Taking a walk...

Zim · Post by **Zim** » Mon Nov 21, 2011 7:20 am

Very cool.

I noticed on your blog that you intend to start out with around 10 miles per day at first. This is a great idea, especially if you're not used to walking for distances.

I thru-hiked a 50 mile trail (but turned it into 64) this fall, and while I was used to dayhiking 12 or so miles, I bombed through this trail in three days: 20 miles on day 1, 26 mi. on day 2, and 18mi. on day 3.

I missed a lot. I had 4 days available, but for some reason I felt driven to push myself, and didn't stop to smell the roses. Didn't take many pictures, didn't rest at a really cool waterfall, didn't pause to take in the views. I regret having hiked so fast.

My feet also didn't appreciate it, as they developed 10 blisters.

Practical Backpacking is a good resource, and has a forum called "ParaWilderness™ & Non-Traditional Backpacking" that has information that might be pertinent to your trip. And yeah, if you're near the AT, steer yourself onto it. Actually, since you'll be crossing the PCT, CDT and AT, maybe you could hike a little on each trail as a starting point to the prestigious Triple Crown!

TenWForty · Post by **TenWForty** » Mon Nov 21, 2011 8:29 am

Not if, when.

When you get to the Eastern mountains, I'd like to ride out and meet you. It would make a good weekend motorcycle camping trip. Of course I will be buying the beer.

Edited to add: I see you will be passing through Cleveland, GA. It is very near some prime roads and camping, I get up there several times a year. I think you will like this part of the country.

Merlyn · Post by **Merlyn** » Mon Nov 21, 2011 8:36 am

Zim wrote:Very cool.

I noticed on your blog that you intend to start out with around 10 miles per day at first. This is a great idea, especially if you're not used to walking for distances.

I thru-hiked a 50 mile trail (but turned it into 64) this fall, and while I was used to dayhiking 12 or so miles, I bombed through this trail in three days: 20 miles on day 1, 26 mi. on day 2, and 18mi. on day 3.

I missed a lot. I had 4 days available, but for some reason I felt driven to push myself, and didn't stop to smell the roses. Didn't take many pictures, didn't rest at a really cool waterfall, didn't pause to take in the views. I regret having hiked so fast.

My feet also didn't appreciate it, as they developed 10 blisters.

Practical Backpacking is a good resource, and has a forum called "ParaWilderness™ & Non-Traditional Backpacking" that has information that might be pertinent to your trip. And yeah, if you're near the AT, steer yourself onto it. Actually, since you'll be crossing the PCT, CDT and AT, maybe you could hike a little on each trail as a starting point to the prestigious Triple Crown!

I'll definitely check it out - thanks!

I hope to eventually work my way up to 20-ish miles a day... but I that's a general guideline. If I see cool stuff, talk to interesting people and make 8 miles... that's a *good* day.

Merlyn

Merlyn · Post by **Merlyn** » Mon Nov 21, 2011 8:39 am

TenWForty wrote:Not if, when.

When you get to the Eastern mountains, I'd like to ride out and meet you. It would make a good weekend motorcycle camping trip. Of course I will be buying the beer.

Edited to add: I see you will be passing through Cleveland, GA. It is very near some prime roads and camping, I get up there several times a year. I think you will like this part of the country.

That'd be very cool!

I expect I will like the area. I spent 3 months at Ft. Benning a few years ago, and the country on/around the base is beautiful.

Merlyn

Zim · Post by **Zim** » Mon Nov 21, 2011 9:50 am

TenWForty wrote:Not if, when.

I certainly wasn't trying to discourage Merlyn with my choice of words. Is this a case of syntax?

Thinking about it though, I'll stand by my "if". Merlyn might change his route. He might change his mind. I hope he reaches his goal, of course. "When" is a commitment. "If" lets him go for a walk.

