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]]> 8@http://z-hiking.com Misc 2008-07-13T17:43:43-04:00 Posted by Steve http://z-hiking.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=7








Enjoy!~Steve]]> 7@http://z-hiking.com Hiking 2008-06-08T16:21:59-04:00 Posted by Steve http://z-hiking.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=6


]]> 6@http://z-hiking.com Misc 2008-04-19T12:32:50-04:00 Posted by Steve http://z-hiking.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=5
I just went through a 16 hr, 2 day course in Wilderness First Aid offered by the AMC taught by SOLO. Wow, what an awesome course, and a lot of fun! Most of us have had some sort of first aid/cpr training at some point in their lives. This takes it to the next level with learning how to assess injuries, deal with decisions that have to be made, and potentially caring for the patient for hours and potentially days before help arrives. Our instructors Leo & Dave were great. They really made learning a lot of information fun and manageable. I can now be affectionately called a "Woofa" or "WFA". As in "Injured hiker, "Woofa" on scene". For anyone who spends any amount of time miles from paved roads and easy access in the back country I highly, highly recommend taking the course.

As I mentioned, I took mine through the AMC. AMC Education Chair Dale Geslien did an absolutely fantastic job at organizing the event. CT Chapter Chair, Leo Kelly, was one of the instructors and again really made the learning fun. They were all readily accessible for any questions we had during or outside of the actual class times. If you are not an AMC member, I suggest looking into it, there is a lot of things to participate in. www.ct-amc.org

In action...


-Steve]]> 5@http://z-hiking.com Hiking 2008-04-08T10:25:45-04:00 Posted by Steve http://z-hiking.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=4
From there we will be heading to the Grand Canyon. There, we will be hiking the Bright Angel trail down into the canyon. How cool are we... Camp out one night in the canyon at Indian Garden campground. Hike out the next day, and head back to Vegas. Back at Vegas we will be spending 2 more nights, then heading back home for some well needed rest before we go back to work.

For the most part as of right now, we are good to go with all the necessary gear we will need. Backcountry permit for the Grand Canyon is in my possession! Now in April, we need to get our permit for Zion and we will be all set.

I CAN NOT WAIT!!!

more to follow....]]> 4@http://z-hiking.com Hiking 2008-02-15T22:55:34-04:00 Posted by Steve http://z-hiking.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=3 Lowe's Path - Mt. Adams


rnAnd the journey begins at National car rental. Joy. The woman behind the counter was nice, same one that was there last time I rented a car there. So I was nice, we chit chatted and she gives me a free upgrade, saying in the file the car I reserved wasn't there. SWEET! So, I drive away in a 2007 Jeep Commander. Not bad, except for the fact that one of the 3rd row seats won't fold down... 'Here we go' I thought to myself. I get back to my apartment, and pack up the car and head out for Hartford.rn

rnGet to Hartford to pick up my cousins Scott and Lou, pack up the car and hit the road. But we had to make a pit stop at Big Y grocery stores. They have the BEST donuts. Finally get going for NH about 2pm. A little less then 4 hr later we are in Woodstock, NH at the Broken Branch Campground (A KOA campground). Brokenbranch is the unofficial HQ for the Flags on the 48 gathering. We get settled into our nice little cabin. We cooked up some grub, and crashed for the evening nice and early. We had to get up at 5am to get to the mountain and meet the rest of the crew hiking the mountain with us.
rn

rnWell, lets just say the first nights sleep was not the greatest. It was hot out, and the cabin offered little to no breeze or circulation. So, it was humid and stuffy. Not the best sleeping conditions. So, 5am rolls around, and I think 4/5 hrs of sleep was the most any of us got that night. A quick cup of coffee, and we are off to Lowe's Store to park and meet the rest of the guys. Quite the interesting store, and of course its like 6:45am and it isn't open, so that cup of coffee we were hoping to get before we hit the trail, well it never happened. As it turns out we were the first ones there, but shortly after us Jason and Greg showed up. This was the first we had ever met either of them, and it was the last mountain they had to peak in order to complete all 48 of the 4000 footers in NH. They felt it fitting to complete the task/journey on a fitting occasion such as the Flags event. Then Chris and Dome showed up, two guys I hiked with last year. Then Paul and Rich. Paul I hiked with last year or I should say caught up to, he's a machine. It would seem as though he virtually runs up the mountain. So we gather our things, pack our bags, poles and equipment. It looks like it is going to pur on us at any second. Great... As long as no thunder and lightning, we are a go... Pose for a picture and we are off at a 7:15am.
rn

rnThankfully, the trail itself started off gradually, this way it gives your legs the opportunity to warm up. After about 15-20 mins we stopped for our first break, and stretched it out...So far so good. But it was humid and hot, which was making tough to breathe. Then we started up again, it is beautiful up there. Scott has more pictures as his camera was more readily available to grab, so once he uploads them I will be able to post them here. But there was a cool sign that we passed. It said "STOP! The area ahead has the worst weather in America. Many have died there from exposure, even in the summer. Turn back now if the weather is bad. WHITE MOUNTAIN NATIONAL FOREST" Ahh, well, that's comforting, considering it is cloudy, drizzling, and feels like it could storm at any moment...LETS GO!
rnrn

