Friday, May 25, 2007

OFFICIAL TRAIL MAPS




Here is the link to the official trail maps
CLICK HERE

By the way, the first posted campsite from the north is 12km or 7.5 miles in. That means a serious grind for the first afternoon, unless we can camp at unmarked sites.

Brad we should get these maps printed two sides and a serious laminated cover. This will be our most valued tool. The bummer is the map lacks longitude latitude for coordination with a GPS.

Monday, May 21, 2007

27 LBS PACKLIST



LINK TO PDF

This is a bit extreme, but gives you some ideas on how to get weight down. Testing your food needs is going to be good to help reduce weight, and thats coming from me the food snob.

-Ramsey

HEAT MOLDED INSOLES


These bad boys are heated in the oven then inserted in y our boot to be moled to your foot. Good for those of us with low volume feet. Not sure if this is an issue for you Dave?

Sunday, May 20, 2007

FLEXIBLE TRIPOD



This may be a nice addition for the photos we may want to take. There is only so much a guy can do in low light and other poor photo conditions without a tripod. 1.6 ozs.

CONVERT A TREKKING POLE INTO A FISHING POLE

How hard would it be to attach a real to a trekking pole, take the basket off and add a couple hoops for the line? Save some weight and do some fishing.

I am really into this idea of catching food as we go.

-Ramsey

WATER STRATEGY


CLICK IMAGE FOR LINK TO
ULTRALIGHT STRATEGIES

Water can become the single heaviest item. Some strategies in well watered areas include carrying two water bottles, with capacity of about 24 ounces each. Drink one as soon as purification is complete. The other one is kept full until another water source is located. When one arrives at the next water source, the other bottle is drunk, and both bottles are refilled, and treated. Continue hiking, and when the first bottle is ready, drink it, and save the next one until you arrive at water again. This way a person stays well hydrated, without running out of water.

-RAMSEY

STOP SNORING - DAVE !


CLICK IMAGE FOR LINK

I tried one of these (the clear one) last night after Beth begged me to, I did not snore all night !

These are going to be required sleeping equipment on the trip if we are all sharring a tent. Pick some up and give it a try, your wife will have more sex with you...I promise.

-Ramsey

LIGHT WEIGHT FISHING POLE


CLICK IMAGE FOR LINK TO WEBSITE

LINK TO YOUTUBE VIDEO

This may be the ticket for the fishing pole idea. Just 7.5 ozs

Saturday, May 19, 2007


CLICK ON IMAGE

Here is my vote for another trip of all trips - Berner Oberland, Swiss Alps

Hut to hut hiking which means no tents, no sleeping bags and meals are home cooked for you ever night and morning.

Best Hikes in the World



LINK

Here is an even better list... We are doing the #1 hike in the world !!

#1) West Coast Trail, BC, Canada
#2) John Muir Trail, California, USA
#3) Tongariro Northern Circuit, New Zealand
#4) Ausangate Circuit, Peru
#5) Sunshine to Assiniboine, Alberta, Canada
#6) Glacier North Circle, Montana, USA
#7) Mt. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
#8) Annapurna Circuit, Nepal
#9) TMB (Tour de Mont Blanc), Europe
10) Overland Track, Tasmania

Worlds Best Hikes


I think we need to make this a pattern for the guys. Everyother year we check one of these bad boys off the list. Utah Buckskin Gultch would be next.

The 11 Top Trails

1. The Colorado Trail

2. Buckskin Gulch, Utah

3. John Muir Trail, California

4. Kalalau Trail, Kaua'i, Hawai'i

5. McGonagall Pass, Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska

6. Fitz Roy Grand Tour, Patagonia, Argentina

7. Kungsleden, Sweden

8. Mount Everest Base Camp Trek, Nepal

9. Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

10. Routeburn Track, New Zealand

11. Shackleton Crossing, South Georgia Island

Excel Packlist


PACKLIST LINK

Here is the Excel file I mentioned before. It's just a start, I will be adding items and updating as we acquire more stuff. Weights are in US pounds. Remember 16 ozs to 1 lbs. Feel free to add items and forward the file to me and I will update. Dave or Brad, if you can figure out how to upload an Excel file to the blog, let me know.

Thursday, May 17, 2007

How Much Fuel?

