Hiking Dude Blog

Today, I'm doing no scouting, no hiking, no work.
Today, I'm doing my little part to help promote alternative energy solutions - specifically solar power in my case. Our solar arrays have been in operation on our roof for a month now and we've produced over 800KWHours of energy. I'm part of a 'Solar Tour' today where people can drive around to different installations and see how it looks and how it works.
So, I'll be hanging around outside with my little laptop on a card table in the garage, waiting to show people the panels, the electric meter, and the web page where they can see the power being generated right now.

You can go to Enphase Energy and drill down in the map to any place of interest to see installations. If you drill down to Eden Prairie, MN you can see there are 4 installations and I'm the smallest producer - because mine is the newest.
You can go directly to Kautz Solar and view my solar arrays.

If you've thought about solar power, this might be the time to investigate further. Depending on the election results, current rebates and credits may go away in the coming years - and that support really makes a big difference in your cost to get set up.

Shine On!

My journal about my 250 mile hike of the Superior Hiking Trail this fall is online. I've also made a Google Earth map of the trail sections and my Spot tracking blips. And, there's a page of just pictures if you're interested in seeing what I saw.

I met three times as many people in 1/3 the distance as the Arizona Trail this past spring. A handful of other long-distance hikers crossed my path - Gray Ghost, Ole Smoky Lonesome, BookSmarts, Pilgrim, JanuszHiker, and Larry.

Check out my Superior Hiking Trail thru-hike Journal.

Oh, I also passed out a $25 Scout Shop gift card to a scoutmaster from Two Harbors, MN that I met on the trail. And, I picked the winner of the ScoutStrong Program participation challenge for this hike. Sarah J. gets a $25 Scout Shop gift card, too!

Hike On

Lightweight gear tends to be pretty expensive and that's why I've made some of my own gear.
But, I keep looking around for less expensive replacements for what I have as my gear gets tattered and worn. GoLite has it's Jam Packs available now. The 50L weighs 30oz. and costs $132 - in case you're looking for a lightweight pack.
They've also got their down jackets and raingear on sale. It's still going to cost some $$$, but you might want to take a look at GoLite.com. I've purchased one of their down coats and an umbrella for my hikes this year and have gotten lots of use out of them.

Hike On

My first University of Scouting experience last weekend was great fun. I was asked to present a talk about Lightening the Load of Scout Treks since I've done a couple long-distance hikes now and am a total proponent of lightweight efforts.
I spent my morning attending the mandatory Unit Commissioner class (yawn) and then listened in on Backpacking 101 and a Preparing for Philmont presentations which were very interesting. I wanted to make sure my end-of-the-day talks did not contradict what those presenters said too badly. :-)

My big, old pack full of 'normal' gear was opposed to my new, lighter pack full of lighter gear. For the most part, people are interested in the gear of going lightweight, but that really is just the simple part. We also discussed:

• What Lightweight Is
• How Safety and Comfort are Affected
• Advantages of Going Light
• How Lightweight Promotes Scouting Aims
• Cost vs. Weight of Hiking

I've developed my own definition of Lightweight Backpacking:
Minimize the resources required for a successful outing by increasing resource efficiency and outdoors skills.

Resources include equipment, clothing, food, and water that you take into the wild. If you just buy the smallest, lightest, highest quality gear items you can waste a ton of money for a very small weight reduction. Taking a wider view of Lightweight means you are preparing and becoming well-skilled so you can make better use of what you take.

Just a couple examples:

• Slowing your pace or hiking in cooler parts of the day so you don't sweat means you need to carry less water which is very heavy.
• Spending an extra $90 on hiking poles that save 10 ounces instead of on a titanium cook set that saves 4 ounces
• Using ritz crackers instead of tortillas cuts the weight of lunch in half for the same calories.
• If you lose 10 pounds while getting in shape, that's 10 pounds you don't need to carry over the mountains.

I've been asked by a few local troops to come and talk to their scouts about this topic. My next talk is tomorrow night and then one in December. Hopefully, I'm helping to make those wilderness treks more fun for young adventurers. If I can save just one youth from a life of overpacking, it's all worth it! :-)

Hike On

Busy few days for lost hikers in the news. Too often, it's just silly lack of planning and skills that put rescuers in danger to help foolish folks. Many people may not realize that the majority of search and rescue team members are volunteers willing to sacrifice their free time to help others in need. Every time they go out looking for someone needing help, they go out into dangerous conditions and sometimes get injured themselves.

