BrawnyView

Pacific Trail Guide Parody: Directions to Our Room

2012-01-28T15:43:00.000-08:00

I wrote this parody back in 2000, when Rainmaker and I arrived at a sweet motel, just out of Ashland, Oregon. For those of you who have read and loved the trail guide for the best of all long trails (your opinion may vary), you'll soon see the humor. This is absolutley how the guide discribes the trail.

A PCT GUIDE BOOK version of:

Directions To Our Room

From the dining area cross a table and chaired saddle (.002m) turn west until you see a ladies room. There you'll find a refreshing faucet, although late comers may find it seeping (.00012m).

Descend north on an east facing staircase. Pass a room. Pass another good room. Pass an old abandoned room (.0035m).

On an east facing west rising door you'll note the number 24 which has been posted since the new easier route was established in 1983. Head north. Open door. Close door. However, this won't get you to the Post Office. So, if you need to go to the Laundry Room, head east from your saddle.

Those who complete this section may want to celebrate at the liquorish bowl, (4,290-.003m)a seven way junction where intense PCT Register Logging is going on.

* * * * * * *

Good luck to all who venture
Brawny

Cannon Camera Review

2012-01-27T18:04:00.000-08:00

My new camera is 12 mega pixels, 1080 HD video, 4 zoom and cost $118.99 on sale at Walmart. It weighs only 5 ounces, and is slim and sexy.

My other camera has bit the dust after 5 faithful years. It has served well, but had only 1/4 the definition. I am now taking closeups of my trail photos taken years ago with a disposable camera. Up til now, unless I used somebody's scanner, I could not share them.

Photos of people, hikers and locations remain the most popular. Scenery is always wonderful, but the actual human quotient is intriguing. What is that hiker doing? This photo of Rainmaker in a tiny room in Sierra City is one of my favorites. He is working on a resupply, first checking out the stash in his bounce box.

We are waiting for the bus in Manning Park, one week after 9-11-2001. The borders have just been reopened and after a successful crossing, we've finished the trail and heading back to Georgia.

This camera is very user friendly. I am happy with all its capabilities. The price is amazing. Right now electronics are on sale. I have 15 days to play with this before my option of returning it for a full refund runs out.

For my initial review: Its a keeper!

Continental Divide Trail Stuff

2012-01-22T07:42:00.000-08:00

This is just part of the trail information on hand for the CDT. We used Delorme Atlas for alternate water and routing in Montana. A long distance hiker recommended them. Good stuff, it breaks the entire state into grids, showing every back road, contour line and water source.

Then, there are maps for various National Forests and Parks. It is said one can never have too much info for this mother of all challenges.

A bear canister and viable packing option is essential for Montana and into Yellowstone. There are enough griz in those areas to keep you on your toes.

They make great camp stools, too, but at nearly 1 pound 11 ounces, way heavy for an ultralighter. A person does what they got to.
This external frame pack was stripped to basic shoulder and hip belts, then custom fitted with an over size silnylon pack by yours truly. Its seen a lot of use. Remarkably light at under 2 pounds for this "retro" backpack.

Unless you've carried an external frame pack, you probably aren't aware of their versatility. They're also incredibly strong, sustainable, easily adjusted for growth.

More popular in the west, you'll see external frames on the JMT, Sherpas on Everest, and youth in "high risk" remedial programs.

With the new year underway, gear heads are out in force. Take a look at some retro stuff to keep in budget.

Why Go Out There?

2012-01-16T04:53:00.000-08:00

My Daughter put this on her facebook status:

Family hike up Badger Mt. today. Thought it was pretty sad that I've lived here 6 years and haven't done any real hiking, but my dear husband has lived here most of his life and has never hiked any of these hill/mountains either (why would you hike when you own a car??) lol

I was stunned~ Where had I gone wrong? I posted my status:

You got me wound up! Why would you hike up a remote mountain, to look over a gorgeous valley, why would you sleep in a tent 50 miles in the wilderness, why would you cross a glacier melt? Holy cow, because you can, because its there, because its so fantastic, because when you're stuck in a wheel chair or nursing home and you can't ...at least you DID.

Of course, comments flowed that Mom was right, they were hikers, and really, of course it was worth the effort. I love my family, but the most powerful times of my life have been on the trail. When Rainmaker and I hit the Canadian Border on the Pacific Crest Trail, I knew nothing would ever be the same.

I wrote this little poem while hiking in the Northern Cascades, August 29:

Up In the heights I walk the ridge,
Look way below and see the bridge,
I crossed that log this early morning,
In spite of all dayhiker warnings
Wind blowing through my hair,
an eagle cries.
I'll soon be there.
Never be tame Again.

So There, People!

My New Years Goal: Do something Memorable.

Will Destroy the Planet For Jobs

2012-01-13T04:00:00.000-08:00

I just watched the morning edition of CNN, called Morning Start. My guy is off to Coz getting in some diving and dentistry, I support him whole heartedly.

This makes my day open for all sorts of spontanaity, like getting up at 5:30 and watching the news. Seems like there are less commercials, or if not, I'm just still sleepy enough not to care.

Anyways, one of the huge stories was the Fracking in Ohio causing, or dam well looking like its causing, Earthquakes.
They interviewed a bunch of people, and took some time on the question. 50,000 jobs have been lost in the last 30 years in that state. Its in dire straits economically, like all of us. America does need alternative fuel sources. With this imploding Iran situation, and possible 20% oil flow stoppage due to the canal being blocked, doesn't it make sense to develop our resources, any resources, at any cost?

Hell no.
Not in my books. I guess drilling 9,000 feet and dumping a ton of water down there as part of the fracking process is problematic. So far, the 4.0 seismic activity is "tolerable". We can handle that. We need jobs.

I'm concerned we may be letting Pandora outta the box. We are little humans in a vast universe. You can open a hole you might not be able to fill.
Earthquakes can cause some serious shit if there are nuclear facilities nearby. What is nearby?

How can we know this, what long term effects are there for upsetting our base, the ground all of our cities are perched on?

So, ask me. What are the answers?
Minimalism. I love the Internet. We don't have to give up anything, or anyone. Downsizing. How many square feet of housing does a person need to heat, cool, furnish, insure, redecorate?
How many clothes need to crowd a closet, shoes in boxes and toys in sheds we haven't used in years.

Downsizing, in all aspects. Losing weight is downsizing. That helps with food costs, transportation costs.

I find the easiest plan for serious downsizing is stay out of stores until I NEED something. Before I really go buy that something, I look around. Maybe I already have something to fill that need. I'm not against having stuff. Just the unquenchable drive for energy and incessant production of crap that is killing our planet, hense, ourselves.

I'm worried about our constant drive for energy. Think Japanese nuclear meltdown, gulf oil fiasco, massive oil spills, a pending military confrontation, coal mine distruction of the landscape, and now, earthquakes? Really?

There's the thought we need energy so we can buy shit to pull our economy out of the toilet. This flagrant consumerism got us in the toilet.

How do I fight this? Minimalism.

Season Worker in Fabulous Places

2012-01-11T15:51:00.000-08:00

http://www.coolworks.com

is my go to spot for checking out seasonal jobs in all sorts of cool places, like national parks, resorts, cruise ships, dude ranches, trail building. You name it.

I've been attracted by several very cool spots up in Alaska, many very remote. Some are even caretaker positions.

I'm currently holding the fort for two weeks while my partner is in Mexico. My plan was to write for those entire two weeks, thereby testing the concept of no human face contact for the entire time.

Reality check. This is harder than one would think. I'm realizing one or two good buds on a remote job is pretty nice. I'll take this experience into consideration when putting in apps.

Bottom line, if I dont end up in Yellowstone this summer, look for me in Alaska, home of the wild, free and crazy. Pretty good selling points in my book.

Women a Mystery to Genius

2012-01-05T14:27:00.000-08:00

Ok, I admit to loving this article. The renown genius says the thing he hasn't figured out is women, we're a complete mystery.
I love it.
The day I get so boring you can figure me out is the day I need to rethink my gender.

Or something like that.

http://news.yahoo.com/women-mystery-british-physicist-hawking-135814776.html

When New Scientist magazine asked "Brief History of Time" author Stephen Hawking what he thinks about most, the Cambridge University professor renowned for unravelling some of the most complex questions in modern physics answered: "Women. They are a complete mystery."

New Projects - Favorite Subjects- True Trail Stories

2011-12-29T17:59:00.000-08:00

I've begun a new project with favorite subject matter: true trail stories about the people, adventures and ridiculous stuff over 12 years of trail life. Most of the stories have never been told. Most of the stories are just too damn embarrassing.

This tiny photo is of a thru hiker named "Falafel". He spent a night in a Georgia AT shelter and woke to find a mother mouse had not only given birth in his pack, but had taken up residence.

I met this couple on their honeymoon on the Pacific Crest Trail. These two lovebirds carried a four pound camera and their last resupply from Stehican consisted of 52 candy bars and one package of ramen noodles. I met them the next year while I was hiking the AT and they were working for Backpacker's Magazine "Get out more " team. Fantastic couple. Shout out to Brent and Amy. PCT hikers sometimes don't have trail names. We called these two the Honeymooners.

This is me on the second day of my PCT hike at the Kick Off Party at Lake Moreno. We were fed all kinds of fantastic food by well wishers, trail angels and family members. I met some wonderful people there. If you're heading out to the PCT, this party is usually the last weekend in April.

Smurf and Radio Flyer, good dudes from the AT thru hike. We liked getting our 20 mile days done early, then relax on whatever the shelter had to offer. These dudes and I shared a room in Harper's Ferry. I felt like the mom when they went out on the town shopping and gave me silk shorts. Ahem, all in the family.

This food orgy could only happen when hiker trash is involved. Take any food, place it in the middle of the table and stand back. Spoons appear out of no where, I mean. This is a Pacific Crest Trail Photo, and I remember much hunger being replaced by bloated town bellies. You gotta love it.

The Poet. Need I say more? Great guy, quiet and thoughtful.

My new project has photos and true stories woven with lessons I learned the hard way, sort of a how to and how not to book, along with ultra light gram weenie embarrassing moments.

To all my trail bum friends, hiker trash, and gram weenie aficionados: May All Your Gear be Lighter, Happy New Years, and I'll See you up the trail.

Brawny

Mayan Ruins Near Appalachian Trail

2011-12-25T05:36:00.000-08:00

A friend posted this link on facebook. I followed it up.

http://www.examiner.com/architecture-design-in-national/massive-1-100-year-old-maya-site-discovered-georgia-s-mountains

Its a fairly long and decent article. The AT uses nearby towns as resupply and access points. Blairsville, Helen, and Sautee are commonly used by long distance hikers.

The ruins in question are pyramid shaped mounds. All along the AT various historical sites are passed, especially for the civil war. Many do not have markers. This is one reason to slow down, keep your eyes open and your nose open to the wonderful smells.

The trail has so much to offer, truly an experience of a lifetime, or many lifetimes.
Apparently this article is receiving much attention. I hope the little towns and surrounding area receives extra tourists, too. Things are slow in the winter in these mountains.

I think its ligit. The guy has done his research. Interesting read.

Fighting for the Planet Maybe Fatal

2011-12-21T17:18:00.000-08:00

I know the planet will win. She'll fight back. I am saddened by the loss of those who fight against the poachers and oil companies, those that distroy our home. The Mayan Calendar predicts an end of some kind on Dec. 21, 2012. Maybe it will be an end to world wide humanity. Maybe those that survive will be those who can love the earth for what it is. Minimalism is still the answer.May all your stockings be stuffed with love. Merry Christmas.

A Great Quote for All Endeavors

2011-12-18T16:53:00.000-08:00

2012 is right around the corner. Wonder what kind of resolutions will be made as the economy stutters along.

I'm very deep into my writing. The notebook shows a tiny portion of the "goal" pages I set. It keeps me out of trouble. Maybe it will get me into some.

I use maps and try to picture what's really going on, will highlight, but in the end, here is my favorite quote and I think it will work for all walks of life, the trail, new relationships.

Very often audacity, not talent, makes one person and artist, another a shadow. Take a chance, be bad, make mistakes.
We may look and feel erratic.
Creativity is blocked by falling into others' plans for us. It makes us frustrated. Your own healing is the greatest message of hope for others. Anger is a loyal friend, tells us it is time to act in our own best interest.

I believe this came from "the Artist's Way" a workbook of sorts.

Either get stuck in the rut, or go through the crisis.

Trail Gods

2011-12-13T12:27:00.000-08:00

Today I found a cigarette lighter on the trail. I needed one. Thanks Trail Gods!

The other day I reached into my wood stove to light a swatch of paper and dropped my lighter. Once the fire got hot, it exploded. The stove wasn't damaged. I jumped several feet straight up.

So I needed another one...but here's the whole story.

This winter I've been writing an Apocalypse series called End of Days. I finished book three, complied it into a trilogy. Its available at either amazon.com or barnes and noble.com.

The ending has a twist, so I won't go into details, but the gods seemed to think I should get real, so this fourth book, a darker, gritty, spirit-guide thing was born. Carla gets seriously scathed and we see the wicked side.