Ok, so I need you guys to check my math. I have been having a hard time finding information on how much fuel we need to bring. I have to buy the fuel and bottles in Victoria the morning I get there. I found a couple vendors that carry the products, but then realized today that Mountain Equipment Coop (the mecca of outdoor gear in Canada) has a location 1 km away from the harbour area where we are trying to get a hotel. They have absolutely everything you could possible need on this trip. I will likely buy from them. I then found on Mountain Equipment Coop's website a helpful hint/tip that has brought me to a conclusion of how much gas to bring. However, I need you guys to do the math with me so that I am not the one held responsible when we have no fuel left and we are only 6 days on the trail.

They say the general rule of thumb is that in normal summer like conditions a single person will use 4oz of fuel per day for quick cooking meals and hot drinks. That means we will need approximately 12oz per day for the group. The MSR fuel bottles come in 3 different sizes, 11oz, 22oz, and 33oz. So I figure that if we buy 3, 33oz bottles and 1, 22oz bottle we will be ok. That gives us a total of 121oz...if the assumption of 4oz per person are accurate we only need 96oz for the trip. We will have a surplus of 25oz which will last us another 2 days if necessary. Or provide us with longer burn times for bigger meals. We can help share the load in our packs.

Let me know what your thoughts are. We could cut it closer and do 3, 33oz, and 1, 11oz bottle, but that only gives us a reserve of 14oz (or 1 day of cooking for all of us). The load difference in our packs is only 11oz, so I am not sure if I would risk the weight over comfort.

Battle of the Bars

I also found this article on backpacker.com. I am sure we will be bringing along a few of these items. We should try and find some of these and test them ourselves. You may already have a favorite.

31 flavors, 12 discerning testers, 4 clear winners

Back in the day, Native Americans pounded out dried buffalo meat and coated it with animal fat to make a durable, high-energy trail food known to many tribes as pemmican. Today, you don't need to smoke bison to get high-calorie hiking grub; just stop by your local grocer for an energy bar. But with countless brands claiming to be the best on the market, you'd have to consume thousands of sticky, chewy, some- times gnarly calories to find the right stuff. Luckily, we had a better idea: we put 31 bars (representing 10 different brands) in front of 12 hungry hikers to see which deliver the longest-lasting, best-tasting fuel.

Best All-Around
Pemmican Fruit and Nut
Grandma would approve of this bar. In fact, she could have baked it. The moist, homemade quality of this cakelike treat shot it to the top of tasters' lists. Made with soy flour, malted corn, and barley, and sweetened with honey and grape juice, the bar boasts a whopping 58 grams of carbohydrates and 16 grams of protein, enough for two power-packed snack breaks or lunch. One tester enthused that it's the only bar that "truly suffices as a meal replacement." Other flavor: Carob-Cocoa.

Size: 3.75 oz.
Calories: 420
Price: $1.39
Contact: (800) 323-0042; www.mealpack.com



Best Protein
Clif Builder's, Chocolate
Best way to enjoy your protein? Disguise it as chocolate. That's the secret behind this crispy bar, chosen by testers for its 20 grams of protein, thick coat of chocolate frosting, and crunchy cocoa crisps. One tester gushed, "It's big, dense, decadent"; another raved, "This healthy treat tastes like a candy bar." Made with soy protein and organic and natural ingredients, the bar also packs 23 vitamins and minerals into a filling snack or breakfast that gave us several steady hours of energy on the trail. Downside: it'll melt in hot weather. Other flavors: Peanut Butter; Cookies 'n Cream.

Size: 2.4 oz.
Calories: 270
Price: $1.89
Contact: (800) 844-5254; www.clifbar.com




Best Nut
Mojo Bar
This unique bar will do a ying-yang on your tastebuds with its boldly contrasting flavors. The four Mojo varieties balance crunchy with chewy and sweet with salty by combining peanuts, almonds, and rice crisps with oat syrup and honey. "A nice break from the artificial sweetness of many bars," declared one tester. "Love the big nut pieces and the crispy texture," remarked another. Winning flavors: Honey Roasted Peanut and Mountain Mix. Other flavors: Mixed Nuts and Fruit Nut Crunch. Fewer calories make this bar a great dayhike choice.

