Category: gear

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Paul’s Boots on the Appalachian Trail

He wore size 13 boots. Despite a job as draftsman in the big city, he was happiest out on the trail. When Paul was 42, doctors diagnosed his mom with Parkinson’s. He nursed her for four years until her death. By that time, his father developed Alzheimer’s. The gaps between hiking trips grew longer and longer. By the time his father passed in 2011, Paul had two heart attacks. His love for the outdoors never diminished.

Even as his body failed him, Paul started to pack for the trip he’d dreamed of completing—all 2,190 miles of the Appalachian Trail. At night, he’d recount to his wife, M’Lynn, all he’d learned in his research. His heart no longer allowed him to walk much further than the end of his block, but his soul was ready to go. Next to a full backpack, he left his three polished sets of hiking boots. Last July, Paul passed away. He was 53.

As M’Lynn moved through the stages of grief, it came time to tidy up Paul’s gear for a trip he wouldn’t take. She had an idea—one last gift to the man she loved. She needed help. Could we and our greater outdoor community get these boots out on the trail?

REI

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

(via Hiking in Finland)

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Wazoo Survival Gear belt

If Drumpf becomes President, I’m going to update my survival gear. Prepare for the end of the world. 🙂

This proposed Cache Belt looks great.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

See more of their products.

via GearJunkie – Survival Situation? Check Your Belt

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GRANITE GEAR – VIRGA 2 backpack

I bought the Virga 2, my 3rd Virga since seeing it recommended by gearjunkie in 2007. It is  lightweight at 1lb 3oz. But not all that durable.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

You can  buy directly from Granite Gear or Backcountry Gear.

Granite Gear does not seem to want to know me unless I live in the United States. In the end I bought from Amazon.com and had it shipped to an address in the States.

REI lists this pack, but does not have it in stock in many stores. 😦

Granite Gear truly does have crappy distribution.

 

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cycle hiking Whidbey Island

Cycle hiking the Islands – trip report by site editor Rick McCharles

I caught the ferry from Port Townsend. Immediately cycled to Ebey’s Landing for the Bluff-Ridge Trail.

I started from the trailhead at the end of Ebey’s Landing Road. Here’s the view looking back to the start.

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Ebey Map

minimum 3.7 mile loop

This hike is ALL GOOD. The best I’ve found in the islands, so far.

There’s a prairie section leading to the bluff.

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Plenty of interesting things to see along the way.

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Almost everyone starts along the bluff, returns via the beach trail. But I enjoyed the breeze and vistas so much I decided to stay on the high road both there and back. 🙂

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To celebrate the great hike, I stopped in next at Kapaws Iskreme on Front Street in Coupeville.

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Coupeville is a nice little tourist town.

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Though I’d heard nothing about it I decided to stop in at Dugualla Bay State Park.

Turns out I could have cycled the trail, but instead I hiked it down to the ocean.

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The famous State park is Deception Pass. I decided to camp there. Next morning I’d cycle across the bridge to Hidalgo Island.

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It was a good spot. I slept in until 7:30am. Enjoyed a pot of coffee. And decided to explore the trails of Deception Pass by bike and on foot.

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Unfortunately I’d somehow acquired a slow leak. Adding air only worked for short bursts.

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I opted to head for the nearest bike shop. Save Deception Pass for future adventures.

Turns out it’s the most-visited park in Washington with over 2 million visitors / year. I’ll plan to stay for a couple of days next time.

related trip report – Whidbey Island – Ebey’s Landing