Merlyn · Post by **Merlyn** » Mon Nov 21, 2011 7:12 pm

BackDoorBarbie wrote: speaking of walking in cities. a friend of mine told me a story about camping during his long distance bicycle trips. one problem you often run into is where can you and where cant you camp? so while you plan you end up looking up places and rules for camping spots so you dont run into trouble along the way but if you are in the middle of a huge city, no camping is going to be available (worst thing i could see here is you walking 20 miles, setting up camp, and then a cop either arresting you or telling you you need to pack up and leave because you arent allowed to stay there so you are tired and need to walk another 10 miles to get out of the cop's jurisdiction or find a new place to stay). sure, if you want to stay at a hotel or hostile you can spend money, or you can do what he did; as you walk through a neighborhood that looks somewhat acceptable for sleeping conditions, just knock on the door of a house that looks like they arent going to shoot you or call the cops, hand them a business card of your blog website and tell them what you are doing and ask them if they mind you setting up a tent in the area in between the street and the sidewalk (the area normally owned by the city). tell them you will be gone by morning and arent going to leave a mess. generally by introducing yourself the people that live there wont call the cops on you for squatting or anything and you can sleep without interruption (other than the usual, traffic, etc). he said also, sometimes when you do that they even invite you in for food or a shower. its something to keep in mind especially as you find yourself in cities or towns where you do not know anyone. when i was driving back from my grandpa's funeral all i wanted to do was stop and sleep in my car without a giant street lamp shining in on me, or next to a horny trucker who has a thing for blondes so i found a parking lot in this small town but i got stopped because the police didnt recognize my vehicle. i had to drive another hour and a half before i could find another off the road acceptable place to sleep. some places are weird with outsiders so if you do a little PR work you can kindof buy yourself a night without hassle.

oh yeah and on a sidebar, i dont think zim's comment at all seems discouraging, contextually speaking if you ARE near that trail it WOULD be entirely possible to try it for awhile, if one would feel so inclined at the moment. trips like these you can only plan for contingencies, not the itinerary.

I didn't think of a card- I'll have to get some printed up - thanks!

That's exactly what the imjustwalkin.com fellow did - knock and ask. I'll be doing the same thing when couchsurf.org fails me.

I have gotten busted a couple of times for sleeping in the car... and the cops are never amused when you mention it's better than falling asleep at the wheel while in motion. Picky bastards :: grin ::

If all else fails, the bivy cover for my sleeping bag is camo... I can just curl up under a bush for a few hours.

Oh, and Zim- I didn't find your comment discouraging. Lots of things can happen in 3100 miles, from changing routes to getting run over by a beer truck :: chuckle ::

Merlyn

xaos · Post by **xaos** » Tue Nov 22, 2011 4:18 pm

FWIW...

I would caution against using military surplus type of equipment. I was a soldier once, too- and when i started being the outdoorsy type, i bought a lot of that junk. Whatever savings you may incur at the frontend, you will pay tenfold in weight, packvolume, and often times, poor quality. You're not going for a weekend camping trip, you know?

my 2 cents, I love the idea of your endeavor.

smashinator · Post by **smashinator** » Tue Nov 22, 2011 4:54 pm

xaos wrote:FWIW...

I would caution against using military surplus type of equipment. I was a soldier once, too- and when i started being the outdoorsy type, i bought a lot of that junk. Whatever savings you may incur at the frontend, you will pay tenfold in weight, packvolume, and often times, poor quality. You're not going for a weekend camping trip, you know?

my 2 cents, I love the idea of your endeavor.

I'd add: also they're sized for tiny army guys. If you haven't already got it, you might want to climb in and see how it fits before you pay for it. I've got a surplus sleeping bag I can no longer fit in due to my Viking-like stature, if you dig me. Well, I can fit in it, but it sets off my claustrophobia-I-don't-normally-have. A "normal folks" mummy bag from REI didn't have that problem. And the surplus bag was never exactly comfy.

Anyway, my advice is worth exactly what you paid for it. Do what works for you.

Merlyn · Post by **Merlyn** » Tue Nov 22, 2011 8:35 pm

smashinator wrote:
xaos wrote:FWIW...

