VPI

Watched my oldest friend get honored on the Rachel Ray show. http://www.rachaelrayshow.com/celebs/18919_meet_a_chef_who_s_using_food_to_change_lives/index.html

As soon as I choose a tent I think I am going to head out for a weekend on the AT. Probably grab a Big Agnes Fly Creek UL2 to start with.

Yeah, I have two Red Oxx duffels I use for that, just didn't think I would have time to shop this trip. The Western Mountaineering bag in the compression goes down to about 5x4 inches so no problem fitting in my regular carry on.

I actually contemplated buying another backpack and packing it up with all the new stuff.

Found an excellent outdoor store in Vermont called the Outdoor Gear Exchange. An amazing amount of gear, I just wish I could carry more back on the plane. Ended up getting a Summerlite WM bag, a bunch of clearance ExOfficio stuff and some compression bags.

Wood grilled Dry aged grass fed ribeye with vermont maple whipped squash.

Yeah, you never know. This was a huge scoring week for the NFL.

I actually got a Megalite as I really do not like being hot when I sleep. Hopefully it will work but I do have the Thermalite liners to bring the rating down if I need to. Most of the lightweight tents I was looking at had DAC poles which look strong but the thin fabrics look like they would tear very easily, maybe it is just appearance?

I have been able to try out a good deal of my gear in the last week. I think I might end up upgrading my sleeping pad to a wider one as my shoulders are wide enough that my arms/hands lay naturally off of the pad which is annoying. I orded a Western Mountaineering sleeping bag as my go to bag with the REI Travel bag with inserts filling any other needs. Still have not bought a tent. I looked at several but the light wants look like I would destroy them quickly so I might end up with a slightly heavier, stronger tent before I am done.

Happy Yesterday Birthday

BBQ Sampler at Smoke and Barrel.

Happy Birthday. Come celebrate with Colin and I at the Black Squirrel.

Happy Birthday

For those looking for the peanut butter taste and protein, with a lot less fat, I found this at Costco. Lot of flavor so it does not take a lot.

Nice. If I wasn't so lazy I would try to make one of those.

Any of you pros have any opinions on the Nemo line of tents. Maybe a Veda 1P and Galaxy 2P?

What the hell was I doing in that first pic?

Awesome

Until you provide a more viable scenario, I will have to believe the whole Satan thing, sorry.

So I picked up some more supplies today at REI. I could not choose a sleeping bag so I talked to an REI employee, who I am pretty sure sleeps in a tent behind the REI, and he recommended I get a cheap REI convertible bag with Sea to Summit inserts to bring it to the temps I will be looking for. Lighter than any of the bags and packs fairly small so it will be a start until I decide what bag I want. Also got the REI flash sleeping mat. Got a rain cover made of something called Event fabric. and a Thermoball coat that can pack up into its own pocket.

Pictures Please

I think I will primarily be on the Appalachian Trail in Virginia and points south for my early attempts. My plan is to buy all the cool toys that are pretty much trail universal at first and buy specific stuff for specific trips as needed. I am probably around 70% lightweight and 30% comfort at this point. That might change dramatically to 165% lightweight 295% comfort after my first real hike.

I bought the Pocket Rocket to start off with. The JetBoil Flash stove was the one I was most impressed with so I am not sure I will stick with the Pocket Rocket but it is a start.

That is a great tip. It seems like most of the places I have looked at have fire bans going most of the year so I am not sure when I will be able to practice starting a fire with the new toys. I am actually looking at a smaller 50L bag of the UL variety to play with now as well, maybe an Osprey of some sort?

Snow Peak