Posts filed under 'Backpacking'
May 25th, 2007
spryken
Crow has checked in from the PCT. Here I am, stuck in the office, shackled by responsibility. Some day, I promise myself, some day I will be able to do an AT thru-hike. Or at least annual long section hikes.
My hindrances? I’m the sole money earner for the family currently and I am a Scoutmaster. Being a Scoutmaster means that a lot of my vacation time is consumed supervising scout events. NOT that I am complaining. I love my family and am fully supporting my partner in her magazine endeavor. I am a Scout through and through. And Scouting gets my outdoor fix.
I will be able to hold off my Jealousy. I will!! I have a small group of older scouts that is going to do between 30-35 miles on the AT starting June 15th. I will be there. Clingman’s Dome to Lake Fontana. Only 21 more days to go. More on that trip in another post.
I’ve just gotta keep my FOCUS on what I have.
Entry Filed under: Backpacking
May 23rd, 2007
spryken
June 2nd is National Trails Day.
The American Hiking Society is celebrating the 15th year of National Trails Day. There are events all over the country from sponsored hikes to trail maintenance.
I am launching a series on the Hiking and Backpacking merit badges for our troop in conjunction with the National Trails Day event at the NC Museum of Art. The Museum is holding guided hikes on the 1.5 mile Museum Park trail. There will be explanations of some of the Park’s exhibits.
I feel this is a great way to introduce the boys to hiking. And I mean hiking as opposed to backpacking. So many of the boys seem to think that they have to strap on a backpack to earn the hiking merit badge. Hiking can be any type of walk. It can be backpacking, but it can also be a walk along a greenway or at the local park, even a learning hike at a local museum.
The 3 mile round trip hike will also allow me to see how our new boys can handle the more rigorous hikes required by the hiking merit badge. I hope to slowly introduce the boys to longer and more strenuous hikes, maybe even hook them on the backpacking trips I love.
I hope to get the boys more involved with the trail maintenance activities next year. But building interest in trails is the idea behind the National Trails Day. I urge you to go out and find a trail activity near you. Get involved.
Hike On!
Entry Filed under: Backpacking, Boy Scouts, Hiking
May 18th, 2007
spryken
As I was contemplating an upcoming 3 day trip on the Appalachian Trail, I pondered what food I was going to take. I do not like a lot of the “Power” bars or meal replacement bars. There are exceptions like the Clif Bars. Being somewhat of a cook and a little adventurous, I decided to see what I could come up with on my own.
I started by searching Body Building websites for recipes for Protein bars. Then I looked at websites for hiking/backpacking and cycling for Energy bar recipes. After reviewing these sites, I headed to the store and then the kitchen.
Here is what I came up with:
- 1 cup Oatmeal
- 1/2 cup wheat germ
- 1/2 cup sesame seeds
- 1 cup slivered almonds
- 1 cup sliced, dried apricots
- 1 cup raisins
- 1 cup vanilla flavored protein powder
- 1/2 cup non-fat dry milk powder
- 1 cup light corn syrup
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 1/4 cup peanut butter
- vegetable spray
Toast the oats, wheat germ and sesame seeds in a 350 F oven for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Combine with the almonds, apricots, raisins, protein powder and powder milk. Be sure the raisins and apricots are well distributed and coated with the dry ingredients.
Heat the corn syrup and sugar in a large pot until just boiling and the sugar has melted. Remove from heat, stir in the peanut butter and vanilla extract. Add the dry ingredients and stir. It will be stiff, so use a strong spoon. Spray a 9×13 inch pan with vegetable spray. Spoon into greased pan and spread evenly. Allow to cool at room temperature.
Cut into squares (approximately 20-24).
I used quick oats, but whole oats will work too. You can sometimes find bulk sesame seeds at specialty markets or in the Natural/Organic sections of your grocery store, this is much cheaper than what you can find on the spice isle. If you don’t like apricots try some other dried fruit that you do like. One of my step-sons doesn’t like apricots, so I promised I would try mango or papaya and coconut next time. Maybe some banana chips would be a good addition too.
I have made these several times and am looking forward to enjoying them on the trail. I let some co-workers try them and now they are trying to get me to sell them. They are not body builders or even outdoor enthusiasts so they don’t care about the calorie dense blend of carbs for quick energy with protein for sustained energy. They just like the taste. There is one cyclist at work that is planning to make some for his next bike event.
Technorati Tags: training, recipe, hiking, backpacking, cycling
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Entry Filed under: Backpacking, Boy Scouts, Cooking, Hiking, Recipes
May 10th, 2007
spryken
Bruce Lewis, over at LightBackpacking.com, got me thinking. He just posted an article on how getting gear lists for your trek doesn’t always prepare you for what you really encounter on the trail.
I am attempting to overcome my early training and tendencies in backpacking, that is I am trying to go light. Not UltraLight, just lighter. The training I’m talking about is the Boy Scout Motto, “Be Prepared”. As Boy Scouts, we are taught over and over to be prepared. Besides the motto, one of the Eagle Required Merit Badges is Emergency Preparedness (either that or Lifesaving).
As I prepare for a backpacking trek, I try to gather all the pertinent information. What is the normal weather patterns for the locale? What is the weather forecast? What types of wildlife may I encounter? How crowded are the trails? What are the options for campsites? etc, etc.
I use to carry anything I thought I might need and anything that one of the boys might need or forget. Now, I try to evaluate the possible need against the cost of the weight. I still want to be prepared, but I want to be prepared in under 25 pounds.
After each trip, I unload my pack, taking a good long hard look at what wasn’t used. That’s right, I evaluate everything I didn’t use. Most of the time that includes my First Aid kit. I will not omit a First Aid kit, but no longer carry enough bandages to wrap King Tut!!
My “mess kit” has been reduced to one pot, a bowl and spoon. I have learned that with a pocket knife and spoon, you can eat anything. I do still carry a mug for my tea/cider.
I have reduced the amount of clothing I take. But I still carry my rain gear and depending on altitude, season and location, my cold weather gear.
Common Sense!! That is the ticket for balancing Preparedness with Light Weight Backpacking. Of course, Common Sense is very uncommon.
Technorati Tags: boy scout, boy scouts, backpacking, hiking
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Entry Filed under: Backpacking, Boy Scouts
May 8th, 2007
spryken
As the weather turns warmer and we all start to get out on the trails more, we should remember the sunscreen. I was scanning some news headlines on the web when I ran across Skin Cancer: Skin Color Doesn’t Matter at East West Magazine. The one quote that got me was “anyone — light or dark — is at risk”.
May is Skin Cancer Awareness month!! For some facts check out the Skin Cancer Foundation.
A couple of things to keep in mind while hiking or backpacking:
- More than 90 percent of all skin cancers are caused by sun exposure *
- A person’s risk for skin cancer doubles if he or she has had five or more sunburns *
That last tidbit is telling. I had more than 5 sunburns before I turned 13. And I have had a basal cell removed, along with 2 precancerous moles. I now have a heightened appreciation for sunscreen. I dislike it, but I use it. I use to get down right brown in the summers. Now it is just my arms that tan. I have the classic farmer’s tan. Even that isn’t healthy, but the only way to stop it is to wear long sleeve shirts.
As a Boy Scout Leader, I not only need to remind my boys to apply and reapply sunscreen, I need to provide a good example. We are off on a backpacking trek on the Appalachian Trail in June. I better stock up!!
* from Skin Cancer Foundation
Technorati Tags: skin cancer, health, boy scout, backpacking, hiking, safety
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Entry Filed under: Backpacking, Boy Scouts, Hiking