I would caution against using military surplus type of equipment. I was a soldier once, too- and when i started being the outdoorsy type, i bought a lot of that junk. Whatever savings you may incur at the frontend, you will pay tenfold in weight, packvolume, and often times, poor quality. You're not going for a weekend camping trip, you know?

my 2 cents, I love the idea of your endeavor.
I'd add: also they're sized for tiny army guys. If you haven't already got it, you might want to climb in and see how it fits before you pay for it. I've got a surplus sleeping bag I can no longer fit in due to my Viking-like stature, if you dig me. Well, I can fit in it, but it sets off my claustrophobia-I-don't-normally-have. A "normal folks" mummy bag from REI didn't have that problem. And the surplus bag was never exactly comfy.

Anyway, my advice is worth exactly what you paid for it. Do what works for you.

:: chuckle :: Strange you should mention that- the only piece of surplus gear (other than maybe a couple of MREs for when I don't feel like cooking) still on my gear list is...

A sleeping bag.

I am still pondering that one. I'm a little guy (5'3") and they fit me well - but it's also twice as heavy as a modern bag and pad. It's also twice as flexible. Being in 3 parts, you can mix and match for the conditions, from 50+ to below 0. A standard bag and pad doesn't give you that kind of range, so I'd have to figure something out for temps above 40ish.

I was originally going to take a military backpack. 6000 cubic inches, pockets and attachment points everywhere... seemed like good stuff. Then I went to REI and tried on a modern backpack, and that closed that argument. Loaded 40 pounds in it and walked around the store looking at stuff for an hour. DAMN those things are comfortable. And light. And plenty big enough. And EXPENSIVE, but I bet I can find one used cheaper than the $260 REI wanted.

Merlyn

calamari kid · Post by **calamari kid** » Tue Nov 22, 2011 10:16 pm

Are you a REI member? The Denver store garage sale is 12/31-1/1 http://www.rei.com/event/12809/session/15705

TenWForty · Post by **TenWForty** » Wed Nov 23, 2011 8:10 am

Being a frequent camper with the military sleep system (and a U.S. Army veteran), I love the thing because of the three-part system. The black layer stays at home unless the temps dip to fourty. It truly is waterproof, you can wake up dry in a puddle, no joke. You can't ride as well if you didn't rest the night before for cold or wet.

However, I wouldn't want to lug the big heavy thing around if I was on foot. It's really bulky.

I don't know how other sleeping bags compare for actual damn-it's-cold or damn-it's-wet-and-cold conditions, but if I was doing what you're doing, I'd get the warmest bag I could easily carry, and pack it in that military Goretex outer cover. It's that cover that's so awesome and breath-ably waterproof. Real Goretex, real military issue, nothing else works as well.

Merlyn · Post by **Merlyn** » Wed Nov 23, 2011 7:28 pm

I SOOOOO have to get this shirt and be wearing it when I show up at the White House... I'll bet I'd make all sorts of new friends!

http://www.zazzle.com/when_all_else_fai ... 1552722260

Merlyn

12ci · Post by **12ci** » Wed Nov 23, 2011 9:04 pm

sounds like you'll hit town just in time for an inaugural; better pack your tux.

just as important as good shoes/boots: good socks.

Merlyn wrote: I am meeting someone there, but I don't know if she'll have a couch for me or not

given the number of us in and around the Capitol Beltway, space here is not an issue.

AZRider · Post by **AZRider** » Thu Nov 24, 2011 6:32 am

Having been a soldier, I don't have to explain what a clusterfuck Pentagon procurement practices are. Lowest bidder, highest porkbarrel. Plus, a lot of this stuff has features that you don't need unless your main purpose in life is as a transport-and-delivery system for .223" pieces of metal.

I'm on the list of people who loved his toys from Uncle Sam until he tried some of the stuff you can get if you aren't trying to choose a one-size-fits-all for an entire army with a myriad of possible missions.

The issue stuff I definitely would rock on this trip would be a nameape, branch tape, and unit patch on the back of my pack. Even if Officer Friendly isn't a veteran, it can start the conversation off on a better note when he sees that as he rolls the Crown Vic up behind you.

This trip will be fantastic!

and please accept my sympathy for the circumstances leading up to it.

