Since the Driving situation was a little crazy for The Lost Cost, I found a trip in Santa Cruz.
Long Ridge Open Space Preserve to Big Basin Redwoods State Park. This is a 19.7 mile trip.
It goes through a number of parks and open space preserves.
I was hoping to be at the trailhead Friday morning, as early as possible; no waking up naturally.
Since this is a mostly couples trip, for the sake of weight and teamwork, I would like everyone to be in their own self sufficient groups of 2. Jen and I, Denis and Michelle are all trying to get this ultra light system down to a science. Since most gear is designed this way I was hoping we could work this out.
The first campsite is 4 miles in. with water.
We go through Portola redwoods SP the next day for luch. Food/fuel stash?
This is where we need to fill our water up.
This is also where the uphill begins.
We stay at Lane camp(dry) which is 6.8 miles from portola SP.
We hike(downhill) to Big Basin SP.
Go home. Pick on Aaron.
This is open to anyone right now.
Frank and Caren want to come along.
Let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
We still get to have Sunday dinner on Easter.
February 21st, 2006 at 5:14 pm
What are the dates?
February 21st, 2006 at 8:17 pm
Lester and Jen are camping right now and won’t be back until Thursday, so I’ll take a guess.
Easter Sunday is April 16 and I’m pretty sure Lester told me it would be a three-day hike that would end on Sunday. So, I’m saying the dates for the hike are April 14-16.
February 26th, 2006 at 8:29 am
We’ve actually free that weekend. And your wedding too. Wow.
February 26th, 2006 at 6:30 pm
Sweet Neel!
We’ll see you Easter. No backing out now. Remember all…it will be pick on Aaron weekend. ;^)
February 26th, 2006 at 7:48 pm
Bring it on!
And don’t forget the golden rule….
Jen is always winning, so don’t trade with her.
March 4th, 2006 at 7:43 pm
Hey, what are you guys planning meal wise? Is anyone bringing a dog? (I found a recipe for dog snacks) Ahhh.
Dessert is the easiest so I will start there.
Chocolate decadence cake or pineapple dump cake and instant pudding with some sort of cookie for the second night.
Breakfast will probably just be oatmeal and granola.
Found a cool fruit milkshake that we will have to try out
Lunch and dinner have lots of options and things to test. Let me know what you guys are thinking!!!
Michelle
March 5th, 2006 at 10:14 am
I’m just trying to make it through March before I think of the food plan. Lester and I talked a little and we are looking to try something new and healthier than freeze dried packaged food. He has this great backpacking cook book that I have not looked through yet. So, when are you guys coming out? I hope you will be here longer than the backpacking trip.
March 8th, 2006 at 10:01 am
So when should michelle and I try to land? On Thursday night? On Thursday? Wednesday night? and when should we leave? I gotta be carefull about using my vacation as I will need to be out there again in September.
March 8th, 2006 at 8:57 pm
Flights are booked. We arrive Wednesday idnight (thursday really) and leave Tuesday morning. Yeah, so excited….
March 9th, 2006 at 12:21 pm
I’m so excited that you guys will have some extra time around the hike.
March 15th, 2006 at 6:01 am
Michelle and I are starting to prep for the trip. We will school you all. We will be lighter, faster and better fed, then everyone else. I am also confident that we will be packing out less garbage then Aaron, Dawn, and Neel.
I will also wager that I smell stronger than anyone else. : )
March 15th, 2006 at 9:03 pm
You have already won that wager many times over.;)
March 15th, 2006 at 9:03 pm
You have already won that wager many times over.;)
March 16th, 2006 at 7:14 am
are there any rivers along the way that we can make him bathe in?
March 16th, 2006 at 7:15 am
So Tobi? you and barry can still get a cheap ticket!!!!
March 16th, 2006 at 2:47 pm
The bottom of the hill second day is in a state park. Showers?
March 17th, 2006 at 6:57 am
All of us have that Monday off work. I sense a few bottles of wine, delivery, and a Settlers marathon!
March 18th, 2006 at 3:14 am
Meghan, of course, will be joining us. If I get tired, will someone nail me to a cross and carry me? Its a holiday thing, you know.
I am risen.
March 20th, 2006 at 7:04 am
Fuel, will be an issue for Michelle and I. We can’t bring the iso-pro on the plane. I have enough canisters at home that I don’t want to buy any more. Aaron you should buy three containers and carry them for Michelle and I and you can use our stove when we are done. This way we can reduce the weight M & I need to carry.
Ohh we hike 9.4 miles along the AT yesterday with Tobi. We figure that we will continue to do this until the time we fly out. Increasing our milage and weight until we are lean, mean, pace setting machines.