Size: 1.59 oz.
Calories: 200
Price: $1.29
Contact: (800) 844-5254; www.mojobar.com





Best of the Rest
ProBar
3.75 oz. 350 calories; $2.99 This all-around favorite comes in only one flavor, but it's a winner. Its hefty, all-natural mix of raisins, sunflower seeds, cashews, and chocolate chips earned it strong endorsements: "Great variety in taste and texture." "Perfect balance of nutty and fruity." Made with 15 natural ingredients, this performance bar packs a nutritional punch with a 60-15-25 carb-protein-fat ratio, an ideal combination for backpackers. As one tester put it, "It has a balance you can rely on to keep you moving."

Size: 3.75 oz.
Calories: 350
Price: $2.99
Contact: (435) 645-8686; www.theprobar.com

Packing It Up

I have been doing some research as to how much fuel we need to bring and how to properly pack the food we bring. I used several of these techniques on my Bowron Lake canoe trip, but some of the ideas are new to me. I have used point # 4, #5 on the canoe trip and it made a huge difference. I knew exactly which meals were in which bags....the other guys on the trip would spend half an hour trying to figure out their next meal. I thought that point # 6 was interesting, I didn't think it would matter where in the bag the food is packed.

1. Start stripping: The foods we get at supermarkets are encased in plastic and cardboard that will add bulk and weight to your pack, so strip away excess packaging and get down to the barest essentials. Or buy as much of your trip food as possible in bulk at health food stores or other outlets.

2. Twist and tie: To separate ingredients going into the same pot but at different times, first pour into a zipper-lock the ingredient that's cooked last, then twist and tie off the corner. Then add the ingredient that goes in the cookpot first.

3. Write directions: Note cooking directions on the bag's write-on strip or on a slip of paper tucked into every meal bag. Label everything, even if you think you'll remember it.

4. Make meal bags: Pack every meal into its own zipper-lock bag. Preplanning, measuring, and packing complete meals consumes the better part of an evening at home, but it frees you from kitchen chores on the trail. Single bag each meal if you're using high-quality freezer bags and they're going into a nylon duffel before being packed in your backpack. Double bag meals to stave off leaks or rips if you're stuffing them directly into your pack.

5. Fill the food duffel: Spare yourself a lot of aggravation on long trips with a group by bringing at least three duffels of different colors. Load the breakfast food in one duffel, lunch/snacks in another and dinners in the third.

6. Loading into your pack: Because food is one of the heaviest and densest items you're likely to carry, it should be packed at shoulder blade level or higher in your backpack and close to your back if you'll be walking strictly on maintained trail, slightly lower if going off-trail (see Technique, October).

Cheeses and other perishable items should be tucked deep down in the pack (1/2 to 1/3 of the way from the top) to stay cool.

Snack items go in outer pockets for easy access during the day, but don't forget to include them with the rest of the food when hanging your bear bag or filling a bear canister. If you're packing a bear canister, position it about two-thirds of the way from the bottom of your pack and closest to your back for better balance. This position also puts the food in a relatively cool spot.

Saturday, May 12, 2007

Communal Items - Share the Load



First Aid Kit - 12.5 ozs
www.rei.com/product/736309

Camp stove - 8.5 ozs

Cook Kit - 24 ozs

Fuel - 2 x 11 ozs plus 2 x 3 ozs bottles - Total 28 ozs

Tent - 7 lbs 14 ozs - ground sheet is included in this weight

MSR Water Filter + Miox - 20.5 ozs

Camera - 4.8 ozs
I can bring one for us all, 250 shots over 7 days should be plenty. I understand if yall want to bring your own.


Grand Total - Just over 14LBS or 4.67LBS per guy.

I have started an Excel sheet with my entire pack list and weights.

-Ramsey

Wednesday, May 9, 2007

Almost Done Spending

Ok, it is official we have a tent. I picked up a Sierra Design Antares 3 person, 3 season tent. I hope that it works because this all we have. It has 49 square feet of living space so I hope it is big enough. Insane deal on it! I will tell you about it later.

I also picked up a new stove. The MSR Simmerlite. The deal on it was incredible! They retail for $125 and I got it for $25. Can't pass that up....it was like garage sale price. It will work well. My good buddy took the same one on the canoe trip I went on it and it worked awesome.

