All the Gear...

At Christmas I had a little kindle binge on a few adventure related books, including a few involving polar expeditions.  That coupled with watching Richard Parks attempt at breaking a world record in Antarctica got me thinking, if I landed in Antarctica tomorrow, could I mount an expedition?

Well the quick and easy answer is no!  But could I mount a half arsed trek without dying in the first week? 

Putting aside the small matters of actual training, physical conditioning and having any idea of what I am doing, could I raid the kit cupboard and come up with the gear to do the job?

Looking back to push forward

This year’s plans are pretty conservative by my recent holidays, I really need a year to put a few things in place (financially, physically, etc), but at the same time I don’t want to stay still.  The major plan/event with be my return to the JMT in 2016.  It’s unfinished business.

The gear I used last year was pretty much as good as I could get it, and it performed brilliantly.  I can’t see too many changes next year, aside from a few minor tweaks, getting the right colours for the season and something shiny, always something shiny.  I also intend to take my good camera (and the associated bits) instead of the trusty point and shoot.  This will make things heavier of course, but with some planning it manageable and worth the effort for such an adventure.

Food is something I didn’t look to hard at last year, weight and calories were pretty much my only concerns, balanced with taste (if you can’t face eating it then there is no point in taking it).  I paid little attention to protein, carbs, sugars, and all that important ‘stuff’.  Whilst I had around 3000 calories a day (probably burning in the region of 5000), I had rushes, slumps and crashes in energy.  I also doubt I had my carbs and electrolytes at the right levels considering the weather.  All things I will have to learn better. 

Powermonkey Explorer 2 – First look

Power – 6000mAh

Weight – 292g (my scales), 300g with ‘out’ adaptor, 307g with ‘in’ and out’ adaptor. 

This thing is built like a tank.  Press promo’s show someone driving a Land Rover over the top of it, and I can believe it!  It looks solid and it feels solid.  It does however weigh a solid 392 grams.

I currently own a few power packs, my current fave is the Lepow moonstone 6000mAh, which I used recently in the USA (I have others from Anker and TeckNet).  I use them on multiday trips, camping and festivals. 

Quick review - inReach SE

The inReach SE is a two way communicator and tracker.  It uses the Iridium satellite network (alongside GPS) to send text messages to either email addresses or a mobile number.  It can be used on its own, but I mainly used mine synced via Bluetooth to my iPhone.

The inReach SE in it's normal position...

The inReach can also be used as a tracker and can be set up to send a tracking ‘ping’ every ten minutes.  This then appears on the inReach mapshare and shows friends and family just where I am (and how slow I was going!). 

Quick review - zPacks Solplex

The zPacks Solplex is a single walled lightweight shelter designed and made in the USA.  I have spent 16 nights so far in mine, so this is more of an initial review rather than a long term review.  I took this shelter straight out on my trip, no practice, no checking, I DO NOT recommend this for any piece of gear and it is rather foolhardy.

The shelter is quick and easy to erect.  I bought carbon poles from zPacks rather than use my trekking poles, this was partly due to knowing that I had no time to test and practice getting the heights correct.  It took some of the guesswork out.

JMT Post-mortem

My JMT adventure was a series of up and down moments.  I had a great time and a few ‘moments’ too.  The JMT is a great walk and one that I will complete.  I completed around 50 miles on this trip and it was quite stunning, yet I know the best is regarded to be later along the trail.

I was (to be blunt) too big/fat to do the trek justice.  I struggled badly on the hills and this made me very slow.  I was walking 7-8 hours yet at times felt like I was treading water.  Whilst I had no great schedule that I had to stick to, there are practical issues to going so slow.  You need enough food and fuel basically.

Tuolumne Meadows to Upper Lyell Forks

11.99 Miles

367m Ascent 

After yesterday’s day off (despite it raining) I was feeling pretty fresh.  It had been fairly cold overnight with a nice layer of frost and a morning temperature of a degree or two above freezing.  The Zpacks Solplex had stood up to the rain with no issues, though having a bear locker (campground) meant that I had my rucksack well undercover. 

