It dawned on my as I was wandering around the business park that walking on a sidewalk doesn't really provide the same type of training as hiking on a trail. The concrete sidewalk is hard, provides much traction and doesn't really give as much. This doesn't quite exercise the legs the same way as trail walking.
So, in one of those "well duh!" moments, I noticed that there was grass on each side of the sidewalk. What forces me to walk on the sidewalk when I could just walk on the grass? As long as I dodge the saplings planted in the medians, not sink into the mud and be careful not to step on the sprinklers, I can exercise in more realistic conditions.
I also have to practice keeping my head up while walking around. With a backpack, it is easy to slump over and stare at the ground. And although the scenery isn't the best around work, it will be on Mount Rainier, so I need to keep my head up and look around.
However, one thing I did learn is that I'm not the only one walking in the business park. In fact, I'm not the only mammal walking in the park. The only problem you get when you keep your head up is that you don't see where you're putting your feet. There are no bad dogs, just bad dog owners.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Bad News from Mount Rainier.
A couple of weeks ago, the blogging came to a halt. Some of that had to do with the family schedule over the last two weeks, but some of that came from a simple sentence posted by the park rangers on the Mount Rainier web site:
"Trying to book an entire Wonderland Trail trip, or a large section of it, from mid-July until mid-September is near impossible at this point."
Apparently,reservations start getting sent to the Wilderness Information Center starting in Mid-March, and one ranger goes through the applications starting on April 1st. This year, by the beginning of May, over 500 applications have been processed and a number of backcountry campgrounds are full. (Given that there's only about 8 sites per campground, it doesn't take long.)
So, this has put me into a bit of a funk, which helps to explain the lack of posting. Now, I have to figure out
what's next for the Wonderland Goal. The close proximity of Mount Rainier makes it possible to do the trail in multiple segments. In fact, Bette Filley suggests that the best way to do the Trail is in 10 one to two day chunks. You don't have to carry as much and you have some time to recuperate.
We'll see how this all works out.
"Trying to book an entire Wonderland Trail trip, or a large section of it, from mid-July until mid-September is near impossible at this point."
Apparently,reservations start getting sent to the Wilderness Information Center starting in Mid-March, and one ranger goes through the applications starting on April 1st. This year, by the beginning of May, over 500 applications have been processed and a number of backcountry campgrounds are full. (Given that there's only about 8 sites per campground, it doesn't take long.)
So, this has put me into a bit of a funk, which helps to explain the lack of posting. Now, I have to figure out
what's next for the Wonderland Goal. The close proximity of Mount Rainier makes it possible to do the trail in multiple segments. In fact, Bette Filley suggests that the best way to do the Trail is in 10 one to two day chunks. You don't have to carry as much and you have some time to recuperate.
We'll see how this all works out.
Fitness Review - 5/21
This week was worse than last week. Didn't return from Pittsburgh until 2am Tuesday morning, and I then left for Spokane at the end of the week.
Ending Weight: 207.0 lbs. Looks like my two week visit to restaurants didn't cause any significant weight gain. Whew!
| Day | Exercise | Distance (Miles) | Time (Min) |
| Sun | 0.0 | 0 min | |
| Mon | 0.0 | 0 min | |
| Tue | 0.0 | 0 min | |
| Wed | Wii, | 0.0 | 30 min |
| Thu | 0.0 | 0 min | |
| Fri | 0.0 | 0 min | |
| Sat | 0.0 | 0 min |
Ending Weight: 207.0 lbs. Looks like my two week visit to restaurants didn't cause any significant weight gain. Whew!
Fitness Review - 5/14
This week is being done well after the fact. We were out of town during the weekend attending a graduation and the normal routine was disrupted. Congratulations to Corinne for getting her Bachelor's in Computer Science.
Ending Weight: Have absolutely no idea.
| Day | Exercise | Distance (Miles) | Time (Min) |
| Sun | Walk. | 1.5 | 30 min |
| Mon | Wii, Golf | 5.0 | 210 min |
| Tue | Wii +++ | 0.0 | 30 min |
| Wed | Wii, | 0.0 | 30 min |
| Thu | Wii | 0.0 | 30 min |
| Fri | 0.0 | 0 min | |
| Sat | 0.0 | 0 min |
Ending Weight: Have absolutely no idea.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Fitness Review - 5/7
Valerie came home for a couple of weeks, so the schedule got disrupted a bit this week. However, it was nice enough to get a golf game in and we did get the second car back.