Merlyn · Post by **Merlyn** » Fri Nov 25, 2011 4:21 pm

AZRider: Good idea on my name tape and such!

So - anyone in the LA area?

Sat Dec 31
Depart DENVER CO (DEN) at 5:20 PM
Arrive in LOS ANGELES INTL (LAX) at 6:55 PM

Merlyn

Merlyn · Post by **Merlyn** » Sat Dec 17, 2011 5:45 am

Whew!

Well, almost time for me to get on the road. less than 2 weeks to go!

Got my gear (mostly), got my plane ticket to LA, got a tentative plan for every eventuality I can think of in place. Time for a party!

Melanie is throwing me a going away party the evening of the 30th. If anyone from the Denver Contingent would like to stop by and see me off, I'd love to see you there!

Updates:

1: Route change: After turning up scary things in the legal code there, I decided to skip Alabama. Then my friend in New Orleans moved to Little Rock. So the new route is HERE.

2: Gear stuff: ALL milspec equipment has now been eliminated. Xelero walking shoes with custom insoles, Gregory Palisade 80 backpack, Big Agnes Encampment sleeping bag with an insulated sleeping pad, Lightpath 3 tent, Gerber knife... God DAMN this stuff is expensive.

Here goes.... Everything!
Merlyn

gazza · Post by **gazza** » Mon Dec 19, 2011 7:55 pm

You can do it!

Zer0 · Post by **Zer0** » Thu Dec 22, 2011 7:27 pm

Merlyn, I'm a little over 50 miles east of Santa Monica. You're invited to eat/stay with us. I'm going on a ride on Jan. 1st, but you won't make it out my way in one day. But if you wanna hook up on the 2nd or 3rd, then it's a go.

Not sure if this is a dumb question, but are you bringing a cell phone?

Bigshankhank · Post by **Bigshankhank** » Thu Dec 22, 2011 7:55 pm

Dude, fuckin stoked! Wagons east as they say, and travel safe. South Texas has a welcome place to sleep for ya.

calamari kid · Post by **calamari kid** » Thu Dec 22, 2011 7:59 pm

Go Merlyn!!

Adventures to be had.

Merlyn · Post by **Merlyn** » Thu Dec 22, 2011 8:26 pm

Zer0 wrote:Merlyn, I'm a little over 50 miles east of Santa Monica. You're invited to eat/stay with us. I'm going on a ride on Jan. 1st, but you won't make it out my way in one day. But if you wanna hook up on the 2nd or 3rd, then it's a go.

Not sure if this is a dumb question, but are you bringing a cell phone?

Thanks! I'll absolutely take you up on that! Probably take me 5-6 days to make it that far (I'm old and fat and slow).

Yep- taking my trusty Cricket phone. Service area sucks but the price is right.

Merlyn

Zer0 · Post by **Zer0** » Thu Dec 22, 2011 9:03 pm

Bueno. PMing you my contact info.

Metalredneck · Post by **Metalredneck** » Sat Dec 24, 2011 11:40 am

[quote= (I'm old and fat and slow).

Merlyn[/quote]

You won't be fat for long, I'm guessing. Best o' luck, Mate!

Merlyn · Post by **Merlyn** » Sun Dec 25, 2011 4:57 am

Finished with gear accumulation.

For those interested, here's my gear list for the trip:

Gregory Palisade 80 backpack
Mountain Hardware Lightpath 3 tent w/footprint
Big Agnes Encampment sleeping bag
Exped Synmat 7 sleeping pad
Pocket Rocket stove
Fuel for stove
Magnesium firestarter
Bic lighter
Aluminium cookware set (one pot, one pan)
Titanium Spork (I wouldn't be a "serious" backpacker if I didn't have SOME sort of titanium gear, right?)
First aid kit
Compass
Whistle
Razor/toothbrush/toothpaste/soap/shampoo/conditioner
mirror
2x 3l Osprey hydration bladder
2l soda bottle for extra water
Katadyn "Hiker Pro" water filter
Bear Spray (for predators of the 2 or 4 legged variety)
Cheap truck stop folding knife
Gerber "Bear Grylls" fixed blade knife (4 1/2" blade)
Pedometer
Plan 0 solar charger
Digital Camera
Cell Phone
IPOD and headphones
Kindle Touch
10.1" Acer Netbook
6 pounds of assorted food
2x BDUs, long sleeve shirts and underwear
2x spandex shorts
2x Medium weight PolyPros
Baseball cap
Military issue poncho
4x smartwool socks
Xelero Shoes W/ custom insoles
Headlight
LED Flashlight
Toilet paper
Trowel
Sewing kit
Towel (Yes, I have read The Hitchhiker's Guide, and I know where my towel is)

