February 18, 2008 – As The Crow Flies

Winter digs for the nomad.

Check out this tent: Titanium Goats Vertex. It weighs less then 4 lbs and then for another pound they sell a small titanium wood stove that goes inside of it. How cool would it be to spend the winter in this tent? Gives me goose bumps just thinking about it.

New tent?

I’m seriously thinking of buying a new tent– The Six moon Designs Wild Oasis. They say it weighs 13 oz. That’s a 10 ounce saving over the one I have– the Lunar Solo. I don’t know if it would be better to have 175 more dollars in my account or 10 ounces less on my back.

I do know, that of everything I own, my backpacking gear is what I value the most. Even when I was tied to a house, a job, and responsibilities, it was what I valued the most. I used to set up all my gear in my bedroom and imagine the day that I would be out there. That’s why I don’t mind buying gear– as far as material possessions go, it’s the most valuable thing to me.

Update: Wait, there is no floor in this tent. That’s no good. I want a floor in my tent so the ticks, ants, and spiders don’t bite me. Well, that dilemma is over.

What’s up

I’m plotting my escape from cabin life. I can’t stand it any longer. The Pacific Crest Trail(PCT) is too far off to wait on, so, I’m thinking of doing the Grand Enchantment Trail first. It’s 700 miles and runs from Phoenix to Albuquerque. Then when I’m done with it, I can take the train to San Diego and hit the PCT.

I went to town a few days ago. It had been 7 or 8 weeks since I was there. The road down from my cabin is a slick steep glacier that probably won’t recede till April. I have a small rear wheel drive pickup. I know from past years that if I try to go down that hill with chains only on the rear, I have little breaking or steering. I bought a set of chains for the front tires and that helps a great deal. One of the chains broke, though, so I had to go down with only three tires chained. I was worried about how that would affect my steering but I made it down okay…and back up.

Everyone in town is antsy for spring to get here. The snow is receding.