I admit to trepidation in publishing it. I thought of holding back. While walking this morning the lighter appeared. How strange. Sort of a sign.
And I thought, don't tell anyone, just put it up there and hide.

But the trail gods and I have a long history together. Maybe I'll blog more about that later.
For now, though, I think they're ok with this book.

This is for mature audiences and a warning, do not try the vision quest detailed in chapter seven. Remember this is fiction.
Dark Trails-an interlude with gods. Right now, only 99 cents.

Disco Scarecrow and Fabric Content

2011-12-09T09:44:00.000-08:00

Our scarecrow kept falling over in the last storms so I just decided to switch her location. She's now guarding from the back, instead of the frount.

Taking a page from some neighbors, I utilzied a sapling. Looks like she enjoys this spot much more. Boogie, Baby!

On a more serious note, I finally coughed up nearly 20 bucks for new camo pants. These are from Walmart in the hunting section. Youth's 14/16, they fit perfectly. And better still, fabric content is 60% cotton and 40% polyester. I like this blend cause it will dry faster than all cotton.

I love the Real Tree mix, the greens are deeper than they look in this photo, sorry.

I regret to say they are made in china. Well, trading partners are still part of the game.

Rainmaker's Survival Novel

2011-12-03T13:53:00.000-08:00

David Mauldin has his first novel complete and available both at Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble.

The web page at trailquest:

http://www.trailquest.net/SLOH.html

will give many more details, let you feast on a sample, and show you the cover. He's been practicing what he preaches, and knows his way around survival. A long distance backpacker, friend and mentor, I count him among the gifted ones.

The Grandkids Loved It!

2011-11-27T10:57:00.000-08:00

I wrote my first children's book. Its only 30 pages and each page has a photo, nearly all of them from the trail camera installed near here by my friend. I child tested the text and combination by sending the file to my daughters. Looks like thumbs up. Course, maybe they were just being nice.

Wild Neighbors
Its only 99 cents at amazon.com.

Hi Mom, I just wanted to write and tell you thank you so much for the children's book you sent. It is a huge hit in our house!!! B**** loves the animal pictures, and so does I****. We've been very busy and have had company this whole time, but we've been talking about the pictures and the camera, and she would listen to me read the book and look at the pictures ten times a day if she could! That was a neat idea for the kids.

Awesome, Mom! I can't believe all those great photos! And you have a good, informative story line there too. :) I will show B**** when he wakes up. Do you think you might print these on hard copy, or is that alot of work and/or expensive? Very creative, as always.

Hi Mom,
S*** and C**** loved the book and all the pictures. We were amazed at all the wildlife you have so close to you.

And another review came in:

I down loaded Wild Neighbors and both me and my kids loved it. The pictures David took are terrific and it is amazing the variety of wildlife in your backyard!--Flo

It was fun creating this work, my family lives across the country. Thank god for internet.

(I blocked out the kids names, just because.)

What Next, Water Outlawed?

2011-11-25T05:30:00.000-08:00

This nice old man who makes Polar Pure for backpackers, campers and travelers is being shut down because the DEA says his product might be used by meth cookers.

"But federal and state drug enforcement agents are coming down hard on Wallace's humble homemade solution, which he concocted to help backpackers purify water.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency and state regulators say druggies can use the single ingredient in his "Polar Pure" water purifier -- iodine -- to make crystal meth."

Ok, people that cook meth use a lot of stuff. I bet they even use water. Hope they don't outlaw that stuff too.

I saw a link posted on facebook, followed it at:

http://www.mercurynews.com/saratoga/ci_19385037

Its a great read.
I use iodine on rare occasion. Will I soon have to sign for it? Seriously, what is happening to this country when a nice couple like these can't even produce a well know, well liked beneficial product .

Surely there's got to be a way the feds can adequately legislate this. I digress.

Please don't take my water away, don't call me collateral damage in the fight against these shitheads who cook meth.

The New Streaming Movie Box

2011-11-23T17:53:00.000-08:00

If you've never heard of Roku, you're not the only one.

Until just a few months ago, I woulda swore it was a Japanese dish, or stir fry or something.

Turns out, this little contraption sells for just Fifty bucks and can be plugged into any t-v. It comes with its own remote which enables you to open up a whole new world.

I don't make a cent writing this, so its totally unbiased. My guy just bought his second one so that the t-v on the table, the t-v in the bedroom, and the t-v in the living room all have access to 350 channels. Now, its true, some of the channels you have to subscribe to, like Netflix or Hulu plus. But there are tons of channels that are free, everything from food and games to news and foreign language.

Its pretty cool, because now instead of paying for a separate satellite receiver in the back room so I can watch a chick flick while my dude is watching baseball, I can just fire up the roku device and pick out one a hundreds on netflix, or if there's something on Amazon.com digital video you want to see.

Course, my pc gets netflix also, but it doesn't have the 42 inch screen.
http://www.roku.com/ is the web address

When you're watching something like Breaking Bad, the bigger the screen, the Badder it Breaks.

Yeah, what he said.

Potato Research and the Wikipedia

2011-11-17T11:49:00.000-08:00

I absolutely love Wikipedia. In one place you have tons of information, links, photo, history and bibliography. I was researching potatoes for a survival test project and was not disappointed.

This is my garden in spring. We had a marvelous crop of tomatoes.

One thing especially caught my attention: growing them in a bag.
The garden here has been put to bed, and now leaves are being layered to create more depth and looser medium.

I still don't think its loose enough for potatoes. Check out the photo of the potato bag set up at:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potato

My grandparents grew tons of potatoes. I remember picking them out of the soil when the harvest was ready. They'd turn the soil to expose the spuds, making it easier than with a shovel.

The bag thing would be wonderful. I'm getting a potato tomorow, and letting the eyes grow out.

Black Death Movie Review

2011-11-15T15:18:00.000-08:00

I watched the 2010 movie, Black Death, this afternoon and was amazed by the artistry. Its a dark film, a horror flick which takes 1.5 hours to unfold a disturbing tale of bubonic plague in 1348 England.

The producers give us the whys and how of revenger and torture at the hands of the Church and conterculter village. We see everything from guttings to drawn and quarter, burning, and torturous elements of water.

Not to worry, most of the imagery is suggested and not as graphic as some new movies, like Walking dead where flesh is eaten in rubbery fashion.

Anyways, I enjoyed it and felt it was poetic in revealing the maniac passion humans have had for religion.

The scenery reminds me of a walk along the Chatooga, beautifully photographed. The teeth of our army and monk are yellowed, the dead and dying are grotesque. Very realistic. I hate it when everyone had blinding white teeth in an apocalyptic setting. Really.

The monk is the good guy here, but be advised, the twist at the end is very good.

Path of the Rabbit Under Full Moon

2011-11-13T12:35:00.000-08:00

I've finished the third book in the End of Days series.

It is available now at Amazon.com . I should also be available at Barnes and Nobel soon.
Writing it was an incredible experience. I really delved into the post grid down scenario and readers say this is my best work yet.
I'm like the rabbit, whose self preservation is a Look before you Leap variety. The first book in this series, A Measured Response, began at that level. The middle book, Journey North, shows the main character evolving her self defense, until at last in the final book we see a proactive approach.

The Calendar Keeper

The entire series began with the thought: what if the world ended as we know it, with the Grid Down and a few natural disasters to help it along. Living way out here in the wilderness, on top a mountain, how long would it take for us to find out?

The first sign would be no power. That's happened before, for several days at a time, so at first we wouldn't worry. After a few days, we'd go into town and then there would be rumors, no power, sketchy government interaction. Of course, folks who live in town would know something is up, but perhaps the hoarding and violence would take a while to become widespread.

This morning, having finished and uploaded my latest work, I relaxed in my studio and caught some early photos.

These were taken about seven a.m, just as the sun was rising.

I found this blog to be very inspirational and informative:

http://www.thecreativepenn.com/. If you are an aspiring author, run over there and give it a look. She turned me on to the Barnes and Nobel e-book for Nooks and other applications. I am working on my account, making the five books I've written thus far available.

Four Season TarpTents and Question

2011-11-06T05:31:00.000-08:00

I used to sew lots of ultralight backpacking gear. One of my most successful designs in terms of weight to square foot living space was the BrawnyTarptent.
This photo of it in Yosemite in winter was sent to me by a very satisfied customer.
The main thing with four season gear is it's ability to shrug off snow, hold up to freezing temperatures changing structures integrity and the comfort level the shelter offers.

Of course, there are always trade offs. This tarp tent weighs 21 ounces and packs to the size of a bag of bagels. One reason its so light is you use your hiking poles or suspend the apex from a branch. Hence, the support of shock corded poles is eliminated along with that weight.

I love this South Col tent. It accommodates 2-3 people, double walled, two generous vestibules, and is free standing.

Its a pretty massive structure and good for base camping. It weighs over 9 pounds. I would use it in severe conditions. Being a dome, it will shed snow, however a person would still have to shake it off periodically if the snow were wet. The poles could conceivably break. I always bring repair sleeves, which are short metal sleeves about 5-6 inches long. In the event of breakage, slip the sleeve (cut from old hiking poles) over the fracture.

In winter a person is tempted to cook inside, out of the wind. Be aware of carbon monoxide and burning issues.

I don't recommend cooking in a tent, and have done a video on that issue. See other winter camping suggestions on this blog.

Dropping a tent usually means dealing with frost, cold fingers, perhaps melting snow. I use a separate set of gloves, or tough it out bare handed so my hiking gloves are dry.
I love a larger than normal stuff sack for silnylon structures in winter so I don't have to fight with the shelter packing up because sometimes the inside is coated in frost.

One technique I've used is bringing an ultralight tarp to configure over my ultralight silnylon tent. It sheds snow, creates a double wall effect and adds enough extra warmth to merit the weight. A 5 x 10 works for me on a solo structure.

As you can see, winter, or four season tents need not be elaborate, just be sure the structure can shed snow and hold up to the contractions of severe cold. If you're anticipating freezing rain, I would definitely go with a tarp canopy, but be very sure to allow fresh air into the shelter.

I heard a woman layered plastic over her tent and suffocated. Maybe its a myth, but its a warning to the wise, cause I'm not going to test that theory.

I have slept under the stars in minus six degrees in northern Wisconsin. Shelter is necessary, just be sure you can still breathe.

A Morning of Facebooking

2011-11-05T06:44:00.000-07:00

Who says Facebooking is a waste of time?

This morning I saw two things of intellectual interest, read a wonderful poem a friend of mine read, caught up on family photos, posted my one liners and saw this great photo below. I love the download button which lets a person share the photo with others not in their facebook friends.

And because I Like Bankrate, I get messages and articles from them.
This article deals with the question, Should we teach our kids, hell, even Require our kids to learn personal finance in school.

Yes, yes, yes. I'll even take the class. How to buy a home, how to buy a car, how to make investments, how to budget, deal with snooty banks, avoid getting ripped off. There's a ton of valuable information we need that is way more important that advanced algebra. I must admit, anyone taking advanced algebra probably knows enough math to figure out a budget, but learning about all the hidden costs of buying a home would be a safe guard against the epidemic of foreclosures our country faces now.

http://www.bankrate.com/finance/personal-finance/free-economy.aspx?ec_id=FACE101

The air is warming and I'll go enjoy my daily walk in the woods.

The Walking Dead, A Movie Review

2011-10-30T17:19:00.000-07:00

No, this is not a zombie. Its a neighbor man hiking in the woods. His photo was shot with a trail camera.

This is me as a zombie Personal Chef. Halloween Party, a karaoke night, brought out the best or worse in us.

The Walking Dead is an AMC series filmed in Atlanta. The first season, 2010 had only 6 episodes.

44 minutes is a good amount of time to explored this theme. The premise of a devastating virus on the loose infects live people who are bitten or scratched by the walking dead. These zombies can smell the live humans, can hear all the sounds of mechanical and human device, but can not speak. This is a valuable piece of information. Talk if someone is about to shoot you because you're dripping blood from someplace.

The series is gruesome enough for all thrill seekers. We have a cop as a hero who is near fatally wounded and left for dead in a local hospital. He wakes to find the place deserted, zombies clamoring behind a chained door, and dead folks lying head to toe, rows upon rows on the loading dock.

We have some survivors holing up near a quarry, camping and sending supply parties back into Atlanta. We have rescues going on, and likable people getting overrun and eaten. Funny how the flesh always stretches into elastic gory messes.

But, I'm "enjoying" the series and will look for the next season of this.
Happy Halloween.
Go eat some candy.

Minimalist Lifestyle Lends Itself to Survival

2011-10-27T07:23:00.000-07:00

I am friends with Treehugger on facebook. That means I get neat links to stories like this:

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2011/10/soccer-moms-can-be-survivalists-too-video.php

Yesterday I read a story at that site about a sixteen year old who is building himself a portable 130 sq. foot home. It will cost him $2,500 and eliminate the rental and mortgage problem as he goes on to college, then finds a job and settles down. It will make him available for various jobs nation wide.

