Prep Hike

The weather was beautiful today so I decided to take a short hike. There were a couple of reasons to get out and do some serious walking: I wanted to test out my knee to see how it has survived the winter, and I also have a new backpack I’ve been dying to strap on. Everything went well, and I can report that the knee feels good. In fact – this point is baffling to me – it feels better after I give it a good workout. I’m wondering where the dividing line between moderate exercise and too much is drawn.

I would like to climb a few hills but that would mean driving at least 80 miles from Buffalo. With the price of gas I decided to walk in a town park not far from where I work in Cheektowaga. It’s a nice little park with several miles of graded trails. The paths wind through woods on level terrain with boardwalks constructed over the swampy areas. When the weather is nice, I walk there quite often. But this was the first time I had sported my full backpacking equipment and I received quite a few strange looks. The nice weather had also brought out tons of people to the park.

Most people would smile and greet me politely, although some kept their heads down and hurried by, like you do when you pass a homeless person with a sign. I explained to a couple of people that I was just getting used to my pack before I went on an overnight camping trip in the Spring, but for the most part I just smiled back.

My new pack is a ULA Catalyst. They don’t sell them in stores so I ordered it online. I’m not in favor of buying something as expensive as this pack was without trying it on or even seeing it in 2012-03-11 20.47.40person, but it had good reviews from the trail community and I figured I could send it back if I didn’t like it. I needed something a little bigger than my Gregory pack for cold-weather gear and several days of food while still remaining ultralight. It feels good and I like it.

Everything is set for my AT hike at the end of this month. I’m hoping to last a couple of weeks, anyway. After that I may drive through North Carolina and look at the small motorcycle I’m interested in. I called a dealer and they have two in stock. Then I will head indirectly west. I know the timeline flor visit is extended longer than some would like, but except for backpacking in the mountains, summer in the southwest is too brutal. I will try to update with more stories along the way, even if they seem pointless to me. I know everyone is thinking of me.

5 Responses to “Prep Hike”

  1. Robin says:

    If you ever pass through Idaho, be sure to let us know! We would love for you to stay with us!

  2. Daryl says:

    That looks a nice backpack. It’s a little heavier than mine, but it has more capacity too. I guess when we hike together, you’ll have to carry any extra gear!

    When do you quit your job? Have you given notice?

  3. Mom says:

    That’s what I want to know. When do you officially become a retired older man? It’s a great life.

  4. Dick says:

    I thought you might be interested in a guy who is doing a van conversion similar to yours. His website is http://cargovanconversion.com/

  5. Donna says:

    So now you have a spare pack that I can borrow sometime and take a hike with Karen along. It would have been quite a feat to share hers. I guess we could have each taken one shoulder strap and walked with our arms around each other.

    Have a fun summer, but be careful out there on the trail.

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