I'll know today for sure once I get everything packed, but I *think* I am still under 35 pounds total weight without water.

Merlyn

mtne · Post by **mtne** » Sun Dec 25, 2011 1:41 pm

Metalredneck wrote:You won't be fat for long, I'm guessing. Best o' luck, Mate!

Dwarfs of the middle earth variety only get so skinny...............

Merlyn · Post by **Merlyn** » Sun Dec 25, 2011 3:25 pm

mtne wrote:
Metalredneck wrote:You won't be fat for long, I'm guessing. Best o' luck, Mate!
Dwarfs of the middle earth variety only get so skinny...............

Merlyn Graves, October 2012 in Washington DC:

Bigshankhank · Post by **Bigshankhank** » Sun Dec 25, 2011 5:50 pm

Wherever you go, whatever you, we will be right here waiting for you...

Zer0 · Post by **Zer0** » Tue Dec 27, 2011 1:36 pm

Merlyn wrote:Finished with gear accumulation.

For those interested, here's my gear list for the trip:

Gregory Palisade 80 backpack
Mountain Hardware Lightpath 3 tent w/footprint
Big Agnes Encampment sleeping bag
Exped Synmat 7 sleeping pad
Pocket Rocket stove
Fuel for stove
Magnesium firestarter
Bic lighter
Aluminium cookware set (one pot, one pan)
Titanium Spork (I wouldn't be a "serious" backpacker if I didn't have SOME sort of titanium gear, right?)
First aid kit
Compass
Whistle
Razor/toothbrush/toothpaste/soap/shampoo/conditioner
mirror
2x 3l Osprey hydration bladder
2l soda bottle for extra water
Katadyn "Hiker Pro" water filter
Bear Spray (for predators of the 2 or 4 legged variety)
Cheap truck stop folding knife
Gerber "Bear Grylls" fixed blade knife (4 1/2" blade)
Pedometer
Plan 0 solar charger
Digital Camera
Cell Phone
IPOD and headphones
Kindle Touch
10.1" Acer Netbook
6 pounds of assorted food
2x BDUs, long sleeve shirts and underwear
2x spandex shorts
2x Medium weight PolyPros
Baseball cap
Military issue poncho
4x smartwool socks
Xelero Shoes W/ custom insoles
Headlight
LED Flashlight
Toilet paper
Trowel
Sewing kit
Towel (Yes, I have read The Hitchhiker's Guide, and I know where my towel is)

I'll know today for sure once I get everything packed, but I *think* I am still under 35 pounds total weight without water.

Merlyn

Damn boy! Whatb about the trailer? Or at least a Radio Flyer?

Just smart assin. You can punch me when you see me in a week or so.

MoraleHazard · Post by **MoraleHazard** » Tue Dec 27, 2011 1:50 pm

For real, what about 20' of paracord? or some sort of lightweight rope?

Good luck, btw.

SpecialK · Post by **SpecialK** » Tue Dec 27, 2011 2:19 pm

This summer I went on a 4 wheeling trip into Nevada with some buddies. We came across this guy waaay out in the middle of nowhere who was walking across the country. I want to say he was taking something like "The National Immigrant Heritage Trail". He was having a good time. He was packing a .38 SA that he let me shoot, and he also had a little spaniel with him that I think helped keep him (relatively) sane. I will say that he tried to give us some stuff out of is backpack that he wasn't using, so remember to pack way lighter than you think you should. Sounds good, have fun!

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Taking a walk...

Trip Update and Going Away Party in Denver