The key here, of course, is minimalism. If a person can keep their gear down to manageable size they can easily live in 130 square feet. However, if a person needs a host of different products for bathing, washing, and house cleaning, for example, all those things take space.

Minimalism is an art form, in backpacking, traveling, lifestyles.

With the economy so challenging, its becoming the fashion. Good thing for the planet, too.

My little studio is 12 x 16. The livable space is nearly 180 square feet. With the addition of this wood burning stove, I can use this space all winter long with no heating costs. There's a full size bed, electricity and wifi.

Its not portable, however, but look at my yard. Color is peak.

This photo makes the studio look like its slanting. But, believe me, its level. The company that brought it out 5 years ago leveled it and installed hurricane anchors.

Wrangler Reroutes Griz near West Glacier

2011-10-25T08:11:00.000-07:00

This is an amazing interview. Check it out at:

http://www.spokesman.com/blogs/outdoors/2011/oct/11/erin-bolster-and-tonk-late-show-david-letterman/

She is a great spokeswoman for seasona workers dedication and fun personality. Put the bravery and knowledge with that and you have a winning combination.

I love it!

Fresh Beats Fried Who Knew

2011-10-22T09:41:00.000-07:00

I personally never thought the day would come when Subway beat out McDonald's in total locations.
According to Time Magazine, by the end of 2010, home of the foot long for $5 had 33,749 locations while McDonald's had 32,737.

They say this is the "world's biggest restaurant chain" in terms of locations, not sales or pounds of aficionados.

No problem, I love Subway. They have this great bread and fix the sandwich right before your eyes with gloved hands. Wrapped in a nice paper instead of Styrofoam, a couple napkins, and its pretty low on the carbon footprint scale, one would think.

My only "beef" with them is not all locations serve coffee after noon. Hopefully, this winter when its cold, we can have a hot beverage with our meal. But, hey, don't do it just for me, Subway Owners. I seldom eat out anyways.

Borowitzer Report Hilarious on Occupy Wallstreet

2011-10-21T14:35:00.000-07:00

I find Andy Borowitz hilarious. His short news stories cover political events like no other can. Check it out:

http://www.borowitzreport.com/2011/10/17/a-letter-from-goldman-sachs/

I've been invited to come camp out at a number of venue's protesting Walstreet. We've got Occupy Atlanta going on, theres the one up in New York, and I hear its spreading across the country. Personally, I'd like to go Occupy Key West.

I know they need some Occupying going on cause housing down there is unaffordable for folks like me. Especially in the upcoming season if I'm going to commit to a tent for any length of time, its going to be south of the Mason Dixie line, youbetcha.

I'd like to see Occupy Manhattan (Walstreet or anywhere's north) in about a month. Hell's about to freeze over. Will there be bon fires and space heaters?

Interesting stuff. I see mostly dome tents, free standing. Easy to move, too. Just unstake them, and carry the structure as is. Soon the grass will be dead beneath.

I'm not saying I support or dis the movement, I'm saying its not sustainable. These rich folks know it, too, so time is on their side.

Looking forward to the Halloween scene in Gatlinburg. Hope to post photos here , stay tuned.

Second Book Completed

2011-10-15T17:50:00.000-07:00

I haven't posted in awhile. Between enjoying the fabulous color here in north east Georgia and completing the second book of my trilogy End of Days, time just sort of got away from me.

I created this book cover on the Paint Program, a challenge in itself. The background is a shimmer of light off my car, which actually became an exciting canvas to work on. If you would like to view more details on this work, please visit Journey North (Book 2 :End of Days) or see more on my website at
http://trailquest.net/brawny.html which is more personal page currently under construction.

May all your journeys be light.

Refrigeration using Sand and Claypots

2011-10-13T10:08:00.000-07:00

I love learning new tricks for creating necessary items out of unlikely components. I read The Survivalistblog. He usually has a guest post contest going whereby people write articles and the best one wins a prize. This is a great idea because so many good writers detail creative ideas.

Check out today's post describing how to create a viable refrigeration unit with ordinary clay pots and sand.

I'll be testing this idea soon.
http://www.thesurvivalistblog.net/

Silnylon Bag Set-Sale Item

2011-10-09T13:28:00.000-07:00

Ultralight Stuff Sacks and Ditty Bag set includes:

Four stuff sacks:9 x 14, 7 x 11, 8 x 10, 8.5 x 11

One stake bag
one belt loop pouch 4 x 7.5

and 3 ditty bags: 4.5 x 4.5, 7 x 7.5, 5.5 x 9.5

The entire collection weighs just 3 3/8 ounces. The variety of sizes and colors makes organizing your backpacking gear easy.

See Sales Page http://brawnyview.blogspot.com/p/sales-page.html
to purchase for only $30, which includes shipping.

Eureka Spitfire Tent-Sale Item

2011-10-05T11:07:00.000-07:00

Read my review and click on the link to see manufactures photos and stats. This tent fits anyone in the six foot range, very generous for someone of my size.
http://store.eurekatent.com/spitfire-1-tent

I'm selling it for $70 which includes shipping. In excellent shape, used to produce this review. As a gear designer, I make my own tents, so this one is now available.

http://www.trailquest.net/ultralight.html#Gear Reviews

See the Sales page on this blog if you are interested in proceeding with questions or would like to order.

Appalachian Trail Thru Hiker Dies

2011-10-02T07:43:00.000-07:00

Its always a sad day when someone you love passes away. For those who have hiked the trail, a special affinity and speculation on "what went wrong" also occurs.

Here's the link for the article concerning the guy who died in Maine:

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/44733461/ns/today-today_news/t/hiker-dies-just-short-appalachian-trails-end .

In the end, we all will die somewhere. I'm happy this man was not alone, nor stuck someplace he didn't want to be.

This was his third thru-hike, and I give special thanks to all the family members and trail angels who supported him emotionally and assisted him in living his dreams.

Update from the Homestead

2011-09-28T17:32:00.000-07:00

I haven't written in awhile because I'm furiously working on the second book in the trilogy End of Days.
The first of this series is available via Kindle. In this book, we have a long journey underway, some dangerous encounters with wildlife, and assimilation into a vastly different culture.

This actually happens while on a long distance hiking trail and I can feel for our heroine. Yet, she has a lot of secrets and issues, and finds herself changing in unexpected ways. Who doesn't?

Life goes on around me, though, the colors are beginning to change. The fall weather always reminds me of campfires and cold frosty mornings where kids burst from the tent and run to the fire, ready to receive their mug of hot chocolate.

I loved taking the kids camping at Starved Rock, Illinois, so named because back in the mid 1700s a band of Indians took refuge atop the rock, surrounded by a rival band determined to slaughter them all in retribution. During their ordeal, the natives lowered buckets to attempt water collection, but that failed as their nemesis cut the ropes.
Later, french traders traveled the nearby trails, saw the buzzards circle and decided to investigate. They found all the bodies, and discovered what happened, recording this story at the nearby fort.
Turns out the whole warfare began when some lusty braves killed the chief of the rival band.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starved_Rock_State_Park

The moral of this true story is not to start something you can't finish, or perhaps a little tolerance goes a long ways.

Hope you enjoy the autumn.

Bandits-A Movie Review

2011-09-23T19:37:00.000-07:00

I just finished watching a terrific movie with Billy Bob Thornton and Bruce Willis,
called Bandits.
Its a 2001 movie, and I'm surprised I hadn't seen it already. The writing is funny, the plot somewhat zany yet believable, the ending a nice twist and satisfying.
There are some great songs embedded into the scenes, and a beautiful woman. The rationale for robbing banks is that the money they steel is insured by the government and the government steels from the people, so they are just taking it back.

Billy Bob does an excellent job as the brains, albeit, hypochondriac of the team. Bruce of course it the muscle, and a smooth romancer as well. Our leading lady get wined and dined, a love story.

They have a dream for Paradise in Mexico. We see this is definitely before all hell had broken out south of our border. I wonder if that movie would have much appeal these days with the gang stuff going on down there, all the murders.

This is a movie I would like to buy, which is saying a lot.

Breaking Bad-AMC TV Series Review

2011-09-19T12:42:00.000-07:00

I picked up the July issue of Time from this year and read a three page review on this series which is actually beginning its fourth season.

An unlikely scenario, the hero finds he has terminal lung cancer and works as a chemistry teacher. Without sufficient money for his surviving family and treatment, he goes into meth cooking which would normally cause us to hate him, a drug dealer. But, think Weeds and Dexter and you may find yourself curious like I was.

On Netflix the first three seasons are available and as I watch episode two of season one, I am committed to watching it all.
We find a gentleman who has turned 50 who partners with a previous student due to unsavory circumstances. The student has graduated and very hip, it feels real. The teacher loves chemistry, this is obvious. His compulsion for neatness and perfection and novel ways of solving problems are well done. As he learns about weapons, and the hard core characters that interact in this business, I can't help rooting for him.

My first take away here is not to judge a book by its cover, and that you never know where your skill set will lead you , or what the desperation you may encounter will drive you to do.

If You Move it They Will Come

2011-09-17T15:36:00.000-07:00

My boyfriend has four trail cameras. They can be set to photo or video, timed intervals between first detected movement, and sensitivity.

Anchored to their location by locked cable to metal painted in camouflage motif, most animals totally ignore them while getting their pictures taken. Some amazing bear, fox, coyote, bobcat and hog photos are the result.

A house cat defied reason by hanging out at the Mulch pile camera. I knew something was eating all the watermelon rinds, apple cores and various garden refuse. Nothing likes the broccoli stems. But a house cat? I finally figured he must be stalking the mice and squirrels, but still, I would have thought we'd catch a deer browsing on it.

So, with that lackluster result, my guy moved the camera down trail and farther away from our homestead.

This morning, while checking the draw of my new wood stove, I walked out behind the studio and a huge black bear was caught unawares, running away from me.

Moved the camera, the bear comes near.

Silnylon Stuff Sacks and Ditty Bags-Sale Item

2011-09-13T17:50:00.000-07:00

This set consists of 3 stuff sacks, one stake bag and three ditty bags. All together, they only weigh 2.5 ounces. Price includes shipping. $25

You get:
Large blue stuff sack 10.5 x 14.5
Medium green stuff sack 8 x 12
Smaller blue stuff sack 8 x 10.5

black ditty bag 6 x 12
green stake bag 16" long
blue ditty bag 4.5 x 6.5
camo ditty bag 4.5 x 6 (a heavier ripstop, ideal for fuel tablets, knives, etc.)

The three stuff sacks shown above have squared off bottoms. The smaller blue one has a pull loop which aids in cinching to a pack, or facilitate removing tightly stuffed gear.

See sales page for ordering information.
http://brawnyview.blogspot.com/p/sales-page.html

New Green 8 x 10 Tarp-Sale Item

2011-09-11T09:50:00.000-07:00

Sold==The 8 x 10 silnylon tarp is the work horse of the backpacking world. I've sewn more of this size than any other, including. I use staking loops, not ties or grommets, which have proven strong enough to last years and never rip out.

The staking loops on an 8 x 10 work out to 2 feet apart on the center seam, and 8 foot lengths. On the 10 foot length the loops are 2.5 feet apart. This is "halved, quartered, and corners", a standard spacing option for many tarps.

The green tarp was made with first quality 1.3 ounce silnylon, some call it soarcoat, a brand name. The center seam is rolled, with my signature double sided center staking loops. This tarp has never been used.

It weighs just 15 ounces, including the stuff sack.

Sold!

Stuff sack included, measures 7 x 9.4
Price includes shipping to anywhere in the USA.
$85.

If you are interested in purchasing this tarp, see the Sales Page on this blog.
http://brawnyview.blogspot.com/p/sales-page.html

Sorry, no tent stakes are included.

127 Hours- A Movie Review

2011-09-10T19:04:00.003-07:00

I just finished watching the gripping saga of a young man who goes hiking in Canyonlands alone and after 5 days cuts off his own arm which had been totally trapped by a rock.

The accident and events leading to this drama are very well photographed. Its very believable, as well it should be, the guy has lived to tell about it.

We learn many lessons from watching this movie such as always leave your itinerary with a friend, carry a sharp knife, its good to go with a buddy whenever possible.
This sort of vicarious learning is long lasting. Its not preachy, the guy is very likable, we never feel he "got what he deserved".

He has water for his day hike gone wrong. After becoming trapped, he sparingly drinks, savoring each swallow. He attempts self rescue by emptying his pack and evaluating options. He uses his abundant climbing gear to rig a harness to facilitate sleeping, to wrap himself in against the cold nights in the desert, and to create a tourniquet.

Watch it, enjoy it, and be prepared for gut wrenching scenes when the arm is being amputated. Very realistic.
In the end we are told the long term outcomes. Spoiler: they are good.

127 Hours- A Movie Review

2011-09-10T19:04:00.001-07:00

One Person Can Make a Difference

2011-09-09T19:40:00.000-07:00

Does anyone remember the adage that yes, one person can make a difference. Sometimes its easy to feel very small in a world with several billion people in it.

