Let’s talk gear!

I have spent the past year immersed in the Appalachian Trail (AT), sleeping, breathing, and eating it (no really, I’ve eaten more trail food these past 6 months).  Now I am down to the wire and need to make my final purchases and organize my gear so as not to forget anything.

The official Base Gear!

The first and most important part of my gear is my “Base” gear which includes my pack, tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, and pillow.  I feel I’ve done a great job picking what meets my needs and still keeps the weight on the lower end.  It’s challenging to make a choice regarding comfort vs. necessity when you are not yet on the trail.  When it came down to my tent I wanted one which would allow me to store both my pack and my dog inside with me.  I had two tents I was wavering between, the Mountain Hardwear SuperMega UL2 and the MSR Hubba Hubba NX.  It took me setting them up side by side and crawling around inside of them. Thank you once again CrossFit Bona Fide for supporting my hiking habits and providing me with space to test out my gear!

It’s a 1 1/2 Person tent!!!

The SuperMega UL2 was VERY cozy and very light, at 2 lbs 11 oz.  As you can see here there is room for my sleeping pad with my pack stuffed in alongside down at my feet and if Star doesn’t mind snuggling there is puppy room right at the entrance.  I climbed in and tested out the height, at 5’10” I had about an inch clearance while sitting on my sleeping pad, this was a good start.  I went ahead and stretched out and as I lay there debating all the pros and cons. Having not tried the other tent I realized I wasn’t doing much comparison and decided to rectify the situation immediately.  Feeling like a modern day outdoorsy version of Goldilocks I scrambled out of the tent.  I grabbed my gear and moved next door into the Hubba Hubba.   As I crawled in the enduring words of Goldilocks went through my mind “that’s just right!”  I had moved into a yacht of a tent, there was room to stretch out and move about.  My bag was no longer crushed between my feet and the tent wall and Star would even have room to stretch out into her favorite pretzel position for sleeping.  After about a minute of contemplation upon my green mat of unlimited possibilities I decided I wanted the yacht over the canoe.

So much space!!!

Next on my list of gear is my kitchen supplies, which are still lacking (need to get out and buy a PocketRocket and a titanium spoon), BUT I am excited to say I tried out a new toy today and it works perfectly!

Pot, bear bag, water bladder, freezer bag cozy, and Nalgene storage.

Today I used my freezer bag cozy!  I ordered this simple cozy from a fellow hiker, I have heard so many great things about cooking with this method on the trail.  You take your dehydrated food put it in a freezer bag, pour hot (not boiling) water over your food, seal up the bag and close the cozy over it.  Let it “cook” for 15-20 minutes and your meal is done!  You eat it right out of the bag meaning you have no dishes and you just need to dispose of the Ziploc when you hit a town.

Food is in the cozy ready for eating!

The idea behind freezer bag food is you just dehydrate whatever complete meal you want and pack it away until you’re ready to rehydrate.

Rehydrated dahl mixed with rice

My roommate was home and with very little prompting I convinced her to take this journey with me.  I took my dehydrated leftovers from the night before and placed them in a Ziploc filled with water wrapped in the most awesome pink and black zebra stripped cozy on the east coast.   The red dahl with coconut milk rice was a delicious meal if I must say so myself, one I’d be thrilled to eat on the trail.  My roomie even went so far as to say “I would have NEVER known it was from a dehydrated meal if you hadn’t told me!”

It’s important to get out and break in the gear before the big day!

Because I am responsible for my dog it only seems reasonable that I spend as much money on her as I do myself (I am after all carrying an extra half pound so she can sleep IN the tent with me).  I gave up trying to adapt or modify Star’s pack to be “acceptable” for the trail.  She will be joining me on the trail because I have decided WE are doing it not because she volunteered to come along.  I splurged!  I went online to this awesome small time business called Groundbird Gear (GBG) and ordered a custom made pack for her.  We had more fun measuring and preparing to send out all the info to get this pack put together just for her.

