This Pilgrim's Progress

Brunton Optimus Nova

Well, it's been a while since my last post. I've just about got everything from the backpacking trip cleaned up and put away. Just have the sleeping bags to do.

I tinkered with the Optimus stove and finally figured out what the problem was. The little check valve at the end of the pump wasn't working. The maintenance kit had a spare, so I replaced it and now it all works like it should. I'm not sure if I should return the stove and get a different one or not.  It was expensive, and I am not convinced it is worth the cost.

I was looking at the MSR liquid fuel ones too. The pumps on those are plastic, so I wonder about the durability, but I've heard good reports on the MSR Whisperlite Internationale. They even sell replacement pumps, which is a good idea. When you are out the field the last thing you want to do is dissect your stove.

The "weak" spots on liquid fuel stoves is that they have more moving parts to wear out and break and they require some "priming" which can be a sketchy thing. The plus side is the fuel is cheaper and they are relatively robust and will operate well in all sorts of conditions. The canister stoves are very simple to operate on the other hand.

Any of my readers have any suggestions, observations, recommendations?? 

Backpacking a Bust!! Had a Good Time Anyways!

Well, I got back from my backpack trip in the Sierra's last Saturday. I'm still unpacking and putting things away.

Things did not go quite the way I planned. 

2 more days!!

Well, I did my final packing today. Sunday is going to be a busy day,  so I got packed up today so I wouldn't be in a rush. 

Weather report says it's going to be cold in Humphreys Basin, so I'm packing my heavier fleece, which adds a few lbs.  But I changed my mind again and decided to leave my 2 lb.  Teva sandals at home and take  my Teva water shoes instead, which weigh less than a lb. That will make up for the extra fleece.  Looks like my pack will be about 50 lbs.

I broke a zipper on one of the smaller pockets of my pack, which is a bummer. But It's not real crucial, so I won't worry about it until I get back.  Maybe my pack will need other repairs too!!

I'm excited about going, but a little wistful that I'll be away from my family for a week. Maybe we can do another trip this winter together.  Or maybe a bunch of day hikes!!

Electric Backpack!

A biology professor, Larry Rome, has invented a backpack that generates electricity while you hike. The pack load is suspended from the frame so it rides up and down with your gait, generating electricity up to 7 watts of power.  They say the moving load actually is easier to carry because it rides naturally with the up and down motions of your leg's gait.  It will be interesting to see if any practical applications are actually developed and used.  Most packs these days are internal frame packs, but if this really works, we'll see a return to external frame designs. The only problem I see is that a backpacker experiences a variety of terrain, and that would change the up an down motion somewhat, and might affect both the generating efficiency and walking efficiency in the design.

What do you think??

Packing and Repacking

I re-evaluated how much food I was taking. I realized I was probably taking too much, so I took out some trail mix and half of the Clif bars. That reduced the weight from 8 to about 4.5 lbs. I also found that I could put the bear canister inside my pack and get everything else in there too!! That will simplify the logistics of carrying the bear can. We are going to be above the tree line, so I don't think we'll actually have any bears up there. But we don't want to get ticketed by the rangers either!! I end up with about a 1000 calories per day, which I think should be plenty. I usually don't eat all that much when hiking or even camping out.  My metabolism is kind of slow anyhow, because of my hypothyroidism.  And, I want to lose some weight anyhow!!

5 Days until the Sierra's!!

Well, it's getting down to the wire on the backpacking trip I'm taking with some friends from church. There's nine of us going, so it's a nice size group.  I'm just about ready. The only thing left is trying to figure what I'm going to do with the bear canister. It keeps falling off the straps.  I might try packing it inside my pack, and if that doesn't work I'll use a sleeping bag stuff sack to lash it to my pack. The designers of these things need to take it into consideration how you are supposed to transport the darn things!! I've been trying to pare down the weight too, but I think I'm almost at the irreducible minimum!! I'm going to take less trail mix and less clif bars too.  Realistically I'd probably eat one Clif bar for lunch per day and I'm packing twice that much now. I'm taking sandals, but they weigh 2 lbs. and I don't know if the weight is worth the utility? Fifty pounds doesn't sound like that much until you put it on your back!!

I think I've stopped trying to talk myself out of going. I'm a little worried about my physical conditioning, but I'm probably as fit as everyone else in the group!! I still have some residual effects from my pneumonia last winter, so I'll be huffing and puffing, but other than that I think I'll do fine. I just need to go at a comfortable pace and rest when I need to. The hike up the mountains is about 6 miles. The first two miles are the steepest, then the last two a little less so until we reach Piute Pass. Then it's pretty much downhill until we reach Upper Golden Trout Lake. I've been training on the local hills around here, probably doing the equivalent mileage and elevation gain, but in 90 degree weather without a heavy pack. Hopefully that's like hiking with a 50 lb. pack in 50 degree weather!!

I'm excited to see the high Sierra's in person. I've looked at lots of photos, but the experience is always much better in person. God's amazing creation is a wonder to behold, and I love seeing a new part of it! Stay tuned two weeks from now for a full trip report and a 1000 photos!!!

Katrina - How You Can Make a Difference

Hugh Hewitt had a great idea yesterday.

He suggested that organizations (businesses, churches, schools, clubs, etc.) look for a counterpart in the area affected by the disaster to "adopt" and partner with during the recovery period.  I passed that suggestion along to the leaders of my church. I hope they decide to do it, or something similar.  I think Christians really have an opportunity here to show their love to their brothers-in-the-faith and partner with them to help their churches and communities recover from the ravages of Hurricane Katrina. Churches especially are always well-plugged into the local community and know where the real needs are. 

An email was read at our Bible-study that was from the PCA presbytery and churches in the disaster area. There are some real pressing needs, and over the long haul as recovery begins, those needs will increase and be there for many months.

Katrina Flood Aid

Hurricane Katrina has devasted the Gulf Coast. If you are interested in donating to relief efforts for this disaster, I highly recommend Samaritan's Purse. Their web site is at: http://www.samaritanspurse.com/ . They are a reliable and hardworking Christian relief organization led by Franklin Graham.

The Salvation Army of course is always one of the first organizations to respond to a disaster of any size: http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/

FEMA also has a list of legitimate relief organizations: http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=18473 .

FEMA says the most important need right now for most organizations is cash donations, but they also list organizations that take volunteer help if that's what's in your heart right now.

Instapundit is coordinating a big Flood-Aid Blogburst Thursday, 9/1/05 to encourage the blogosphere to donate and support relief efforts in this disaster.