According to this report, one person made a huge difference, not only in the south west, but the whole country. When a huge power outage goes down, people sit up, and take notice.
http://news.yahoo.com/blackout-reminder-power-grid-vulnerabilities-223505231.html

Hopefully, the powers that be will work on safe guarding the Grid. And the rest of us, hopefully we'll be making plans to live off the grid, at least short term if it happens in our neighborhood.

Filter Rain Water Run Off

2011-09-06T16:57:00.000-07:00

On the next Hobo Project, I used water from the abundant run off from Tropical Storm Lee. We were without power for 18 hours and I took this time to make and demo a double filtering system using recyclables, totally hobo style. Finish with a few drops of bleach. By removing the organic material from the water, less chemicals are needed to make potable water. Of course, one may also boil the water instead of using chemicals.

Alaska Buget Details OMG

2011-09-05T10:53:00.000-07:00

Many thanks to Kara who posted this trip review and listed the money she spent thouroughly enjoying 17 days in Alaska. Its an eye opener.
Alaska on a Budget 2007

I really appreciate her openness in the journal, sounds like she had a great time. Even getting her flight free with frequent flyer miles, she spent nearly $4,000 bucks. She traveled alone, stayed in hostels, rented a car.
I've got to do better.

I spent 2 weeks in Cozumel which is way cheaper. My cheap plane ticket, meals in a deli and free snorkeling helped keep the cost to below $ 1,000 in 2007. I split the cost of a nice budget motel room with my guy, so that wasn't too bad.

But, Alaska, wow. I'm going to plan that trip with more money available.
Things that used to be free, I'm told, are now being charged for. The shuttle bus, I'm told, was free to travel down that road in Denali to Wonder Lake with the admission to the park. It now is $40. I'm sure everything is higher than when my friend went in the 90s. So, I've been warned!

Vampires Suck-Movie Review

2011-09-04T13:59:00.000-07:00

This 2010 movie is so well cast that you would swear they are the same kids who starred in Twilight and New Moon, the Hollywood hits that have teen age girls swooning over Edward and Jacob. The heroine, Becca has the same maddening twitches, the same confusing bewilderment that the star of Twilight does.

If you've never watched either of those, you will probably be confused by the crazy parody and ridiculous events witnessed. We do have the vampires drinking True Blood, and we can see other derivative drama unfolding from that hit HBO series.

Personally, as a grown woman, I soon became tired of the whole thing, but continued until the end just for the purpose of giving a fair review.

With so much name dropping, the piece dates itself and will soon become meaningless. We see the cover of a magazine posting Tiger Woods picture. The heroine's mom was being banged, she said. We have mention of Face book, the Kardashiens, Jonas Brothers, George Clooney, and Cris Brown, all in appropriate context.

You could just about slap the stuff out of Becca because she can't seem to figure out why Edward is "different". Why do cute girls fall for SSJ, the Strong Silent Jerk ?
Nothing is sacred in this film, the dad is gross, beats up his friend who is wheel chair bound, and says crude stuff to his daughter. In the roll playing for safety part, she maces him, tears off his 'stash, and kicks him in the balls. Sad stuff.

I think its rated pg-13. I'd rate it a near TDFW, too dumb for words. Again, if you're going to watch it, it will seriously help to find and watch the Twilight series.

Ultralight Backpacking is Survival School

2011-09-01T17:51:00.000-07:00

This is my 9 ounce silnylon pack I designed and used for my successful thru hike of the Appalachian Trail. It was pretty basic, yet I made sure the shoulder straps were wide and padded to keep the pressure of a fully loaded food bag from causing pain on the trail.

Successful ultralighters think ahead. We plan, learn skills, innovate and don't expect to be bailed out.
We make mistakes, suffer awhile then fix it as soon as possible. I used to have problems not sleeping warm enough. Tried lots of things. Don't camp on hail, if you can help it. An empty silnylon backpack is poor insulation under the feet in winter. Use a full length pad. When the down bag gets marginal performance, it probably needs washing. If you have to wear your rain jacket to bed, do it. If you need 10 more degrees, use a bag liner.Buy fabric from walmart and sew one on the trail.
Its pretty rugged country up there in Vermont, and that hurricane Irene did a job there. Its easy to imagine communities being cut off. I'm surprised, however, that those folks didn't have more food and camping supplies tucked away for emergencies, any emergencies. I bet they will in the future.
Life is all about live and learn.
Ultralighters weren't born overnight. It takes schooling, a learning process. Sometimes we cut it too close, get into town starving. Then we eat everything in sight and probably haul way too much food out to the trail.
Sometimes we eat bad food combinations, forcing ourselves to eat anyways until next town stop.

Live and Learn. Makes great memories.

Stumphouse Tunnel Park and Trail

2011-08-31T13:19:00.000-07:00

I've driven by this place for over 11 years. It was about time I stopped and checked it out.
There are lots of picnic tables, a very cool, albeit somewhat dry, waterfall. Its called Issaqueena Falls, and named for an Indian Maiden who hid from her Cherokee captors way back when.

The double yellow blazes warn of a turn in the trail. Many have cut the switch backs so this was needed.

Because its still hot enough for poisonous snakes and bees, and I didn't bring my bear spray, I've elected to come back in the fall when color is better and its also not so hot.

There were many garbage bins designed to be bear proof. This is an excellent clue to how many problem bears must be in the area.

The steep trails climbing up the mountain are well worn, and very lush. Its hot and humid still.

Apparently before the Civil War, there was to be a railroad built to connect Charleston, S.C to Cinncinati Ohio. It would have been over 5,000 feet long when completed, and 260 feet at the deepest place. Slow progress due to the incredibly hard rock left the tunnel unfinished and without funding at the onset of the War. Afterwards, the tunnel was never completed.

There are several trail displays detailing the history of the area. This park is open 10 a.m to 5 p.m then the gates close. Its about 5 miles east of Wallahala, S.Carolina. The picnic pavillion and abundant picnic tables make it a great place for locals to enjoy an outdoor gathering.

I definitly plan a second day long excursion into this tunnel. I had a solar powered LED with me, not nearly bright enough for the 1,600 feet available to its end. The plaque warns not to wear the same clothes or shoes into this cave as another because fungus can infect each caves bats. Bats.

Well, I'll keep that in mind and come prepared.

My First Novel Is Published

2011-08-30T07:16:00.000-07:00

Several years back I wrote and published my first book, My Journey to Freedom and Ultralight Backpacking.
It was all completely true account of my hikes and completion of the Pacific Crest Trail and the Appalachian Trail. As non fiction and a discussion of my ultralight techniques, it felt fairly straightforward, albeit, emotional at times.

Then I did the cookbook, Everything Except Corn Pasta. It too is non fiction. Both are available world wide via Kindle, and Kindle for PC at Amazon.com

On my drive home from the Tetons this summer, a story began fermenting in my mind. It took on a life of its own, and it is the first fiction novel I've published. You can see it at Kindle by clicking on this link:
Measured Response (Book 1 of the trilogy:End of Days)

Needless to say, I've learned a lot with this first book. It became an emotional out of body experience nearly. Well, like I said, nearly. This photo below sort of fits, so I inserted it for your amusement.

I found that each morning while hiking on my normal jaunts, the best ideas and "corrections" would take place. I started bringing a tiny notebook, and stopped mid stride to jot down notes. Then, I'd go home and write. But it's not over.
The second book, Journey North, due out end of October, is a continuation of this trilogy I call End of Days. I've had to research and develop skills to incorporate them in these works of fiction, a passion of mine anyways.

May all your trails have meaning.

Innovations and the Lowly Bleach Bottle

2011-08-26T08:56:00.000-07:00

Innovation is the Ultralighter's best friend.

A common technique for teaching innovation involves the use of one lowly empty gallon jug, I personally prefer the bleach bottle for this.

Everyone has a bleach bottle at some point in time. If not, you can use an empty laundry soap jug, a milk jug or other bottle, preferably with a built in handle. It helps individuals get creative to add this feature.

Think of as many ways as possible to use the jug. An obvious starting place is to store clean water in case of power outage. In winter, don't fill the jug all the way or it could burst if the water freezes. I use laundry soap bottles for storing water only meant for washing. Seems it never looses that slightly soapy taste, no matter how many times it gets rinsed.

Ok, that was easy. Another way is to cut a square out of the middle front panel, and make a bird feeder. Screw the cap on so it sheds the rain. Hang it by the handle.

Cut the bottom off and turn it upside down to create a funnel.
Cut either end off at a wide angle, leaving the handle to create a scoop. Use at the beach in the sand, or in the garden, for cat litter, to bail water, etc.

Cut the bottom off and use to protect delicate seedling transplants in spring.

Cut the top off to create a bowl, or wash basin. Add some holes to allow drainage and it becomes a planter. Decorate with magic markers for a cool kids project. Cut evenly spaced 3 inch slits into the sides to weave colorful cloth or yarn and it becomes an art project.

Fill with sand or pebbles and create an anchor for tarps or tie downs.

Cut 3 x 6 strips out of the bleach bottle to create trail markers. I saw that on the northern section of the Appalachian Trail. Makes sense. They last forever, easy to install, exact dimensions and never fade.

Cut them into exact height to use for drawer deviders. I would go with a rectangluar soap bottle. Round is ok, but the colored bottles might be cuter.

Ok, you got the idea. By cutting off the things we don't need, we fashion what we already have (and might have thrown away if not recycled) into valuable items. We decide the correct demensions and end up with custom gear.

Ultralighters take this same approach when paring down their gear, designing new stuff, and reworking camping equipment to function for long trails.

I've been invited to share my passion and teach some classes this fall. This is going to be a lot of fun for me because I've been doing this a long time and it never gets old.

Please Translate this Study Result

2011-08-24T17:37:00.000-07:00

Found in the Local Food Guide, Georgia Organics 2011-2012

"Adolescents who participated in garden-based nutrition intervention increased their servings of fruits and vegetables more than students in two other groups. Although further research is needed, the results of this study seem to indicate the efficacy of using garden-based nutrition education to increase adolescents consumption of fruits and vegetables. (Mcaleese, J.D. & L.L. Ranklin 2007)"

This lends itself to a series of questions:

What is a garden based nutrition intervention? (Put that stinking twinkie down, here, eat this cucumber?)

What two other groups? (Latch key kids, free range kids, kids who pack their own lunches?)

How long did this study go on? (Please don't tell me we spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to find out that kids who had adult supervision and encouragement to eat more garden foods did so.)

The study seems to indicate? ( The data must be pretty shabby if that's all it accomplished)

I find this kind of thing misleading and ridiculous. Kids who become involved in their own health will do better than kids without leadership and opportunity. Garden based nutrition intervention? I wonder if this is being done in the school cafeteria, with real food on the menu.

Using a Compass-Review Skills

2011-08-23T10:38:00.000-07:00

After awhile if a person doesn't use a skill they forget how, or else, it takes awhile to reorient oneself to that skill. This is a great link, among others, to get a person comfortable with map and compass again.

http://www.backcountryattitude.com/navigation_map_compass.html

A lot of folks take a GPS with them, or a cell phone. Relying on batteries or satellite delivery can leave a person in deep trouble. The most important equipment we have is our brain.

I'm doing some refreshing myself.

Bears Behaving Badly, or Normally, Basecampers Beware

2011-08-21T10:34:00.000-07:00

Here's a link for the bear story outside Helen, Georgia. This town is not far from the Appalachian Trail, although many hikers don't visit it because they just finished going through Neels Gap, a store right on the trail.

http://www.11alive.com/news/article/202374/40/Bear-encounter-in-Helen-GA

The video is very good, and you'll enjoy listening to these local people.

Of course, cell phone coverage is spotty at best, and there are a lot of black bears. Many bears are becoming used to people, especially on the trail. Hang your food decently, and be aware of smells on clothing and gear.

I marveled that the report would say food was scarce this time of year. Its fall, its actually harvest time, seeds and acorns, roots and fruits are mature.

Interesting stuff.

Rechargeable Solar Lights-Gear Review

2011-08-20T11:56:00.000-07:00

This yard light has batteries which are recharged by solar power. Each night when it gets dark, they come on automatically. The darker it gets, the better the light shows up. These photos don't really do them justice.
We have 6 stationed in the front parking area, a nice way to light up the yard at night without costing anything except the initial few bucks apiece. These are Westinghouse, and weigh 4.5 ounces each. I thought they might even be nice for a base camp.

I found this half ounce "forever" solar powered flash light at Walmart. I bought two, one for backpacking and one for the key ring. My only suggestion for the manufacturer-a switch to keep it on. Right now, a person has to hold the button down for the light to stay on. Sometimes that can be tricky when you're hunting a piece of gear at night.

I love the weight, the durability, and the brightness. I've had it 18 months and its still going strong. My friend had one that quit on him. He laid it out on the table for three days. It seemed to be just what it needed, and it started working fine.

The brand name of the flash light is Rayovac.

Sometimes battery powered gear works better than solar.
I like to support the solar industry.

