Backpacking

I started backpacking in 2017. I researched places to hike, equipment and food extensively. I trained on a local trail in mostly flat Indianapolis. Then I jumped in. I almost failed. But I didn’t.

Backpacking so far:

2017 – July 1-10: 100 Mile Wilderness, solo

2017 – Sept 1-12: 100 Mile Wilderness, solo

2018 – July 6-16: 100 Mile Wilderness, solo

2018 – July 20-21: 100 Mile Wilderness – 42 miles Monson to other side of White Cap, solo (Testing Hyperlite pack and Salomon XA Elevate trail runners for the Canol)

2018 – July 26-Aug 4: Canol Heritage Trail, solo (222 miles)

2019 – July 6-7: 100 Mile Wilderness – 18 miles Monson to the top of Barren Mountain, then 3 miles back to Otter Pond, with my son, Zack (I had lumbar disk extrusion surgery June 28 and was not supposed to backpack for three months from then. But, I had long planned to backpack with my son for the first time, so, I went carefully with a light eighteen pound pack. Broke my first trekking pole ever slipping on wet slate within the first mile and hiked the balance with one.)

Backpacking in the future:

I’m planning to hike both the 100 Mile and the Canol again in 2020, and hoping to add the Stein River Trail also.