[at-l] Short Trip Report (that is short trip/ longish report)

[daveh@psknet.com (Dave Hicks)]

Took a short three night trip last week -- Wednesday noon thru Saturday
noon.

I realized that I hadn't been hiking since Chase & I went out earlier this
year.  I've had lots of work trips, including six weeks of camping, w/ short
walks to, and from, the work site; but no just enjoy-the-outing trips.  No
solo trips at all this year.

Got on the trail at Va. 635, Stony Creek and took a leisurely walk to the
new Starver Hollow Shelter, then down the Starver Hollow trail to Caldwell
fields to meet my wife for a shuttle back to the pickup.  Stopped at that
great Italian Restaurant in Pearisburg for an outstanding Dinner.

The early turning trees are just starting to turn -- a splash of red here &
there.  Water sources were OK -- but that is seldom a problem on this
section.

Had warm daytime walking w/ crisp nights for sleeping.  Wish I had taken
shorts for the daytime.

Only down side was that there is something going wrong in my right knee.  Up
hills and relatively level walking was fine.  However, any sustained
downhill results in a noticeable tightening and, in time, pain in my right
knee.  My left knee did not seem affected -- just the right.  I did some
stretching before I started every morning and after about an hour, as my
normal routine.  When I first noticed the tightening, I did some more
stretching.  After the first time, I did a stretch every time I was about to
start a significant descent.  However, the tightening set in anyway.  So,
I'd stop and stretch when ever it got moderately tight.  Each stretch seemed
to relieve the tightening some what, but it would return a bit farther down
the hill.  Guess I need to check in with my Sports Medicine Doctor.

Found (via the registers) a new (or new to me, in any case) re-supply point.
Right at the Va. 42 / Sinking Creek Valley crossing (and I mean within 100,
or so yards, north of the trail) there is a farm house w/ a red roof.  They
sell ice cream, cold drinks, candy, liptons, mac & cheese, etc.

Had a chance to check out some new gear.

WM's Apache bag:

Check out http://www.westernmountaineering.com/ba_Apache.htm
for their blurb.

Three nights sleeping out, or in an open shelter, at 3040 to 4128 feet -
e.g., no additional warmth factor from a tent.

Minimum temperatures recorded at nearby weather station (which was 10 - 20
miles away and at 2000 feet): 37°F, 39°F, & 39°F.  Assuming a temperature
drop-off for terrain, I am guessing that the accurate minimum temperatures
were in the mid 30's.

Clear skies the first two nights, broken cloud cover the third.

Wind at weather station 10 - 20 miles away and at 2000 feet:

1st night:
Wind Speed 7.17 mph
Max Wind Speed 13.81 mph
Gust Speed 23.02 mph

2nd night:
Wind Speed 7.60 mph
Max Wind Speed 14.96 mph
Gust Speed 26.47 mph

3rd night:
Wind Speed 4.87 mph
Max Wind Speed 9.21 mph
Gust Speed 17.26 mph

It is my assumption that these sustained wind speeds would have resulted in
upper 20's to lower 30's wind chill.

Field Outing Results:

Sleeping comfort seems to be the product of what temps you're conditioned to
(both long term and short term).  So, it is not just are you a hot or cold
sleeper.  A 20° night in the early Fall after hiking up a sweat in a tee
during the day will feel cooler than a 20° night in mid winter.  [Think
about the heating and cooling comfort setting on an
air-conditioning/furnace.]  That said, I was on the edge of my comfort zone
this outing - note this was w/o any additional insulation inside, or outside
the bag.  I suspect that were this mid-winter, rather than an early cold
snap I would have been toasty.  In any case, I could have easily added
layers, set up my tent, etc to have survived 20, or more, degrees lower.

In Summary

At a packed weight of about 2 pounds, it outperforms all my other bags for
warmth-to- weight.

The construction is up to WM's long standing outstanding reputation.

Although WM list the Apache as a summer bag, I am sure it will be my
three-season bag (East coast version) from some time to come.

SmartWool Long Johns:

Check out http://www.smartwool.com/ for their blurb.  Also check out
http://www.backpackinglight.com/index/4/default.htm
for an endorsement and
http://www.backpackinglight.com/index/22/22.htm for a rebuttal & response.

I'll nor repeat all the info here.  Besides I was not doing a side to side,
or scientific experiment.  However, my reaction was very positive.  At night
and early morning the tops and bottoms were all I needed under a shell
(Frogg Toggs) as I putted around camp.  Every morning I started walking in
the top.  Twice I switched to a tee, as the day warmed up.  Friday, I walked
all day in the top.  I was very happy with the performance.

Food:

Tried out another trail meal.  Took 1/2 a box of scalloped potatoes in a
baggie.  Added water, 1/4 C of dried mixed vegetables, some dried whole
milk, and some butter flavored Crisco.  Did my pot cozy thing.  Very good.
And very simple to pack.

Thanks to whomever posted the suggestion about pot cooking these boxed
potato mixes.

Chainsaw