20 mile Field Test with new gear…

Last Saturday my dad and I hiked our first 20 miler.  I missed the 19 miler the GC9 group had done the weekend before because I was sick.  We decided to hike a modified loop on the SMC Roadrunner Trails in Dowagiac.  We did the 6.7 mile loop three times.  I have to admit it was nice to be able to stop at the Student Activity Center after the first two loops and get a bag of M&M’s from the vending machine as a treat.  Since we were testing out some new gear we thought it best to stay close to civilization.  

 

Deuter ACT 32

I used my new Deuter ACT 32 pack and my new Platypus 3.0 liter Hydration bladder…and all I have to say is that both pieces of equipment ROCKED!!!  The pack worked great!!!  I didn’t leave with the shoulder cramps like I would get during past hikes when I used my regular school backpack.  It also has about twice the room, with half the weight, as the backpack that I was using before has.  I also found that it was really great to be able to “shift the load” by using the adjustment straps during the hike. 

Platypus Big Zip 3LHydration Reservoir

I wasn’t really sure about the Platypus 3.0 liter Hydration bladders that my dad picked out after his research…but, after using it on the trail…I found it worked great!!!  On the last few hikes I wasn’t drinking nearly as much water as I actually needed because it was a real pain in the butt to repeatedly take off my pack to get a water bottle every couple of miles.  This was a big concern as it could lead to dehydration, heat stroke, and the typical stuff like leg cramps and just general tiredness.   

Staying hydrated is priority number #1 when you are doing a lot outdoors.  With my hydration pack I was able to take a drink of water whenever I wanted too.  The Platypus 3.0 liter Hydration bladder is really easy to fill and clean also…I loved the fact that I could get ice into it when we were filling it before our hike with no problem.  I think it took my dad and me about 2 minutes to clean them after our hike and hang them to dry.  Keeping your gear clean and in order is extremely important and it always helps when your gear is designed to make it easy to do that.

I was really glad that my dad took me out for this hike.  I was a little worried about the Test Hike that we will be doing out at Devil’s Lake next week.  But now I know that I will be able to make it with no problem.  I think it is going to be a lot of fun...plus, chilling in the pool afterwards will be great.

A bit of reflection….

I think I’m finally realizing how much I am getting into the training.   It was only last winter when my Dad and I started hiking on a regular basis and I would get pretty tired after completing a measly six mile hike.  Last weekend, I busted out a 16 miler in 4 hours and 10 minutes and then went over to a friend’s house later that afternoon.   I missed the 19 miler with the GC9 group last weekend because I got sick.  My dad finished it in about 6 hours.  He said the trail was a good training loop.  This next Saturday he and I are going to go do the hike.  Dad knows that I really don’t like hiking on the roadway…so he said he will modify the trail that the GC9 group did, eliminating the 4 miles on the road, but adding an additional 6.7 mile loop.  The total hike will be 20.1 miles. 

Wow...you know…our neighboring town Buchanan isn’t even 20.1 miles away…in fact, I don’t think the University Park Mall in Mishawaka, Indiana is even that far away.   I’m really starting to realize how much the human body can endure and really do…with proper conditioning.  My friends think I’m crazy for doing something other than sleeping in on the weekend...but personally, I think it’s pretty amazing and I’m having a lot of fun.  See you on the trails.

Charlie

Would you like fries with that???

Getting ready for a hike at Potato Creek State Park.

This upcoming hike will be my longest hikes and my first long distance hike by myself.  My dad has to go to Graduation Ceremonies at Southwestern Michigan College so he won’t be able to go on this hike.   He told me that he thinks I am ready and this will be a good chance for me to hike with some other members of the team.  I’m not really nervous because I’ve picked up a lot of what’s been taught to me during our lectures and have listened and watched a lot of the other hikers during our past hikes with them.

