I bought an Anker block for $30 on Amazon and it will charge my phone for multiple days. Get a white noise app, put your phone in airplane mode, and my guess is you’d be good for a week with no other use. Maybe 3-4 days with some light interneting. If you end up doing the AT it would be a heavy charger (8oz) but you could use it for your phone, watch, head phones and head lamp. Can also top up the charger on your town stops as needed.
I am 5’4” and also a cold side sleeper. I picked up an Enlightened Equipment Conundrum 20 950 FP. I’m pretty good down into the mid 30s. From my research EE or katabatic seemed to be highly recommended, though neither sold at REI. Could check for a western mountaineering or feathered friends. I’d go down vs synthetic because of weight but that’s my preference. People also recommend down with a light synthetic layer over the top for cold and wet conditions. This is the direction I’m moving for max flexibility.
Hike your dogs hike. If he’s tired, slow down. Check his paws as you go to make sure they don’t get raw. Stay in tune with any limping etc. And make sure he’s well fed. Hiking with my dog is one of my absolute favorite activities. Just keep in mind that they may get fatigued faster than you but will push through to keep up. Enjoy!
Boquillas Canyon on the Rio Grande is a first-rate float. Maybe it gets close to class II in places, but maybe that's hard class I depending on where you're from. Like the Green River, they say not to filter water out of it but not because of sediment, but because of pollutants. Also like the Green River, you have to carry your own toilet system. Boquillas Canyon was the second most expensive shuttle I've ever had, at $450, after Mineral Bottom to the confluence with the Colorado which was $750. Both worth it, of course. The take out after Boquillas is sketchy. It's on private property ran by freaky people. I wouldn't say dangerous, but sketchy. The NPS really needs to buy some property in there and make an official access in that area.
I did this trip last March as part of a guided trip. My outfitter was Angells Expeditions. Class I rapids. The whole trip cost me around $750 out of pocket which I was willing to pay as a solo traveler and ease of logistics. Highly recommend with or without guide.
I’m a very cold sleeper. I have an Enlightened Equipment 20 degree one person quilt that I use in most circumstances. If it’s on the cooler side I’ll sleep in my down jacket, long John’s, airmesh, and wool socks. This is usually good down to about 35 degrees. There’s no way a two person quilt would work for me unless my partner didn’t move in his sleep. My husband is a super active sleeper and I couldn’t imagine having to make sure all the drafts were closed up. When it’s really chilly my dog and I snuggle and I lose a ton of heat when sharing with him. I use a full mummy style sleeping bag when it’s sub freezing as I need the additional warmth and hood.
Came to say this. The US National Parks are always looking for rangers. Federal woodland firefighter is also a good gig now that they have the bonus pay.
Yeah, it was a fine place to stay. Clean enough. Just don't expect much. There was a TV stand but no TV. The towel hanger fell off the wall when I used it. No microwave. But it was very convenient and you could walk most places in Terlingua which is nice after driving to and from the park. If you can get a room away from the restaurant I would try for that. They had a band while I was there and it was pretty loud because my room was closest.
I did some backpacking on the Northville Placid Trail in the Adirondacks. West Canada Lakes region comes to mind but there are a bunch of lakes along the trail. Some remote.
I would stay in the hells bay lane bay pearl bay lard can loop. I think all are easy to reach from main park rd. Tarps and paracord make nice wind deflectors on chickee. Every inch of that area is beautiful so you can't go wrong no matter where you go. Att phones are your only chance of communication and internet. Probably be able to find service back up in there.
This is where we landed. I reserved hells bay night 1 and pearl bay night 2. We’ll have plenty of time to paddle around on day 2 and check out the area.
It has been quite a while since I have done Whiteface and Passaconaway. But from what I remember, the signage for the trails up there is not great. I would give yourself a lot of time to do the hikes in case trail signage is poor and you find yourself going off on an incorrect trail.
That’s a bomb hike super under rated. You most definitely do not need ice climbing gear for blueberry ledges (source: am ice climber). Though at the same time it wouldn’t be a waste to bring crampons, did it one icy winter and was fine with micro spikes, but crampons may have been worth the weight…..
Came to share something similar. There’s another influencer who presented info on how to book two tickets (second seat reimbursable) for people who needed more seat room. Seems worth the research.
We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express in Lisboa. Just outside busy tourist area but super easy to walk everywhere or take transit. I found the location to be convenient. The breakfast was amazing. Rooms were clean but basic.
I think this is a great suggestion. When I travel I use all trails as one source of information when I’m researching hikes. I’ve found it time and again to be wholly incomplete and misleading. As a seasoned hiker I know to check multiple sources to cross reference information. I also know that many people are not as savvy with their research.
I bought an Anker block for $30 on Amazon and it will charge my phone for multiple days. Get a white noise app, put your phone in airplane mode, and my guess is you’d be good for a week with no other use. Maybe 3-4 days with some light interneting. If you end up doing the AT it would be a heavy charger (8oz) but you could use it for your phone, watch, head phones and head lamp. Can also top up the charger on your town stops as needed.
Waymark Gear Co makes packs in ultra. Great packs.
I am 5’4” and also a cold side sleeper. I picked up an Enlightened Equipment Conundrum 20 950 FP. I’m pretty good down into the mid 30s. From my research EE or katabatic seemed to be highly recommended, though neither sold at REI. Could check for a western mountaineering or feathered friends. I’d go down vs synthetic because of weight but that’s my preference. People also recommend down with a light synthetic layer over the top for cold and wet conditions. This is the direction I’m moving for max flexibility.
