Some interesting pictures and a story

I usually just read posts here, but I went on a little trip and thought some people might like to see some nice pictures and read a potentially boring journal.

It is all right here:

http://www.alcazarmountain.com/viewarticle.php?id=1

Let me know what you think.

 

Far out! But that's a lot of gear, man.

 

Maybe, what items would you have dropped?

 

What a humbling little journey you had there! Beauitful pictures too.

 

Maybe it's my old back and the fact that I do 20-25 miles per day. All the camera gear except the camera unless you are there specifically for nature photog. The books, the extra clothes, the bowie knife and bear spray. I haven't ever used or needed any of these things.

 

The camera gear weighs me down, but photography is a big part or the reason I go. The books I would agree. For some reason I always bring them but never really use them. Well, except the plants book. Bowie knife I would never do without. It get's me my food, cuts my wood, very usefull. Bear spray is useless. Which clothes do you think I wouldn't need? The weather is pretty wet.

I am not a big fan of covering a lot of distance in a short time but more enjoy doing the same distance over a long period of time. To me, when you burn through distance it becomes more about reaching your destination and less about the journey. You miss a lot. Just like you would if you biked or drove through an area. Also, I don't like hiking man made trails and prefer areas that are more un-touched and you have to stuggle to get to. Burning distance off like that is difficult without trails.

That being said, I also enjoy trips that consist of just a blanket, my bow and a pot, but those I save for warmer times.

 

My 4 season wardrobe consists of:

One poly-pro set (top and bottom).
One fleece layer (top and bottom).
One rain/wind set (top and bottom).
One pair short cargo shorts.
One pair biking shorts.
One underarmor tshirt.
Three pair nylon socks.

Altogether, it weighs 24 ounces and has kept me warm in upstate NY winters, cool in Florida summers.

As for trails, this is the reason there aren't any no-charge shelters in New England. I stay on established trails, take only photos, leave only footprints. Leave no trace.

I'm guessing you live in Canada and things are different there. Which is cool too. We all hike our own hike.

 

* 50 packets of instant oatmeal
* Honey
* 30 Granola Bars
* 8 liters worth of soup mix
* 5 cups of rice
* 3 sausages
* 20 bags of tea
* 3 bags of pemmican
* 2 film canisters of salt
* bag of dried apricots
10 days and 2 of u are gonna eat 50 packs of oatmeal?

 

Gotta stay regular, man...

I prefer cream of rice made with dried banana chips. It's a carb bomb that will let you trail run for 4-5 hours and enough potassium to keep you from cramping up. And it weighs less than 4 ounces per meal.

 

Technically, I had less clothes than that. Since I had no botton fleece layer. I guess except for my footwear and the toque. Yeah, here in Canada you can easily find wilderness that doesn't have a trail for 100 kilometers and someone hasn't tread on in 100 years, or ever for that matter. When that's the case, I don't concern myself to much with trampling some folliage. When your close to the major tourist place you've got to be more careful.

50 packs of oatmeal isn't that much, you know, those instant packs. Three or four of them is a breakfast.

 

Unfortunately hikers on the AT had that philosophy for 70 years. Now we really don't have a say in the matter. Stealth camping out of site of the trail is generally accepted but if you get caught hiking off trail it will get around fast.

 

Hey, I have made some changes to the webpage and just thought some of you might be able to use it. Now anyone can publish photographs and articles that can be searched through and so on. There isn't much content on it yet, but I am hoping people can add some.

http://www.alcazarmountain.com