We've always been the "outdoorsy type". We take a camping trip whenever the time & weather permits. Every since our U-Haul pulled into Arizona, we were researching the best hiking trails....
There's always been a hobby that's been the object our affection. But this hobby required some budgeting, researching, planning and saving.
Well, it's finally come the time where if we don't start now...we'll be too old to do it. So my early birthday present this year was my backpacking gear! A pack, sleeping back, sleeping pad, trail shoes (and trail running shoes)......(some of which were purchased at the Summer Hut Swap meet this weekend - which was a great opportunity to buy lightly-used gear at SUPER discounted prices)
This weekend we took them out for a "test run".
I purchased the Osprey Viva 50. It's an amazing women's pack - all about comfort - nice and light. If needed, it could sustain me comfortably for 10 days.
Backpacking is a new state of mind.
It's all about sustaining with the least and the lightest. It's about asking yourself questions like, "How many changes of clothes do I really need?". You have to choose between "food/water or clothing" -- it's all about weight.
Although this sounds like a rather unhygienic hobby, I'm kind of excited about it. I get excited thinking about the adventures and sights we will see!
Our 1st big trip on the radar is Kalalua trail in Hawaii. It's an 11 mile hike through mountains/rainforest to get to an exclusive beach that can only be reached by hiking! Our goal is to do it summer of 2015!
We made my 1st trip easy, as it's a bit of an adjustment getting used to carrying a 25 lb pack! Mine was only 15 lbs on Saturday. We did an 8 mile hike through an area called "Seven Falls" - where you had to cross streams. It was good "balance practice" for me!
There's always been a hobby that's been the object our affection. But this hobby required some budgeting, researching, planning and saving.
Well, it's finally come the time where if we don't start now...we'll be too old to do it. So my early birthday present this year was my backpacking gear! A pack, sleeping back, sleeping pad, trail shoes (and trail running shoes)......(some of which were purchased at the Summer Hut Swap meet this weekend - which was a great opportunity to buy lightly-used gear at SUPER discounted prices)
This weekend we took them out for a "test run".
I purchased the Osprey Viva 50. It's an amazing women's pack - all about comfort - nice and light. If needed, it could sustain me comfortably for 10 days.
Backpacking is a new state of mind.
It's all about sustaining with the least and the lightest. It's about asking yourself questions like, "How many changes of clothes do I really need?". You have to choose between "food/water or clothing" -- it's all about weight.
Although this sounds like a rather unhygienic hobby, I'm kind of excited about it. I get excited thinking about the adventures and sights we will see!
Our 1st big trip on the radar is Kalalua trail in Hawaii. It's an 11 mile hike through mountains/rainforest to get to an exclusive beach that can only be reached by hiking! Our goal is to do it summer of 2015!
We made my 1st trip easy, as it's a bit of an adjustment getting used to carrying a 25 lb pack! Mine was only 15 lbs on Saturday. We did an 8 mile hike through an area called "Seven Falls" - where you had to cross streams. It was good "balance practice" for me!
Notice our sweaty shiny faces! It was about 78-80 degrees...which felt warm!
Ryan's pack is just a "bit" heavier than mine. Which is comforting - as he will have to carry some of my gear on trips in the future....
Check out this view! Pictures don't entirely do justice - but that road down there looks pretty tiny, which shows just how high up we were! So rewarding!!
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