Follow Strider's Rambles

Testing New Gear

I spent the summer as an Appalachian Trail ridgerunner, first in Shenandoah National Park and then in Michaux State Forest. On my second Shenandoah patrol, my 60 liter Granite Gear pack suddenly felt too large. After moving to Pennsylvania, I ordered a Gossamer Gear Kumo 36 and tried it on my last two Michaux patrols. It cut a pound from my base weight, provided space for my gear, and fit my body well. I had contemplated and passed on getting a new tent until a fellow ridgerunner, Parker, loaned me a tent. It was a Gossamer Gear The One and I found it surprisingly roomie, with space to keep my pack near my feet and to sit up comfortably. I liked that it gave my trekking poles a second use and that it cut another pound from my base weight. I ended up buying it from Parker. On my last patrol, I used it on a rainy afternoon/ evening and it kept me dry.

Resupply Boxes

At 20 miles per day, the 800 mile Arizona trail would take 40 days; adding in zeros, I figured 42-45 days. Since the resupply towns were mainly small, I decided to send all my food through resupply boxes. On my way back from our final ridgerunner training in Virginia, I renewed my Costco membership and stocked up on favorite items. After an Amazon order and a couple grocery store trips, I began food preparation. I assembled breakfasts, lunches, and dinners, each with 20 grams protein and 600 calories. Meals included three varieties of oatmeal based breakfast, taco & ramen dinners, and snack style lunches.

Using suggestions from a blog plus FarOut comments, I came up with ten resupply locations; only two 5-day carries, the rest three to four days. Two boxes to be sent via UPS and one I’d hand deliver to a trail angel. The rest were USPS and I targeted non post office locations so that I was able to mail five myself. I did give boxes eight and ten to a friend to mail mid-way through October. Between meals and snacks there was a per day calorie amount of 2500 in boxes 1-2, 2800 in box three, and 3000 in the remaining boxes.