Saturday, March 16, 2013

Sheltowee Trace Video Test

Here's a couple of short videos I made while hiking the Sheltowee Trace Hikers Challenge on March 2nd.

             

Video 1:
http://youtu.be/oJ21LjzC6J0

Video 2:
http://youtu.be/tI3UqbfNYXM

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Sheltowee Trace Section 2

As I begin to think about the section 2 hike this past weekend my mind is flooded with thoughts.  Thoughts of conversations we had while walking, thoughts of what life really means and thoughts of blisters popping up on my foot.  Section 2 has a 6 mile road hike in Morehead, KY that beat my left foot up.  I did have a quarter size blister on the ball of my foot.  Nothing a safety pin, band aid and duct tape couldn’t handle though.  But most of my thoughts focus around the special people that are making this journey with me.

As we left Morehead, I struck up a conversation with two of the youngest hikers on the team, Frank & Robert, who are 13 years old.  We talked about staying warm mostly, just a short conversation then some quiet hiking.  Sometimes words are not necessary.

I also had a conversation with Gina about juicing vegetables & eating a vegetarian diet.  We got to know each other a little better and I found that we have several things in common.  We both like to hike, mountain bike and be outdoors.  She is a really nice person and fun to hike with.

Another conversation focused around home schooling and how one must be disciplined to pull it off.  Arlene, Frank and Robert’s mother, is an expert in the area as she is a home school teacher. 

As the road section ended, I could see Karen’s vehicle and I knew the trail was getting ready to disappear into the forest.  Through a muddy field and across a quaint swinging bridge, I was at home again amongst the trees.  They seemed to welcome me back as I worked my way deeper into the forest.  The wet and muddy trail was so kind to my road sore feet.  With every step my feet were cradled in the soft mud.  The weather was cold at around 30 degrees but I was comfortable with my multiple layers of clothing.  I would unzip my fleece shirt or zip it up to regulate my temperature.  I only got chilly when I stopped to stretch.

The day’s hike was to be around 14 miles and as we closed in on the dam at Cave Run Lake, I was getting excited to set up camp.  I was ready to toss my pack and kick back around the campfire.  We camped in the forest at Stoney Cove just off the Sheltowee Trace.  I configured my tarp into a half pyramid and rolled out my sleeping bag.  After dinner we hung out around the warm fire as the snow fell.  This is where the social life is when hiking.  Stories are told, life events are shared, political conversations are debated and friendships are strengthened.  The bonding seems to accelerate when you are part of a group that is all struggling for the same goal.  There is a camaraderie that grows deep.  As the night wears on most don’t make it to 9 pm.  One by one people ease off to their home away from home and attempt to hunker down for the coldest hours of early morning.  The low for the night was around 22 degrees F. 

It was mostly a peaceful night and as I huddled warm in my sleeping bag, I could hear a coyote close by.  One howl from the beast broke the silence of the night then slipped off into the forest.

When I awoke Sunday morning the ground was covered in a thin layer of snow, a light dusting I would say.  It didn’t take long to break camp, boil water for an oatmeal breakfast and be on the trail.  Walking in the forest after a fresh snowfall is a special experience - a life changing experience.  As we hiked toward the Clear Creek trail head, I thought of all the people getting ready for church.  The ones who decided it was too cold and slept in.  The ones that would miss out on this beautiful walk in the forest that I was experiencing with 11 other adventurous souls.  It takes some effort to get out and hike but the reward is repaid ten fold.  The snow covered the tops of the downed trees and the forest floor but left the trail visible.  It was a thin ribbon of brown to guide us in.  I can’t express how viewing the world from within the forest on a snowy morning changes your perspective.  You must experience this for yourself.

The hike for the day was about 10 miles and went by pretty quick, a little too quick maybe.  So I’m 50 miles into a journey that will take me the length of the Daniel Boone National Forest and straight into Tennessee.  I look forward to the next hike just as soon as I begin my drive home.  I start planning what food I want to bring on my next hike and what gear I can start leaving at home as spring slides in.  I look forward to hiking through the Red River Gorge and on past Natural Bridge.  I wonder how the mountains in the southern part of the trail will be and can’t wait to see Cumberland Falls.  I have a new respect for the small changes in elevation and love living out of a small pack on my back.

I want to thank Billy Sherlin for hiking with me, encouraging me and proving you can have a breakfast burrito on the trail.


It was a good hike with good friends on a good day and it made for a good story. I'm glad I went!

Next we head out for section 3 of The Sheltowee Trace Hikers Challenge, which is an overnight 27 mile trip.

It's going to be a great hike but it could be even better if you joined us!!

There are two hikes per month on the Sheltowee Trace, Team 1 and Team 2. You can join in for a weekend hike if you want. Just contact Steve Barbour at the link below. You can also contact me and I'll help you get signed up and geared up.

More info about The Sheltowee Trace Hikers Challenge can be found at http://www.sheltoweetrace.org





Sunday, February 24, 2013

Red River Gorge / Rough Trail Loop Hike

What a beautiful day for a hike! The weather topped out at around 45 degrees and it made for some easy walking. Well, not really easy but the lack of snow and rain made it very enjoyable hiking.

Billy Sherlin and I went for a tune-up hike on Saturday. The idea was we would get some miles in, ring out our gear and just spend some time in the forest. A bit of therapy to let our minds relax and wander, I would say, as walking in the forest is simply relaxing to my mind. It doesn't go blank or stop in its tracks but rather it wanders, dreams, makes plans and settles down. Focus on thought becomes much easier and more clear. Now that was just too deep...sorry...on with the story.

The day started at the Koomer Ridge Campground and trailhead. We carried full packs to emulate the weight carried on an overnight backpacking trip. After adjusting our hiking poles, slinging our packs on our backs and locking the car (first making sure I had the key) we were off.

