and think I've pretty much got the itinerary pegged down.

Hope you stick around and enjoy the fun....let the hilarity ensue!