4 miles in...4 miles out

Daniel Koster

Daniel Koster

www.kosterknives.com
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Oct 18, 2001
Messages
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Simple hike on Pigeon Roost Trail in Hobbs State Park in Arkansas. :thumbup:

Had a great time...

Surprising how fast a group of guys can move with the proper motivation....even with 45 lb packs!


One of the guys went a little "over the top"...and put a 35 lb dumbell in his backpack....:foot:

But he's in terrific shape...so...it was nice that it helped slow him down a little.

:D

I'll see if I can get my pics posted later.

Dan
 
Next time make him pack in a dutch oven. That way you can cook up a tasty snack when you get there.
 
8 miles in a day is a good stiff hike! Where's dem pics?
 
Pix!!

...with smileys :D


Hobbs1.jpg



Hobbs2.jpg



Hobbs3.jpg



Counting down the days to Philmont...! :thumbup:

Dan
 
Pack sizes look about right. Couple of suggestions:

1. Make sure guys have ready access to water and snacks. Philmont is much drier than Arkansas, and you'll have to work to stay hydrated. Having a water bottle in an accessible pocket, or a camelbak-type setup will make water more accessible so guys will drink more. You don't want someone to have to stop the group to get out water.

If someone doesn't have a handy side pocket, I like the Wet Rib (Dana Designs, now Marmot): http://www.backcountrygear.com/catalog/accessdetail.cfm/MA7200

Other items I frequently pull out of a side pocket are trail mix, map, compass, and camera, possibly lip balm.

2. I tend to lash things vertically on my pack. It makes it easier to dodge brush. Lashing stuff on the back only works well for light items, like a sleeping pad. A heavy tent will probably throw your balance off.

3. For the tent, I'd put the poles inside the pack, next to my back. Tent body and fly can be stuffed inside. It's also easier to split up the weight between tentmates this way.

It doesn't look like anyone's pack is stuffed full, which is good. In that case, putting stuff inside and cinching down all of the compression sacks will make for a load that shifts less and is easier to carry.

4. Looks like some shorts with elastic waist bands. Make sure nobody is getting bruises or hot spots under their hip belts - particularly skinnier guys. These are manageable on a weekend hike, but could earn you a ticket back to base on a long trek. As far as hiking shorts go, Mountain Hardware makes the best I've found - the waist bands are made for minimal irritation under a hip belt. The North Face also makes longer cargo-style shorts that might be more fashionably acceptable. Convertible pants are worth considering. REI is having a sale until May 10 with a variety of decent options. Also try Sierra Trading Post, REI outlet, and Campmor. At the very least, make sure the elastic waistband falls above or below the hip belt.

5. In general, rule of thumb is to avoid cotton, since it dries slowly. Maybe OK if they're used to walking around with sweaty packs, but you could run into problems if people get soaked in a rainstorm.
 
Great suggestions, Tohatchi NM. :thumbup:

1 - we'll have as a standard 2 Nalgene 32 oz bottles. The trails at Philmont are set up to allow plenty of refilling opportunities. We're still discussing what we'd like to do for filtration...personally, I'd like a pump...but then I might end up being the one carrying it. :D

Everyone's packs have side-pockets for water on them (min 2....some have 4)...as well as other stuff.

2. Agreed. The packs are you see them are already 100% improved over the day before (pix were coming back). I made everybody unpack everything and repack their gear. ;)

3. Philmont provides the tents....1 per pair. We've talked about one person carying the poles and the other taking the tent...we'll see how diligent they end up being about it.

4 - Do you have a link for the shorts? we were talking about this very thing last night...

5 - we're going to go with jerseys on top (the kind used for exercising...2 layers, perforated, very light, compressible). Told the boys NOT to bring jeans or sweats....they were kinda surprised by that....(ah....to be young and fearless/naive...:foot: )



Dan
 
2 Nalgenes works fine. Ideally, each guy could get out and put back at least one bottle without help and without taking off his pack. Slightly less good if he needs help. The easier this is, the more likely people are to drink. Many zip pockets, and even some of the side mesh pouches, are difficult to get at with your pack on. If someone does use a hydration system, the MSR version is pretty reliable, and the opening is the same size as a nalgene for use with filters.


With regard to the tents, etc., make sure you keep an eye on group gear distribution during shakedown. The ranger should help with this, but you have a better idea of the relative ability levels of each person. Try to equalize exertion level, not necessarily weight. This is particularly important if you have a variety of ages/fitness levels. Also, remember food is consumed somewhat unevenly, so you can redistribute as you go, or give stronger guys food that will be eaten last. If you have good crew leadership, this is an excellent thing for them to do. The Scouts will have a sense of fairness and also be interested in moving the trek along, particularly if there are one or two significantly slower hikers.


Some shorts links (many on sale at REI for a few more days):

Convertible pants are nice, because they cover the Philmont pant requirement for certain activities (spar pole climbing, horseback riding?) without too much extra weight. When I'm hiking in the summer, I usually just take rain paints.

http://www.rei.com/product/746908
http://www.rei.com/product/762162
http://www.rei.com/product/718896

Longer cargo-style shorts:

http://www.rei.com/product/746923
http://www.rei.com/product/762176

Mountain Hardwear stuff - great design, especially the waist, but a bit pricier and not on sale:

http://www.rei.com/product/755066
http://www.rei.com/product/762268
I actually own these shorts - purchased in Reno after a Khukvention. Very comfortable, but the back pockets aren't much use with a pack on.

http://www.rei.com/product/718899?vcat=REI_SEARCH
I also own these shorts. The cut is better for around-town use (longer inseam, so more fashionably correct), but good for trails too.

Another good deal on M.H. convertible pants:
http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/...-Hardwear-Pack-Pants-Convertible-For-Men.html

Browsing Sierra Trading Post, Campmor, and the usual outdoor stores (Cabelas, etc.) is worthwhile. Primary requirements are tightly woven synthetic fabric with a loose cut for mobility, and smooth fabric around the hips (no bunching, elastic, belts are a minus but seem to be popular). Having low pockets is nice - back pockets and pockets that sit high up are tough to use with pack on.

Honestly, the basketball-type shorts they are wearing would be OK. The mesh might snag on branches, and might not hold up to lots of abrasion on rocks. Lack of pockets are a minus, but my biggest worry would be getting them sized relatively closely in the waist so there isn't extra fabric bunching up under the hip belt.

Mesh tops are OK. Personally, I like something more like the weave of your average T-shirt. It's not quite as cool and doesn't dry quite as fast, but fends off brush better and is more comfortable in the morning, shade, or in light winds.

Hope you find something useful in all that.
 
Great links, Tohatchi....:thumbup:


I really like the ExOfficio Amphi pants as well as the M.H. Pack Pants...

Do any of the convertible pants have longer inseam shorts? (9" min for me)
 
I have been out to philmont twice and have been disappointed in their provided tents both times. I brought out my own both times and feel that I was much more comfortable than the guys lugging around philmonts tents. I am also gonna suggest picking up a bladder system and save your bottles for the mixes.
 
Daniel Koster said:
Great links, Tohatchi....:thumbup:


I really like the ExOfficio Amphi pants as well as the M.H. Pack Pants...

Do any of the convertible pants have longer inseam shorts? (9" min for me)
Click to expand...

Dan, that first MH link above has convertible shorts with 11" inseam.
 
My buddy and I shared a North Face cirrus tent when we went. Worked out perfect. Also, 1 nalgene bottle is fine but I mostly used platipus bladders. Worked out great and fit were the shouldn't.
 
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