rnThe trail got steeper, and was just a constant incline, which was quite tiring. Paul and Rich, took off ahead of every one. Then Chris and Dome headed out ahead with Jason and Greg. Scott, Lou and I picked up the rear. Being that these guys hike the mountains quite regularly it was no surprise they were able to head on up ahead while we took our time. A bunch of small breaks made the hike a bit better, and once we got above the tree line, the stuffiness of the air freed up a bit. Now, seeing that we were in a cloud and all, visability wasn't the greatest. As a matter of fact at times, it probably wasn't more then 6 or 7 feet. Always fun at 4000+feet. Above the tree line, it is like another world...We were even able to see the other group ahead of us.(and pose for a clowning around pic)
rn

rnNow, out of the trees and into the unsheltered vastness of open mountain. The trail becomes more difficult to find. Usually when in the trees and such, there are markers painted on the trees (or tagged) and the path is generally worn and easier to navigate. Up there though, not so. What you have to do is follow rock cairns, basically piles of rocks that mark the trail. This was a complete first for me and I believe for Lou and Scott as well. What an experience. It was so foggy(well, were were in clouds) that you could barely make out the next cairn to follow. It was awesome! Oh, and in regard to the visability thing...Lou is in the picture below with Scott, in the top center of the picture...
rn

rnAfter about 5 hours and 4400 feet of elevation gain, we finally get to the peak! 5775 Feet! 2nd highest peak in the White Mountains, and NEW ENGLAND for that matter! JOB WELL DONE Scott and Lou! You have now been inducted into the White Mountains 4000 footers! And Happy Birthday Lou! Nothing like arrivng to the peak to see Old Glory just about to be raised...In 60+ mph constant winds none the less. Simply Awesome...
rn

VIDEOS:
Putting up the Flag ~::~ Taking down the Flag

rnWhile up there, we lucked out with some of the wind clearing out the sky for an amazing view! Being eye level, with the clouds - Stunning!
rn

rnHeading down the mountain was a bit easier, but not really... It was quicker, but works a whole different set of muscles in your legs. And it started to clear up, so it looked like a whole different route we took down. Now we could see a whole lot more of the mountain, and it truly was a moonscape. (Pictures to come) And down we went, as a group, all together. Except for Paul and Rich, who probably ran down the mountain again. rnrnFinally around 4:35pm we get back to the car. 9+hrs of hiking, 4400+feet up and 4400+feet down, 9.6 miles overall, and we were exhausted. However the day is not over yet. We were headed back to Paul's cabin for a meal. And oh what a meal it was. Smoked ribs(slow cooked for 6hrs), beans and fresh corn on the cob from the grill. WOW. The perfect meal to end the day. Not to mention the perfect cabin. It's a Log cabin on 10 acres of riverfront property. No TV, but there is everything else. It's a beautiful place. And I am sure I speak for Scott and Lou when I say thank you to our friends in NH, Chris, Dome, Paul, Rob(You make some mean ribs my friend. Thank You!), Jason, Greg and Rich. You guys and your generosity made for a phenomenal trip with a lot of laughs. Again.
rn
rnCan't wait until next year!
rn
rnBack to the cabin for a shower and some well deserved sleep. And a surprise birthday candle and brownies for Lou from his Mom.
rn
rn

rnLOTS MORE PICTURES CLICK HERE]]> 3@http://z-hiking.com Trip Reports 2007-09-17T22:24:41-04:00 Posted by Steve http://z-hiking.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=2
I'm sure you would. I know I would! This is very conducive for you to become much lazier and lethargic. Not a good combination if you plan on doing some late summer or early fall hiking. Especially when there is the "Flags On The 48" event. This is a Sept. 11th memorial hike that takes place in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. 48 Teams of hikers break out and summit the 48 peaks over 4000' tall and raise the American Flag in memoriam of those who died on that day.

So, what is there to do if you've been bitten by the A/C bug? Get off you duff, and head to the stairs. Or, head to the gym, or better yet, head out into the early morning or late evening day for a jog. No need to go nuts right away, you'll end up doing more damage then good. Start slow, maybe just a couple of flights of stairs a day. If you work on the 2nd or 3rd floor in an office building and have access to the stairs, take them instead of the elevator. Every little bit helps! I have been following this for a while, and have got to the point where I run about 3 miles 3-4 times a week, and take the stairs every day at work (I work on the 2nd floor). Once or twice a week I also take the stairs to my apartment (15 flights). That's a killer.

There's plenty else you can do. Like cut out any type of soda, drink water. Hydrate yourself with useful substances as opposed to empty calories. Also, eat fruit, natures candy :P.

Take it easy at first, work up to levels that are just out side your comfort range about 1 or 2 times weekly and you will be amazed at the changes you will notice.

Hike Safe - And have a great time!

P.S. - The excersise listed here is my own opinion and as with any excersize program, you should consult your physician before you start. There. My legal obligation is fulfilled!]]> 2@http://z-hiking.com Hiking 2007-07-11T14:41:54-04:00 Posted by Steve