Date: 2011-06-01
To: Prep # 7 More Gear
Miles today: 0.0

It¢s been awhile since I felt that I had anything to share but a lot has happened since my last post. First off congratulations to my brother for graduating from the College of William and Mary in a dazzling array of awards and honor. My brother and I haven¢t really had the opportunity to hang out for longer than a day or two since high school and it was nice to get to know this man he has become. It was also just weird to realize how much we both have changed and how much some things stay the same. I thought a lot about what this hike will mean and changes it will bring to my life. There is no preparing for that or even influencing it. The trail will bring what it will and all I can do is be in the moment as it does. Soooo instead let¢s talk of substantial things like gear!I was actually only an hour¢s drive away from Damascus and Trail Days this year but was unable to attend what with family fun times and all. Instead I went down to Waynesboro and visited Rockfish Gap Outfitters later in the week where I had a fun time petting gear and trying things on. In Maine I¢m a good 4 hour drive and hour ferry ride from the nearest outfitter (L.L.Bean) so I don¢t get to play with gear very much. My mother, who has been very supportive, was very tolerant during this outing watching me climb in and out of different sleeping bags and go on and on about different gear items. I¢ll do a quick run down of some of the gear I bought.Sleeping Bag - MontBell Super Stretch Burrow Bag #1. I posted before that I was having trouble finding a comfortable sleeping bag that wasn¢t monstrously large and heavy, so I was thrilled to be able to try out some of the montbell bags that are touted as being very user friendly for us side/stomach sleepers and rollers. I¢ve also been in the endless debate with myself of down versus synthetic for my bag and came to the conclusion that I really can¢t afford down as I also have to buy a lot of my other gear and I am more comfortable with my ability to protect and care for a synthetic bag. After trying out the newer and lighter super spiral cuts versus the super stretch, I found that the super stretch just fit better and moved well. Yes it¢s a tad bit heavier than the newer models but when I think about spending months on end wrestling with my bag every night I was willing to let my camping comfort win out over my hiking comfort for this one item. This bag was also on sale and I can put that money toward some lighter clothing options. So there, convinced myself yet? So there we have it. Winter bag chosen.My mother also bought me a pair of water/wind proof Seirus Xtreme gloves which was amazing. My hands are always cold even in 70 degree weather and I¢m already able to appreciate the warmth and functionality of these gloves here in Maine. Thanks mom!I also got a new bra and arch supporting inserts for my boots. I¢m not really felling in the mood to detail out how these are working out. Suffice to say they¢ve already been out for many a test run and after a collective 60 some miles of use I am very happy with them.We had a brief moment of sunshine in the last few weeks and I was able to run outside and set up my tarptent outside for the first time. Just take a moment to picture this: the clinking of the tent poles coming together. The flapping of silnylon in the wind. The clouds open briefly and a beam of light shines down on the elegant curves of the long dome. Angels begin to sing. Oh wait maybe not. But I did have a blast climbing in and out of this thing and playing with the setup. I also took the opportunity to seam seal this baby on up and painted some strips on the floor to help keep down the slippery factor.   I am really looking forward to taking this thing out on an overnight. My friend Doug suggested that I wait until the next awful, rainy, cold, nasty day and hike out to a more wilderness part of our remote island for any overnight. I¢m really really looking forward to it and will let you know how it goes.I upload some pictures of me playing around with my stove system in the photos section.