As we see with personal computers and cell phones, widespread public usage increases profitability for the industry. I believe the technology will become more affordable and deliver greater service as competition for the consumer dollar increases.

Still Waters Run Dangerously

2011-08-17T11:56:00.001-07:00

After reading the story here about the brain eating amoeba found in warm, calm waters, I just thought I'd share it with you.

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/brain-eating-amoeba-claims-second-victim-month-161107259.html

One of our favorite trail things to do was find a nice pool of water and take a swim. Sometimes a person can time that just right. The heat of the day, after a light lunch, which is the norm, actually, a person would be so tempted to chuck the pack and wade right in, trail clothes and all.

These nice warm pools are more likely to harbor rapidly growing bacteria, though. Snakes could be swimming, yes, amazingly copper heads do swim near shorelines, as well as rattlers.

The most dangerous critters I've come across, however, are bees, especially those that build their nest under rotted logs. I've been stung six times while running away from a weed cutting expedition. Trail maintenance can become hazardous unless its very cold and the bees are sluggish or dormant.

Whats so aggravating is they don't even bother to buzz a warning before stinging. I would run if I heard them buzzing.

At first I thought maybe I'd grabbed a pricker, like a raspberry bramble, until suddenly several were stinging me. Off I run, shedding clothes like a boy bound for skinny dipping.

The other day I was working in the garden oblivious to them peacefully swarming my ankles. My friend pointed them out and I backed away from the entrance to their underground home. I avoid that place now.

There are a lot of dangers out there, but like Thoreau said, We sit more risks than we run. Its not even the big things that can kill a person, like bears or snakes.

Sometimes I wonder how the human race has survived so long.

Coleman Solar Shower Test

2011-08-14T09:23:00.000-07:00

I found its much easier to take a solar shower if you have an easy way to raise it high.

I installed this heavy duty hook years ago, and decided to use it for my shower hook.

Sling it just as you would a bear bag, raise it to the height desired, and anchor the rope.

I put the water in the bag at 10 a.m. By 1 p.m. it was too warm! There is a warning printed right on the bag itself that temperatures may reach over 120. They have that right. I waited for it to cool a little, then enjoyed a nice shower. I had plenty of water to wash my hair as well.

This piece of gear is good for base camping or dry docking in remote areas. I didn't install a shower curtain because this area is very private already.

For $8 at Walmart, I can enjoy a hot shower, cost free.

Off On a Novel Adventure

2011-08-12T13:25:00.000-07:00

I'm writing my new book, a novel this time. Its fun, hard work, all consuming and becoming a lifestyle. Scary.

Based on an End Time scenario of survival and betrayal, I find myself learning many skills. I realized that being able to render fat into usable lard from wild hogs and bears would come in handy. Native American skills of brain tanning and net fishing would be advantageous.

I've thought much about various types of personalities and how they would handle the crisis. How many people would become subservient just to have food for the belly? How many would turn in their best friend for a seat at the table?

Then what if you found out stuff about your neighbor that left you tossing awake at night?

I'm pondering all the skills, emotional aspects, and warfare my people must go through. I'm learning about the research that's needed just to write a decent novel.

Anyways, that's what I'm up to lately, and my other blog, the female survivalist, is documenting some of my research into the skills aspect.

I plan to have it available at Kindle end of September.

Fine Art of Failure

2011-08-09T17:42:00.000-07:00

The Economist.com is an unlikely place perhaps to glean inspiration. This guy named Schumpeter wrote an article called Fail Often, Fail Well.

He quotes A.G Lafley, a successful ex-boss from Procter and Gable as saying that "we learn much more from failure than we do from success."

And its true. Failure can teach things that success takes much longer to instill. My best friend's dad always taught him that bought experience was the best kind, meaning if it hits you in the wallet (time or money) you'd remember that lesson forever.

The main thing with a successful failure is stepping back and analyzing what happened.

"Thomas Edison performed 9,000 experiments before coming up with a successful version of the light bulb," Schumpeter wrote. I didn't know that. Imagine how discouraged he could have become. Probably T. Edison wouldn't have blogged on all those failures either. Somethings just have to be done in private.

All the new ideas we see for gear, tents, equipment and extreme sports are exciting. We can expect to see failures due to all this creativity, and if this guy is right, it will be followed by great success.

Women Sets Record Of Fastest Hike

2011-08-06T08:29:00.000-07:00

I'm all about empowering women. This story tells about a 28 year old female who sets a record hiking the Appalachian Trail . This is her third thru hike. I'm glad she did her first one the old fashioned way: backpack, tent, and food, an "unsupported" journey of self discovery.

http://news.yahoo.com/woman-sets-appalachian-trail-fastest-hike-record-223818247.html?bouchon=524,ga

I have some fond memories of nights spent in trail shelters. Wondering who would pull in and how bad they'd smell. Wondering if I would find space in a shelter on a rainy night, or if I would have it all to myself. I learned if I didn't set up my tent, I could pack up in minutes and not worry about condensation either.

I fondly remember hikers spread across the shelter, laying like so many peas in a pod while Radio Flyerr asked How much would you need to be paid to eat a night crawler? He ended up with the lowest bid, and if it hadn't been so late, we'd probably have pooled our money to come up with the $20 bucks and someone would have found the worm for him. Course, Radio Flyer was a Tennessean dude, and probably had experience eating worms.

I fondly remember that last night trying to sleep while my stomach growled in anticipation of the morning hike into town. A resupply meant eating as soon as I got to anyplace selling food, grocery shopping, another snack before heading out. It probably meant running into trail friends I'd met and lost track of along the way. Not all of signed the same trail registers or slept in the same trail shelters.

I fondly remember peeling off socks and shoes in a trail shelter in Maine and the grandmother pleading with me to let her massage my thru hiker feet. Her grandkids were maybe a bit embarrassed, but they also wanted to listen to everything we talked about.

The miles of pain and agony I seldom even think about. Thats why I kept a good journal. I fondly remember so much of it that I would gloss it over when telling the stories, stories that hopefully will also inspire women to get out there and enjoy life.

I'm not against slack packing. One guy had his wife meet him every 20 miles and take him to a motel or established camp. Like our record setter, he made good time, saw his family every night. We scrounges called the white van she drove The Slack Mobile. I think he missed out, maybe we're the ones who did.
We'd live on ramen and oatmeal and slept on the dirt, made cups of coffee instead of pots of the brew.
The same clothes worn daily for months on end. Who knew one pair of shorts could last five months.

I post this just to give hikers the memories side of the story, and a warning, don't try to set the new record. I heard a few other kinds of records: Ed Garvey visited every shelter on his thru hike, my life partner had the longest thru hike in '92, how about the cheapest thru hike? How about the most nights out without seeing a person. On the PCT we went 10 days without seeing another soul up in section O, I believe it was.

Anyways, happy trails. Just saying.

Solar Shower by Coleman-A Trail Story and Review

2011-08-03T11:35:00.000-07:00

I hiked the Colorado Trail, all 468 miles at the time. Its been rerouted a little so its somewhat longer. Do it if you get a chance. Its a marvelous above treeline experience.
Nearing a resupply point, we came upon a trail crew by Copper Mountain. They invited us to stay for supper, enjoy a hot solar shower and spend the night. We accepted and had a great time of companionship. The shower held five gallons, and was plenty warm. Amazing experience. Many thanks to the Colorado Trail crew for their generosity.

Today I bought a solar shower made by Coleman. Surprisingly it only cost $7.88 at Walmart. Holds 5 gallons, and the directions say it takes about 3 hours to heat.
I have plans to use it for outdoor showers this summer, washing dishes, and basically have it for base camping.

This heat wave we've been going through made me think of turning this "lemon" into lemonade by utilizing the constant sunshine. I have it laid across the trunk of my Geo, a naturally hot spot anyways.

The red shower end is adjustable. I'll report back after more testing.

How to Send a Box Without the Post Office

2011-08-01T09:50:00.000-07:00

Amazingly, this USA story had it right. Long distance hikers on trails do love the Post Office. We come to view it as standard procedure for shipping transitional supplies to ourselves. No one is needed as a support person back home if we do this via Bounce Boxes.

Read this article for a very realistic picture of how it goes, ideally.

http://travel.usatoday.com/news/story/2011/07/Post-office-closings-threaten-Appalachian-Trail-hikers/49719560/1

There are places on the trail that have no readily accessible post offices. At those times, a person knows they'll be resupplying at the nearest gas station for enough to make it to a decent road where they can hitchhike to a nearby town. Some hitch hikes involve 20 miles in one direction. You want to choose a town on a busy road or you could be standing there a very long time.

There are trail towns with hiker hostels nearby. Sometimes the owners will let you mail yourself a package with their address on it. Vermillion Valley, on John Muir Trail/Pacific Crest Trail, and the Sauffley's in Aqua Dulce are just two examples. Every year these places can change their policies so its always wise to check first as you plan your hike.

There are motels along the highways which will allow you to mail a package to yourself if you have a reservation with them. I saw several hikers making up resupply boxes to ship to themselves at these places instead of post offices mainly because the motels are open 24-7 whereas tiny post offices had unusual hours.

No doubt long distance hikers and section hikers will determine these key spots and everything will go on just fine. The Pacific Crest Trail has a dedicated website and there are many forums for Appalachian Trail questions.

If you chose to mail yourself extra clothing to get through the Whites on the AT, or through the John Muir higher elevations, if you can ship something that you are willing to donate to the hiker boxes at the end of that section, you can eliminate the need to ship it back home. North and South bounding hikers on the AT can take advantage of these hiker boxes and generosity much easier than those on the PCT because the traffic and common towns are much fewer on the PCT.

One Lucky Woman

2011-07-31T10:34:00.000-07:00

Luck is the frosting on the cake of life. I live in a deep forest, have a studio and share a lovely mountain home with a wonderful man who I love to pieces. I am one lucky woman.

My studio is a metal building 12 x 16 which has been insulated, panelled and carpeted.

There is a lot of wild life too. Yesterday morning I watched a fawn run up and down the trail frisky as a pup. It was hilarious because she wouldn't venture into the clearing. Each trip up and back, her little tail would be flipping back and forth.
The day before that, we had four deer in the yard. I took some footage, and enjoyed watching them for half an hour. Then, I got down to my writing.

There are many bears in our neighborhood. My man has various trail camera which capture photos when movement is detected. We have noted at least 7 different bears. One mother and her two cubs are cute as can be. They seem to prefer the spring trail. Others are thinner, younger and have some scars. After examining the read end photos, we now know there is a small female, and a small male out there as well.
The bear in this photo is 3 feet at the shoulder. You can see his scar.

The seldom seen bobcat was caught coming up the driveway.

So far no snakes have been seen in the yard. That's pretty unusual. Normally we have at least one poisonous sighting.

Ultralight Silnylon Rain Jacket-Prototype

2011-07-28T08:49:00.000-07:00

I took this video, but really the photos and text are needed to describe this prototype rain jacket.
It weighs 4. 5 ounces, is a medium, and come with this pouch which weighs 3/8 ounce. The pouch is over sized so a person can carry spare gloves in it too.

I've been using silnylon rain jackets, and sewing them for other hikers for 10 years now. Some have been made with internal pockets. The one shown here has a full frontal pocket, where data books, hand warming and other gear can be stashed. If you have your pack on, the belt will probably hit just above the pocket, giving you full access to the pocket in the rain.

Black in opaque, and good for cold weather because it draws the sunshine. You can wear it in the laundromat without anything under it, unlike a gray or blue silnylon. I have worn mine as a vapor barrier at night, it really adds warmth. I prefer using a light wicking layer between my skin and the jacket. Others say the wear the jacket by itself.

The cuffs are elastic, with finger loops to hold your sleeves down if you use hiking poles.
I sometimes hang my jacket by these finger loops to provide privacy under a tarp set up.

The hood is generous. Some folks have mentioned at first they thought it too large. I explained that this way, when you wear a hat and pull the hood up, you have a natural beak and rain won't be running into your eyes. I bought a heavy rain coat once with a scanty hood and that is one problem I noticed. Hence, I always sew an ample hood with any jacket I make. The hood has a draw cord.

The hem of the jacket also has a draw cord. This keeps heat in when needed. I used a silnylon jacket on all my trails, wearing only a tank top under it. Some mornings it was just for warmth, days in driving rain it made all the difference between being cold or comfortable.

This pouch can hold many things, and you can hang it from your belt by the strap. You can vent this non breathable jacket by rolling it up from the bottom to chest level, by pushing up the sleeves, or taking the sleeves off but keeping the jacket on. The generous cut allows you to layer underneath as well.

I made a belt loop pouch to keep this rain jacket handy. There's enough room in it for a pair of gloves.

This is a medium jacket, sleeve length is about 32 inches from center of spine. The jacket is 26 inches long, enough to be hip length. Fit depends on each individuals body composition. You can see there are very few seams. Like all the gear I make, seams are double rolled for strength and long life.

