was on the AB Young Trail in Sedona around sunrise this morning. Trailhead is right at the Bootlegger Picnic Area off Hwy 89 about 10 miles north of town so very easy to access. Start at 5200 ft and go up 2.5 miles via 33 switchbacks to a fire lookout just shy of 7200 ft. Have to hop a bunch of boulders to cross Oak Creek and get on the trail. Would be a terrible trail for dogs with the lack of shade and rough trail conditions, but it's super fun At the top you go through a stretch of ponderosa pine that burned a long time ago with views of the San Francisco Peaks Spoiler
I stormed from 2-9pm yesterday then rained from 4-7 this morning. New tent which is water resistant without a fly. No rain from outside got in my tent, but since it was warmer inside from my body heat, dew formed all over the inside, beaded up, and fell. All night. Basically, it rained inside the tent, but better than being out in it. I just slept in my rain gear so all is fine, but everything got soaked. I think cause the whole tent is water resistant it had a good surface to form on inside. I think I’ll get a fly for it so I can unzip the windows next time. Should help.
I have a single wall tent as well. The trade off is more condensation as you're up against the outer wall more than if you're in a double wall tent with a fly. Sometimes you're just going to have conditions where you can't avoid condensation inside the tent.
I love the tent. Got it put up in a minute by myself. Lots of room for a 4 man. I now know to not take it if it looks like rain or cool+humid.
This is absolutely sick...did some guys ride on bikes and some in the car? Did you load the bikes in the truck over certain terrain? Didn't see the bikes in the video so wasn't sure. My buddy is a big moto head and about to send him this
Just packed the biggest pack I've ever carried. I've had heavier but this one is ludicrous it's so big. 3 nights in Shenandoah fishing natives. My son taking a buddy for the 1st time so we packed extra everything.
First views of Everest yesterday: Stayed at Namche Bazaar last night, just under 12K. Getting into the shit this AM.
Got on the Jacks Canyon Trail in Sedona around 6:45. The trailhead is in the Village of Oak Creek so it's accessible without 4x4 and I didn't see anyone, so you don't need to get there super early. Start at 4280 ft and go up 6.5 miles through high chaparral to 6347 ft with views of most of the major red rock formations in the area. Thought I heard a car at one point and it was just tons of bees in the wildflowers Walking through a beautiful desert landscape and then reading The Crossing by Cormac McCarthy later that day Spoiler
I bought a Sedona-specific map and it's absurd how many trails there are down there, especially for a town of 10K people Their bike infrastructure is really impressive too. There are major cities that should emulate them on that front
best place to day hike or bike in the country due to the options (plus what you can do up north near/in Flag, down in Prescott, and over in Payson).
Switched up some gear this year. Went from a bear bag to a canister. Soo much easier. I like being able to see your food and root around in it to see what you want. Also makes a nice table/place to set your coffee. Went from a MSR Trailshot to a Sawyer Squeeze. So much faster. I like the Sawyer better but my only concern is if you don't have a lot of water to pull from. The Trailshot could pull from a mud puddle. Upgraded bags to a Western Mountaineering. Holy shit you get what you pay for. Great bag.
If you have the means for a WM, I highly recommend it. The CNOC Vecto bladders make using a Sawyer much easier. The bags included with the filter are awful. I rig a gravity set up for when I'm in camp, super convenient.
Thanks for the rec. Already had plans to rig gravity system with it. CNOC looks like it will allow you to squeeze and/or hang.
Woke up and decided it was too nice to go to work. Was at the Mt Elden TH (6879 ft) by 8:15 and made it the 3 miles to the Elden Lookout (9300 ft) by 9:45. Back at my car by 11:15 and have been reading in the sun since getting home. Elite Monday. China blue skies Looking forward to winter getting here and this trail being packed with snow Spoiler
speaking of gear, has anyone had experience with the Allbirds trail runners? Thought it could be a good gift for the wife, but unsure if they are good or all style.
In general, I am not going to trust weird internet reviews since a lot of that shit is paid marketing. And since they aren't sold outside of Allbirds, no good product ratings.
I'm on my second pair of Allbirds, love them -- not sure how they'd hold up on the trail, tho. I use them for my everyday walking around shoes. But I also prefer boots to trail runners, to it may be personal preference.