Don’t cry out loud; just keep it inside.
Tobi is way jelous, too bad she can’t make it out.
March 20th, 2006 at 11:12 am
Denis,
That makes sense to me. Why bring along two stoves when one will do, right?
I took an inventory of our gear this weekend. Dawn and I will be making an REI run soon.
I’ll be the first to admit being intimidated by your 9-mile hike.
March 20th, 2006 at 1:55 pm
Stick with me kid…
I just don’t wanna be your F*ing pack mule.
Besides, I will not hesitate to give you or Dawn the “PIT OF DOOM”. Fully aware of the fact that if I get Dawn first you will hear all the complaints about “your” nasty friends forevermore.
March 20th, 2006 at 5:45 pm
What’s the Pit of Doom?…The Pit next to your elbow, or the one next to your knee?
March 20th, 2006 at 7:00 pm
ahhh… Aaron obviously hasn’t warned you….
March 21st, 2006 at 3:26 pm
How about hooking us up Lester? What will Mags and I have to bring? We have NOTHING. We do want to buy shoes, any recommendations?
March 22nd, 2006 at 4:22 am
Buy them this weekend and wear them everyday until you go…..my recommendation……
March 22nd, 2006 at 9:58 am
Neel-
It is difficult to recommend a boot without knowing what your foot shape is? If at all possible get to an REI and allow yourself an hour to try on on boots. Don’t be in hurry or you may get the wrong pair. Of course, I recommend REI, because you can return them without problems if you find they suck after a few wears. Depending on the boots you get, it is possible that you will not need to wear your boots everyday to break them in. A heavy backpacking boot needs to be worn alot but I don’t really recommend getting one unless you are planning on taking up regular backpacking and want a serious investment. A “midweight” backing boot is often comfortable right out of the box(mostly because they are fabric/leather which makes them softer). These will provide adequate support for the occasional 2-4 day backpacking trip.
I highly recommend purchasing Superfeet insoles. They provide additional arch support and heel cup. They are worth the investment and you can try them on at the store. If you can’t get to an REI, make sure to talk to the sales specialist about “torsional rigidity.”
Also, remember to bring a pair of flip flops or water shoes. Anything very light weight and comfortable to wear at camp. You won’t want to wear your boots the entire time. Fire away if you have any more questions and I’m sure we can help with gear. I like you better than Butters! :^)Hee Hee
March 23rd, 2006 at 6:06 am
I like Butters more than REI. I say buy boots at REI wear them for the weekend or a year, then return them and get your $ back. REI= Return Every Item.
Check out the following website for great food ideas. http://www.freezerbagcooking.com/
The meals are easy; even Joel could do it.
March 26th, 2006 at 4:49 pm
Michelle and I did another 10 miles on the AT this weekend. I am the INTIMADATOR!!!
Below are the recipies we are gonna use. Except for the morning wraps, call them a give up to the rest of the community.
Chicken, Gravy & Stuffing
1 1/2 Cups Stovetop stuffing mix (the newer type where the flavoring is premixed in, any flavor.)
1 pouch chicken or turkey gravy (use “Makes 1 cup” size package)
1 pouch or can of chicken or turkey (for can use the 5 oz. version, for pouch use the 7 oz. size.)
Put the stuffing in a quart freezer bag, and the gravy mix in another.
At camp pour 1 cup boiling water in the gravy, stir well, and add the chicken or turkey, stir again and seal well. Pop in cozy. To the stuffing bag, add 3/4 cup boiling water, stir and seal well. Pop in the cozy, and let sit for 5 minutes. Fluff up the stuffing, and pour the gravy over it.
Serves 1 hungry person….very salty, but good!
Chicken Salad Wraps
1 foil pouch chicken
2 tortillas (soft taco size)
1-2 tsp curry
Steal these from local deli:
1 pkt mayo
1 pkt relish
Rip open pouch, add mayo, curry and relish, beat around with spoon, and put on tortillas.
Serves 1.
Morning Wraps:
This is one of the few times freeze dried can be good. I prefer Mountain House’s freezedried scrambled eggs.
1 pkg freezedried eggs, with or without bacon/ or get the version with peppers/ham.
4 tortillas
2-4 pkts salsa
whatever cheese you like
Prepare the eggs, being careful with the amounts of water called for. Let sit. Put cheese on the tortillas, spread the eggs on top, put on salsa, roll up and much.
This is also very good with a package of shelf stable Hormel bacon pieces added.
Serves 2.
March 26th, 2006 at 7:44 pm
So our hike was great today. A little rain, a LOT of frogs and birds were great affirmations that spring is here (or atleast on its way. My feet are sore bot no blisters so I am happy. It has only been a couple of years of trying different boots.