 

 

I was on the trail pretty early and there was plenty of frost in the shade.  I thought the slight chill in the air was perfect!  Which shows how much I had been overheating.  Beginning from the campground the path follows the edge of the Lyell creek, a gorgeously clear river. 

Sunrise High Sierra Camp to Tuolumne Meadows

8.51 Miles

276m Ascent

 

I had planned a fairly early start, but in the end I didn’t set off until after 8.  I was a bit better organised yet still had a bit too much faffing around.  It had got down to around 6 degrees last night so there was a nice chill in the air. 

The day started well across the flat meadow for around a mile.  The path climbed steeply below the Columbia Finger and yet again I struggled, the climb was only around 200m yet I must have taken around an hour.  Another JMT’er stopped for a chat.  It only gets harder was his great advice!

Sunrise Creek to Sunrise High Sierra Camp

4.04 Miles

381m Ascent 

Last night was my first real night alone in the woods.  It was quiet… too quiet!  I slept OK, it was still quite warm at night, too warm under the quilt and too cold without.  I was feeling a bit better and my appetite was returning. 

 

 

Today was going to be a short day.  Due to changing my first day, I had enough food to stay on a four day schedule to get to Tuolumne.  From camp I still had a decent climb of around 300m, it was still taking me too long on these sections.

Little Yosemite Valley to Sunrise Creek

8.39 Miles
748m Ascent

I had a much better night’s sleep, probably due to being tired, all that fresh air!  The campground was awake early, but it was after 9 before I got going.  My lack of training was reflected in my lack of camp routine.  I was just slow getting organised. 

The trail heads up towards Half Dome and hits a nice 300m climb up switch backs within half a mile of the camp.  Despite being fairly early it was getting warm quickly.  Something I was worried about.  My pack felt good and didn’t feel overly heavy, yet my pace was stupidly slow.

Glacier Point to Little Yosemite Valley

9.38 Miles

377m Ascent 

After a restless night’s sleep (it was too warm!)  I caught the bus up to Glacier Point to start my adventures. The plan had been changed the day before after getting my Wilderness Permit.  I had planned to have an easy day (partly to help acclimatise) and have a 4 mile walk down to Illilouette creek.  However, the ranger had pretty much insisted that I head straight to Little Yosemite Valley.

The change added around 5 miles to the day and a good increase on elevation.  I underestimated how warm it is in the valley, this despite previous visits at similar times in the year.  My thermometer was above 30 degrees for most of the day.  It hit me hard.  I was using Nuun on every drink, and by having a Sawyer squeeze I had plenty of water.

Oooh a kit list!

I'm close to finalising what I am going to take on my trip to the USA, recent weather has led me to consider a warmer sleeping bag.  Apart from that it's pretty final.  I'm sure a few odds and ends will sneak in to drag the weights higher!

The Odds and ends

I am also in a dilemma over the camera I am taking.  I'm very tempted to take the Panasonic GH3, mainly due to the dark skies and the opportunities that creates.

Tetris and the Bear Can

My food plan looked great on paper. So I decided to try packing my food for my first section, from Glacier Point to Reds. 7 days on the trail, with 5 full days of food. Weighs in at 3.6kgs (7.94lbs). I couldn't fit it in...

Anybody good at Tetris? 

(Yes I am repacking the Porridge oats!)

Culture of Optimism

From the mighty Google - Post Marathon Blues 

Symptoms of post-marathon depression match those associated with general depression. The person’s thoughts become negative and his energy level is drastically diminished. He might experience feelings of anxiety, irritability and despair. Runners experiencing depression commonly have difficulty concentrating, loss of appetite and erratic sleeping patterns.

I didn’t run a marathon, yet the above symptoms resonated.  It wasn’t something I’d heard of to be honest, until reading a book the other week when this subject cropped up.  As the author listed the symptoms, I was mentally ticking them off, yep got that, that too…

It’s safe to say my walking and health have plummeted since coming back from Nepal.  It wasn’t supposed to work like that.  It was meant to be a springboard, a reward for a year of work.  In the 10 weeks after coming back I have gained 16kgs (Over 2.5 stone or 35Ilbs), daily steps dropped by a daily average of 10,000 and the number of walks completed stood at a mighty 2.