Returned yesterday from 15 days in the Himalayas. About 14 days above 12K feet, 5 days above 15K ft. If you're on the donor board, you know what a fucking disaster this trip was, but still made the best of it. I'm in tremendous hiking shape, but man that elevation does things to the body. Both nostrils feel like I've done a month's supply of shitty blow. Went completely sober, plus hiking at a calorie deficit for that long has my pants hanging down around my ass, but I have the outline of a six-pack for the first time in my life. You stay at teahouses along the trail, which is better than camping, but fuck it is cold once the sun goes down. The dining rooms have a wood burning stove, but all the rooms themselves are separated from the elements by a window and thin plywood. The deeper you get, the more basic the amenities become and less hot water there is. Probably took 3 hot showers over the course of trekking, nastiest I've ever been. Food was pretty damn good. Breakfast was chappati and omelettes or muesli, dinner was veggie chowmein or dal bhat (typical Indian dish with dhal, curried veggies, potatoes, over rice -- with free re-fills: "Dal Bhat Power, 24-hour"). Was originally supposed to the three passes, but we caught an awful stomach bug that knocked us out for 4 days. After returning to Namche, we re-grouped and went on a 6 day/5 night trek to Gokyo, which is supposed to be the most scenic viewpoint according to folks we talked to. Anyway, here's Wonderwall. Spoiler Ama Dablam (22,349) to the right, Mt Everest to the left right after leaving Namche Ama Dablam over a small village -- these are very 4-5 miles, super convenient Village of Tengboche, which has an awesome monastery - probably my favorite village. Great view of Everest Village of Dole Once you get into the vert, donkeys and mules give way to yaks. Yak cheese is delicious
The village of Gokyo is over 15K ft, definitely the highlight of the trip. No hyperbole, one of the best mountain views in the entire world you can get without real-deal mountaineering. About a 1.5-2 hour steep ass hike/small scramble to Gokyo Ri, the peak, up to 17,585 ft. Def the highest this watch will ever read: Spoiler Four of the six highest mountains in the world (Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu): Spoiler Hope this pano works: https://momento360.com/e/u/8b99f123...ield-of-view=75&size=medium&display-plan=true
super cool, man. glad you were able to see some things after your bug. and hope you and the gf are feeling 100% now.
Amazing stuff even with the unexpected adversity. Good on you for doing it man. I spent a night in a tent with altitude sickness around 13k. Snowed, rained, iced, gusted, and lightninged, ALL NIGHT. I literally made peace with dying and part of me even wished for it. Altitude sickness is fucking awful.
This is very badass. Since reading your post on the donor board I’ve randomly found myself saying “into the vert.” Going upstairs to wake up my daughter for school? Into the vert. Driving over a big hill? Into the vert. Elevator at work? Into the vert. Chuckle to myself every time.
Ha! I got it from my buddy -- makes me sound a lot more badass than I actually am. Think I also heard it in Meru, prolly my favorite climbing movie. Video from Gokyo Ri summit: https://www.youtube.com/fBAx4N-acyQ
Any good recs for a lightweight, 1/4 zip, fleece with a hood? Can be from a big or cottage company, doesn't matter. Have an R1 Air that I love but looking for something lighter/thinner.
I have one from REI that rules. https://www.rei.com/product/193961/rei-co-op-active-pursuits-tech-hoodie-mens
I tried to get the on sale colors earlier today on that exact one. It lets you add it to your cart but says "No longer available" when you go to check out.
Going to Salt Lake City this wknd for 5 days. Anything good to do up in Park City or surrounding SLC this time of year? Just a little early for skiing and heard that hiking trails will probably be closed. They are getting dumped on with snow right now.
Ayo, that's badass(also really nice photos!). Hiking on a calorie deficit sounds depressing as hell tho, especially for this long...
It was pretty damn hard. Thankfully the food was really good and they give you enormous portions. You also sleep for like 10-11 hours/day, so that helps. It's just exhausting. Wake up at 6-7, huge breakfast, hike for 5-6 hours, snack, dinner, in bed around 9. Rinse and repeat. Would go back tomorrow if I could.
tspa my dad sent me this pic from the house they rented with my brother’s family in Brassville, NC. Any idea what they are called?
Growing up my great grandma's house had a black walnut tree that dropped something similar. They came off the tree green and would rot to brown. That is my best guess, if they are really soft on the outside now. The brown version would be mushy. If they are still firm then probably something else. Inside they have rough nut with a lot ridges in the shell. As an aside, my cousins and I would throw them at each other, kind of like a snowball fight.
6-7 mile hike in Baja Sur to a viewpoint called Punta Lobos. The cove was a 16th or 17th century port for the small town of Todos Santos. Fucking hottttt Spoiler
I recommend never getting a Big Agnes mat. I was always a therm-a-rest guy, but I really needed a new one due to wear. I went to my local outdoor shop and decided to switch it up with a Big Agnes. Anyway, it sucks and is not durable whatsoever, unlike their tents. Not sure if anyone is a huge fan of the brand, even though it's considered high-end.
I have two. A Q-Core SLX insulated and a standard air core (ultra maybe?) No complaints on either aside from the fact that they’re noisy.
Anyone ever rent camping equipment? Might need a tent and sleeping bag for a trip later in the summer if more people come than expected Wondering if it's even worth the savings and if it's actually worth the hassle of returning the equipment at the end of a trip
I've done it. Research your various options (REI vs. local rental places). it can be a hassle after the fact, but sometimes can be a good deal.