Category Archives: Training & Hiking – kinda stuff

A Quick Gear Review – (mostly things I’m having issues with)

By RonUlrich | Published May 10, 2012

http://www.rutalocura.com/trekking_poles.html
Yana Poles by Rutalocura.com – Even though they sponsored me and you may feel i have a biased opinion, I want you to know I TRULY LOVE THESE POLES.  They’re so incredibly light weight and strong.  When I’m not using them but don’t want to stash them away, I can rest them lightly in my hands and hike on as though I’m not holding anything at all.  A lot of people have commented on them, some seem to think they’re not adjustable by their look, but they are, easily so, and THEY ARE WONDERFUL !

http://www.ospreypacks.com/en/product/superlight/exos_58
My Osprey Pack, purchased at Mountain Gear in Spokane, WA is a great design.  I love so many things about it, although it’s falling apart.  The back support has fallen out 3 times now, and is NOT easy to fix.  The lower frame wears on the hip belt pockets and has worn holes in them.  The ‘cargo’ compartment that sits on top has two adjustable straps to cinch it down, one came loose and the other is on the verge of.  This all said, it’s not just my pack, it’s many Osprey packs out here that are having many of the same issues.

Osprey has an unconditional guarantee to fix or replace the pack.  I called them about a replacement at mile 210 and didn’t receive a reply until I was out of service at KickOff.  The reply (although I explained that I was a PCT thru-hiker and had limited time to work out the problem) was generic, “call and speak to anyone and we’ll help you with your problem”.  Repeated calls, repeated voice mails, no contact – On to Big Bear.  From Big Bear Lake I finally reached a person, not voice mail.  I had to purchase a new pack, they’ll refund my money when they receive the damaged one, yet I have to pay for shipping the pack back.  I don’t think this was part of my financial plan – It’s a design flaw and I don’t feel I should have to cover such costs.  If I were to be able to drive to a retailer, I would be able to swap it out for free.

Well Osprey, I’m using your pack for the inteded purpose of backpacking… I’m sorry I don’t have a vehicle at my disposal – I don’t feel the cost should be mine.  I chose my pack after seeing several other hikers use it in the ’11 season on the PCT, I’m sure word of the many faulty Osprey packs on the PCT will reach next years hikers, I wish you had a better policy.

http://www.mountaingear.com/webstore//Gear/Camping–hiking/Nomad-7M-Solar-Panel/_/R-115335P.htm
Goal Zero Nomad 7 solar panel.  I used this minimally prior to the PCT.  Several other people out here have the smaller version of the same product.  I haven’t been able to charge my phone or the attached battery pack for weeks.  I called the company today.  They’re sending a replacement, free of charge, to my next resupply point, and I just need to send the non-operational panel back to them.  This is the kind of service I want to encounter.  Fantastic, and thank you, Goal Zero for understanding the I don’t have a disposable income and my time in towns are very limited.

http://www.seatosummit.com/products/display/22
My Sea To Summit Silk sleeping bag liner works wonders (thanks Karen for the recommendation) It greatly increases the warmth of my bag.  Although after just 4 uses, a hole aprox 2 ft long appeared where the seams connect.  I called Sea To Summit from Big Bear – They’re replacing it and covering the cost to return the damaged one.  Thank you Sea To Summit for realizing what an inconvenience it can be to find a retailer.

http://www.rei.com/product/781685/la-sportiva-wildcat-trail-running-shoes-mens
I LOVE these shoes.  I was worried they’d be too light weight.  I DID go with the size larger than I normally wear to make room for foot swelling.  They’re light and airy and I’m pretty darn happy with them, as my feet stay pretty dry.  I had hoped to get a minimum of 400 miles out of them, preferably 500 (the estimate of most trail runners on the PCT.) I intended to order a pair in Wrightwood and have the new ones sent to mile 470 ish, but the day prior to Wrightwood, around mile 350 the sides started splitting on the shoes. =-(  Duct tape wouldn’t quite do what would be necessary to hold them together AND keep rocks out (with a huge climb ahead).  So I had to overnight shoes to Wrightwood.  I’m glad I had that $25 dividend to pay for shipping.  This was a difficult purchase, but hopefully my feet will be happy.

Also posted in Gear, May 2012, Training & Hiking - kinda stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Wondering Where To Find Solitude on the PCT

By RonUlrich | Published April 26, 2012

Although I’ve read many accounts of the PCT Experience being more about the people you meet on the trail and the comaradary amongst hikers, I’m blown away by the complete inability to find alone time on this trail. Although it’s only been 3 weeks and 210 miles, I’ve found a pretty typical routine to be true. I hike later and press on, wake up to find those that camped behind me, yet early risers joining me as I’m hitting the trail in the morning. We leap frog all day long, and usually come to camp near water, where everyone else comes to rest. Taking a break on the trail allows those behind you to catch up, Arriving in camp often introduces unknown hikers, and trail towns are just like my home town – A new story of the trail with every person you meet.

It keeps me on my toes and enduces laughter, yet it leaves me anxious and aggrevated. I thought heading out 3 weeks before the big kickoff crowd would give me some time to get moving ahead of the pack. I’ve had a fantastic time with everyone, but it’s draining as well. I hope to find a good balance out here in time and distance. Eventually others will drop out, but those that I’ve met are moving on as I head to Kick-Off. So that means a whole new set of people to leap frog with as I return.

