New Equipment Test...

Today Charlie and I are heading over to Lawless Park for a hike.  The temperature is about 35 degrees right now with expected highs of 52 degrees.  Typical Michigan weather for this time of year.  I'm pretty excited because I am going to try out some new gear today.  For our birthdays next month my parents and Lorie bought Charlie and I our first gear items for this experience last week. 

On our first few hikes, in the snow, we wondered why many of the team members were able to stand the temperatures while only wearing what looked to be a very light Spring jacket while Charlie and I were hauling around a ton of weight wearing our Carhartts.  Turns out the jackets they were wearing were technically designed and acted as a shell that kept out the elements while holding in heat.  Charlie and I have been doing some research and found jackets that I think will fit the bill.

Today we will put them to the test.  Last week we picked up our Eddie Bauer 365 Nisqually Lightweight Shell Jackets.  These jackets are a technical waterproof/breathable shell designed for every type of precipitation, from light drizzle and morning mist, to total biblical deluge.  Complete with a full hood, pit zips and easy packability, they are a fully technical shell that will provide protection from wet weather in any climate.  They are a 2 1/2 layer construction with fully sealed seems and rated to withstand up to a 10,000psi pressure.  The layers relate to the durability with 3 layers being the toughest while the psi rating translates to hours of rain protection.  They are made of durable nylon with a full-zip front, zippered chest and hand-warmer pockets, adjustable cuffs, and a drawcord at the hem.  Lorie helped with the color selection reminding us that a hi-vis color was more important than the current style trends.  A very wise suggestion.  I think they look great and can't wait to see how they work out in the field.  Well, time to head out into the woods...we will let you know how they worked in our next post.


Brian

Grand Mere State Park Hike - StairMaster on Steroids

Saturday March 17, 2012  -  Grand Mere State Park  (12 miles)

StairMaster on Steroids

A 12.5 mile hike may not seem like much to the experienced hiker.  Although, add massive sand dunes to the equation and the scenario changes.  Today, my dad and I hiked at Grand Mere State Park, a beautiful lakefront park located near Stevensville, Michigan.  It was really beautiful.  We got to hike in the woods, up and down the dunes, and along Lake Michigan.

We met, at 9:00am, with our hiking team at the pavilion before the hike and Coach Gunn and Mr. Janssen gave us some instructions about trekking poles, strength training and Hours on Feet (HOF).  Coach Gunn and Mr. Janssen really explained why trekking poles are useful and showed us how to hold and use them so we wouldn’t tighten up our bodies and waste energy.  After the lecture I told my dad that I was still not sold on the idea…because I like to have my hands free.  But now that I have hiked some real hills and narrow trails I think I will work with my dad to figure out a way to attach them to my pack…so I can have my hands free when I want…but still have them available when I need them.

Coach Gunn told us that this hike would be somewhat like hiking in the Grand Canyon, minus all the sand.  The hike was two laps long with one part being in the woods and the other over the dunes and along the beach.  My dad and I had talked about the importance of staying fueled and hydrated a few days before this hike…he says I get crabby when I get thirsty…he shouldn’t complain much because he’s really grumpy when he gets hungry.  So, we decided to take a break and eat something and drink one of our water bottles on each loop that we completed.  This worked out really well.  We both felt good at the end of the hike and I never felt like I was running low on energy…even when we climbed over all the dunes.

 

There was this one dune that was a monster.   They had an alternate trail that you could take but my dad and I decided that we would do it…and believe me…you had to DECIDE that you were going to make it or half way up you’d probably change your mind. 

My dad loved Coach Gunn’s saying right before you got to the dune…my dad and I kept chanting “Suck it up!” as we climbed the monster.  When we got to the top the view was awesome. 

You could see the hidden lake behind the dunes from the top.  And coming down the backside of the dune was a blast.  We started out slow and then just let it rip…it was like running on the moon and in mushy marshmallows at the same time.  




 Each step you felt like you were kind of floating and then the dune would suck your leg in to the middle of your shins and then grab hold.  Then you had to yank your leg out and then you would kind of float until you hit the dune again.  It was really cool!  We conquered that monster twice during this hike.

Unlike most of the hikes that we have done the second lap went the faster.  I think this was because we were really trying to stay hydrated and fueled throughout the hike.  I really liked this hike.  Next month, Papa, my grandfather from Tennessee, is coming to visit and my dad and I are going to take him on the first part of this hike.  I can’t wait to show him this trail.  He hikes with a hiking group in Tennessee and always takes us for hikes when we visit during Christmas break…so, it will be neat to take him on a cool hike when he comes up to visit next month.  I think he will be really surprised.  Below are some other pictures from our hike at Grand Mere State Park.

Here we go...up, up and away...	Dang...Where's the Top???
Cool view...	Down to the beach...
Walking along Lake Michigan...	Back-up we go...
Thanks for the hand...	This looks bad...
That's a HILL!!!	It's a Never Ending Hill!!!
Proof that we made it up the mountain...	The Hidden Lake
Time to come down off the dune...	A refreshing break for dad...
Sign of a good hike...	Grand Mere State Park Stevensville, Michigan

Saturday Morning Strol (12.5 mile)

Saturday Morning Stroll (12.5 mile)

12.5 miles marks my dad’s and my longest hike.  We started the hike from the top of our street and worked our way through the countryside and into town.  Since we were planning on heading through town I asked if we could make a few stops along the way…which was really cool.  After about 5 miles we stopped at the Family Video, usually a ten minute drive, and I got to rent a few videos, that I have wanted to see, for later during the weekend.  About a mile or so later we stopped at Veni’s Candy Shop to get my Mom a little treat….which truth be told…my dad and I ate most of…next time we will have to get more.  But we were trying to “Fuel as you go.”  And there’s nothing like some sweet chocolate to help a hiker stayed fueled up when you got 6 more miles to go.

I did notice that my last two weeks of lounging had an impact…and I found the last part of the hike tough.  I felt like all the conditioning I had been doing for the last few months was gone.  My legs were really aching during the last few miles of the hike.  No more taking time off from training…that’s for sure.  I have to admit, I had also not prepared for this hike like I usually do…kinda rushed the Hike Plan and didn’t really think through my gear and supply list very well.  Thankfully my dad had stashed away a few extra granola bars that helped a bit toward the end…but definitely wouldn’t have kept me going if this had been a marathon length hike.

 

Overall, it was a really good hike…and I learned a few things…like my dad is not just being a pain when he asks me if I have completed my hike plan a few days before a scheduled hike...or when he reminds me, after a hike, to replenish my pack supplies before I sit down to relax.  I kinda get it now…things are a bit more serious once you pass the 10 mile marker and you need to be ready and have your gear in order.

 

And even though I am not a big “Nap” fan…I really enjoyed taking that afternoon when we got home.  I am looking forward to our next hike at Grand Mere State Park.  It will be more on nature trails which I like more than roadway hikes.  It should be a lot of fun and it will be nice to see everyone in the hiking group again.