Someone is VERY excited about the measuring process 😀

I couldn’t believe it when less than a week out from our order I was informed the pack was in the mail and on it’s way.  I was a giddy child running out to the porch everyday looking for the box which would contain the goods.  Yesterday was a busy day and I arrived home late and it was by pure chance I glanced down the porch and noticed the small packing envelope sitting by the stoop.  I dashed outside in my socks and grabbed the package barely making it back through the door before I started ripping it apart.  As I drew the harness and pack out I was shocked by how light is was.  It was almost as though I was holding nothing, a big treat for this young lady!  I am in LOVE with the colors!

Burgundy and purple with a splash of orange to fend off the hunters!

I am so happy I went with this pack system.  I haven’t even gotten a chance to load it up yet but already I feel it is the proper size for her.  The roll top pouches aren’t huge so she will be able to move around comfortably in it.  We are in mid design adaptation as the harness doesn’t fit quite right so it is being sent back for one with a larger chest yolk so as to prevent any chance of chaffing.  It has been very easy to communicate with GBG and figure out what needs to be done so Star can be comfortable.  I will post pictures when we have the full system with a proper fit.

 

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN SUPPORTING OUR JOURNEY PLEASE FEEL FREE TO LOOK AT MY Amazon Wish List (HERE).   
I have placed numerous food items on this list as I will be making much of my food over the next couple of weeks.  I will be shipping packages to myself along the trail so I can meet the needs of my dietary restrictions.

 

 

 

Dehydrated food pretrail

In five weeks my meals will consist of food eaten out of pouches and Ziploc baggies where all you do is add water and voila! you have a meal.  I have been blessed with the support of a small time local company, Good to Go.  As they are less than a year old and working hard to meet the demands of their clientele I am extremely grateful for the discount they have offered me (every little bit helps!).  Before I went off spending hard earned money on a bunch of food I had never tasted, and which I would be committing to eating for the next 6 months, I went out and purchased each of their flavors.  All of their meals are GLUTEN FREE  and VEGETARIAN.  I started with the safest bet first, Classic Marinara with Penne, how can you go wrong?  It was delicious, the simple marinara they used had great flavor and tasted fresh.  Now don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t like sitting in my Italian grandmother’s kitchen  or anything but it is by far the closest I’ll get while in the middle of the woods (my grandmothers’ are Russian and English, so I doubt you’ll find me at my Italian grandmothers kitchen any how).  Make sure you allow the food to sit for 20-25min and I recommend giving it a stir half way through to make sure the water gets to all the pieces.

Not bad for “just add water”

Second on my list was the Herbed Mushroom Risotto.  This one was good but it wasn’t great.  I struggled with rehydrating it, I believe it was operator error.  I don’t know if I didn’t have my water at a full boil before I put it in or what but the rice just didn’t absorb the way it should have.  I finished cooking this pouch meal on the stove.  Once I had it all together things were better.

Third was the Smoked Three Bean Chili, this one also falls under the good but not great category.  I don’t know, there was something missing and I again had operator error with the rehydration process.  Problem with rehydrating food when you are hungry is you get impatient and don’t let it sit for the full rehydration period.  I spent the next half hour picking half rehydrated beans out of my molars.  Bonus this meal will last longer than any of the others!

Last but far from least was the Thai Curry.  I was so nervous about this one I kept putting it off and putting it off but the time had come.  I was in the midst of dehydrating some of my own spaghetti when I realized I didn’t have food planned out for my dinner.  Thai Curry it was!  I carefully opened the pouch and removed the oxygen absorber.  I then took the pouch of powdered coconut milk and added it into the main meal.  Poured the boiling water in, stirred it up and set it aside.  I forgot about it as I spread portion sized quantities of sauce and spaghetti across my dehydrator trays.  When I suddenly realized I hadn’t eaten I was trilled to see the package sitting there looking at me.  As I opened it up the aroma of Thai spices filled the air, the sweet smell of coconut milk inviting me in.   I looked into the pouch to see green veggies scattered across the top.  The first bite was heaven!  The flavors indescribable.  I was excited to be sitting in my living room eating this meal out of a pouch! I was disappointed that I couldn’t scrape every piece out of the nooks and crannies of the pouch.

