Sunday, March 31, 2013

Bad News

It would appear that our hike is going to start later than our original date of April 28th. One of Travis's professors is not letting him take a final early due to the final being a group project. This means at the earliest our start date will be May 2nd. May 3rd is probably the reality. Now, to most people this won't seem like that big of a deal. However, this means we will lose four or five days of walking, meaning we will have to make up about 50+ miles on other days. This is a minor setback, but still an inconvenience.

Look forward to me posting another blog sometime in the middle of this week after I go out to finish Maryland on the AT. I have 12.5 miles to hike on Monday and around 11.4 on Tuesday. Should be interesting!

Cheers!

Two Kings

Friday, March 29, 2013

Test Hike

Today was a test hike day for one of the kings. Conditions were cold and overcast, but a good day for a hike. With twenty two pounds on my back, I did around six miles in Sleepy Creek. I would have done more, but halfway in, I felt a couple of hot spots on my feet, so I rested on a rock (see the picture of my pack on the rock) and booked it back to my truck. No blisters, but as I am doing a two day hike on Monday, I wanted to be careful. I was on the north side of the lake on the Tuscarora Trail. It was extremely muddy, the trailhead was a road with jeep rivots, and it wasn't well marked at first, but as time went on, the trail turned into a nice little path. Ended the hike with a pipe full of Almost Heaven!

Look for a new blog post early next week!!!

Two Kings

Monday, March 11, 2013

Starting Date!!!

Well, Travis has commanded us to start on the 28th of April, so we finally have a start date!

The date seems far away, but it is right around the corner. We were planning on a test hike this week, but that feel through. We will keep you posted on when we are leaving and our progress on the test hike.

As for finishing dates, Travis and I have discussed finishing with the Warrior Hike Program "Walk Off The War" hikers, which is sometime around the 19th of September I believe. I have a wedding in Maine on the 14th of September, so I am going to try to finish before then. At least for me, that gives me 138 days to hike the trail. Without "zero days" (days where we will be in town and don't hike any miles), that is an average of 16 miles a day, so realistically, 18 miles a day should be my average goal to finish in time.

Getting excited now that we have an actual date! If anyone wants to go on a hike with us (it is still cold, but we are up for it!) let us know!

Peace,

Two Kings

Sunday, March 3, 2013

Pre-Test Hike Gear List!

So, cheers to the first post on our blog! I apologize for the lack of posts. I will try to do better in the future.

Below are the Pre-Test Hike gear list for both myself and Travis. We will see what we need to buy or get rid of in a couple of weeks when we hike along the C & O Canal.

Travis's Gear List
Big 3:
Pack- Kelty redwing 44 liter
Shelter- hennysee expedition hammock
Sleep- north face cats meow 20degree

Clothing:
2 Columbia polyester shirts
2 pair army pt shorts
2 pair smart wool phd socks
1 omni dry pants
1 Columbia rain/shell jacket
Merrel Moab waterproof hiking shoes

Misc:
Leki trekking poles
Boonie hat
Leatherman
Essential first aid and repair items
Nalgene x2
1.5 liter waterskin
Head lamp





Jonathan's Gear List:
Pack/Sleeping System
Pack – Granite Gear V. C. Crown 60 Cost: $199.95
Pack Cover – Gregory Seam Sealed Rain Cover Cost: $33.00
Shelter – Hennessy Hammock Hyperlight Asym Zip Cost: $259.95
Sleeping Bag - Sierra Designs Zissou 23 DriDown Sleeping Bag Cost: $149.93 (On Sale)
Sleeping Bag Liner - Sea to Summit Silk Travel Sleeping Bag Liner Traveler Cost: $69.95
Air Mattress - Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite Sleeping Pad Cost: $159.95

Clothing
Cover (Hat) – REI Sahara Cadet Cape Hat Cost: $17.93 (On Sale)
Rain Jacket – Marmot PreCip Rain Jacket Cost: $99.00
Overshirt – REI Sahara Tech Shirt Long-Sleeve Cost: $37.93
Undershirt – I am using an old running top I have as my undershirt (I suggest Brooks)
Pants - REI Sahara Convertible Pants with No-Sit Zips Cost: $64.50
Underwear - ExOfficio Give-N-Go Boxer Briefs Cost: $26.00 X2 = $52.00
Boots - Merrell Moab Ventilator Cross-Training Shoes Cost: $90.00
Boot Inserts – Superfeet Orange Insoles Cost $44.95
Socks - SmartWool PhD Outdoor Light Mini Socks Cost: $16.95 X2 = $33.90
Gaiters – Outdoor Research Rocky Mountain Low Gaiters Cost: $33.00
Base Layer – PolyPro gear I was issued in the Army
Camp Shoes – Army shower shoes Cost: $1.99
Gloves – Army Issued Wool Gloves

Cooking/Water Filtration
Stove - Jetboil Sol Stove Cost: $119.95
Gas – Jetpower Fuel 230G Cost: $5.95
Spoon - Sea to Summit Alpha Light Spoon – Long Cost: $8.95
Water Filter - Platypus GravityWorks Water Filter Cost: $109.95
Water Bottle - Platypus plusBottle 1-Liter Water Bottle with Closure Cap Cost:$16.95 + $2.95 = $19.90
Water Container - Platypus Hoser 3.0L Reservoir - 100 fl. oz. Cost: $24.95
Food Sack – REI Light Stuff Sack 15L Cost: $8.93 (On Sale)

Miscellaneous Gear
Trekking Poles - LEKI Khumbu Speed Lock Trekking Poles Cost: $66.93 (On Sale)
Knife - Leatherman Style CS Multitool Cost: $19.95
Stuff Sack - Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Pump Sack Cost: $29.95
First Aid – Band Aids, Triple Antibiotic Ointment, Athletic Tape Total Cost: $12.00
Insect Repellant - Sawyer Premium Permethrin Clothing Insect Repellent Cost: $16.00
Camera – GoPro HD HERO2: Outdoor Edition Cost: Christmas Gift!!!!!!
Cell Phone – Some old Blackberry I still had from years ago
Headlamp – A Gander Mountain headlamp I use when I hunt
Toilet Paper - Baby Wips (For comfort baby!!!)
Misc. - 550 Chord, Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Iodine Tablets, Two Chem Lights, Air Mattress Repair Kit, and "2013 Northbound: The A.T. Guide"



Total Cost: About $1,600.00
Total 2013 Dividends with REI Membership: Around $125.00

For all of you naysayers out there, Travis and I are both approaching the hike a little differently in style. Travis, for instance, has lots of clothes to change in to and no stove. I am hiking with barely any clothes, but more "luxuries" such as my NeoAir Pump Sack that can blow up my amazing, overpriced and indescribably comfortable Therm-A-Rest air mattress so I don't have to waste time blowing it up with my lungs. We both have packs around 14-16 pounds without food and water. We have done a good job of keeping weight down, which was our main concern. 

I hope you enjoyed our first post! We will strive to be better bloggers. I mean, I guess we could stop watching The Big Lebowski and playing Axis and Allies. If you see Travis, ask him why he had Germany buy an aircraft carrier *hangs head in shame*.

Two Kings