Ending Weight: 207.0 lbs. Lost .7 lbs this week, although I didn't weigh in until Monday. Easter Candy has a negative effect, so I'm glad it's gone.
| Day | Exercise | Distance (Miles) | Time (Min) |
| Sun | Walk. | 1.5 | 30 min |
| Mon | Wii, Walk (with pack) | 1.5 | 60 min |
| Tue | Wii | 0.0 | 30 min |
| Wed | Wii, Walk | 1.5 | 60 min |
| Thu | 0.0 | 30 min | |
| Fri | Golf | 5.0 | 210 min |
| Sat | Walk (More like a stroll) | 1.0 | 60 min |
Ending Weight: 207.0 lbs. Lost .7 lbs this week, although I didn't weigh in until Monday. Easter Candy has a negative effect, so I'm glad it's gone.
Monday, May 2, 2011
Personal Hygene Items to Bring
So, we discussed washing hands, other body parts, clothes washing and bodily functions. So what would be the minimum list of what to bring on the Trail.
Jason Stevenson (author of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Backpacking and Hiking) recommends this in a Personal Hygiene Post.
If you don't floss, it's still a good idea to bring Dental Floss. It can double for thread in mending clothes and backpacks, and in an extreme emergency, skin.
Jason Stevenson (author of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Backpacking and Hiking) recommends this in a Personal Hygiene Post.
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Dental floss
- Alcohol gel-based hand sanitizer
- Cotton bandanna or wash cloth
- Moist towelettes or baby wipes
- Biodegradable soap
- Absorbent pack towel
- Toilet paper in its own plastic bag
If you don't floss, it's still a good idea to bring Dental Floss. It can double for thread in mending clothes and backpacks, and in an extreme emergency, skin.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
How can I keep this one PG?
One element of personal hygiene is responding to "nature's call". There's the Number 1 and the Number 2. Given that I'm male, Number 1 is much easier than if I were female, but we all have to deal with Number 2. Being away from civilization for 12 days, I'm not going to hold it that long.
My sources indicate that there's a right way and a wrong way for Number 1. Peeing on a tree, well that's not good for the tree. Also, urine has many salts and chemicals that wildlife are attracted to, so they tend to tear up plant life for those random Number 1 spots. Allan and Rick both say that the best thing to do is to wet a rock, and if possible, one that is in the sun. That way, it dries quickly and the salts are easily available to any passing animal.
As for Number 2, it's a bit more difficult, but phenomenally popular. Kathleen Meyer wrote an entire book on the subject. There is a Facebook page devoted to it. There are videos on YouTube about it. It seems like everyone's got a funny story about doing it when you have to no matter where you are.
The prescription for a successful Number 2 in the woods is to dig a cathole (6-8 inches deep) and poop into it. Of course, there's some squatting involved, but if you can find a log it may help you. Toilet paper is not recommended, for if you use paper, you should pack it out with you. Carrying around used TP doesn't sound like my idea of fun, but there are places where they make you carry out everything, not just the TP.
The nice thing about the Wonderland Trail is that many of the wilderness camps have latrines. If you can hold it, this is a good option.
My sources indicate that there's a right way and a wrong way for Number 1. Peeing on a tree, well that's not good for the tree. Also, urine has many salts and chemicals that wildlife are attracted to, so they tend to tear up plant life for those random Number 1 spots. Allan and Rick both say that the best thing to do is to wet a rock, and if possible, one that is in the sun. That way, it dries quickly and the salts are easily available to any passing animal.
As for Number 2, it's a bit more difficult, but phenomenally popular. Kathleen Meyer wrote an entire book on the subject. There is a Facebook page devoted to it. There are videos on YouTube about it. It seems like everyone's got a funny story about doing it when you have to no matter where you are.
The prescription for a successful Number 2 in the woods is to dig a cathole (6-8 inches deep) and poop into it. Of course, there's some squatting involved, but if you can find a log it may help you. Toilet paper is not recommended, for if you use paper, you should pack it out with you. Carrying around used TP doesn't sound like my idea of fun, but there are places where they make you carry out everything, not just the TP.
The nice thing about the Wonderland Trail is that many of the wilderness camps have latrines. If you can hold it, this is a good option.
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