New Hiking Location

A new location in MN? I think that may be difficult to find. Has anyone looked into the South Shore or the U.P.? A quick Google search by me showed that there might be some stuff there. Anyone like or dislike this idea?

Next Expedition

I agree Dave, we should start planning our next expedition. I like the weekend trips (or long weekends) because they seem to work well with everyones schedules. I also think we should see if we can find a hiking trail similar to the SHT but in a different part of the state for something new. I will do some research and see if I can find anything interesting. Anyone else have any ideas?

Great Expedition

Great Expedition Team 42! I hiked more and felt better than ever before!

Lets get some discussion going for the next expedition...

Crew Flag Reserected

Good news, I located the crew flag. It was safe garded in my garage and revealed when I moved. You can look forward to seen it soon (hopefully).

Victory

11.4 lbs!

My List

Since Cory is bringing a knife and canteen, here's my list:
Me
The clothes I'm wearing

If I need anything, I can mooch off of the rest of you guys. I figure if you guys take turns lending me your sleeping bags and pads, I'll do just fine out there. If I need water, someone will provide for me. If I need food, someone will have something that they don't want to finish.

My Ultralight Packing List

Here is what I am bringing:

• Knife
• Canteen

I am going Bear Grylls style! However, I will not be traveling with a team of survival experts to tell me what to do in every situation I stumble across.

I will have my real list up soon.

12 Pound Challenge

I put my gear together today for the first time to try and reach the 12 pound challenge.

My list goes as follows:
•backpack
•sleeping bag
•sleeping mat
•half of my tent
•camelbak bladder w/hose
•nalgene(1)
•toothbrush
•toothpaste
•headlamp
•heartburn meds
•advil
•50 ft. of rope
•stuff sack
•toilet paper
•bandana
•stocking cap
•rain jacket
•rain pants
•pants(1)
•t-shirt(1)
•fleece sweatshirt(1)
•wool socks(1)
•liner socks(1)
•fork
•bowl
•moleskin
•aloe

Total weight: 20 pounds

Oh, and Zach, you are a pussy, pussy, pussy, pussy, pussy, pussy, pussy, pussy, pussy, pussy, pussy, pussy, pussy, pussy, pussy, pussy, pussy, pussy, pussy, pussy, pussy, pussy, pussy, pussy, pussy, pussy, pussy, pussy, pussy, pussy, pussy, pussy, pussy, pussy, pussy, pussy, pussy, pussy, pussy, pussy, pussy, pussy!

A phone call

Today i received a call from Travis Sutten (Camping Director of MPSC) and he offered me(sense he knew i would be available) a job (because someone backed out of Friday), which would require me to head up to MPSC a little early (Monday) to do pre-camp (get the camp ready for the 100 some staff to come). Sense as of tomorrow i will be unemployed, I accepted.

Because of these events I will not be able to make the upcoming hiking trip.

This is very sad, i know. But Team 42 will overcome this challenge.

I look forward to hear the 42 ways i am a pussy for not going.

It's coming....

DWTFTEUPPS. Wednesday.

ultralight food

as i am typing this post there is a bowl of ramen noodles in front of me. i prepared these noodles in a new way. i did not in any way warm them. yes i am eating cold ramen. its everything ramen is suppose to be but room temp. you are not going to be finding this on any restaurant menu's any time soon, but it is possible to do. the non cook time was 16 minutes. all i did was take 2 cups of water, a resealable bag and waited 16 minutes. easy. The Weight on the bag is 3 oz. not bad.

Coming Soon....

DWTFTEUPPS is on it's way...

12 Pound Ultralight Challenge: Sleeping Update

Boy, did I sleep well! With well being a relative term, used to describe waking up chilled and then enjoying the sounds of the nearby freeway.

I slept through most of the night, but during the predawn time, I woke up a lot. First time I woke up my legs were cold. There was no pad under my legs and no pants on. So I put some extra clothes underneath my legs and put on my wicking pants.

