Another Day Closer (May 09, 2016)

So, today’s post is actually a bit of a recap from yesterday.

I started the day trying out my new Osprey Exos 58 backpack for the first time. I crossed the pedestrian bridge downtown 4x and did the stairwell 4x. Not a grueling workout, but I got out there none the less. I’m gonna say I love this bag overall. Of course, I didn’t have it weighted down like the bag I have been training with. I usually stuff books and all sorts of heavy items in creating quite the challenge. Since I was on my first run with this bag, I left those items out and packed with the gear I would have on the trail, minus clothes, food, and about half the water. I felt like I could fly. I seriously didn’t realize how heavy books in your backpack really were. Anyway, the fit is great! My only major complaints are I’m going to have to get creative once I do add food and clothes since it seemed pretty snug already and there is an attachment on one of the shoulder straps that kept rubbing my arm. I just kept thinking it is annoying now, but wait until mile 1,830, I’ll have a huge sore where this keeps hitting me. The saving grace? I usually use trekking poles when I hike. So, I’m thinking my arm won’t actually be bothered by it if they are elevated while I use them. If it remains a problem, I can always cut it off. Not the arm. Also, the shoulder straps and waist belt have a mesh fabric lining. I’m assuming this makes them more breathable, but it also left me with some pretty distinctive marks on my stomache and shoulders and rubbed my neck a bit raw. I remedied the neck issue by pulling my t-shirt neckline up in an unnatural position, but I was left wondering how my skin will react to 52 days of hiking and irritation. I may end up adding some fabric to the pack to help cover those areas. I do really love the little pockets on the waste belt and I also love the fact I don’t have to stop hiking to grab items out of the top compartment. Overall, this pack is a huge improvement on my 18 year old pack and much smaller than my other more modern pack, so I think the purchase was well worth it to spite the couple complaints I have.

I added a rain cover to this pack. Ordered a large Osprey (since its the one that was recommended by REI for my pack) It only came in the smokey color. The large works fine once the pack is full, but there is still a lot of wasted material hanging about. When I looked the specs up it says the large is for the 50+ liter. I’m sporting a 55 liter. So, you would think it would be perfect, but I’m still saying its a bit on the large side, but will do. Now when I move clothes and food into the pack, my tarp and maybe some other items will have to be reorganized onto the outer layers of my pack, which in that case it might be useful I have the extra material. Anyway, the new rain cover weighs in at 3.6oz and my old one was 5.7oz. So, it’s lighter. That’s always nice.

I also went into Best Buy yesterday to grab a charging chord for the GoPro Erin Ronsen gave me. It’s basically a little battery port with a cable. Nice thing is it works with my Brunton Ember 2800 solar charger just fine. Got the battery charged up, but then didn’t know how to work the camera. Later in the day I sat down to read the instruction manual, but didn’t have time to get too into detail. So far I know it connects to wifi, I can turn it on and off and I know that when the battery is charged in the port, the light goes off. Aside from that, I’m clueless. I’ll make another attempt today to learn more, but I have the feeling if I want to use it out on the trail, I will have to have access to a computer to download the video. If that’s the case, I might just be better off using my IPhone. Also, I’m guessing here, but I think I need an additional cable of some sort to transfer the data. I hate learning new technology. Wish Erin had all the parts when he gave it to me. I’ve spent like $50 on a battery port and a headset attachment and I’m thinking I still need more in order to run this thing. I might not even use it! What?

Got a new Asics rain jack the other day. It weighs in at 12.8 oz. I’m sure I could have gone lighter, but I really wanted the underarm zippers. Plus, after all, I’m replacing a windbreaker by Sierra Designs and an old rain jacket I got at Walmart. The combo weighed in at 1lb, 11oz, so as far as weight, I’m still saving. I did have the rain jacket packed in my bag when I hiked earlier in the day, just not any of my general use items of clothing.

So, yeah…. Updated and on to another day.