Can’t get enough!!!

I have been slowly preparing meals to take on the trail with me but only in the past weeks have I come to truly understand the best way to put these meals together.  I started with the concept of cooking up items individually and then mixing them in a bag to create a meal.  The downfall to this is the individual parts of the meal don’t get cooked in the richness of the spices.
I enjoyed sautéing up veggies and mixing them into the store bought pasta sauce, adding egg to increase the protein and cooking the Textured Vegetable Protein (TVP) right into it so it would fill with the flavor of the sauce.

This was only the first batch…

When it was all said and done each tray held one portion, for the trail.  The calorie count isn’t bad either.  The sauce held about 140 calories, the pasta 420 calories and the TVP an additional 70 calories.  With my second batch I sprinkled ground parmesan across the top adding an additional 20 calories.   Each meal will provide me with @650 calories.  This meal will be a “freezer bag meal” where all I need to do is open the freezer bag it is stored in pour hot (not boiling) water over it, tuck it into my freezer bag cozy and wait!  Presto!  meal should be done and ready to eat in 20 minutes.

My supplies are slowly making there way into my home.  I am so excited to put together all of these awesome meals and start preparing my package drops.  I just got my Goji berries and Figs so I can make my own protein bars!  This is truly an experience of a life time!

Got milk?

And don’t worry in the midst of all of this food sampling and dehydrating I found time to take Star out to the woods where she could run about with a 4 pound pack on.

If you would like to support our adventure please consider looking at our Amazon Wish List (click here) or consider supporting us financially through PayPal (click here) and send to erin.tuveson@gmail.com

Every little bit matters!!! Star knew this when she was only 5 months old!

If you build it they will come

I am in the midst of a journey.   But I didn’t get here by myself.  I have been surrounded by some of the most wonderful people, provided opportunities I never expected, along with guidance and support.  This journey is about to take a new direction, I am thrilled for the change and absolutely terrified at the same time.  I will be leaving the safety of my home, my work, and the community of people I have been surrounded by, to drive 2000 miles and walk into the wilderness.
Tonight I was reminded of just how far I have come on my journey.  During my workout at Crossfit Bona Fide (CFBF) my trainer pointed out that I was almost at my “goal.”  Now this may not mean anything to you or even seem like a big deal, it’s just a goal.  But when I realized just WHAT he meant by that I lost ALL focus on the squat I was doing and almost fell over.  My journey at CFBF began in January, I have been attending classes 3-4 times a week.  When I started I could barely manage a squat while using a “stool” to spot my butt so I didn’t fall over backwards (I should have been a pro at these – it’s what they make you do in PT after ACL surgery).  Now, six weeks later, I have lowered my “stool” by 3 inches and cranked out over 90 squats, not yet achieving my goal but getting there.  My “GOAL”, in six weeks when I leave for the trail, is to be doing squats without any form of assistance (the stool) and to be able to bring my butt below the height of my knees in what is referred to as “below parallel”.  The strength and stability to achieve this will take me a long way on the trail.
There is something so remarkable about CFBF and the community of people it hosts.  I had this preconceived notion of what it would be like doing crossfit.  I was so WRONG!  It is not all about the next big lift or chest thumping and sweat dripping.  It is a space to come in and meet people who have an interest in themselves and their health.  I am always excited for the Work Out of the Day (WOD as we kindly refer to it), I walk away from it feeling as though I have overcome a perceived limitation.  It is true, “if you build it they will come”.  When they designed CFBF they did so with the right mentality, creating the environment they wanted as they went.  I know when I walk through those doors I will not be judged or intimidated.  I will have the support of every member and person in the gym.  As I finished my final rep tonight I had seven people standing there cheering me on and counting down for me, a testament to just how committed this group is to the success of every person.  I continuously tell the staff just how great they are, that I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for them, Kevin, one of the trainers, shrugs it off saying “you put in the work” and it is a true statement, but without them this place would cease to be what it is.
When my feet hit the trail in Georgia it will be with confidence.  I can only hope the trail community is close to what I have found here at my gym. 