I also got a killer deal on the MSR MIOX water purifier. This doubled up with my water filter will make sure none of us are looking for bushes to squat in.

One of the last big purchases for me was the gaiters. I picked up some Outdoor Research gaiters. They originally weren't the ones that I was looking at, but I got a discount on them so I couldn't pass them by. I hope they are ok. My only concern is that they are too rigid and give me a hard time rubbing against my skin. They are really heavy duty, gortex, expidition style, so I need to walk around the house for a few hours with them on to see if they are going to be ok.

Now I just need to get my plane ticket and we are good as gold.

Saturday, May 5, 2007

Slick as Snot

So I was at a wedding reception last night and came to realize that my uncle hiked the WCT a few years back. We talked for about an hour about the experience. When he found out I was going he got this crazy look in his eyes and then said, "you mind as well hike up to Everest Base Camp it will be a hell of a lot easier". He did go on to say that it was the best hike ever. He said that he did it in 5 days, but sincerely wishes he had taken 7-8 days to do it. He thought we had a better game plan doing it in 8. He said that the 5 day trip kills you and you really don't enjoy it until after it is complete. That is the second person to tell me the exact same thing. I told him that I went on a canoe trip that lasted 7 days during complete rain downpours and I felt like I had gone through hell. He looked at me and said "there are two hells on this planet...you are about to go through the second one".

He gave me some pointers for the trip. Some of which are repeats, but there is one unique tip. He said go light! Focus on the best gear possible. Bring gloves...he remembers his fingers freezing going up a 100 rung ladder. Get in shape! He said that "if you are not in shape before you go, you will be after". Then he said that a good piece of equipment to bring are these. If and when it rains the logs that you have to walk on become "slick as snot" causing you to fall and slip a lot. He said that if you have these on they eliminate the bumps and bruises.

I am not sure I am sold on the idea. If you go to http://www.mec.ca/ and type in spiky crampons you can see them. They are made by Petzl and cost approximately $40 CDN. They are a rubber slip on thing that has metal spikes sticking out the bottom. They are easy to put on and off, but look like they could easily slip off if you hit mud or debris. Not sure about this one. It is just a thought.

My uncle said that we will be talking about this trip for years to come. He has been wanting to go back ever since he finished. He also took the same route as us...Pachena Bay to Port Renfrew. He said that is the best route based on all the reasons we chose to go that direction (ladders are at the end).

I then ran into a buddy of mine who kiked the WCT many years ago as a scout. He said all the same things that my uncle had to say and wishes we had an extra spot in the group (sorry all filled up bro). He said that we are "going to have a killer time" and then just smiled.

Thursday, May 3, 2007

The Gear List

Ok....so here is a lengthy list of the items that I am going to be bringing on the trip. I have attached pictures of the same or similar brand/style I have.

MSR Titanium Cup: Light weight, strong, good for hot chocolate or juice.


MSR Titanium Fork/Spoon: Very light weight and strong. Fingers won't work for hot food.

MSR Plate: Light weight, strong and necessary for the crab I am going to be eating at the Indian water taxi dock.
MSR Bowl: Light and sturdy, good for any food or soup.
MSR Blacklite Cookset: I believe Brad and I have a set each, so Ramsey you don't need to buy this.
MSR Whisper Lite International Stove: I have this so you guys don't need to buy one...unless you really want to have one for your personal inventory. MSR makes the best stove out there.

MSR Fuel Bottle: I think I have 2 or 3 of these. We need to fill these up when we get to Victoria. I will do a calculation of how much gas I think we need and if needed I will buy another bottle. Don't worry about getting this.
Campsuds: You should both buy this or something similar to it. It is bio-safe, good for the environment and can be used for bathing, laundry or dishes. A little goes a very long way. I think they typically come in a small Nalgene bottle. You don't want to bring regular soap or shampoo because it isn't good for the environment and it has a fragrence. If a hard core hiker found you lathering up with Pert or something he likely would kick you in the berries and leave you for dead.
Camelbak Resevoir: I think you both have one of these. You new packs should have a sleeve built into them on the inside of the pack that allows for one of these bladders to fit in it. There also should be a small hole that allows for the hose to come out of the sleeve so that you can drink while you go.
MSR Water Filter: I have this so don't get it. We can all share it. It will do a good job for our drinking water.
Nalgene Water Bottle: These will screw right onto the bottom of the MSR Water Filter. The Filter pumps the water directly into the bottle. You should have one of the these.
Hat: For the sunny days and kick'n on the beach. Swim Suit: For body surfing the waves during down time.