Hike your dogs hike. If he’s tired, slow down. Check his paws as you go to make sure they don’t get raw. Stay in tune with any limping etc. And make sure he’s well fed. Hiking with my dog is one of my absolute favorite activities. Just keep in mind that they may get fatigued faster than you but will push through to keep up. Enjoy!
Boquillas Canyon on the Rio Grande is a first-rate float. Maybe it gets close to class II in places, but maybe that's hard class I depending on where you're from. Like the Green River, they say not to filter water out of it but not because of sediment, but because of pollutants. Also like the Green River, you have to carry your own toilet system. Boquillas Canyon was the second most expensive shuttle I've ever had, at $450, after Mineral Bottom to the confluence with the Colorado which was $750. Both worth it, of course. The take out after Boquillas is sketchy. It's on private property ran by freaky people. I wouldn't say dangerous, but sketchy. The NPS really needs to buy some property in there and make an official access in that area.
I did this trip last March as part of a guided trip. My outfitter was Angells Expeditions. Class I rapids. The whole trip cost me around $750 out of pocket which I was willing to pay as a solo traveler and ease of logistics. Highly recommend with or without guide.
I’m a very cold sleeper. I have an Enlightened Equipment 20 degree one person quilt that I use in most circumstances. If it’s on the cooler side I’ll sleep in my down jacket, long John’s, airmesh, and wool socks. This is usually good down to about 35 degrees. There’s no way a two person quilt would work for me unless my partner didn’t move in his sleep. My husband is a super active sleeper and I couldn’t imagine having to make sure all the drafts were closed up. When it’s really chilly my dog and I snuggle and I lose a ton of heat when sharing with him. I use a full mummy style sleeping bag when it’s sub freezing as I need the additional warmth and hood.
US forest service or Park Ranger seems to be what you’re looking for.
Came to say this. The US National Parks are always looking for rangers. Federal woodland firefighter is also a good gig now that they have the bonus pay.
I spent a week in Big Bend solo last year and loved it. I split my trip and did half exploring the front country and half in the back.
Thank you! I’m going in March and have found out I should’ve found a place to stay much earlier as most places are booked. I’ll look into that one.
Yeah, it was a fine place to stay. Clean enough. Just don't expect much. There was a TV stand but no TV. The towel hanger fell off the wall when I used it. No microwave. But it was very convenient and you could walk most places in Terlingua which is nice after driving to and from the park. If you can get a room away from the restaurant I would try for that. They had a band while I was there and it was pretty loud because my room was closest.
I did some backpacking on the Northville Placid Trail in the Adirondacks. West Canada Lakes region comes to mind but there are a bunch of lakes along the trail. Some remote.
Big Bend National Park is sweet this time of year. You can backpack and/or float the rio.
The smaller the bag, the less stuff you bring, the more fun you have. 40L-50L max.
Oh thats good info. Cramping in that manner usually means the tissue has a passive range of motion to shorten, and can't actively do it.
Okay. I’ll test this out. And you think this is directly related to the heel pain?
Very often it can be. If you pull your big toe up, you may be able to feel a tightening of tissue under the foot leading to the heel.
Copy that! Toe exercises it is.
I would stay in the hells bay lane bay pearl bay lard can loop. I think all are easy to reach from main park rd. Tarps and paracord make nice wind deflectors on chickee. Every inch of that area is beautiful so you can't go wrong no matter where you go. Att phones are your only chance of communication and internet. Probably be able to find service back up in there.
This is where we landed. I reserved hells bay night 1 and pearl bay night 2. We’ll have plenty of time to paddle around on day 2 and check out the area.
GL!
Okay will do! I’m going to check in with a Ranger at the National Park for info as well. Thanks again for your help.
Thoughts on MSR trailshot?
Have a trailshot and strongly dislike it. Very slow. Would go with a sawyer or QuickDraw.
It has been quite a while since I have done Whiteface and Passaconaway. But from what I remember, the signage for the trails up there is not great. I would give yourself a lot of time to do the hikes in case trail signage is poor and you find yourself going off on an incorrect trail.
Good to know!
That’s a bomb hike super under rated. You most definitely do not need ice climbing gear for blueberry ledges (source: am ice climber). Though at the same time it wouldn’t be a waste to bring crampons, did it one icy winter and was fine with micro spikes, but crampons may have been worth the weight…..
Sweet! This sounds great. We’ll have microspikes for sure. Glad we won’t need ice gear!
Get rid of the hiking boots and walk in trail runners/sneakers. Use flip flops for hanging out and showers.
OK, how do I get one of these? I looked online and they seem to be rarer than an ivory-billed woodpecker.
Mountain Hardwear Airmesh
Check out nataliemeansnice on Instagram, she has a lot of content on her stories about flying as a fat person and what airlines to use and stuff
Came to share something similar. There’s another influencer who presented info on how to book two tickets (second seat reimbursable) for people who needed more seat room. Seems worth the research.
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We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express in Lisboa. Just outside busy tourist area but super easy to walk everywhere or take transit. I found the location to be convenient. The breakfast was amazing. Rooms were clean but basic.
I think this is a great suggestion. When I travel I use all trails as one source of information when I’m researching hikes. I’ve found it time and again to be wholly incomplete and misleading. As a seasoned hiker I know to check multiple sources to cross reference information. I also know that many people are not as savvy with their research.
Bill Brysons “A Walk in the Woods” is a funny light read. All about walking the AT.
I've found it nearly universal that people with achilles tightness are only able to express part of what their calf is meant to do.
My big toe is moving first with my heel moving last. My calf really isn't tightening at all. Is there a way to strengthen this?
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