The opportunity to fly fish remote streams and alpine lakes used to be the primary reason for my hiking. I used to pick out lakes on Colorado, Idaho, and Montana topo maps and find a way to get there. But now I am not really disappointed if the lake is barren or just can’t catch anything – it’s much more about the journey. My boys think I’m crazy to not carry a flyrod through the Sierras again. I did when…
The holiday feasts are over and I’m still thinking about food! I lost 25 lbs on last year’s hike, great because I needed to but unfortunately it’s just about all back. Nevertheless, I can’t afford to lose 75 lbs. so a bit more calorie conscious this time around. I will be using a few mail drops because I don’t want to spend precious time shopping. Dinners will be a variety of instant rice dishes, Knorr rice and pasta sides, instant…
I am a believer that the real conditioning, especially the feet, takes place in the first few weeks. This does require some patience and maybe some pain tolerance and first aid skills. Having said that, I don’t want to get blown away or completely demoralized on the first good, uphill push. For day hikes, I am graced with access to a variety of trails of 6-15 mile lengths and good elevation gain. I am trying to do 2-3 hikes per…
No, I’m not taking an inflatable tandem kayak on the PCT but it is a new bit of gear. Mrs. Haze and I had great fun testing it this summer on Idaho and Montana lakes. Worked the best and less arguments, when I fished and she paddled. I am still happy with my main gear – ULA Catalyst pack, Marmot Helium bag and Big Agnes Fly Creek tent. Only a few gear changes from the 800-mile Arizona Trail hike earlier…