You can buy this prototype for $40, which includes shipping, by checking out how to order on the sales page. http://brawnyview.blogspot.com/p/sales-page.html

When Ice Was A Buck

2011-07-27T11:13:00.000-07:00

Just yesterday I was in Wal Mart, doing the weekly town trip. I check my blood pressure and heart rate at the pharmacy department, make sure to visit the sale aisle, and see what's new in the camping/ outdoor department, lifting various items for weight.

I noticed a bag of ice now goes for $3.50. Where have I been? Used to be a buck. I know it was, I remember that.

Then it occurred to me I sound like my mom, kinda getting old. And it further occurred to me why youngsters, you know who you are, aren't disturbed by this, or anything bothering the country now.
This is their reality. They don't remember when you could get a Baskin Robbins cone for a quarter. They don't remember when you could find a pay phone nearly everywhere you went. Now we need cell phones cause you can't call home from the nearest pay phone. Aren't any.

And it occurred to me they won't remember when you couldn't find ultralight backpacking gear. Used to be you had to wait forever for a little cottage industry to fill an order, or buy some silnylon from a outfitters five states away and try to talk mom into sewing something for you.

Its good, all good. No wonder there is a measure of hope in our kids because this is their reality. Some of the older folks I talk to seem out of hope, expecting Armageddon at any time. Breathing down our necks. They remember the times when ice was a buck.

Media can work us over, hammering for a story. I'm guilty of much worry over the economic mess our country is in. Can we still afford to follow our path? Can we afford not to? Life is short. Think Amy Winehouse.

And too, I remember the huge Y2K thing that was supposed to happen. All the computers going down, people were stocking up on dehydrated goods, toilet paper, not flying. I was working at a retirement center at the time. They asked me if I could be on standby, just in case. Like the ovens might go down? I said, sure, no problem. Just call me.
Last week they warned us about Carmegedon in California. Didn't happen.

Need to warn us about the real things. Like maybe too many politicians on the payroll. I say down size, down size them all. How many senators do we really need? I think one per state would be able to hold up negotiations just as well as two.

Just Can't Take the Heat

2011-07-25T09:41:00.000-07:00

Guess I am a morning person, but that's not all of it. Just don't like the heat. Heat can sap the energy right out of a person, even when they drink tons of water.

An early start to the day gives a person plenty of time to get stuff done before the sweat starts dripping off your brow, down your eyebrows, off your nose, onto your shirt.
Sorta salty stuff, that.

When the thermometer is ready 90, the shade is a mighty sweet find. A cold bottle of water, barefooted and fancy free. That's what I'm talking about.

Now, those who have a real job, I'm hoping its air conditioned or else they let you have some breaks. I've worked a line behind the grill, the saute end of things, and the wheel. Love the cooking, just can't take that heat!

Northbounders Meeting Southbounders

2011-07-24T17:56:00.000-07:00

I got to the Maine border August 1st. I'd seen a few south bounders before this. It was always good to ask another long distance hiker who has been over the trail section I'm heading into if they have any tips.

One guy who made the most difference had come through the White Mountains. I met him at the frat house in Hanover, New Hampshire. He told me he had more food after finishing the Whites than when he started because he ate at the huts. Every day, after the guests were fed, he'd eat leftovers for a buck.
Well, that sounded really good to me.
Resupplying before the Whites, I took four days of food, not too heavy, and planned on capitalizing on that perk.
Sure enough, it was just as he said. One really decent morning, my friend and I ate blueberry pancakes, syrup, and steaming hot coffee, all we wanted for a buck a piece. The crew was mopping the place, stark naked except for aprons, and just asked if we'd mind eating outside so they could finish their jobs.
No problem, we chimed. Excellent!
We did a work for stay at the Hut of the Clouds, sleeping on the tables after the guests were fed. Our jobs had been to wash dishes. Worked.

South bounders can give you a heads up on the town you're approaching, avoid the certain restaurant cause they give small portions or don't let you bring your pack inside. They can warn you about shelters over run with local thugs.

By the same token, if they ask you for tips, you can give them good information. Some hikers are too nosey, too bossy, or just give a bad vibe. I'm not saying I'd talk to everyone I met.
But if the situation is good, it can really be a benefit.

One thing I always hated was meeting hikers who had an over competitive chip on the shoulder, comparing miles, weights, and expensive gear. My favorite quote "In the end you find no one wins, and the race was only with yourself ."

Chicago's Death Wave of '95-Beat the Heat

2011-07-21T10:01:00.000-07:00

The current heat wave sweeping the country reminds me of the heat wave we encountered up Chicago way in 1995. Read more about it :

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1995_Chicago_heat_wave

Basically, you have fatal humidity coupled with record heat and people living in a place where its too dangerous to open windows. A place where older people are more isolated, smack in the middle of a huge town whose officials didn't declare the warning until the last day.

We really shouldn't need a warning. If someone is feeling very hot, not drinking enough, or not sweating, things are getting serious. If you know someone who lives alone, living in a heat advisory location, call them up, check on them.

One of my best ways of cooling down when the power goes out is to get a basin of cold water and sit down with my feet in it. Get a cold glass of water, and sip it while relaxing in the shade. If you need some extra cooling, get a paper fan and use it. If you get your hair wet, the fanning feels even better.

If you're planning some hiking during hot weather, get an early morning start. Try to stop by a lake, creek or river at lunch time. Take a swim, get your clothes wet, and stay in the shade. Wait a while before continuing. Remember after 3 p.m things will start to cool down and you can get some more miles in.
One of the worse places to hike through during a heat wave on the Appalachian Trail is that cornfield north of Duncannon in Pennsylvania. I got through there when the leaves were only knee high, early June. Can't imagine what it would be like in July.

All modesty aside on the Pacific Crest trail, when we came near water, I would take off my shirt, rinse it in the stream and continue on. This is one time when a cotton t shirt is better than synthetic because it will absorb more water and dry much slower. Throw a cotton t shirt into your bounce box for the desert and Hat Creek Rim of the PCT if you can.

Three main words of advice if you're out on a trail : Drink, drink, drink.

Pimp My Ride

2011-07-18T10:31:00.000-07:00

I'm still driving my Geo Metro. I've had it since 1999 when it was only three years old and had only 6,000 miles on it. Right now, it has 127,852 miles and going strong.
Just to celebrate, I decided to gift it with a necklace. Looking around the homestead, I found this turquoise and sinew combination and thought, yeah, that works.

Gotta pimp my ride.
Now experts tell us it costs about 40 cents a mile to keep a car.
That may be true. I decided to figure out what I spend on my ride yearly.

Going back these last 11 years, I find I spend for car insurance, tags and taxes just under $400.
Four oil changes add another $100. General upkeep like tires, battery, air filter, brakes, muffler, distributor, new hoses and belts for prevention, have run me less than $500 a year, way less.
Bottom line, for under $1,000 I keep this baby running and still get 45 mpg. I really like having my own car. I can do $1,000 a year.
How can a person complain about that?
She's getting old so I don't worry about anyone stealing her. Still, I lock the doors when I go places, especially on road trips.

I'm averaging 10,000 miles of driving a year. That sounds like 10 cents a mile to me. I know, I know. Its a Geo. If I had a 2009 truck, it would be costing plenty.

Guess I'm living within my means, or even below my means. There's freedom in this lifestyle. Freedom from doing stuff I don't want to do. Freedom to go places I want to go.
Is this a subliminal message to our government?
You bet.

The Bag Lady

2011-07-15T09:07:00.000-07:00

Sewing is a hobby of mine, a passion. Seems like a lot of my projects are backpacking and outdoor related.
These bags are examples.

The gray water sack is so light and small. Testing water sacks led me to believe a smaller opening would be better, than say the one in the photo below. Friends told me the smaller opening made for easier pouring. They also set them on the ground to warm in the sun. This one holds 3 quarts.

The green bag with the black strap sewn into the side is based on the hiking we did up in Glacier National Park and the Bob Marshal Wilderness.
Each morning we would pack our snacks into this ditty bag, thread it onto the hip belt. The rest would go in the Garcia Bear Canister, which was then locked and loaded into the bottom of my pack. Hard to get to for lunch and snack breaks, especially if it was raining.
So, this belt loop bag came in handy.
If you're making your own gear, just add the black web strap when you're sewing the side seam and be sure to reinforce. Sometimes upwards of three pounds could be in this pouch.

I also use one when I'm doing huge miles and don't want to stop for lunch. I just slow my pace and snack out of the belt bag.

I found that the blue bag is good for things you need to find easily. Blue stands out in the forest. Nothing is naturally blue except the sky and water. This bag is ideal for the hygiene bag or whatever.
The tiny plastic bags are what I use for my Ibuprofen, salt or cinnamon. Pretty handy.

If you're interested in getting this set, see the sales page
http://brawnyview.blogspot.com/p/sales-page.html All three bags weigh just 1 3/8 ounces.
$12 includes shipping.

Bag Liner Sale Item

2011-07-14T10:29:00.000-07:00

This bag liner is also brand new, a prototype made in 1.1 uncoated ripstop. I love the feel of the fabric. Length is 90 inches, 32 inches wide.
Weight is only 5.5 ounces.

In studying the possibilities of bag liners, I thought, how about a self contained pillow sleeve? Roll up your jacket and slip it into the sleeve and it can't get away from you at night. Of course any spare clothes would do.

This bag liner is one of a kind, only $25 includes shipping.
I enjoy doing custom gear and prototypes because it never gets boring and I can try all sorts of techniques.
See sales page
http://brawnyview.blogspot.com/p/sales-page.html

for ordering information.

Bag Set and Ultralight Gaiters-Sale Items

2011-07-13T11:40:00.000-07:00

Set includes:
black stuff sack 9 x 15.5
green stuff sack 7 x 10.5
blue stuff sack 9 x 14
blue ditty bag 8.5 x 7 (good for stove sets)
black ditty bag 4 x 4.25 (good for wallets)
blue stake bag
gray ultralight gaiters, custom
8 3 x 6 inch resealable plastic bags
8 2 x 3 inch resealable plastic bags

This whole set weighs a total of 3 and 7/8 ounces. Made with first quality 1.3 ounce silnylon, seams all double rolled for strength.

I made these ultralight gaiters to fit inside a 3 x 6 inch resealable bag. They only weigh 28 grams, yes, just one ounce. Made with 1.3 ounce silnylon. My prototype here is designed for simplicity and long wear:seams are double rolled, top cinches with an elastic drawcord. The bottom laces are removable and replaceable because they thread through loops and are not sewn in permanently. They are 9 inches wide, and 11.5 inches tall.

To keep the weight low and the gear maintenance free, no zippers, buckles or Velcro is used.
Good for early snowfalls, muggy rainy weather on the AT, keeping small rocks and sand out of the shoes in the desert. Because they are so light, you can just throw them in the pack without wasting space.

As with all prototypes, just one set of gaiters available. Set is $25 and includes shipping.
See Sales Page http://brawnyview.blogspot.com/p/sales-page.html for ordering information.

Patching Holes in Plastic with Silcone

2011-07-12T20:04:00.000-07:00

I started a passive water collection system from my studio roof. When we get these enormous thunderstorms which dump a lot of rain within minutes I find its very easy to let the buckets fill up with run off from the roof. This back up water is used for the garden during dry spells of if the power goes out.
Notice the white buckets sitting on the ground on the left corner.

When I first started this project I had a couple buckets but one of them had holes in it. Several years ago in my Tomato potting project I drilled holes in the sides and bottom to let the water drain so the root systems wouldn't drown. I have since decided a serious mountain garden was in order, so the bucket now is being diverted to water collection.

In order to seal the holes I used 100% clear exterior strength silicone , the kind that comes in a tube and is used in a caulking gun. I filled the holes both inside and out with silicone.
Time would tell how well it would hold.
Its been two months and all is well. The water has not seeped out, even when its been full for days at a time.
I also use this product to seam seal silnylon tarps, tents and packs.

If you have to patch or glue plastic, I recommend this inexpensive product. You can find it in the hardware section at Walmart. Apply it to clean dry surfaces and allow to dry and cure completely.

Video and Story Bear Swimming in Yellowstone

2011-07-10T08:25:00.000-07:00

The bear apparently just happened to be in the same area as a skittish woman hiker.
I don't blame her. Watch the video and decide what you might do.

Like the ranger says, you don't know if you're a stander or a runner til it happens to you.

Here's the link for the bear story and video:

http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/07/09/wyoming.grizzly/index.html?hpt=hp_p1&iref=NS1

Silnylon Fabric Starter Kit and Pack Cover

2011-07-09T17:04:00.000-07:00

This selection of sewing hardware includes:
5 yards of cord elastic
3 yards of flat elastic
10 cord locks
12 mitten hooks (the black ones)
5 metal clips
1 Caribiner
2 sliding web clips
1/2 yard each (18 inches wide by 60 inches long) black, blue, gray and green first quality silnylon
1 yard no see-um-netting

With this assortment, you can make ditty bags, dunk sacks for cookware, water sacks, silsocks and more. If you need larger pieces of fabric, e-mail me. This set is $20.