It’s not a complaint, just an observation. I’ve had a FANTASTIC time hiking with Wendy & Matt, Neil was FANTASTIC, and One-Ton left a legend behind that won’t soon pass. WHen I’m hiking with others, I laugh and take breaks. When I’m hiking alone I find myself engrossed in thought and reliving my past. The emotional roller coaster that I’ve been on since the day one is welcome and a clear view of what the next 2400+ miles holds for me… My eyes have watered up over thoughts of inadequacy, friends lost – both recently and past, Sunsets that wow me, happiness for no apparent reason… how the list goes on… But I hope to find more peace than I’ve experienced this far, but there’s plenty of time ahead…

Also posted in April 2012, Training & Hiking - kinda stuff | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Quick Trip to the doc – a brief PCT memory

By RonUlrich | Published November 5, 2011

You may not want to hear about foot care, but it’s a fact of hiking.  I went to the doctor today to discuss the callus on the bottom of my right foot.  It’s something that only appeared last year when I started running, and was thought to be a plantars wart, (which i’m glad i didn’t try to ‘fix’ myself with over the counter remedies), but turned out to be a callus.  It’s right in the middle of my foot, needs care every few days, and I’d really like for it to just ‘go away’.  I don’t want to have to carry additional ‘tools’ to shave away a callus every couple of days on the trail, although I DO realize it’s inevitable.  Photos of what happen to some hikers feet are HORRIBLE !  Proper foot care is essential, of course, and I just thought I’d stop in to discuss options and make sure my feet were in the best possible condition.

The Doc and I discussed the metatarsals, and why I must be getting the callus where I am.  The options seem more complicated than just dealing with it every few days, so add a tool for THAT to my pack weight… (light, i know, but every single thing added to my pack adds to weight – which depletes energy.  But you’ll likely hear about me complaining of my callus on the trail, and it will likely only be one of many, so get used to it.

But the happy note, was when I told Martha about my journey, a large smile came across her face.  She thought it was wonderful, and shared with me her memories as a child of only 6 or so, when her father worked on a WA section of the PCT one year.  She spent most of the summer camping, as her father packed dynamite in on horses for use in clearing the trail.  I love watching people light up as they talk of stories in the wilderness as children.  It definitely leaves me with a ‘warm fuzzy’ feeling, and I’m always happy when my own journey, reminds someone of theirs… =-)

Also posted in November 2011, Training & Hiking - kinda stuff | Leave a comment

Pick-A-Pack-A…

By RonUlrich | Published October 31, 2011

Options.  I hate them.  Maybe that’s why living in a small town works so well for me.  I may not get the best deal on something I need, but I also don’t have to deal with more options.  Picking a pack is proving difficult.  Lightweight is a given.  Prices vary, along with style.  Color, Design, Belt Options, Pocket Options,  Options, Options, Options.  Until I’m out on the trail for a month, I’m not going to know exactly what’s going to be most practical.  So I figure I’ll start with more, and eventually end up with less. The more there is to fiddle with, the more distractions I have.

Although starting with less, leaves the best option for my personality – make minimal work.

Last year, due to the fact that my first pack looked as though it would bust at the seams with all of my toys and useless crap I was packing along with me,  I upgraded to a 65 Liter pack that weighs a ton.  It has more straps, buckles, bells and whistles than most any pack I’ve seen.  Empty, it weighs an incredible 6lbs 9 oz.  – That’s crazy weight.  It’s time to retire that sucker, because after the PCT, I’ll never want to carry a pack that heavy.  I really should let go of the emotional attachment to it, and sell it.  $259.95 – OUCH !!!

So right now, these are the options I’m considering.

A) Make my own.  Doing it the ‘Ray Way’ and purchase the materials and DVD to make my own.  I’m not so fond of this option, although it’s by far the cheapest.  I can make my pack for $100.  The cost savings may not seem so great if my stitching unravels and the straps all fall apart in the middle of the desert, or high in the snowy Sierras, and 4 days from a resupply town.

B) The 30 oz. (with stays) / $195 (with pocketed belt) / 67 Liter – Six Moon Design’s Starlite.

http://www.sixmoondesigns.com/packs/Starlite.html

C) 2lb. 8oz. / $219 / 58 Liter – Osprey Exos

http://www.mountaingear.com/pages/product/product.asp/imanf/Osprey/idesc/Exos+58+Backpack/Store/MG/item/214465/N/0

Option B is likely the best choice.  Option C, I tried on a smaller size and was shocked at how light weight it was, and it has the arched support, which pushes the pack slightly away from the back, allowing air flow.  Keep in mind. I’ll be wearing a dress.  Although modifications will be made, the gowns will still be slightly restrictive.  The airflow through the back seems like a bonus.

I should be looking at smaller packs, but at points along the trail I’ll need to carry a bear canister, and if I need to take a gown off, due to perilous situations, I’ll need extra space in the pack to carry it.

This really is strange… who picks a pack based on their attire ??  I guess I do.

 

Also posted in October 2011, Training & Hiking - kinda stuff | 1 Comment