The sun is out when school lets out. Carl has come up to visit us in Marion and to sew some chaps for Barkley. This is also the Saturday for the second annual Rattle my Heart 50K. I won’t say I absolutely live for the weekends, but they’re pretty darn nice…
Just like last year, the Rattle is downright warm. There’s more lingering snow and slush this year, which makes things interesting in the sandals. Running a trail 50K in sandals is just as one might suspect: stressful at times. The prototypes definitely need some tweaking, but they got me through this one.
I’m still interested in exploring the feasibility of sandals for the Benton Mackaye. I’m driven mainly by my positive experience of hiking the AT in chacos in 2007. My feet were much healthier in sandals than in boots or shoes day after day on the trail. We’ll see if I can get something together before May.
As for the other custom fastpacking gear, my shelter/sleep system is just about dialed in:
100 g | 03.5 oz. | cuben fiber fly
254 g | 09.0 oz. | top quilt/poncho
421 g | 14.8 oz. | hammock body
775 g | 27.3 oz. | total weight
However, the gear alone will not get me there. The ways of the weekend warrior must also be altered. I need to step it up on the training. Warmer and longer days may help motivate me for the run commute.
4 comments:
Matt,
How long is your run commute? I have to carry a laptop computer on my back, so I keep mine to about 4 or 5 miles (when I do it). Can you send me some more info on the sandals?
Neal
Matt and U-Dog,
What a strange trip its been...
I followed you two on the AT in 07 and especially enjoyed the pizza drawing just before Damascus. I think we ended up meeting up on Dragon's tooth. Last week I was searching trailjournals to do some scouting for the CO trail and I came across sweeper. I finally saw a picture and thought that it looked an awful lot like the Matt, but without the U-dog I couldn't be sure. After following the blog link consider it confirmed.
Beyond noting the sheer coincidence, I wanted drop a line to see how you recon'd your CO thru hike. I'm trying to fit it in sometime now that I live in Denver. Look forward to hearing from you and hope all is gravy.
ScoopS
Matt and U-dog,
What a strange trip its been...
07:
I followed you two into Virginia and especially loved the pizza sketch just before Damascus.
We met up on Dragon's tooth and if I remember right the three of us missed a switchback and had to tromp through the bush to extricate.
Last Week:
I was dozing in class and decided to do some recon for the CO trail. I ended up reading Sweeper's journal.
Today:
I went back to check on Sweeper and saw a pic that looked like Matt, but without U-dog I couldn't be sure. So I followed the link to your blog and read about many wonderful things!
Beyond noting the coincidence, I wanted to drop a line to ask you about the CO trail. I'm not sure if it'll work this year or not, but where'd you get your trip planning info?
Hope all is gravy,
Scoops (rob)
ScoopS,
email me: matthew.d.kirk
at gmail. The coincidence doesn't stop there...
Glad to hear from you!
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