Potato Creek is in north-central Indiana about 12 miles southwest of South Bend.  The park features a wide array of activities and facilities for year-round enjoyment.  It has a variety of natural habitats, including the 327-acre Worster Lake, old fields, mature woodlands, restored prairies and diverse wetlands.  Each offers unique opportunities for plant and wildlife observation.

Native peoples used the area for hunting and fishing.  The area’s first people of European descent settled here in the 1830s.

This week, Mr. Gunn will lecture on basic fuel needed to survive in the Grand Canyon.  I’m especially excited for this hike because I will get to test out my new pair of boots.  They felt great on the 6 mile hike that my dad and I did last week…so I am really looking forward to testing them out for real.  See you in 16 miles.

Charlie.

Boots...boots...and more boots.

Gear Shopping

We’ve been taking a lot of trips to the store on weekends to find places that have different types of gear.  My dad keeps reminding me that although a lot of people have great advise…I need to do my own research and find out what works for me.  After trying on numerous pairs of boots and shoes I finally decided on the boots that I want to get and today we are going to Cabela’s to try on a few pairs and hopefully purchase my boots. 

I decided that I wanted a new pair of lightweight trail hiking boots instead of another pair of distance running shoes.  I’ve been using my Brooks Running shoes on the hikes up to this point.  Even though they feel really good…they don’t offer me any ankle support.   I decided I am going to get a pair of Merrell Moab GTXs.  My dad and I are going to go for a 6 mile hike so I can break them in a bit before the 16 mile hike at Potato Creek State park next weekend.  I’ll let you know how it goes.

Well, I got my boots.  It was funny, I tried on 3 different pairs of the same boot before I found the pair that felt the best.  My dad got a cup of coffee and had me walk around the store for about an hour to make sure I liked the feel.  I went up and down the stairs in the store about 10 times…just to see how they felt while climbing stuff.  I love them and they feel great.  I can’t wait till tomorrow night when we go for a walk to break them in a little bit.

Charlie

Monday Morning Hike

Last night I was talking with Gerry, one of my buddies, about gear, one-man tents and such.  And he told me a story about how he was given the trail name of “Broken Arrow” when he was in the service.  He told me that I was welcome to use his mark when hiking so I could leave clues for my hiking partners on what trails to take when not hiking in a group.  I thanked him and thought to myself that I might try it, just for fun, but knowing that most of the trails we hike are very well marked I didn’t figure I’d use it much.  I should have taken the idea so lightly…as I found out during this morning’s hike. 

This morning, after dropping Charlie off at the bus stop, I headed up to Dowagiac and planned on hiking the 10k Roadrunner Trail.  It was raining when I started but cleared up within an hour.  About two-thirds of the way through the trail I decided to take a well-worn deer path that I had come across…I figured I might be able to add a mile or two to the course…and thought that this might be a neat opportunity to test my orienteering and marking skills.  My new favorite catch phrase is below…I texted it to Gerry after about 2 hours of walking in circles.

“I’m not lost!!!

I know exactly where I am...

It’s just that I don’t know where the hell anything else is.”

Needless to say, when I had the opportunity to put a second hash mark in one of my broken arrow signs drawn in the dirt at one of the crossing deer trails…I realized I might need a refresher on how to use a map and a compass.  I think it was 1982 when I earned the BSA Orienteering merit badge…guess I have forgotten a few things.  Next trip to REI will include the purchase of couple of ball-compasses and a new map-compass.  Just a reminder, when buying map and ball compasses, make sure you check to see that they all line up before you leave the store.  Nothing worse than trying to remember if the one hanging from your back-pack strap is off 7 degrees NW or if that was the spare one you carry in your emergency kit as a back-up.

My 2 hour hike turned into about a 4 ½ hike…but ended well.  I found my way back to the beginning of the deer track that I had taken and finished out the hike strong.  God smiled on me and kept the rain away until I got back into the Jeep and headed home.  It was a great way to start the week.  Next Friday, I think I may see if Howard wants to go hike Grand Mere State Park.  I think that will be a nice change from the rocky trails he is used to down in Tennessee.  

Brian