This ultralight pack cover has a self stuffing ditty bag, and weighs only 2 1/4 ounces total. An elastic drawcord and wind strap are special features I always used. This should cover a pack with dimensions up to 18 wide by 24 long, with good wrap around sides and back. The elastic drawcord makes it easy on, easy off with adjustable sizing to smaller packs as well.

This packcover is designed for daypacks, and ultralighters. It is brand new, never used.
Price includes shipping , $13.

See sales page http://brawnyview.blogspot.com/p/sales-page.html
for e-mail and to purchase.

Activities with the Grandson

2011-07-08T18:05:00.000-07:00

This summer I got a chance to spend time out west with the family. My grandson and I are painting this stool, he is doing all the trucks in Boy Fashion. I did the brown base paint, and the clear acrylic sealer over all.
First my daughter found three truck cookie cutters. I traced the truck shapes onto a top sheet of paper, then stacked 3 more sheets with it. I cut the paper shapes out with a scissors, put tape on the back and had my boy place them on the green stool. Then I spray painted the stool brown.
We removed the paper shapes and he painted the trucks which were greenish. I outlined his work, and he enhanced the trucks with other colors. We allowed it all to dry, and finished it with a spray acrylic. His name and hand prints are painted on the top as well.

When I got home from my Out West adventure, I wrote Everything Except Corn Pasta, the book about trail food, trail stories, and ultralight cooking. Today I put it on sale as a way to say thanks for reading this blog.

This photo was taken up in Muir Hut on the Pacific Crest Trail. We'd stopped there to cook some hot lunch after slugging through snow all morning. 192 miles from Kennedy Meadows to Vermilion Valley Resort, including the side trip to Mt. Whitney without a resupply. Food was pretty rationed out.

Everything Except Corn Pasta is 25% off for a limited time available at Kindle. Kindle for PCs has a free download.

Appalachain Maps on Bandanas, for Sale

2011-07-07T07:52:00.000-07:00

You can buy these for 12. 95 each at http://www.antigravitygear.com/mapdana.html

They do a good job describing what they are. I got a set of 4, the entire trail, but never used them.

This set is $25. Weighs 7 ounces, total.

http://brawnyview.blogspot.com/p/sales-page.html

New 10 x 12 Tarp for Sale

2011-07-07T07:27:00.000-07:00

Sold!

This is the same size tarp used in making the video about how to make a tarp tent with a flat tarp. The staking loops are 2 feet apart on the 12 foot length, then centered and quartered on the 10 foot length.

It comes in a blue stuff sack, brand new. Total weight is one pound, 5 7/8 ounces, just under 22 ounces. Made with first quality 1.3 ounce silnylon. The tarp in this video sold so quickly, I made another one. Stakes not included.

I shared another set up at youtube, which I called the E-Shelter.
http://youtube.com/user/brawny03

Tarp with shipping is $100. --Sold
Watch the tarp being set up on the video embedded in the blog at this site.
For details on how to order see:
http://brawnyview.blogspot.com/p/sales-page.html

This tarp can be set up in many ways, including the basic a frame, flying diamond and canopy. A flat tarp is so versatile, it could be considered a Must Have for campers and backpackers alike.

Brooks-Range Solo Tarp for Sale

2011-07-07T07:21:00.000-07:00

Sold!

I've tested this tarp and made an ultralight sleepnet to go with it. The tarp was used in my Five Pitches series at http://youtube.com/user/brawny03.
You can see the actual tarp at brook-range website by following the link.

http://brooks-range.com/Ultralite-Solo-Tarp.html

Red my review at http://thefemalesurvivalist.blogspot.com

on July 10, 2010.

For 9 ounces carrying weight you get a sleepnet, measuring 25.5 x 30 wide. It has a hanging clip on the front and an elastic drawcord so you can cinch it up. Customers said they wore a hat under it which worked really well.

Stakes not included. Cost is $25, which includes shipping too.See sales page for more details.

This Item is now sold.

http://brawnyview.blogspot.com/p/sales-page.html

Silnylon Day Pack

2011-07-07T07:13:00.000-07:00

This day pack weighs only 3.75 ounces. It has adjustable straps, and a front mesh pocket for water bottles. Measures 20 x 18 x 4 inches deep.
Works really good for day hikes, and packing into luggage for air travel cause its so light and really packs into a small space.

Price is $25. Its brand new. Sold

I made one of these for a friend in Yellowstone. He was amazed how light it was, and that he could pack his jacket into it, along with several other things.
I feel the pack shouldn't weigh more than the stuff you're carrying.
http://brawnyview.blogspot.com/p/sales-page.html
See the sales page for ordering information. Sold

Town Day Update

2011-07-06T11:36:00.000-07:00

I went to town today, my one day a week I actually go in to shop.
Things are sorta strange. I read the story of the second bank here in town that went under in 18 months. Seems they were heavily invested in real estate loans that just weren't working. Seems they weren't able to raise enough capital to stay afloat.

Other businesses have gone under. Two new restaurants are trying to make a go in the same building others just failed in.
I hope they make it, a pizza joint, and a bar and grill.

I love the library and thrift stores, checking out the books and reading the newspaper. Talking to friends who do town the same day I do.

Its tourist season for us here. Gas prices are dropping every time I go in. Still, its 25 cents per gallon cheaper if I go into a different town same distance away.

Choices. Choices to keep our own people in business, even if it costs just a bit more. I know I'm buying from local markets instead of Walmart if I can. Just to spread the money around a little.

We do what we can.

Stay tuned for more gear sales. I updated the page, and will blog about the four new items tomorrow.
Happy trails, ya'll.

The Bug Shirt Prototype-Sale

2011-07-05T09:23:00.000-07:00

This prototype bug shirt has a hood and face protection designed to keep the insects out of your life without the use of Deet. Its a medium, sleeve length 27 inches.

It weighs only 3.5 ounces and even has some mittens built right in. I created a fold back top to these mittens, with velcro closure. Sort of an all out solution to a very annoying problem when you're sleeping under a tarp, hiking in the mountains, or just watching someone target practice in the dense woods.

I made the head protection as a hood so that the neck can be totally protected. The netting over the face can be lifted up and rolled back if you want to eat something. I made the hood oversized so that a cap worn under it would make a nice Bee-Keeper sort of situation.

Once again, this prototype is something I do as a hobby, a learning process. I roll the seams, and create something that will last while I learn about product designs. You can get this trail-all purpose no see um netting shirt for only $25. There's only one of course, so first come first served.

http://brawnyview.blogspot.com/p/sales-page.html

Eureka Kotey 35 Degree Bag, Sale

2011-07-05T08:56:00.000-07:00

This bag is 6 feet long and I was able to test it one night in Georgia. So, its nearly New, only $30. Check out the
http://brawnyview.blogspot.com/p/sales-page.html for details how to buy it. I'm selling it to make room in my studio .

You can read my review at:
http://www.trailquest.net/BRfile.html#How

I swapped out the heavy compression stuff sack for a silnylon sack I make for my line of gear, called Brawnygear. This blue stuff sack has that label in it.

Stuff Sack and Water Set

2011-07-05T08:38:00.000-07:00

This set has a lot in it and weighs a total of 3.75 ounces, not even 4 ounces. Complete set is only $25.

You get:

a water sack (3 quart capacity)

6 - 2x3 resealable plastic bags

6-3x6 resealable plastic bags

one stake bag(stakes not included)

two ditty bags- 4x4.5, and 4 x 5

black stuff sack 8.5 x 15

blue stuff sack 8x13

green stuff sack 7 x 11

small blue stuff sack with bottom loop 6 x 8

All of these bags are new. Seams are rolled. Made with 1.3 siliconzied first quality silnylon.

This is a water sack in action. You can fold them and carry to the water source in your pocket. Hang on the tree when you get back. Easy to pour out of, too.

This set is now sold. We'll be offering another set soon, Stay tuned.
http://brawnyview.blogspot.com/p/sales-page.html for details on how to buy this.

The Bag Liner on Sale

2011-07-05T08:20:00.000-07:00

I've started a Page, located on this blog, where new and used outdoor gear will be for sale.
http://brawnyview.blogspot.com/p/sales-page.html

Today I'm starting with this blue sleeping bag liner.
sold- check out another prototype bag liner on July 14, 2011
It is made of 1.1 ounce ripstop, and folded it fits into this sandwich Ziploc bag. It weighs only 5.5 ounces. Its purpose is to add warmth to your sleeping system, keeping it clean. Also, on hot nights it can be unbuttoned and used quilt style.

It measures 90 inches long by 31 inches wide and is only $25. Brand new., . The seams are rolled. That's a very strong way to finish seams so they don't fray or pull out. I created this special process way back in 2001 when I began sewing tarps for people.

I love to sew and create new prototype gear.
At some point, I give it away, or sell it to make room for more projects. Read how I designed it on this blog March 21, 2011.

That's the story of most of the items that will be sold on these pages. Stay tuned for more.
If you're interested, click on the Sales Page where there are directions on how to proceed.
sold!
Happy Trails!

I Still Use Silnylon, not Cuben

2011-07-04T07:56:00.000-07:00

Hi Carol,

I've been enjoying your channel. I wanted to ask you if you've had any experience with cuben fiber material for shelters. Cuben fiber seems to be the latest thing but not many videos out
--D.

For all you readers,
I'm still using silnylon, 1.3 ounce silicone impregnated ripstop. Its lightweight, very strong, comes in many good colors.
Here's an exchange between a friend and I on YouTube videos.

Hi D,

I know a guy who sews it, Mountain Laurrel , and its very expensive stuff. The only colors available at the time (and with research) are not in my acceptable range. I do stealth stuff.

The weight savings are not that dramatic, in my opinion. Keep your gear sized to fit you, simplified in design and structure is my best advice.

best
Carol

Carol,

Well now you got me thinkin'. Cuben fiber is certainly very expensive. I contacted the material manufacturer and it seems the manufacturer has a tight grip on who received material and what its being used for. I'm not very good at rigging guy lines, so ... I might scrap the tarp shelter idea, however I do like your tarp shelter with a floor. It didn't seem to have all the stakes as those other tarp systems require.

Thank you for your reply. I've learned a lot from you.

D

Rusting Minds and Air Filters

2011-07-02T07:00:00.000-07:00

"Iron rusts from disuse, stagnant water loses its purity, and in cold weather become frozen; even so does inaction sap the vigors of the mind"--Leonardo da Vinci

I love this quote. Leonardo, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonardo_da_Vinci, has credibility in the Creative World.

Another favorite quote goes something like this: If you're not living life on the edge, you're taking up too much space.

The world needs some innovation. We're in a mess. Our current sources of power include oil, coal and nuclear. These things are hazardous.

For my part, I love the solar powered LED lights, my little '96 Geo Metro that just keeps on going, and a life style of voluntary simplicity.

The other day I finally got my air filter replaced. Because the car is 15 years old the part was a special order. Last time it was replaced it cost only $10. This time it was $20. The auto parts store guy put it on for me while I watched. Easy.
So, when I got the old one, it looked like the filter on my vacum cleaner. Its washable and reuseable. Its a no bag vacum cleaner and been going for years, a very excellent system.

One thought led to another until I decided to wash this air filter and see what happens.
After dumping out the dirty water, it is now drying. Looks like new.

Any of you car buffs out there want to warn me about using it on my car,please do. Once the brand new one gets dirty, about two years from now, I plan on trying this.

Even Huddle House Offering Coupons

2011-07-01T07:27:00.000-07:00

No one can say times are not rough when even the local Huddle House is offering coupons.
Even a dollar off if you buy something over six bucks.

Seriously. Our little town here has had two banks closed and taken over by other banks (FDIC shut them down) and several decent restaurants. McDonalds, Burger King, Wendy, Dairy Queen and Huddle House, in that order, seem to be doing the most business.

Hopefully people are putting in gardens cause with the new immigration laws, Georgia farmers are worried they won't be able to find enough workers to harvest the crops. They say Americans just don't last in the fields. It gets upwards of 100 degrees and no shade. That would be rough.
Maybe if they looked at improving conditions, like shady breaks, more pay, some recruitment of high school kids for 5-6 hours a day, they could find solutions.

When I lived up north, teen agers picked corn. It was something that happened every summer, and they would bus them from the high schools.
Now, sometimes its a research facility for a seed company, or sweet corn, or detasseling. But the point is the teenagers could make some money, spend time with friends and get in some work experience.

Just saying, there has to be a solution, in these tough times, with so few jobs.

My Second Book Is Now Available

2011-06-29T07:35:00.000-07:00

My new book is now available through Kindle at Amazon.com. It's an ebook, which means you can be reading it within minutes and its available worldwide.
I used the photo below to create the cover. I'm crossing Lyle Creek on the Pacific Crest Trail. My good friend, Cobweb took it for me.

To see
Everything Except Corn Pasta
just click on this link.

The book contains recipes for on the trail and preparing food at home for backpacking and camping. There are trail stories and photos, information for those who like to use slow burning stoves and bake and much more.
The ISBN is 0-9728145-1-4. I posted the Table of Contents to give you an idea of what you'll find.