We traveled Rough Trail, The Sheltowee Trace and Pinch'em Tight trails for a total of 11 miles. We took our time and paced a little slower to make it easier on our knees. We took a long lunch by a creek and time seemed to stand still. The water babbled as it ran over the rocks and I filled my water bottles from the creek, filtered though a Sawyer water filter, of course. The water was cold and refreshing to the body and mind.

The hike was rough in places but the rock scrambling was fun. We walked through what appeared to be a small canyon but was actually a large opening or crack in the rocks.

I was amazed at the number of people we saw. Of the 18 or so people, 12 had backpacks and were on overnight trips. The others were day hikers and trail runners. Everybody we encountered was polite and friendly. We stopped and talked with a few but most were set on getting some miles in as we were too.

The gorge has a wide range of hiking terrains. Roots, rocks, sand and mud to name a few. Plenty of leg burning climbs that make the great vistas that much more special.

It was a good hike with a good friend on a good day and it made for a good story. I'm glad we went!

We head out this weekend for section 2 of The Sheltowee Trace Hikers Challenge, which is an overnight 24 mile trip.

It's going to be a great hike but it could be even better if you joined us!!

There are two hikes per month on the Sheltowee Trace, Team 1 and Team 2. You can join in for a weekend hike if you want. Just contact Steve Barbour at the link below. You can also contact me and I'll help you get signed up and geared up.

More info about The Sheltowee Trace Hikers Challenge can be found at http://www.sheltoweetrace.org




Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Unpacking & Evaluating

As I unpack from my Sheltowee Trace trip I find there are several items I carried 26 miles and didn't use. The heaviest item is extra food. It appears I have enough food for another day on the trail, about 2 pounds worth! I also have 14 ounces of useless hand warmers. I've used these in the past but out of the four I tried none if them really got hot enough to make them worth carrying. I have a rain coat and rain pants which I didn't use. I also carried about a liter of water too much, which weighs 2 pounds! I have used my water filter in the past to collect and drink creek water but was worried about not having enough water. I passed at least 4 wildlife ponds while hiking the ridge on Sunday and could have easily collected water on the go.

There are some items I would liked to have had but was able to live without. An extra pair of wool socks would have been nice. There is something about having clean dry socks to start the day with. Also, a windbreaker with a hood would have kept the snow from going down the back if my collar. But wait, I had a rain coat with a hood that I could have used! I had four knives and didn't use any of them.

There are some lessons learned that I will apply to my next trip. Evaluating what you are carrying can make the difference in pounds. In this case about 4 pounds!



Sheltowee Trace Section 1

As we prepared to step onto the Sheltowee Trace at the Northern Terminus in Morehead, KY, I wondered if I was really prepared for the weather.  It was snowing, sleeting and the wind was bitter cold.  My shelter for the night was to be an 8 foot by 10 foot nylon tarp.  I was confident I made the right choice on Thursday when I stuffed it into my pack but I was second guessing myself now.  Everyone was slinging their packs on their backs and I was trying to gauge if I had brought enough food, water and clothing for the weekend.  After all we were getting ready to walk 26 miles in the snowy forest.  All of my pre-hike jitters subsided as I walked into the forest.  It was like all of the worlds worries had been stripped from me.  My only concerns now were staying warm, hydrated and injury free.   

As the 10 brave souls began the hike, we all found our own pace.  I was a little slower than the three in front of me but a little faster than the 6 behind me.  I hiked for several hours alone with only my thoughts.  I didn't see or hear anyone.  The only evidence that anyone was in the forest were the tracks in the snow that I was following.  My pace settled in around 2 miles per hour which was comfortable considering the icy, snow covered trail.

As we approached camp on Saturday night my feet were tired and my left knee was needing some down time.  I pitched my tarp and got everything ready for a night in the forest.  My little cook pot was put into service and performed without a hitch.  In about 8 minutes I had two cups of boiling water for my meal of Ramen Noodles and Salmon.  The carbs and protein hit the spot!

I slept good and stayed warm all night.  I chose to sleep in my clothes so I would be warmer during the night and it makes getting out of a warm sleeping bag into 25 degree weather much easier.  I skipped breakfast, packed my gear and was on the trail in 20 minutes.  As I walked, I snacked on peanut M&M's, a Cliff Bar and some GU energy gel.  Around noon we stopped for a quick lunch.

The last 4 miles were all hills.  Short steep ups and downs.  One after another!  Billy Sherlin had a sore knee and was limping along in pain.  This guy gets the 110% award in my book.  You could see the pain on his face but it was behind a smile.  A rough day on the trail but well worth it.

I met some really interesting people and look forward to the next hike with them.  Steve and Karen Barbour made this experience possible by organizing and supporting the hike.

There are two hikes per month on the Sheltowee Trace, Team 1 and Team 2.  You can join in for a weekend hike if you want. Just contact Steve Barbour at the link below.  You can also contact me and I'll help you get signed up and geared up. 

More info about The Sheltowee Trace Hikers Challenge can be found at http://www.sheltoweetrace.org



Thursday, January 31, 2013

The Start Of A Journey On The Sheltowee Trace

I've decided to hike the 282 mile Kentucky long trail known as the Sheltowee Trace. I've teamed up with The Sheltowee Trace Association to accomplish this journey and the plan is from January to November we will hike one weekend per month. The weekend mileage will be approximately 26 to 30 miles.

So I'm all packed and ready to begin my adventurous journey. The weekend temperature forecast is a low of 28 and a chance of snow. Should be fun!

If you want to join me in this journey let me know.

More info about The Sheltowee Trace Hikers Challenge can be found at http://www.sheltoweetrace.org