Next time I woke, my upper body was cold, so I put on my long sleeve wicking shirt.

Anytime I woke up after that I just toughed it out. I played a little muscle tightening and relaxing game to warm up and eventually I feel back asleep.

With that being said, the night was a success! With just a few minor changes, this will work.

The first change from the original plan, that I actually did last night, is I replaced the emergency blanket with an emergency sleeping bag. I figured this would be a better route to go because the e-sleeping bag would not fall off me.

As for the changes from what I did do last night:

1. I'll wear my fleece and my wicking pants to bed. The wicking pants will add 5 ounces in weight. The fleece will add zero ounces, because I will be bringing it anyway. The fleece should be okay to sleep in, since the only time I will be wearing it will be in the evening and I won't be doing any actual physical activity in it. I'll be leaving my long sleeve wicking shirt at home.
2. Wearing my fleece to bed means I loose my pillow. I'll put my clothes that I'm not wearing (other than my zip-offs) in my stuff sack and use that as a pillow.
3. I'll put my zip-offs and my rain gear under my legs where my pad ends. This will provide a little extra insulation between my legs and the ground. I would like to use my pack for this, but my pack will not fit in my bivy.
4. I'm going to put the emergency sleeping bag inside of my sleeping bag liner instead of outside it. This will hopefully accomplish two things. One is that the emergency sleeping bag could do a better job of retaining my body heat. The other is that it will reduce the amount of airspace, since the emergency sleeping bag is larger than the sleeping bag liner.

Updated Recap (sleeping does not include the weight of the wicking pants, that will be covered in clothing):

• Sleeping System Total Weight: 24.5 (12.8) (a reduction of 18.1 oz)
• Shelter Weight: 26.6 (13.9%)
• Total Weight So Far: 51.1 (26.6%)
• Remaining Weight: 140.9 (73.4%)

12 Pound Ultralight Challenge: Shelter

I have three options for shelter. I have a two person Eureka dome tent, a Nemo inflatable tent and a bivy.


ITEM OZ
Tent Stake Bag 0.4
Bivy Pole Bag 0.5
Eureka Pole Stuff Sack 0.5
Bivy Stuff Sack 0.7
Titanium Tent Stakes (4) 1.2
Eureka Stuff Sack 1.4
Alum Tent Stakes (4) 2
Titanium Tent Stakes (7) 2.1
Blue Tent Stakes 3.6
Nemo Pump 4.7
Nemo Stuff Sack 5.6
Bivy Poles 5.9
Nemo Footprint 10.6
Eureka Rain Fly 14.3
Bivy 17.5
Eureka Poles 18.0
Eureka Tent (Main) 53.5
Nemo Tent 77.99

For either the Eureka Tent or the Nemo Tent, I'd take seven titanium stakes. I also wouldn't bring a footprint for either tent. Total weight:
Eureka (total): 90.2
Nemo (total): 84.79

If I took either of those tents, I'd split the weight in half. The Nemo tent cannot be split, so my tent partner and I would have to divvy up some other gear to get everything even. Carrying Weight:
Eureka: 45.1
Nemo: 42.4

The Nemo is the choice for a two person tent. In addition to being a few ounces lighter, it is the coolest tent every made with lots of additional room.

I also have a bivy sack. For the Bivy I would take four titanium tent stakes.
Bivy (Total): 25.8

And the Bivy is the clear winner with a savings of 16.6 ounces over carrying weight of my lightest two person tent.

To Recap:
Sleeping System Total Weight: 42.6 (22.19%)
Shelter Weight: 25.8 (13.44%)
Total Weight So Far: 68.4 (35.63%)
Remaining Weight: 123.6 (64.38%)

UPDATE: Tonight I will be sleeping in the bivy with my sleeping bag liner and an emergency blanket. It is supposed to be in the 40's with rain, so if I stay warm tonight, it is a go. Clothing wise I'm going to start with as little as possible on and will dress myself through the night as needed UNTIL I reach the point where my additional clothing negate the weight savings of leaving my bag at home. Should that occur, I will go in my house and crawl into my warm bed with my wife. I will not give up though, as I will try again when the daily low temperatures go up by about ten degrees.

