Shake Down Hike - This Friday 4/23/10

[Raul Perez]

Hi Guys & Gals,

Doing a final shake down hike before my 40 mile hike the end of may to dial in most of my gear for the final time. I know not very far but it's the farthest distance I've travelled hiking so I'm taking it in stride.

I may be lucky, imagine me saying this, that it will rain the second day out so I can test out my packa and see how the OES SpinnUL Deluxe handles the weather.

Doing a 2.5 day 16 mile round trip with a buddy of mine on the AT.

lows going down to about 38* so I'm still debating on weather I want to bring my winter yeti or my 3 season yeti. Being a cold sleeper I may go winter if the forecast doesn't change by Thursday.

As always I will have video and pics after my trip.

Hammock On!

Raul
aka Trail Monkey

[Cranky Bear]

Raul,
Have you changed anything since your last vid/gearlist? Where are you going on your hike? The AT? Which part?

[Raul Perez]

nothing really changed from my previous gear list:

using the 1/8" thinlight pad for my legs instead of the 1/4" this time

Going aquamira drops this time instead of water filter

New camera Canon Powershot 780i digital elph 12 megapixal camera with a 8GB card.... so better HD video.... just need to pick up a better movie software this week to work with the .MOV movie this camera produces.

Hitting section 12 NY on the AT.... I'm familiar with most of it:

Day 1 - Bear Mountain Inn to William Brien Shelter (8 miles) - never been to WB Shelter yet

Day 2 - William Brien Shelter to West Mountain Shelter (3 miles)

Day 3 - West Mountain Shelter to car (5 miles)

Currently I can go about 8-12 miles a day... but my buddy is relatively new so going 8 miles day one will be a bit tough on him so comming back we will only hike 3 miles to give him some rest time. Besides I'm not in a rush to get out of the woods anyway

Edit:

Oh and NEW Boots... Salomon GTX boots.... been breaking them in the past month on the weekends.

And my current weight training/cardio training is going very well. Took a before and 6 weeks later picture of my self.... WOW huge improvements.

At 157lbs I'm maxing 265lbs squats in set 5.

I can run 2 miles (about 7:30 min miles) and then do 4 40 yard sprints after the run and not beg for death now.

Of course nothing is better training for hiking than hiking itself

[Cranky Bear]

Cool, it sounds like you are feeling better, I remember you saying something that you injured yourself, looks good! have fun! and can't wait to see the vid's!

[Raul Perez]

yeah strained my L5 doing power cleans and was hurting for about 1 week. Took about 3 weeks to fully heal. That sucked something aweful.

[bigbamaguy]

Paul:
Congrats, I envy you for getting to do it, on the getting out with a buddy. I look forward to the vids and picks. Also, congrats on the exercise program and it working for you.

[Quoddy]

Take the 3 season Yeti. Plenty of warmth down to 30F, and I've gone even lower.

[Raul Perez]

I may lay in it tonight after my work out and after I put the boy to bed and see how I feel about it.

I've laid in the 3 season in 40* and was good but that was day time. Everything seems colder at night.

[beep]

During the Shug/Beep/Pizza/Mr. Green SHT weekend trip a couple of weeks ago, we had low temps around 30 degrees F. with "some" wind, 5-10mph, though a bit less where we pitched hammocks.

I was comfortable in a 25 degree WM down sleeping bag, WBBB, 3 season Yeti UQ, and 1/4 inch EVA pad (feet and legs) from JRB. I was wearing hat, long underwear, hiking pants, Patagonia Micropuff vest and socks.

I was ready to put on Montbell synthetic insulated pants and down parka as needed, but didn't need to.

Everybody sleeps a bit differently but I was pleased at how well this worked.

[richtorfla]

Good luck to ya! Hope you get everything dialed in on this shakedown.Beautiful time of the year to do this.