What would I do without Star to rescue me?!

SHOUT OUT TO THOSE PEOPLE WHO HAVE SUPPORTED ME THROUGH DONATIONS!!!  THANK YOU!  I AM SO EXCITED TO BE ABLE TO PUT THESE ITEMS TO USE!

AGAIN IF YOU WANT TO HELP SUPPORT MY JOURNEY YOU CAN FIND MY “WISH LIST”  HERE

 

 

 

Buried in trail preparation!

I’m floundering!  First off I’m living in NH which means I’m under more than three feet of snow after this past “storm”!  Yesterday was day 50 in my count down and there are still so many things to do!  It seems like each time I dig myself out I just get buried again. 

To give you an idea of what is still ahead of me for my trip planning.
Need to finish purchasing my gear.

Big ticket items:  Tent ($450) and Backpack ($250)
Smaller items but still necessary: Stove ($35), Sleeping bag liner ($60), footwear ($150), base layers ($110).

The price of my gear is up there.  But I am also doing my best to buy light weight.  I want my pack weight to remain under 35 pounds once food and water are added.  This is a challenging game, every item adds up.  You don’t realize just how much you’re carrying until you have no where left in your pack to squeeze that one last item.  35 pounds may not sound like much, and for a day it’s not, but imagine carrying a small child for 2,189 miles through snow, rain, heat, and bugs.  Doesn’t sound like much fun does it!  Bonus for me, my 35 pound “child” will not squirm or complain, they’ll leave that up to me.  The weight of my pack is a REALLY big deal for me.  I need to do everything in my power to protect my knee so I can enjoy my hike and reduce the chance of reinjuring myself.

My life for the next 5-7 months will be lived out of this pack, it will include only what I need (or deem a serious treat).

What my pack will weigh: 19 lbs 14.3oz. (Not including a full water bladder and food for 3-5 days)

Gear: 5 lbs 9.9 oz.
-Pack:  4 lbs. 15 oz.
-Pack cover:  4 oz.
-Water Bladder: 2 oz.
-Stuff sacks:  4 oz.
-Bear Bag:  0.9 oz.

Base: 4 lbs 15.1 oz.
-Tent: 2 lbs. 7 oz.
-Footprint: 3.8 oz.
-Sleeping bag:  2 lbs. 4 oz.
-Sleeping pad:  1 lbs. 1 oz.
-Sleeping bag liner:  4.6 oz.
-Pillow:  5.8 oz.
-Knee cushion:  2.9 oz.

Kitchen: 1 lbs. 5 oz.
-Stove:  3 oz.
-Fuel:  6 oz.
-Pots:  9.5 oz.
-Spoon: 0.8 oz.
-Cozy: 1.7 oz.
-Mug/cup:  ?

Star trying out new gear! Not even a blizzard keeps us from our hot chocolate!

Necessities: 1 lbs. 13.5 oz. 
-Water Filter:  7.8 oz.
-Headlamp:  3 oz.
-Batteries:  5 oz.
-First aid: 4 oz.
-Inhaler: 1 oz.
-Cord:  4 oz.
-Trowel: 0.6 oz.
-TP:  2 oz.
-Lady Cup: 1.5 oz.
-Pstyle: 0.6 oz.

Clothing:  5 lbs. 5 oz.
-Bra:  7.8 oz.
-Shorts: 5 oz.
-Socks (3 pair):  6.9 oz.
-Base bottom: 7 oz.
-Base top:  8 oz.
-Shirt:  4.2 oz.
-Pants: 1 lbs
-Warm layer: 13.5 oz.
-Down jacket:  11.2 oz.
-Buff: 2.9 oz.
-Hat: 3 oz.
-Camp shoes:  3.7 oz.
-Hiking Shoes:  11.8 oz.

Spoilers: 13.8oz
-iPhone:  4.6 oz.
-iPod:  0.8 oz.
-Paperwhite:  7.8 oz.
-Chargers:  0.5 oz.
This long list of items is only part of the planning!  I still have Star’s pack to figure out and all the logistics of package drops and meal planning.  This is a huge undertaking – only made more challenging by my stubbornness to provide my dog with the best!