Table of Contents

Forward—4

Things I Learned Trailside—7

Appetizers and Beverages --11
--includes dissertation on Trail Mixes

Breakfast--21
--hot and cold food for your most important meal

Soups and Main Dishes--30

Meat, Cheese, and Proteins--42

Breads—49

Desserts--60
--life’s joy

Dehydrating Foods--68

Everything Except--80
--spices, make a cozy, food list for bear canister

The Backpackers Trail Kitchen--89

Special Tricks for the Ultralighter--98
--making miles and alternative gear

The Raisin File--115

Index—121

The Trail Kitchen

2011-06-28T15:33:00.000-07:00

Gallon Ziploc, quart Ziploc, sand which, then the smaller resealable bags all make packaging food easy. Keeps garbage to a minimum. I hate it when people throw their garbage in a fire ring, thinking it will burn. Just makes a mess. Pack it in, pack it out. But, keep things easy by repackaging into Ziploc bags first.

Plastic Bags are esential to any backpacker's trail kitchen. I like spices, too, so I carry some in a tiny plastic bag.

This basic cook set weighs just 8.5 ounces.

This ultralight cook set I used on the Appalachian Trail. It only weighs 3.5 ounces.
The soda can stove in the basic set is the one I used with the kit. I placed a new one in this photo to facilitate the shoot.

My Journey Available at Kindle Store

2011-06-24T07:21:00.000-07:00

Amazon has provided the way for authors to upload and sell their books in a digital format.
They can be bought and read within a few minutes of purchase. If you don't have a Kindle reading device, there's a free download for PCs. That's what I did. Right now I have five books in my Kindle library.
I love the fact that you can own a ton of books without needing a large home book shelf. Also, they won't get damaged or lost and are less expensive.

Kindle Store at Amazon

I have put my first book into e-format, and you can buy it now. The beauty of this is there are no shipping fees, no waiting for the post office, or limitations because of which country you live in.

Here’s the link to
My Journey To Freedom and Ultralight Backpacking in the Kindle Store.

You can read a description of my book at
Trailquest.net and check out reader's Reviews
This book was printed in paperback by Fire Creek Pass Publications. It is the exact same book now being offered at Kindle.

Right now I'm working on my second book. I'll make it available as an e-book via Kindle.
It is a compilation of trail stories, trail recipes, and all things culinary for the ultralight backpacker. I plan to have it ready in July. Stay tuned!

Brand Names Worth It?

2011-06-23T09:59:00.000-07:00

I know for my thrifty, frugal nature. I like to make my own gear, modify and use thrift store finds. I especially love to find Brand Names, though, and am seeing the value of owning them. If you can spare the change, get brand names. Some of my favorites, shown below, are
Vasque Trail Shoes, Merrell hiking boots, Nike Air trail shoes, Patagonia gloves.

I'll admit, none of the above products were bought at full price. They seem to be lasting forever, which makes me think in the long run, well worth it.

Is it just about "image" or does this brand name stuff really wear better? I'm liking the fit and feel too.

I've had the pleasure of testing this Brooks Range Cirro Jacket. I drove over 6,500 miles, worked and played in the Grand Tetons, and used this jacket nearly nonstop.
It still looks wonderful. Once the zipper got caught on the ultralight fabric, and I used chap stick to lubricate it. Then, ever so gently, I slid it back in place.

Its funny, but people also seem to respect the Name. You can wear it with pride knowing you have great gear.

Make My Day-A Favorite Tarp Set Up

2011-06-21T06:57:00.000-07:00

I'll admit it. I love compliments. I expect everyone does. This comment was posted today on my youtube channel:

Thank you ! I Really enjoyed watching your video. You did a great job. In MHO, Best Tarp set up video on the tube.

You can reply to this comment by visiting the comments page.

The tarp is a flat 10 x 12 and can be made or purchased in many places. I also show how to use no see um netting to provide bug protection. Of course, you can secure the netting more than I did in the video. Its an example of modifying on a budget.

My Kind of Place

2011-06-16T07:00:00.000-07:00

ROOSTER FOUND at Brooks Lane Apartments. whoever can catch can come get. Manager M-T xxx-xxx-4194. Manager did not place ad.

This is a true ad found in my home town's newspaper this week. I read it online.
The phone number has been xxx-ed out to protect the guilty.

Ok, you gotta love a place where a vagrant rooster is offered to the person able to catch it.
Oh, wait a minute. The one offering it is no doubt sick of it chasing people, pecking on legs, crowing at 4 a.m, and pooping on the sidewalk.

Animals are great, but there is a time and place. My kids and I raised a bunch of ducks for school projects and found when ever the ducks got scared, the pooped. This is a huge mess, even if its on the grass because people (especially me) love to go barefoot.

Not like you can just scrape up bird stuff with a shovel. Not like you'd want to. A dog is different. They can be taught where the proper place to defecate is.

Birds can't be taught much.
Guess that's where the expression, "bird brain" comes from.

Focaccia Made Easy, Your Way

2011-06-15T16:16:00.000-07:00

While I was in the Tetons, I learned how to make focaccia. Its an Italian Herb Bread. Our recipe made a sticky dough, which was then placed in a deep sheet pan where olive oil had been drizzled. Or, maybe I should say, dumped. The mass is allowed to "proof" which means rise in regular home cook lingo.
This bubbly dough is then topped with a garnish like rosemary sprigs, red pepper flakes, or parsley, some kosher salt or sea salt and baked at 375 for about 20 minutes. Easy peasy, as our Zion Chef would say.

Its a fantastically easy gourmet bread. I've shown my two daughters how to make it. My son in laws love it too. So, with that in mind here's the basic recipe.

2.5 cups of warm water
1 Tablespoon dry yeast
1 Tablespoon sugar
1/2 Tablespoon regular salt
4 1/4 cup flour

Stir this batter together until well blended. Then add some spices of your choice. We used rosemary, sage, onion salt, garlic salt and thyme. One of my daughters didn't have the rosemary so we used basil. After all, its an Italian bread.

Now, with the batter well mixed, and heavily spiced, dump a generous amount of olive or canola oil in a sheet pan or 9 x 13. There should be enough to actually pool a bit. Make sure the pan is coated. Now, scrape the batter into the pan. Set in a warm place and allow to double in size, at the very least.
You should see yeasty bubbles forming.
Now, sprinkle the kosher salt and garnish on top. Dip your finger tips in oil, make "dimples". Bake in hot oven, see above, until lightly browned.

This bread can be served in so many ways, as a sandwich, side dish with marinara, with grilled steaks and salad for a complete meal, or eaten for breakfast. All have been done this very week.

You can vary the spices, make it plain, or with chili theme. Have fun, its a cheap food and one I'll do on the trail with my baking system.

Happy trails.

Politics of Dorm Living

2011-06-11T10:38:00.000-07:00

So my dorm situation proved to be untenable.
After nearly a month of unsatisfactory negotiations with the Housing Manager, and trial and error housing situation, I submitted my resignation and left Jackson Lake Lodge at the Grand Tetons.

This is very unfortunate because I loved my job in the Bake Shop making all sorts of delicious stuff. I love baking bread, working with enthusiastic culinary students, and hiking after work and days off.

Just wasn't meant to be.
In the process, the housing manager dropped an interesting world view in my lap. She said she's a very "black and white person". Things are black or white.

I find this very curious, because the details create the gray areas. Even pregnancy can be gray. An ectopic or tubal pregnancy creates a positive pregnancy test, yet the gestation is unsustainable.

A person "working" on a problem is neither happy or unhappy. This is the gray area of life.
Think about any given situation.
A job, a relationship, a meal. There are always details that make the situation neither black or white. I love my job, but wished it paid more, or had health insurance. Or, I love my relationship, but wished he loved to dance. Or, I love this meal, but wished it weren't so fattening.

Little simple details give us the nuances of life. People who are tuned into details, detail oriented people, are prized for their far sighted problem solving abilities.

Unfortunately, this season is over for my cooking in National Parks. I am visiting family then heading back to Georgia for a summer of trail adventure and panning for gold.
See you on the other side of the country.

More Photos

2011-06-09T18:58:00.000-07:00

A Float Trip

2011-06-09T18:45:00.000-07:00

One of the employee perks at Grand Teton Lodge Company is float trips. I went on one Monday, and had a great time. The guide's name is Mike, and he was so smooth in his commentary, jokes, and presentation I could only marvel that his enthusiasm doesn't wane with so much practice.

There were seven guests, myself, and Mike. He kept the boat totally under control while standing up and giving facts as well.
Monday was a beautiful day for the trip, which took three hours. The next couple days were interspersed with snow and rain. They have tarps and rain gear to protect the clients, bringing everything back to the laundromat to dry it out in that event.

Other perks with this company include horseback riding, bus tour to Yellowstone, and bus Tour of the Grand Tetons.

Camel Back or Water Bottles?

2011-06-03T16:52:00.000-07:00

The subject came up at work today: Which is better, carry water bottles or camel back ?

Of course, this is a very subjective decision, but mine is based on years of experience with the free soda bottles.
Each bottle can contain a different beverage, the bottle is easy to fill and nearly indestructible.
Did I mention its free?

I place them in a sling, bungee them to shoulder straps on my pack, or in gear pockets in the pack or jacket.

A camel back comes in a self contained pack, but then where do you put all the odds and ends of gear, like rain jacket, emergency kit, maps, camera, food, etc?
My friend says he brings another pack, or else removes the bladder and slips it into the day pack itself.

You are then limited to one flavor of beverage with all your eggs in one basket. If the thing clogs, breaks, or leaks, that's it. Many camel backs carry two liters of water.

Sometimes you'll want more than that. I carry a 1.5 liter bottle, and supplement with other soda bottles as needed. Always leave home well hydrated, carry plenty depending on temperature, dry climates, body size and duration of hike. Once home, I rehydrate if needed.

Guess I'm a minimalist and have only observed a camel back in use. I do not own one, so that sort of distorts my opinion. They are pricey for what they are, even though drinking from a straw while hiking might feel really cool. Maybe some day I'll try one and limit my beverage choice to plain water.

For those gearing up on a budget, get a day pack with pockets, some empty soda bottles and get out and hike. You can bring as much water as you like along with gear and snacks for little cash outlay.

Hiking On a Snowy Day in the Grand Tetons

2011-05-30T14:54:00.000-07:00

I actually had Memorial Day off, so packed up and hit the trail around Emma Matilda Lake. This is across the street from Jackson Lake Lodge. Friends warned me of snow pack, and it was snowing now.

Bear spray, fire starter, rain gear, snacks and water bottle, camera and hiking poles I head out for a memorable trail.

At first its wide open, no problem finding or navigating this sagebrush and pine tree habitat. Plenty of Elk, plenty of moose, geese and male grouse drumming for females.

I headed around the north, more remote, side of the lake. Swinging around the east edge, I slogged through meadows and crossed foot bridges made of huge logs cut in half. But, little did I know what awaited me.

The snow pack and few footprints made travel slow. Post holing and frozen feet aren't so bad if you at least know you're on trail.

Once the trail became totally snow covered and no foot prints or trail markers were found, I decided to maintain the westerly direction, the lake on my right shoulder, the sun at my back. It was early,

just 11 a.m.

I sought the most open path, and finally came across other footprints. Who ever created those prints seemed to have a good sense for the trail because every so often a portion of earth tread way would show.

All day I took photos, sang, and hiked. Periods of sun, sleet, rain and snow made things interesting.

Back home at the dorm, after a shower and downloading of photos, I calculate the hike of 11.5 miles.

A wonderful way to spend the day off work.

The Right Pants Have Pockets

2011-05-25T16:04:00.000-07:00

I love a pants with pockets, one which dries fast and dark colored.

Not that it has to be brand name. I have a pair of $60 North Face cargo pants, black, and they zip off at the knees. I never in two years have zipped them off.
Comfortable as can be while trailing, and traveling you can put all those necessities in the many pockets.

I found some black cargo pants at Walmart. Elastic waist, but plenty of pockets, a cotton-nylon blend.
They don't zip off.
Fabric content is key to active wear.
The other day, wet above my knees due to post holing, once back on the shore they dried quickly.
Of course, Wyoming is dry, even with rain coming in the next hour.

I have some brown corduroy cargo pants. Pretty warm, but wear is already showing in the knees. That's always a problem with corduroy. I'll wear them out, though, lots of pockets and a good stealth color.

I only wear blue jeans to town. Hiking in wet blue jeans is nasty, and one never knows what thunderstorm can roll in.

Happy trails you adventurers.

The Print

2011-05-23T15:54:00.001-07:00

Views With a Room

2011-05-23T15:51:00.000-07:00

This is my portion, I call it my Room Cubicle here in Grand Tetons. I love my own space, and my room mates are very nice. We share a large room which is divided into four cubicles. A bath room is down the hall for the whole dorm.

A rainbow from last night's solo hike along Christian Pond.

Griz Prints in the snow ( actual video posted at my other blog, http://thefemalesurvivalist.blogspot.com ) were fresh and a delight. This was taken on a day hike with a friend near Colter Bay.

One of many photos taken near the Bay.