Blog « Narnack Records. Joe's Ultralight Backpacking / Food. What the...? Ultralight food? Well yes and no. Food is a very personal subject, and before you start messing with your menu you need to be sure of what you're doing. I can't imagine a better picture of Hell than being on Day 7 of a trek, days out from re-supply, and having only that purported "miracle food" combo of corn pasta and spirulina tablets. I'd be chewing pine cones out of desperation. The main thing to consider when selecting your menu is whether it will keep you happy, healthy and provide enough nutrients and energy to keep you on course.
The Energy Budget: Food Weight vs. If you've been following this site awhile, you're probably familiar with the tale of Fruit Boy from one of my Grand Canyon treks. It costs energy to carry food. Granted, Fruit Boy was an extreme case, but it helps drive home the point - aside from the occasional splurge items, your menu should cover all aspects of your nutritional needs. Cooking vs. What Works For Me Typical Daily Menu Breakfast Lunch Dinner. How To Hop a Freight Train by Wes Modes. By Wes Modes Originally published in Might magazine, October 1994 What to Worry About Safety is a big deal on the railroad. It is real easy to get good and hurt. You are made of soft, breakable stuff, while railroad equipment is made of very hard, very heavy stuff. A rolling boxcar won't even flinch as it quietly rolls right over you in a sneaky surprise attack. Furthermore, accidents make everyone look bad. Don’t walk on the tracks. Some yards have a railroad cop. What to Bring Keep everything dark, dark clothes, dark pack, dark sleeping bag or blanket.
You’ll be walking a lot and throwing your pack on and off of trains, so pack small and light — under 25 pounds. Don't forget to bring your patience. And think about warmth. Bring some sturdy gloves and boots to keep you safe as you scramble around on freight cars. Its nice to know where you are. Bring something to drink. Don’t forget to bring your patience. A quick checklist: Where to Catch-out Find your local freight yard. What to Ride. Hiking H.Q. Hiking Dude. The essence of hiking is to leave life behind, if only for a few hours, and explore the world around you using only the power of your body. It is feeling your lungs labor, your muscles tighten and relax, and all your senses bringing new information into your brain. Being a Hiking Dude is being on the move, covering ground, challenging your body, and renewing your soul.
Join me on My Long Hikes around the country, and maybe the world. If you're in a Scouting group, consider accepting my ScoutStrong Challenge. The number one problem in America is the drop in miles walked per day. Hiking is a sport unto itself. If you've been surfing the web to find out something about hiking, then please check out my Beginner Hiker Plan to learn how to get ready to start hiking. Comments: Feb 26, 2012 - Lynn Love your page. Mar 26, 2012 - Tom Ryan It sounds like you off to a great start. Mar 27, 2012 - george petros Hey Dude!
Mar 28, 2012 - Mom Hi Paul - wish I was hiking with you. Apr 02, 2012 - scott scott. Just Jeff's Hammock Camping Page. The internet is full of people talking about their homemade hammocks, and there are a few websites with bits and pieces on how to do it. I wanted to consolidate an full set of instructions so you can make your own hammock from scratch using only this page.
Aside from the pride of relying on something you made yourself, the coolest thing about making your own gear is that you can customize it however you want to. So...these instructions just present some options for making a hammock. There are different ways of doing everything, and as long as it's safe, there isn't a right or wrong way to do it. So read these instructions in that spirit - you can follow them exactly or you can change everything to suit your needs. In the following sections, I go into detail on each step but I don't provide concrete numbers for how to do it. In places, I offer what dimensions or materials have worked in the past, but there are so many options that there's no need to be specific. Photo by Doug Frick.