The 12lb Challenge: Sleeping

This is the first in a several part series (unless I get bored with it) as I weigh up my gear and begin the change from traditional backpacking to ultralight backpacking. Fortunately, I have been steadily upgrading my gear over the past couple of years, so I should be able to make the transition without spending much money.

I'll be packing for the Memorial Day at the Superior Hiking Trail Trip, with a goal base weight of 12 lbs (192 oz)

Here's what I have to choose from for my sleeping system.

ITEM OZ
3-Season Bag Stuff Sack 2.1
E-Blanket 2.2
3-Season Waterproof Sack 3.5
Winter Bag Stuff Sack 6.2
Down Pillow 8.4
3/4 Ridge Rest 9.4
Bag Liner 11.6
Full Ridge Rest 13.3
Thermarest 21.1
3-Season Down Bag 31.1
Winter Down Bag 68.5

Gone are the days of the nice down pillow, Thermarest and bag liners. And definitely gone are the days of the Thermarest on top of the Ridge Rest (how comfortable!). First pass, I'll be taking:
3-Season Bag Stuff Sack 2.1
3/4 Ridge Rest 9.4
3-Season Down Bag 31.1

I've got two options for cutting more weight if needed:

1. I could leave the Ridge Rest out all together, but I don't see that happening. What I would do is cut it down from a 3/4 mat to a 1/2 mat. We'll wait and see if that's necessary though. Weight savings are unknown.
2. I could substitute my 3-season sleeping bag with a combination of my sleeping bag liner and emergency blanket for a savings of 19.4 ounces. That's a pretty big savings, so I might try testing that out before the expedition to see if I stay warm. Regardless, this will be a great summer weight savings option. Even if I have to pack a set of wicking clothes to help stay warm, I'll be saving weight.

To Recap:
Sleeping System Total Weight: 42.6
Total Weight So Far: 42.6 (22%)
Remaining Weight: 149.4

The Greatest Device Ever Made

At the Team 42 meeting I will have a scale that will measure items that weigh from 0 to 42 pounds within 1/10 of an ounce. The scale is set to arrive Wednesday May 14, 2008.

I have pictures loaded from the weekend Superior Hiking Trail trip with the wife. Click here to see them.

My name used to be on the top of the list of Expedition Members and now it is not. How do we get it back the way it is supposed to be? Did Grittman joining screw it up? Lets get this fixed ASAP.

Also, FYI, my birthday is just a little over a month away (6/18).

Hello

Hey guys, I'm finally on this thing.

Team 42 Expedition Meeting

We'll meet for the Memorial Day at the SHT Expedition Meeting at Team 42 Headquarters at 6pm on Wednesday May 21st. Let me know if you want to eat at Headquarters or head out to Buffalo Wild Wings or Hooters.

Fenhaus and I are proposing an ultralight challenge with 12 pounds or less being the goal. Bragging rights to whoever carries the lightest pack!

Weekend Expedition

The wife and I are heading out for a Superior Hiking Trial trip this weekend. We'll be hiking 8-10 miles a day. The highs in the area are listed at 49 degrees Fahrenheit for both days over the weekend, with lows in the low 30's. Chance of rain or snow both days...should be interesting. I'll post a trip journal and pictures (hopefully).

The section of trail we're walking doesn't loop, so we'll be hiking in and out. The section also misses where we started our Labor Day trip in '07, so there will be about a three mile section that we'll have to get to another time.

I also recently joined the Superior Hiking Trail Association. They sent me some pretty cool stuff and they publish a quarterly newsletter. I signed up for their "Adopt-a-Campsite" program as well as updates for trail work. If anyone is interested in participating in a trail project, let me know. Some of the projects are Saturday events, some are both Saturday and Sunday. They have routine trail maintenance projects, which sound cool, but what really sounds exciting is being a part of the trail crew that will be creating new trail going from the Duluth section to the main section which starts in Two Harbors.