I was always going to cut some slack for a week or 2, I deserved it after all.  2 weeks become 3, then 4 and all the gains drifted past.  I could see it happening, I could see the scales going the wrong way and the clothes getting tighter.

The JMT is now looking impossible.  Confidence is shot.  Walking in the wilderness needs a bit of training and a modicum of health.  I have neither.

My heart says ‘sod it, just wing it like usual’; my head is full of doubt.  The flights and hotels are booked, so I can’t waste them?  Right?

The hearts voice is getting louder, wing it, wing it, wing it…. what's the worst that could happen?

(Note to future self, when you embark on a weight loss regime, don’t throw away all your old clothes at the first sign of success… )

Tips/thoughts for Everest Base Camp

A few random thoughts –

Use lip balm, my lips were ruined, cracked and very sore.

Don’t get suntan cream with a pump bottle, mine and one other failed.  Use a tube!

Take a solar panel and battery (if you have one).  Easier than recharging at a teahouse (it’s just a faff).

Take advice on what and where to eat, the guides have a good idea what each place does well.

Don’t worry too much about the food, yak steaks, fried eggs and chips are lovely!

Pack your gear in waterproof bags, it can rain and the porters might not cover the bags!

If you can walk up Scarfell Pike or Snowden, then you can handle the terrain.  Altitude is an unknown till you get there.

If you camp at EBC you need warmer clothes and sleeping bag!

In the teahouses my sleeping bag (-9 comfort) was too hot and used as a quilt.  At EBC it was just warm enough. (For me at this time of year).

Walking shoes were fine.

Everest - I have been on a wander up a big hill

It’s fair to say that this trip was one on the best ever.  Stunning views, great company, challenges, tough, rewarding and fun.  It was all I wanted and more, helped by the fact I actually exceeded my personal goals. 

The trip was well organised and well-paced.  We were lucky in that the group was happy with a similar pace, no racing snakes!  We were also fairly lucky with the weather, most days were good and fairly warm.  I was also lucky in that I had minimal issues with the altitude, in fact most days I didn’t notice it.  I was blowing hard on the steep sections, but nothing more than I do back home!

Gorak Shep to Everest Base Camp

Today would be a relatively short day heading up towards the Everest Base Camp.  The path was rough and fairly narrow and undulated along the side of the valley.  As per normal now the views were stunning with mountains towering above.

The path undulated (as usual!) along the rocky moraine/scree.  The path was very busy from EBC.  After the accident lots of teams had abandoned the mountain.  The Discovery channel had planned a major broadcast over 7 nights (A sort of springwatch, Everest Live), but this had been cancelled.  We saw lots of equipment being carried down, showing how big an operation it had been.

Lobuche to Gorak Shep

Today was due to be a big day.  A walk to Gorak Shep, breaking 5000m and a possible climb up Kala Patthar.  I was feeling good, and doing a lot better than I thought I would be. The day before had been great and at times I had been 'flying'.

A few hours later and I was back down with a bump.  The walk to Gorak Shep isn't that hard, it climbs around 200m over a few hours with only one notable climb.  For the first hour the trek is fairly flat before a short steep climb onto a glacier.

Dingboche to Lobuche

After the relaxing rest day we were back on the move.  A short but sharp climb out of Dingboche followed the same path as the acclimatization hike the day before.  It was still as steep and got the blood flowing early in the morning. 

The valley was fairly gradual and it was a good walk surrounded by high mountains.  Summer pastures and huts provides shelter to the Yaks and Yak men during the summer months.  We passed above the village of Pheriche in the deep valley below, in a few days time we would be returning via a tea house below. 

Dingboche Rest Day

Today we had an acclimatisation day in Dingboche.  As it was a nice rest day we were allowed a 30 minute lie in!  The acclimatisation walk today headed up a ridge covered in prayer flags and chortens.  The views are incredible, Ama Dablam, Lhotse, Taboche, Cholatse and the seemingly small Island peak (only 6100m!).

 

Whilst only a short walk in distance, you can get pretty high (4700m).  The afternoon was spent on the kindle and generally resting.