New GPS (or, why we buy things at REI)

About 18 months ago, we decided we'd get a GPS, however, we were more interested in using it for Hiking and other outdoor activities, so we didn't get a vehicle GPS.  We decided we'd get a GPS with Topographic maps instead.  Furthermore, we decided to go to REI to get our GPS because REI is really good at helping poor misguided souls and answering really basic questions.

So over a year ago, we got a Garmin Oregon 400t which was great with only one flaw.  The roads that were on the GPS didn't match the roads we drove on.  Many times, the roads would be off by 50 feet or more.  This didn't bug us too much until we started doing more geocaching.  The GPS would get to the right coordinates, however, at times when geocaching in an urban area, we'd go down the wrong street because the map was off.

So, last week, I took it back to REI and asked them if this behavior was expected (remember, misguided souls with stupid questions).  They said that this shouldn't do this, so they offered to exchange the maps.  When the map came, I came back and tried the new map but it didn't really work.  When the supervisor couldn't figure out how to make the exchange, he asked me if I wanted to replace my old unit for a new one.  I said sure, if it'll fix the problem. 

So, without batting an eye, they exchanged a 18 month old GPS for a new one that has a built in camera and a few more features.  I was happy, until I tried to track my path on the way home. 

The maps are still off.  I guess I have to do some more work to figure out how that should work. 

Fitness Review - Week Ending 2/5.

In the spirit of full disclosure, I thought I'd start putting up my weekly review of the training that I have done.

Usually, I try to walk for half-an-hour during my lunch break.
I've also been using a program on the Wii called Wii Fitness Trainer.  It's more intensive than Wii Fit, which makes you wait a couple of minutes between exercises and is cute but annoying.

Day	Exercise	Distance (Miles)	Time (Min)
Sun	Walk the Dog	1.5	30 min
Mon	Golf (9-Holes)	2.5	90 min
Tue	Lunch Walk, Wii	1.5	60 min
Wed	Golf (18-Holes)	5	180 min
Thu	None (Sick)	0	0 min
Fri	Wii	0	20 min
Sat	Walk	6.75 m	120 min

Ending Weight:  214.1 lbs. 

Gotta work on getting that weight down.  Gonna have to start cutting out carbs. 

A Saturday Stroll (with a GPS)

It came to pass that I finally got tired enough of the cold I'm fighting to go to the doctor.  It started last night with a number of dry coughing fits and although I managed to sleep until 6am, that was about it.  So instead of going up to the mountains to snowshoe, I ended up at the Walk-in Clinic at 8:30 this morning.  Sent on my way with a prescription and some recommended over the counter medicines, I figured that it probably wouldn't be a good idea to go snowshoeing in 40 degree weather with rain.  Instead, we decided that we'd take a long walk around the neighborhood.  6.75 miles later, I figured I should interrupt my Gear stories and talk about my neighborhood.

Mill Creek, Washington, was one of those 70's planned communities, with lots of walking trails, greenbelts (woods for those of you living on the other side of the Rockies) and cute neighborhoods surrounding a golf course and nature preserve.  Proper behavior is embedded on covenants enforced by the Mill Creek Community Association, otherwise referred to as the Garbage Can Nazis.  We live on the eastern edge of the city, and my prescription was being filled on the western edge.  So we decided to take a little walk to get the prescription.

Since we were walking, and since we got a new GPS (another story for another day), we decided to do some geocaching along the way. That took us to a bit of a round about route, allowing us to explore more trails than we usually do.  Playing with the new GPS, we decided to go ahead and track our route.  We found that during 3 hours, 15 minutes, we walked for 2 hours, rested for 1:15 and travelled 6.64 miles for an average walking speed of 3.3 miles per hour.  I had on a small backpack, maybe a couple of pounds at the most, so it was basically just a stroll.

And during all that time, no rain.  Altogether a good day.

Gear: Cooking Pots

Next on the weigh-in is the cooking gear.  I received the gear from one of my daughters as a Christmas gift a few years ago when I was stocking up for these endeavors.  Again, never used, it is waiting for me to pack it up and haul it around. 

This kit contains a small frying pan, a cooking pot (both with a non-stick surface) and a clamp-on handle to allow you to move them without burning yourself.  Also included are a plastic cup and bowl, fitting neatly inside the stacking pots.  I will have to source some silverware as well as other cooking utensils (spoon, spatula, knife, that kind of stuff), but there is room in here to fit some of that. 

Again, I weighed these items on my trusty postal scale and found that they weigh a wee bit over 1 lb.  Again, with a handy mesh bag, this is ready to throw into the pack. 

And look, it's blue so it will not clash with the tent. 

Gear: Tent Groundcloth

OK, they probably don't call them groundcloths anymore, but it is wise to have a vapor barrier between the tent and the ground.  So the next item on the gear list is a Groundcloth.

So, I can't remember if I got this when I got the tent, or if we went back to REI at a later date, but now that I'm reading the instructions, it looks like it's more than just a groundcloth.  Apparently, this "Fast Pack Footprint" can be used as a ground cloth, or in conjunction with the fly as a shelter in it's own right.  With this little device, I guess you can leave the tent at home.  Amazing what you learn when you actually read the directions!

I have no idea how I'll be using this, but it looks like I've got some choices.  Given that this is a bit smaller than the items so far, I've pulled out our postage scale to weigh this item.  Coming in at 9 oz. wrapped, it's the Fast Pack Footprint! 

This ought to be fun setting it up.

Gear: Tent

Of course, the next largest piece of gear that I'll be using when backpacking is a tent.  The tent was more of a "huh" purchase than the backpack.  A year or so after we got the backpacks, we went back to REI to look for tents.  I may have had an excuse like my birthday or something like that, but I can't remember.  Needless to say, Gail came along and gave me one of those looks when I told her I wanted to buy a tent.  She went along with my lunacy, and I now have a tent that's been sitting in the garage for a couple of years without being used.

The tent is a Sierra Designs "Sirius" model.  It's nominally a 2 person tent (friendly people, that is) and has a host of features, including 2 doors, 2 poles, a 4' x 4' vestibule (for the dog or the pack) and is 39" high at the peak.  According to the tag, it has a trail weight of 4 lbs.  According to my Borg, it looks more like 5 lbs.  Needless to say, it's lightweight and small.  I erred on the smaller size for I figured if you're hiking around, the idea would be to be outside.

As part of the preparation, I'll have to learn how to set it up and the like.

Gear: Backpack

So, while I had the scale and camera out in the Garage yesterday, I thought I'd take the opportunity to weigh some of my gear that I'll be taking along.  Of course, the starting item will be the Backpack. 

When I first had visions of life without kids, I thought it would be a good idea to get a backpack.  So Gail and I went down to REI, tried on a number of different packs, and I found one that fit me well, didn't cost too much, and was brown (i.e., the color of dirt).  I finally picked out an REI 65 backpack that has two main compartments and a number of different compartments for stuff.  (Gotta have places to put your stuff.) 

My first experience with this backpack was while I was traveling with my daughter in Europe.  We spent February wandering around the Mediterranean a couple of years ago, hauling our possessions on our backs.  She used Gail's pack and I hauled around mine.  It worked fairly well, and it was comfortable.  So far, I am pleased with this particular pack. 

Although you don't get a good view of the pack, you can see with my highly accurate scale that this piece of gear weighs 5 lbs.  (It's probably closer to 3 but what do you expect from the Borg?)