So this winter has been terrible for snow, but a couple of new bikes in the stable mean that weather reports like this dont make me sad, they make me excited for a weekend on the trails without a face full of mud!
I'm heading out to explore the trails at Burke Mountain this weekend with my wife and some of the guys, and have been chatting online with a few of them, co-ordinating times and logistics.. when all of a sudden this hits my feed:
I never got a chance to ride the trails over in NZ while I lived back in Oz, but watching stuff like this makes me wish I did.. and had a dog like Poppy along for the ride!!
Thursday, January 16, 2014
Monday, January 13, 2014
A Lesson in Packing
After doing the West Coast Trail in the middle of last year I realise the logistics involved in preparing for a longer journey. It was a learning experience for me to research the weather conditions and to prepare the gear list and the menu that would be suitable (and palatable) for the trip.
Trying to estimate the calories per person that would be required was a task in itself. I know that my normal daily consumption is in the 3000-3500calorie range, but add a 20kg backpack and 8-10 hours of hiking a day, and you throw my calculations right out. And speaking of weight, thats one of the other things I am always thinking about when I consider gear to buy or pack for a trip. In fact all the stocking filler I got at Christmas this year from my wife were ultralight hiking kit - flasks to repack liquids into, cooking and eating gear. Minimising weight means you travel easier, or can take more gear which means more comfort or more safety - all of which are highly desirable!
These guys are taking it to the next level though. 2900km on foot in Antarctica - thats Paris to Moscow. Dragging up to 200kg of gear on sleds, in temperatures of -50 or more. Much respect. It truly is a journey of human endurance as they are calling it - the longest unsupported polar journey in history.
I am always amazed at the daring of those driven to accomplish such adventures. The drive that pushes them to conquer their fears and make it through such tough times and conditions.
I'd love to hear a debrief after they complete the journey, revisiting what they learned on being over prepared, underprepared, or what they could have done differently. What creature comforts they missed, what sanity savers they are glad they included.. and if they'll ever eat those brands of energy bars again after 4 months of eating them every day!
Here's a clip of the guys during their preparation for the journey:
Trying to estimate the calories per person that would be required was a task in itself. I know that my normal daily consumption is in the 3000-3500calorie range, but add a 20kg backpack and 8-10 hours of hiking a day, and you throw my calculations right out. And speaking of weight, thats one of the other things I am always thinking about when I consider gear to buy or pack for a trip. In fact all the stocking filler I got at Christmas this year from my wife were ultralight hiking kit - flasks to repack liquids into, cooking and eating gear. Minimising weight means you travel easier, or can take more gear which means more comfort or more safety - all of which are highly desirable!
These guys are taking it to the next level though. 2900km on foot in Antarctica - thats Paris to Moscow. Dragging up to 200kg of gear on sleds, in temperatures of -50 or more. Much respect. It truly is a journey of human endurance as they are calling it - the longest unsupported polar journey in history.
I am always amazed at the daring of those driven to accomplish such adventures. The drive that pushes them to conquer their fears and make it through such tough times and conditions.
I'd love to hear a debrief after they complete the journey, revisiting what they learned on being over prepared, underprepared, or what they could have done differently. What creature comforts they missed, what sanity savers they are glad they included.. and if they'll ever eat those brands of energy bars again after 4 months of eating them every day!
Here's a clip of the guys during their preparation for the journey:
I like their cardboard planning matrix for the food - a very cool hack for making sure nothing is forgotten!
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