A chance run in

During out super hiking trip there is a chance that we will run into a few friends. Matt and his brother Jason Lutz. The two brothers will be on the same trail attempting to complete the entire trail in 10 days. I thought it would be cool if by chance we ran into them. They are also ultra light backpackers who have custom made by hand some of there own equipment including there tent and backpack.

The 12 Pound Challenge

THE CHALLENGE

A couple Team 42 members recently had an opportunity to talk with a backpacker that would put anyone on the Team to shame. The backpacker is a LNT Master that has hiked thousands of miles all over the continent. The backpacker took a 12 pound pack (before food and water) on a week long summer trip at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico.

That was a challenge I couldn't pass up.

THE PREMISE

I'm taking the wife on a short backpacking trip this weekend on the Superior Hiking Trail. The lows in the area are still in the 30s, which means more clothing will need to be brought than on a summer trip, already putting me at a disadvantage. Regardless, I'll see what I can do with 12 pounds being the goal.

THE ASSUMPTIONS

I'm going to be wearing my zip-offs, a t-shirt, boxer briefs, hiking socks and hiking boots while I'm backpacking, so that weight won't be in my pack, so that weight doesn't count. Also my poles will always be in my hands, so they do not count either. For the purpose of this exercise, I will assume I only have my map in my pockets. Everything else will be in the pack.

Finally, I'm traveling in a group, just like the LNT Master was, so I will be dividing up some gear, just as he did. Group gear will be distributed as evenly as possible, with me taking on any extra ounces (since I am going with my wife). A disadvantage for me is that group gear doesn't always increase with the number of people going, so there's less people to spread the weight around to.

My only advantage is that I'm only going for two days instead of a week. It's not a huge advantage though as most of the items I'm bringing would be sufficient for a week long trip. The biggest advantage would be in reduced food weight. However, food is not included in the challenge.

With that, lets get to it...

CASUALTIES

Things are going to have to be left behind. Things that I like. The following items will be remaining at Team 42 Headquarters:
Down Pillow
Ridge Rest
Saw
Camp Shoes
Sleeping Bag Liner
Nalgene Bottles
Coffee Mug
Tent Footprint
Pocket Knife
Top Compartment of my Backpack

GROUP GEAR

The tent with footprint, stakes and pump are 6.2lbs. Not going to happen. I'll be bringing the tent and pump for a total of 4.8lbs.

The Wife will be carrying the stove, water purifier, spare batteries, stove fuel, tent stakes, pot and measuring cup for a total of 4.6lbs.

PERSONAL GEAR

Sleeping bag and Thermarest, 3lbs.
Winter hat, liner gloves, downtown jacket, 1.8lbs.
Clothing (hiking socks, liner socks, long wicking shirt and pants, boxer briefs, fleece), 3.6lbs.
"Essentials" (bowl, spork, soap, empty Gatorade bottle, 50' rope, camera, tripod, clock, sunscreen, multi-tool, lipsaver, hand sanitation, magnesium fire starter, toothbrush, toothpaste, emergency blanket, headlamp, matches, toilet paper, first aid kit, compass, pack towel) 3.2lbs

I didn't think it was much, but now that I type it out, there's a lot there!

THE MOMENT OF TRUTH

I haven't added up each item yet and I don't want to. I have no idea what my pack by itself weighs, so I'm not sure what to expect. I'm not even going to venture a guess. I know it's got to be more than 12lbs. So with that, on the scale with everything.

And...I am defeated! 23 pounds! How on earth am I going cut nearly half my weight?



ADDITION: In case you were wondering (as I was after the fact) the pack by itself weighs 4.4lbs. That's without the top compartment. The only other way to cut weight from the pack itself would be to remove some of the clasps that are on it.