ThePhillyLawyer's Blog

Backpacking

thephillylawyer — Fri, 06 May 2011 01:33:06 +0000

Image by Clover_1 via Flickr

Well…. I think I have mostly everything I need to go backpacking (I am still debating on getting a hammock, with integrated insect mesh and a rain fly)… i have a backpack, one man tent, sleeping bag, first aid kit, rain suit, boots, socks, water bottle, water bladder for backpack, and.. i ordered a water filter and purifier and a sleeping pad.

I am supposed to go an a 4-5 day backpacking trip in Yosemite in September. I thought it might be nice if I got myself in shape to do it, as well as maybe have some experience backpacking. Well, don’t ya knbow it, but another meetup group I joned is having a BEGINNER backpacking trip on 5/14 and 5/15 on the Appalachian Trail in Pa.. so i siad yes to it.

So… the first meeting is at an REI in Conshohoken… i go… OMG..this is soooo great… none of the people who showed had ANY camping equipment…I will do just fine!!!

Hiking

thephillylawyer — Fri, 06 May 2011 01:13:15 +0000

Where to begin…. where to begin… what an exciting month May is turning out to be. I went to another meetup hike, with a different group, that took a hike in the Pennypack Preserve, near the Pitcairn Castle and Cathedral. Was a lot of fun, and when we got to the Cathedral… the people there were so nice… they had cold water and lemonade and cups, set out on a serving tray… for anybody that wanted it. I had used up all the water I brought by that time (40 oz), and when i asked them if there was anyplace I could fill my water bottle, they let me into the kitchen to fill it with cold water from a refrigerator. OMG… they were sooooo nice!!! Now, when i was a kid… in high school, there were rampant rumors about the Pitcairn Estate… and we used to drive thru, in a clandestine manner, afraid of .. well.. those things that happen in horror movies… happening to us… lol… Anyway… the hike was great… in that I managed to finish. However, at the end, my legs, especuially the bottoms of my feet, and my left ankle, and both shins, hurt like hell. Oh, well… 4 days later, and i am back to where i was before the hike… woo hooo!!!

More Equipment

thephillylawyer — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 19:46:19 +0000

Well… i haven’t heard from that group that is going to Yosemite, but, that didn’t stop me… i bought a one man backpacking tent, and a down backpacking sleeping bag… i am totally nuts!!!! Next is a water reservoir to put in the backpack, and a water sterilization system.

Insanity Rules

thephillylawyer — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 04:36:22 +0000

Well…. I joined a couple of hiking Meetup groups around Philly. One of them, had a hike in mind… to Yosemite National Park .. for 9/2011. What astounding good luck, just when i will be on my western trip. So, I emailed and said I was interested. Didn’t hear anything back for some time… then I get an email saying it will be 9/7 to 9/14 or 9/14 to 9/21, with 4-5 days of backpacking in the back country. It isn’t the AT, but, it will do. So, I reply that I have been camping, but never backpacking, although I would like to. So far, no new emails. But, i bought a backpacking backpack… an Osprey Aetheon 70, and a rain shell….. Marmot precip, and rain pants.. again, Marmot Precip. It may not be the AT, but backpacking is back on!!!!

Backpacking is Out

thephillylawyer — Sun, 27 Feb 2011 17:51:03 +0000

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Carried a 35 lb kettlebell in my backpack for 1.28 miles (34 min). I couldn’t go any farther, too much stress and pain in my neck and shoulders. Did also walk, not carrying anything, for 3.66 miles (66 min). Looks like I am not moving in with Cherie after I retire, so I can extend my trip out west by flying home for a week for Niki’s wedding, then flying back out after. I originally had 8 parks in mind to visit — White Sands (NM), Grand Canyon (AZ), Zion (UT), Red Rock (NV), Yosemite (CA), Redwood (CA), Mt Ranier (WA), and Grand Tetons (WY). I will have to look into adding Yellowstone into the mix.

Snow Shoes

thephillylawyer — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 19:45:39 +0000

Kids got me snowshoes and trekking poles for the holidays. Got the chance to use them on Wednesday. No-one had shoveled anything by the time I had to leave for work in the morning. Used them to walk to the train station. They were kinda awkward, but worked in the deep snow (didn’t work so well where the pavement was shoveled). Used just the trekking poles on Thursday and Friday… they were interesting to use. They helped me keep my balance,but, I didn’t walk any faster, and they tired me out a bit sooner from all the arm swinging.

I walked to the train on Friday, carrying a heavy backpack full of clothes for the weekend. It was I’d say anywhere from 20-30 lbs., but, I managed to get to the train station on time. I am now convinced that I’ll physically be able to go backpacking by the time I retire (with the proviso that I keep eating healthy and exercising every day until then).

Old Age

thephillylawyer — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 22:29:02 +0000

Well… I went on another hike with a meetup group today. We walked along the Delaware Canal from Yardley to Morrisville (about 4 miles each way). Was lots of fun, in the snow… but, man am I tired. I was able to do it, as well as walk the mile to and from the train station (Yardley is a stop on the R3 to West Trention, so really convenient for me). I can’t imagine how I ever thought I would be able to walk 10-15 miles a day, for days on end backpacking. Looks like an intersting place to go kayaking… will have to remember it for the summer.

Baby Steps

thephillylawyer — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 14:42:35 +0000

Well, yesterday (12/5/2010), I went on my first hike with a Meetup Group. It was from the Fox Chase Train Station to Lorimar Park, the path along the creek in the park until the picnic area in the middle, then the old Fox Chase Railroad tracks, which is being made into a hiking path, then back to the train station. All in all, took about 3 hours, and the guide estimated the distance at 6-8 miles. I carried a lightweight backpack, maybe 3 lbs (canteen of water, some fruit, wallet, etc.). Cardio was great…only got winded a little on steep uphills. My left shin and ankle, right ankle, and the bottoms of both feet didn’t give out until the walk back to the train station. Who knows, I may be able to backpack yet.

Insanity

thephillylawyer — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 02:43:01 +0000

Well… i got my first issue of Backpacker Magazine… in the ads was one for survival training… hmmm… maybe I can do a thru hike after all!!

Camping!!!

thephillylawyer — Sun, 10 Oct 2010 19:55:01 +0000

What am I thinking? It amazes me that I am actually considering a backpacking trip of any kind, especially after this weekend. I got to go camping with Jill, Justin (3), Garrett (1) (no Tim, he got to relax, work, and earn overtime), Cherie, Isaiah (her 7 year old grandson), and Alex. The trip itself, was phenomenal… doesn’t get any beter than camping in the woods with little kids, especially, when they are NOT your little kids, and a parent/uncle/grandparent is there. However… sleeping on the ground proved to be…. well… a pain in the back, and totally uncomfortable. So much so, I beagn asking ,yself… and you are gonna sleep on the ground for how many days in a row? What are you, out of your fucking mind?!!! But… more camping trips are scheduled.. the next is in November with Lisa, Chris, and Gavin, and Cherie and Isaiah.