Okay, taking a break from packing up my apartment (it's looking so empty!) and working on my thesis (I just want it to be done!) to post a quickie. A good chunk of my time has also been spent reading a book that was recommended to me, via Matt, by a woman who solo hiked the Appalachian Trail a few years ago: "Women and Thru-Hiking on the Appalachian Trail." I've been flipping through it for about a week now; it's full of information and quotes from other female thru or section hikers.
I obviously am not a thru-hiker (yet!) but I can already tell this book is going to be extremely helpful with tips specific to women. It's helped me feel real good about my decision to do this hike solo, provides great tips on things like safety, staying clean, clothing options, gear options, "women" issues, how to help your family and friends feel a little better about taking on such a huge journey, etc etc etc.
So for any woman that wants to get into long distance hiking, as of now, I *highly* recommend this book. My personal copy is going to my Mom when I leave in hopes that she and my Dad read through it, and help qualm some of their fears and answer some of their questions.
You can check it out here: http://http://www.amazon.com/Women-Thru-Hiking-Appalachian-Trail-Beverly/dp/1885640609
25 March 2010
21 March 2010
Counting down the days
26 days. Wow.
Matt leaves tomorrow. Makes it feel like I'm seconds away from leaving myself. Though, with all I have to do, between wrapping up my thesis, getting my apartment packed, stored, and cleaned, and making the final preperations for my departure, it might as well be seconds. I'm jealous of him. Wish I could just pack my pack and leave. It's so stressful having so much to take care of before I can start hiking.
Buuut, the closer it gets, the more crazy excited I get. Matt's leaving, and I'm leaving shortly thereafter, and the more days that pass by, the more real it becomes. I'm still in denial, mind you, and probably will be until I hike into my first town, but it's becoming more apparent that this is something real that's about to happen. For both of us.
He's going to read this, so I feel a little weird and corny saying this, but I'm excited we're both going to experience this adventure this summer. Even though we aren't hiking together, it'll be nice when I get back, and someone close to me is on the same kind of hiking high that I'll be on. Will be nice to have that outlet, and hopefully will make the transition back to "normal" life a little smoother.
Stay tuned for some thesis postings soon :)
Matt leaves tomorrow. Makes it feel like I'm seconds away from leaving myself. Though, with all I have to do, between wrapping up my thesis, getting my apartment packed, stored, and cleaned, and making the final preperations for my departure, it might as well be seconds. I'm jealous of him. Wish I could just pack my pack and leave. It's so stressful having so much to take care of before I can start hiking.
Buuut, the closer it gets, the more crazy excited I get. Matt's leaving, and I'm leaving shortly thereafter, and the more days that pass by, the more real it becomes. I'm still in denial, mind you, and probably will be until I hike into my first town, but it's becoming more apparent that this is something real that's about to happen. For both of us.
He's going to read this, so I feel a little weird and corny saying this, but I'm excited we're both going to experience this adventure this summer. Even though we aren't hiking together, it'll be nice when I get back, and someone close to me is on the same kind of hiking high that I'll be on. Will be nice to have that outlet, and hopefully will make the transition back to "normal" life a little smoother.
Stay tuned for some thesis postings soon :)
12 March 2010
Tent!
Two reasons for update today. First off, finished my pot stand! Got it to stay nice and round, so there's a good 1/4" gap all the way around the pot now, and finally got a hole punch (thank you!) and was able to make the air vents along the bottom. Anyway, check it out :)
Okay, time for the more exciting update. Finally got my tent. I'd been putting it off, secretly hoping that someone would be joining me and I'd be getting a 2 person tent instead, but that's not happening, so I did a ton of research, and finally made a decision :) Most tents I looked at were either too expensive (I was looking for something under $200), weren't really the right size (most 1 person tents were too small, and a lot of 2 person tents seemed too big), were too heavy (I was hoping for something under 4lbs) or just got terrible reviews. I also was pretty sure I wanted a freestand tent with side access. So what did I look at...Well, I looked looong and hard at the Eureka Backcountry, and came super close to buying it. I also considered the North Face Mica 12, the Marmot Limelight, and the Mountain Hardwear Lightpath. The more I looked, the more frustrated I was getting...I just wanted a decent sized 1 person tent that was light, and cheap. Is that too much to ask? Haha, guess so :)
Sleeping bag and pad are chilling in there :) Just the right size for meee!
Okay, time for the more exciting update. Finally got my tent. I'd been putting it off, secretly hoping that someone would be joining me and I'd be getting a 2 person tent instead, but that's not happening, so I did a ton of research, and finally made a decision :) Most tents I looked at were either too expensive (I was looking for something under $200), weren't really the right size (most 1 person tents were too small, and a lot of 2 person tents seemed too big), were too heavy (I was hoping for something under 4lbs) or just got terrible reviews. I also was pretty sure I wanted a freestand tent with side access. So what did I look at...Well, I looked looong and hard at the Eureka Backcountry, and came super close to buying it. I also considered the North Face Mica 12, the Marmot Limelight, and the Mountain Hardwear Lightpath. The more I looked, the more frustrated I was getting...I just wanted a decent sized 1 person tent that was light, and cheap. Is that too much to ask? Haha, guess so :)
Then I found the Marmot Eos. Hearts in my eyes. When my mom tells me she knew the day she met my dad that she was going to marry him...well that's how I felt about this tent. As soon as I saw it, I knew that would be it...but to be sure, I researched: Size: check. Freestanding: check. Lightweight: coming in under 3lbs...double check. And two bonuses I was really hoping for: without the rainly, offers supreme visibility on a nice night :) AND can be set up with just the footprint and rainfly. Which is not only good on those nice nights, but is also convenient on rainy days when I can set up the tent under the rainfly and keep the inside of my tent a little dryer. BTW, it originally is a $225 tent, but I got it on ebay, brand new for under $200. Was meant to be ♥
So after waaaay more writing than I'm sure any of you actually wanted just for a stinking tent, here's the beauty.
Sleeping bag and pad are chilling in there :) Just the right size for meee!
With the rainfly. I'm cheating, obviously, because it would be staked down in real life, but my backyard is a concrete pad...no grass anywhere close by...
I'll post more pics when I actually get it out in the elements :)
And just cause I'm silly, here's me in the tent!
I'll post more pics when I actually get it out in the elements :)
01 March 2010
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