We have snow mountains in my back yard! Summit is 6; above sea level and 7′ wide!

I am so thrilled to have SPONSORSHIP and SUPPORT from some amazing companies, THE HONEST KITCHEN, RUFFWEAR, GOOD TO GO, and CROSSFIT BONA FIDE!

If YOU would like to support my journey (click the blue links) you can do so either through Amazon where you can pick out specific items from my “wish list” (remember last time we learned the links don’t work from phones)
OR  feel free to send MONETORY support via PayPal!  You are able to send money directly to me with just my email – this makes life easier!  Feel free to attach a note with your address so I can send you a note from my journey!
email:      erin.tuveson@gmail.com

NO POST WOULD BE COMPLETE WITHOUT SOME PICTURES!!!

Rod iron fence from our snowshoe trek into town!

I keep hearing we have roads somewhere under the snow!

 

 

 

Why would anyone hike 2,189 miles?

I did it… I watched WILD!

I’m unsure how to sum up my concept of the movie, so I will do my best.  I’d been trying to set up a time to go with friends.  Things just kept getting pushed out and pushed out and suddenly we were looking at a single show time on the last day in a local theater and it meant I HAD to go and I was going solo.

As I sat there in the theater watching Cheryl Strayed, aka Reese Witherspoon, scream into the wilderness, I understood what was going through her mind, and I recognized what is in store for me in the months to come.  As the pain of memories overwhelmed her, pushing her to come to terms with herself, with her life, tears ran freely down my cheeks.  The trail changes you – I haven’t gotten there yet but I know.  It’s true, many of the people who head to the trail have a reason.  I know I do.

I’m so grateful for the people I have met in my life.  Those who ask me to look inward at myself, to really question who I am and what I am about.  It is easy to answer the generic questions about why I’m involved in the work I do.  I work with kids because I want to make a difference and I want to learn from them and appreciate their youthful energy and innocence.  We forget as adults how to take pleasure by letting our emotions run wild.  The youthful exuberance over success, the frustration of being ignored by peers, the joy of discovering something new, these things fuel me and remind me to see things through their young eyes.   These are the easy things to answer.  The tough one.  Why am I hiking?   To escape.  To grow.  To gain respect for myself.  To be self reliant.  To challenge myself.  To trust myself.  To live a dream.

I will be challenging myself on so many different levels, Physically, mentally and emotionally.  When most people ask what inspired me to hike the AT I give the safe answer, I tore my ACL a year and a half ago and I wanted a goal to work towards.  Usually this is greeted with gasps of awe and gentle encouragement to be careful and have fun.  It is an easy answer with a strong effect.  Rarely do I tell the other part of “why”.  That I needed to escape.  I’d lost too many things in a short period of time and I needed an out.
1)  The loss of my dear friend and “little big brother,” Paul, to a brain tumor after a year long battle.
2) The end of a serious relationship, one which helped support me when things with Paul were at their worst.  One where I was firmly reminded that it’s okay to ask for help, especially when there are people who want to give it.
3) Lastly, the icing on the cake, the loss of my mobility, the knee injury was a physical blow but also an emotional one.  I found myself in a state of depression, happiest when closed in my room watching movies and snuggling with my dog.

So this is “why” I am hiking the AT.  I want the time the trail will provide to look inside and understand where I am going.  I want to come back from the trail understanding how to move beyond my history without burying it.  I want to share my knowledge and experiences with the youth, so full of their own pure energy.

Got this sleeve for Paul. Each type of flower represents something about him. The purple Clematis is ingenuity and art.

I have exposed myself to the world.  There is no more hiding behind simple answers and half truths.  I have a journey ahead of me and it starts now!

Thank you THE HONEST KITCHEN for your sponsorship!!!  Star was very excited to receive yet another package just for her!  (Skiddy Kitty really wanted in on it but he was denied).

The Honest Kitchen package arrived!!!
Skiddy wanted some too!