Shorts: I would have at least one pair. For the nice days on the trail. They can be combined with the gaiters. The convertible pants can also zip off to make another pair of shorts.
Convertible Pants: This will double as a pair of pants and a pair of shorts. Look for fabric that drys quickly and are long enough to cover the G's. I think I going to bring 2 pairs of these.

Hiking Socks: I have several pairs of the Smart Wool socks they are awesome. Keep your feet dry and are extremely comfortable. I would think that we are going to need around 4 -5 pairs of something like this.
Fleece Jacket: Good for breaking cold winds, and warmth at night. A soft shell could replace this if needed.
Soft Shell Jacket: This could replace the fleece. It has a slight waterproof protection on it and it will keep you warm.
Sierra Design Rain Jacket: An absolute necessity. Nothing else needs to be said.
Sierra Design Rain Pants: See above.
Base Layer Shirt: I have a Smartwool base layer shirt that will act as a great insulator from the cold if necessary. I am also going to be bring some Under Armour type of shirts that absorb water and are breathable. I will probaby have 34 shirts in the pack. They will consist of 1-2 long sleeves and 2 short sleeves.
Boots: No explanation needed. I think we all have these already.
Merril Shoes: These will be good if the boots need some dry time, and if you have blisters etc.
Gaiters: A Necessity. I am looking at the Moutain Hardware Ventigators. They will keep out water, dirt, rocks and other stuff. They will also keep pants, socks, and upper part of boots dry.
Compression Stuff Sack: This will compress sleeping bags, jackets, clothes etc. It will leave more space in your pack for other stuff like food. I don't have one yet, but I am seriously considering it.
Petzl Tikka Plus Head lamp: Good for the nights, and when you need to sneak out of the tent to take a leak. I have one, they work awesome. Make sure you bring an extra set of batteries just in case.
Knife: Just because you are out in the wilderness and every guy needs a knife.

MSR Personal Pack Towel: A necessity. The regular bath towels are impossible to bring on a trip like this. These bad boys suck up water and wring out to almost dry in no time flat.
Pack: See all above items that need to go in it.
Hat: Incase it is cold at night. I usually sleep with this to keep the head warm and to make sure I don't get a sore throat in the morning.
Sleeping Bag: You don't need a winter rated bag. A summer bag should do. Go light and small small stuff size if possible.
Therma-Rest-Prolite 4 Sleeping Pad: I don't have this yet, but I will. Sleeping Pillow: These little guys stuff into a stuff sack and can be put in with your sleeping bag. It gives you that small comfort of home. I have one and love it.

Sierra Design Antares 3 person Tent: Don't have it yet, but I will. This will keep us nice and dry .
Trekking Poles: The girl I spoke with who did this trip last year said that the poles made a huge difference. I think we all have these already.
Rope: I have some rope, you should probably buy at least 10 - 15 feet. It will be used for clothing dry lines or other uses if necessary.
Blister Care: I am not sure if this is the best stuff or not. I think there is stuff called mole skin that works great. Regardless you will need something incase the blisters start.

Sun Screen: So you can protect the nogg'n. I am planning on shaving my hair down to stubble so that I don't have to worry about looking pretty in the morning. This will help the head from getting burnt.

Medical/First Aid Kit: I don't have one. We should probably have at least one just in case there is an emergency. Pain killers, bandaids, gauze etc., would be necessary. Lets figure out who wants to tackle this project. Along with this is Toilet Paper. I think you can get bio-degradable paper at hiking stores. Probably not the most comfortable but it will work. We need to bring our own TP. Playing Cards: To make the night life fun. We only need a deck. I will bring it.


GPS: Ramsey if you want to do this go for it. I don't think it is a necessity, more a want or luxury. If you don't want to don't get it. I think it would be handy and fun to use, but again not necessary.Sandals: Mixed thoughts about these. I want to bring them, but not sure if I will. That makes 3 pairs of shoes....not sure if necessary. I do think they will come in handy for certain circumstances. Sorry no picture.

That is it for my pack.