The Ten Essentials

The AMC Equipped blog published an interesting article the other day. They found a study of how many hikers in the Whites carried the ten essentials. I think it is interesting how few people enter the woods unprepared. As the author of the post points out, simply carrying a few extra items that weigh a few ounces, your chances of survival can drastically increase if you get hurt or lost in the woods.

Gimme Shelter

I ordered a tarp today. Its a 9x9 foot flat tarp from Oware. Once I get home it should provide some fun learning how to set it up different ways in the backyard.

36 days until Katahdin.

The Countdown Continues

I had my last final this evening. Now all that stands between me and graduation is a single final project, which doesn't quite work yet. Hopefully it will fix itself so I don't have to spend all night in the lab.

Now that classes are mostly done, I have to finish planning my hike. I still need to buy a tarp and a few other small things. I also need to figure out where I want to send maildrops and how much food to put in them. Also, what to eat on the trail? So many choices.

42 days until Katahdin.

Going on a Nature Walk

Why go for a walk in the woods?

Taking a walk through the woods gives our minds a chance to unwind from the crazy lives we have and leave us feeling refreshed when we return. It gives us a chance to reflect and relax, to disconnect for a little while from the electronic world we are perennially connected to. UR professor Adam Frank wrote a nice piece for NPR in which he more elegantly argues for nature walks. It's a good read and not too long, and outlines some of the many reasons that people, myself included, like to go hiking. His piece can be found here.

Its Official...

I've ordered my guide and reserved a lean-to in Baxter State Park, so I guess I'm officially hiking this summer. Now there are only a few more pieces of gear that I need to get before I'm truly ready. But first I have to finish the semester. What fun.