Trail aid

Solo hiking has many benefits but many times it gets lonely along the trail. I have been using a classic ipod to keep me company. I recently bought an ipod nano because it is so light and does so many functions. The nano is a video recorder, plays music and videos, a pedometer,and is a FM radio. It has plenty of things to keep you company on those lonely nights on the trail. Sometimes it is hard to sleep with all of the animals crawling around in the dark at night. I can turn on the ipod and it drowns out the noises till I get to sleep.

Winter hike

Nothing is so rewarding as hiking in the snow. Deep snow make it more challenging to hike on the Appalachian Trail near Rockfish Gap Virginia. I recently began a hike but could not reach my destination because the snow reached a depth of 2 feet. We didn't have snow shoes and walking became very exhausting. My pack weight was around 20 pounds but my friends pack weight was around 50 + pounds. With every step he took he sank the full depth of the snow. After going half the distance we had to turn around and thrace our steps back to the car. We learned that snow shoes are a must in conditions like that. But I could think of a scripture that carried me through the hard hike.

Psalm 119:133

Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me.

alcohol stoves

My friend and I have been making an assortment of alcohol stoves. Coke can, cat food and penny alcohol stoves. I have fpound out that they all work very well especially for solo hiking to revitilize dehydrated foods. The light weight of the stove far over comes the weight of carrying the alcohol. A very good ultra light stove.

I hiked on the AT near Three Ridges in Virginia a couple of weeks ago. I slept in the Clark's Jungle hammock and it was terrific. I also used the peapod under quilt to keep me warm in sub freezing temperatures and never got cold. Falling ice from the trees never gave me a problem. I used spring clip-ons to walk on the ice and never fell.