VIDEO : Greg & Thunder go back to the Sierra Mountains

[GregB]

It seems to be the week for new hiking videos doesn't it?

In this video "Thunder the Wonder Puppy" and I hike a loop around the Carr/Feeley lake area. Also in this video we discuss a brand new backpack, backpacking as a weight loss program, The Origin of the hammock addiction, and we close with a little mandolin madness.

Enjoy



I'm just going to put all the parts here in the same thread.

"All the parts!?"

Yeah, I guess I talk a lot.

Here's Greg & Thunder in the Sierras Part 2

In this part we discuss slimy water, set up camp, tell the "buying the backpack" story, we wake up after a cold and frosty night, I show the stupidest piece of gear I've ever bought, and we watch some geese.


Part 3 finished faster than I expected. So here it is.
In the final episode we search for Middle Lake, find the fork to Glacier Lake, go Tenkara Fishing, and head for home. And you get to hear one of my guitar compositions.

[Sidewinder]

Nice Greg. I was just north of you at Castle Peak on the same day. Beautiful weather. Perfect for being outdoors. Congratulations on the new pack and good job on the weight loss program. Waiting on the second installment of Greg & Thunder.

S

[mbiraman]

Good video's greg. I don't know how your Pack shoulder straps are constructed but if there is some 3/4" webbing running down the centre attached at various points then you can take some 1/8" shock cord, about 12" worth, put it through one of the spaces under the webbing and add a cord lock. If your using bicycle water bottles you just put them through the shock cord loop and tighten the cord lock. There on ULA packs and i've found i like it allot . Here's a pic.

http://www.ula-equipment.com/circuit.asp

cheers
bill

[GregB]

Nice Greg. I was just north of you at Castle Peak on the same day.

I just looked that up. Is that the Castle Peak just north of highway 80 near Bunny Hill Drive? If so then you were only 12 miles east of me. My area was just off of Bowman Lake Road north of Fuller Lake.

I will have to look at my maps to see what trails are up there. I've pretty much hike everywhere in this little valley. I could use a few new trails.

Part 1
Hi there GregB! That sure is a nice place to hike and I liked that you pointed out where you were last time. My floppy hat is off to you for dropping so much weight!

BrucieHi5 : I gotta say, your post are always so positive. I really appreciate that. Yeah, I'm happy to be dropping the weight as well. Back when I had dropped my first 20 pounds my Dr. said "That's great, I need you to do that 2 more times."

I wish he had lingered on the "That's Great" part a bit longer.

Watched the first one. Your guitar work is really working well on your video. Glad to see you so enthusiastic out there.
Shug

Thanks Shug. And as I mentioned in the first video, you were a big influence (some might say "a bad influence')

I should be clear that the opening music is a local Grass Valley band named "City Folk". I'm not in that band but I heartily recommend buying the mp3 files to their CD "Shadows on the wall" on Amazon (I don't know if the physical CD is still available). I really enjoy their music.

I only played on the closing music of video 1 & 2 and then the guitar work on video 3.

I just purchased the same pack. I was thinking I wanted something lighter but was sold on the ventilation it gives "I live in Florida and its always hot = sweaty back". I haven't tried it out yet but it has a nice fit to it.

Extreme thru-hiker Andrew Skurka talks about the difference between "light" and "Stupid Light". "Stupid Light" is when you save weight by doing something which compromises your comfort or safety. That pack fits so well that I really felt that buying one of the lighter packs which didn't quite fit would be a good example of "Stupid Light". I'd save a pound but I wouldn't be comfortable.

Is one pound worth that much extra comfort? I think so.

I knew about tenkara fishing from a japanese movie before i new what it was. Great idea for folks who want to fish on their trips. Your guitar piece is good. As an ex finger picker i know it when i hear it.

bill

Bill, I bet you've got some great fishing in your area. Yeah, I'm a big fan of Tenkara. I don't think I've brought out my 4wt since I bought my Tenkara rod earlier this year.

The first outdoor video I ever tried making was of a Tenkara fishing trip up near Donner pass last month. I'll post it here. You might enjoy it.

Dax is a much better caster than I am


Thank you for the kind words on the music.

[2ply]

Thanks for sharing the adventure. Great set of videos.

[peanuts]

great video, awesome music. love thunder and thanks for taking me along on the trip!

[Sidewinder]

Greg - just realized that was you playing on your video. Very nice music! Love to see you play in your next video.

Castle Peak is across the freeway from the Boreal Ski area. It's where you pick up the PCT. I do alot of my winter hangs there. Would love to hook up with you down in the Grouse Ridge area. There are a few of us who tried to make it out to Glacier Lake this past year. Love the area!

S

[TallPaul]

Great videos Greg. Sounds like you finally got the pack dialed in - gotta love REI for their return policy!

[GregB]

Bill, I saw those on one of their videos. I was thinking of giving that a try. That's a good idea.

I may have to go to a hydration system, but every one I've ever had has gone bad with a funky taste. No matter how I clean them they still taste bad so I end up not drinking enough water.

[Bruciehi5]

Part 1
Hi there GregB! That sure is a nice place to hike and I liked that you pointed out where you were last time. My floppy hat is off to you for dropping so much weight! Making this and making that, yes, you’re addicted all right! That’s good and that’s perfectly normal! lol Thanks for the video and I’ll see YOU in part two!

Part 2
Yes, that’s a great view for the night. I liked you backpack story, it worked out real well, 50 buck well! You’re gunna love having an under quilt! Be careful, they are at least as addictive as hammocks!

Part 3
Middle Lake has turned into Little Lake. Super fine place to go fishing and that fishing set up is pretty nifty! Be sure to make fun of your tent dweller friend for being a ground dweller. Thanks for the videos, GregB, very enjoyable!