 

So far Star is winning the Sponsorship gig!  She has received two sponsorships and I have only gained one…  Thank you “Good to Go” for your support of my journey!
Again MY WISH LIST can be found at Amazon.com under Erin AT Tuveson or follow the link below (P.S. you cannot do these from a mobile device).

http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/?ie=UTF8&cid=AVGLIVOVHZ5BA

Dehydrated meals made local to me!

Shameless request for donations!

I am having to learn it is okay to ask for what you need, to reach out to the people who are interested in your journey and want to be a part of it in some way.  I have put together a small “wish list” on amazon (click here) – and don’t freak out when the first thing you see is a tent (I do need it but I don’t expect anyone to snag it for me).  There are numerous items ranging from food to electronics.  This journey started months ago for me, learning to speak up and ask for help or to sit and listen to the experiences of others.    Thank you for the consideration!!!
I am hearing rumors the link isn’t working for everyone so you can look up my “wish list” on amazon under “Erin AT Tuveson“.  THIS will link you to where you put in my name.
If you are still having trouble try this direct link to my “wish list”:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/?ie=UTF8&cid=AVGLIVOVHZ5BA

we share

If you are interested in donating and you’d like a part of my trip I will be mailing out my own personally designed thank you cards at the end of my adventure – can’t help but share the beautiful experiences with others!

Here are just a couple possibilities from the trail! This make beautiful cards 😉

I want to send a huge shout out and THANK YOU to Ruffwear!  Star is very excited about the donation you sent!!!

Digging deep in her new Bivy Bowl

She found the goods!

And she’s very happy! Can’t wait to hit the trails and try out the Roamer Leash!

 

thank you

Count down!

It’s officially countdown time!  56 days until I start hiking the AT!!!

Located at the summit of Mount Mist in NH

I had promised to upload my video from my sponsorship attempt, so here is the link to it!  I continued to work on it – I’d hit tech issues  – so I took the time to rectify what time limits I’d hit.

 

There are so many things yet to be done.  It seems every time I think about making a list or trying to sort things out I’m still in the same place I was six months ago (which is kind of true as I’m still in the same old apartment).  I feel like time has some how moved past me without my knowing.  I have spent countless hours writing sponsorship letters to companies asking for their support.  I have had a couple responses with affirmative answers – Star must be irresistible because they are all for her!
Thank you Ruffwear and The Honest Kitchen for your support!

My greatest accomplishments, aside from dehydrating copious amounts of food – which I still need to figure out how I’m going to rehydrate it and in what form, is the cleaning and my first REAL gear purchase.  When you realize your entire life will be held in a backpack weighing no more than 30lbs it becomes very important to start cleaning out the unnecessary trinkets you have accrued over the years.  My method of cleaning is this – If I haven’t used it in 3 months I don’t need it!  If it has sentimental meaning than there is a special box for it.  My first gear purchase was a Big Agnes sleeping bag!

Big Agnes Mystic 15!!!

My other accomplishment, the one you hear about again and again is my knee.  But I didn’t get here on my own, I had a good friend give me a piece of advice – one which I have since considered again and again and even offered out to other people.  I had stated my frustration to him, the lack of strength in my leg, “I can’t wait to get my strength back!”

To paraphrase what he said: don’t ever say you want to be ‘back’ where you were, you can’t go back there, you need to look forward to new goals.
With that said I reevaluated where I was at and what I wanted.  I no longer wanted to be “back” where I had been, walking up stairs.  I wanted to be climbing mountains!  I had bigger goals and a stronger drive to get where I was going because of this short conversation.

Now I know I have already talked of the importance of gaining strength in my leg but I can’t say enough in regards to it.  I have enjoyed these past few snow storms as they provide opportunities outside to go and work my leg out.  Snowshoeing is a challenging and exhausting activity which both Star and I enjoy.  I am determined not to look back but instead continue forward in my journey!

Snow is serious time!

dun, dun… dun, dun..

And she is irresistible!

Breaking trail is hard work

So you just need to let someone else do it!

Getting ready for the next run!