Greetings All:
On August 1st, I left camp and took on a 47 mile day-hike.  My total pack weight was about 27 pounds (app 12 kilos).  My intention was to test gear and training efforts so far.  After a brief delay caused by the presence of bears on the trail, I resumed my hike at about 0440 hours.
 

Greetings to All:
Hard to believe it's well into August already.  My anticipated fastpack run came and went and in case someone wants to save time reading, I stink at fastpacking long distances and I am nowhere in the ballpark when it comes to being ready for the JMT's 211 miles (340Ks).  Training continues.  Have a nice day! (All others, read-on... lol)
 

Greetings all:
Looking like my long range dayhike is around the corner and butterflies are starting to fly in my stomach. I have invested in light gear as much as I can; everytime I find an item that is one ounce lighter than the one I have, I ditch the heavier one and purchase the lighter one. Costly endeavor but, I have shaved 50% of my based weight when compared to last year's heavy backpack load.  My goal is a 20 pound pack; food and water included.
 

Greetings all:

Had big plans for a five week training period in the mountains but, a little injury here and another one there spoiled the moments; but not the fun.  Although I could not go all out, I was able to score fun hikes in Joshua Tree, and, hikes (and rides) at Yosemite and Death Valley National Parks.  If you are a climber and are in the Southern California area, Joshua Tree will be a good destination.  I would not cross the Atlantic just to go there though.

Greetings all:
I am a novice fastpacker w/ one goal in mind; the John Muir Trail (JMT) in 8-6 days. The JMT is also known in the US as "America's Trail".  It is a 211 mile (340K) trail which traverses California's Sierra Nevada range from Yosemite Valley (national park) to the highest point in the continental US; Mount Whitney (14, 495' / 4418m).