Self in GTW
The Golden Trout Wilderness was one of the toughest backpacks I've been on in the world. It was certainly the most difficult I've been on in the Sierras, hands down. The landscape was varied and wild, from...
Good training ride
Did a good 28 mile training bike ride through Temecula and Murrieta this weekend. Did end up slogging through the first part, as I had a power breakfast but not lighter sugars in it. I didn't bonk but it sure...
Back from the wilderness
I'm back from the Golden Trout Wilderness - had a great time! Aside from some seriously shredded legs from 2 miles of thorns, a close run-in with a fearless rattlesnake and the other outdoors experiences, it...
Preparing for 80 miles in the wilderness
I'm collecting information, gearing up, getting permits and getting ready to do the Central Wilderness Grand Tour in the Golden Trout Wilderness in CA. The book Hiking the Golden Trout Wilderness has a...
Tyre training modification
After half-wasting another chain into metal dust, I carved a hole in the old tire with a 1/2" drill bit. After a couple of cuts, I was able to punch through a link to the outside of the tire. Now I can either...
Training session – tire dragging
Dragging tire around neighborhood: 35 minutes Getting that tire uphill is a beast. I need to measure how much pulling force needed to move the tire so I can get on target as quickly as possible. Tore through...
Tyre dragging vs the chain
After tearing through 3/16 chain in a half hour, I decided I needed to step it up with a much heavier chain. For this 40 minute session, I dropped by Home Depot this morning and purchased some beefy chain. As...
Acute Mountain Sickness strikes
On a backpack this weekend up the Fish Creek Trail to San Gorgonio (11,503'), my backpacking partner was struck with Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) on Aug 20. As with all of the cases I have run into including...
Breaking the chain
When purchasing a chain to drag a tire along the road, the first concern is to make sure the chain is long enough to wrap around the tire. Virtually any classic chain will do. At least I thought. I wanted to...
Rossignol BC 90 Positrack Backcountry Skis Review
The Rossignol BC-90 Positrack Backcounty skis ended up being a great ski for me on my second expedition across Yellowstone in January 2011. In Jan 2010, I had the 189 skis with no skins and could not tow my...
Tire chains
Training for the south pole trekking can be a daunting task. On top of all the coordination with different companies, you have to be extremely fit to even consider attempting this. If you look at the baseline...
Getting to the pole via a swimming pool
The first humans arrived at the South Pole 100 years ago. It was essentially a race between several of the world's best explorers of their age: Amundsen, Scott and Shackleton. One made it and returned...