So, hey, BEFORE you go outside, make a plan and tell someone your plan. Check the weather forecast. Take more gear than just a t-shirt and jeans. And, for Pete's sake, take a flashlight!

On Sunday, a lone hiker without a flashlight, near Camden ME, called 911 because it got dark. 10 firefighters searched, found him, and escorted him back to trailhead. story

On Saturday, 25yr old camper walked away alone from friends at campsite in the early morning and became lost on Vancouver Island, BC. Called 911 and SAR folks came looking. Got a ride out with a truck driver. Friends didn't even realize he was missing. story

On Friday, 43yr old hiker without a flashlight started day hike of Horsetail Falls in OR. Wearing jeans, t-shirt, and jacket, it took longer than he expected and he ran out of daylight. Called 911 and searchers found him and escorted him to trailhead. He burned his hat and backpack to stay warm. ?!?! story

A 56yr old Appalachian Trail hiker got stranded when the Sandy storm dumped snow in the Great Smoky Mountains park. Called 911 and two park rangers hiked in. A nine-hour hike through snowdrifts only got them to a shelter four miles from the hiker. Then, a rescue helicoptor found the thru-hiker and airlifted him out. story

Hike On

A thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail is refered to as a once in a lifetime trek. But, there are some folks that have done it many times, so that's a bit of a stretch. But, there are some things that really do occur once in a lifetime.

Tomorrow at a little after noon, there will be six 12s on your digital watch - that won't happen again for 1,000 years. As a matter of fact, the next time a similar event happens is about 100 years away, on 01:01:01 01/01/2101

So what? Well, tons of people are having weddings tomorrow and other special events. Other than that, not much will happen. But, it's pretty cool to notice that you were alive and kicking on this special date.

Great opportunity to go on a 12-mile hike!

Hike On

Just checked the weather forecast. Looks like I'd better get a couple good hikes in today and tomorrow.


Hike On












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What do fresh snow, mud, and dirt have in common?
They're perfect for finding animal tracks on your next hike!
But, once you've found the tracks, you need to figure out what animal made them. That can be a challenge, especially for people just starting their outdoors adventures.

These Animal Track ID Cards are great for identifying 16 animals you might find on your travels, from the tiny mouse to the huge bear. It's a great resource to print and keep in your pocket for quick reference.

What should you do if a young one asks you, 'Hey, what's that print?'
Hand him the sheet so he can figure it out himself instead of impressing him with your infinite wisdom and simply saying, 'Oh, that's a wolf.' Discovery is the best teacher!

Hike On
(If that link above doesn't work, see the backup.)






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Swami, from Australia, hiked around the USA over the past 18 months - completing the AT, PCT, CDT, AZT, SHT, and some other trails. Just an amazing trip and person.
I met Swami heading southbound on the Arizona Trail while I was heading north. I didn't realize then what sort of wild hike he was on. See his website at TheHikingLife.com.

Here's an Australian news story about his adventure:

Click the image to view a fun map image of the Appalachian Trail with 35 reasons to hike the trail.

And, here's a few more oddities, tidbits, and fun about the Appalachian Trail:

• Over 250 shelters cover the trail with spots to spend the night - one about every 10 miles.
• A thru-hike costs $3,500 to $5,500 - depending on how much time is spent in towns.
• A bit over 700 people reported hiking the entire AT in 2011.
• Over 12,000 people have reported hiking the entire AT.
• Max Patch Bald is considered by many to have the best views of any spot on the trail.
• Trail Magic is common and a wonderful boost to hikers.
• Roan High Knob is the highest shelter on the trail at 6,285 feet.
• Clingman's Dome is the highest point on the trail at almost 6,700 feet.
• Bear Mountain Bridge is the low point of the trail at 124 feet.
• Around 160,000 white blazes mark the trail.
• Spy Rock is a Confederate army lookout.
• Pennsylvania is called Rocksylvania due to the roughness of the AT through that state.
• Most thru-hikers pick up trail names at some point. It's easier to remember Hiking Dude than Bob.
• 100 Mile Wilderness in Maine is the most remote section of the AT.
• The Appalachian Trail is 1/3 of the Triple Crown which includes the Pacific Crest Trail and Continental Divide Trail.

Can you think of any other reason to hike 2,200 miles?

Hike On

If that image can't be found see alternate image.