">
Tuesday, February 1
It is actually happening. I’m going on an adventure. My brother will drive me to the approach trail trailhead on Tuesday. It isn’t going to be an early start so I am not planning to go far the first day. I will start the endless stairway after a night’s rest.
The Trek posted a question on Instagram the other day. How many pounds do you think winter hiking adds to your pack base weight versus warm weather hiking? I swagged twenty pounds. Based on the gross weight of my loaded pack I think I guessed about right. It’s over 50 pounds, which is way more than I was planning on carrying. And this is after a 2000-miler friend of my brother helped me with a pack shakedown. While still at home in Rochester, New York I had to switch from my nice light REI Flash 55 to my old EMS exterior-frame pack because I couldn’t get all the winter bulk into the smaller pack. Thankfully, the old workhorse rides beautifully and is built for the load. But it is going to be a slow start.
Photography
One of the reasons I am thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail is photography, which accounts for about a half dozen of those too many pounds. As I have said in previous posts, I have been a computer and network geek for most of my 71 years. Shooting with no-battery film cameras is my rebellion, sanity, and fun. It also means my photographs are different from what folks take. Not necessarily better or worse, but certainly different. You have already seen some of them here, especially from Letchworth State Park.
I will mail my film to Scott’s Photo in Rochester. They will develop and scan the negatives then post the scans on Dropbox. We shall see how that works.
The Beast
The beast. Argus C3 Brick SN 121072, manufactured 1947, which makes it three years older than the photographer.
The half case makes it easier to hold and gives me a place to attach a center tripod mount. The end mount is ok with a full sized tripod but not with the short one I will have on the Appalachian Trail.
The Box
The Box. Ondu 135 Pinhole Camera, f/125. I am taking the 35mm version so I only have to carry one film size. The faceplate has embedded magnets to mount a filter holder. Most of my other film cameras use Series V filters, so I made my own filter holder.
Thus I will have the Beast and the Box with me on the Appalachian Trail. Both cameras and the Phottix tripod ride on my pack hip belt.
Team Jenny is going on an Adventure
My dear artist friend, Jenny Dolfen, started making enameled pins along with her trademark watercolor paintings. Two of those pins are going along with me.
The first she commented is her “Team Jenny” pin as it incorporates the kingfisher, her favorite bird, along with a paintbrush. The second grows from her love of the writings of J.R.R. Tolkien, “I’m Going on an Adventure.”
The Ugly Mug
This is yours truly at my brother’s house. Do I look like I am ready to go??
Blessings,
Steve / pearwood
Soli Deo Gloria
This website contains affiliate links, which means The Trek may receive a percentage of any product or service you purchase using the links in the articles or advertisements. The buyer pays the same price as they would otherwise, and your purchase helps to support The Trek's ongoing goal to serve you quality backpacking advice and information. Thanks for your support!
To learn more, please visit the About This Site page.
Comments 26
Best to you in all things, Pearwood…you can do this…hike yer own hike…I look forward to your updates and observations
Paul. I will have 75 orbits in August. Thank you for blogging. This old coot will be following vicariously.
And thanks for saying this. This is me also and I just bet I am going to be using it in the future:
“He/him. Christian, cisgender male who strongly supports his gay/lesbian/trans/whatever friends, relatives and neighbors.”
Yep, me to a tee.
Have a blast out there.
Thank you.
Got a text on Father’s Day a year and a half ago from my son of thirtyfive years. “Happy Father’s Day. I’m trans.” So Nicholas is now Noelle. I think “Nick” still applies.
Blessings,
Steve
Happy journey!!! What a wonderful birthday present! Can’t wait to see your pictures and read about your adventure!
May the trail angles and trail magic be with you the whole way!
Yikes !! I meant: PEARWOOD
Paul. I will have 75 orbits in August. Thank you for blogging. This old coot will be following vicariously.
And thanks for saying this. This is me also and I just bet I am going to be using it in the future:
“He/him. Christian, cisgender male who strongly supports his gay/lesbian/trans/whatever friends, relatives and neighbors.”
Yep, me to a tee.
Have a blast out there.
(:-{D}}
Adventure awaits! Anxious to follow your footsteps on your journey but most especially excited to see those photos! Safe travels.
Lynn
Thanks, Lynn!
Ga resident……have all faith in you
Just wanted to let you know…it is cold.
And this is the warm part. Right?
Excited to follow your journey.
Thanks, Kelli!
I’m a Rochester, NY boy and have done a fair amount of hiking in the snow. Theoretically I should be ready. We shall see.
Blessings,
Steve
You sir, are an animal !!!!!! Much respect!
Really looking forward to reading updates as you progress and ultimately reach Katadin.
Be safe!
Thanks, Bob. My plan is to update here about once a week.
Blessings,
Steve
Pearwood, good luck, I’ve been seeing your comments on other posts for quite some time and have been anticipating your start just as long. I will be looking foward to your posts and photo’s and remember to “hike your own hike” (so cliche) and enjoy….be careful.
Thanks, Reindeer.
Hike your own hike is already a challenge. Lots of conflicting advice to sort through. I’m glad I have been following #appalachiantrail on Instagram for a few years, and reading posts here. Over the long haul, the advice follows a pretty steady course.
Blessings,
Steve
Excited for you Steven! Best of luck!
Thank you, dear Lyla. I had fun following you last year. I am very glad to have your support for my thru-hike this year. I am excited and terrified. My pack weighs way too much, but most of that is unavoidable given a February 1 start. Taking it slowly.
Blessings,
Steve
Pearwood-good hiking to you. Like Reindeer, I look forward to your posts and photos. I’ll be at Unicoi Gap (Mile 52.9) on Saturday with coffee and stuff. Hope see you coming down the mountain to the gap.
Thanks, Paul. That first sixty miles is going to take me a while. These old legs are going to take their time getting broken in.
Blessings,
Steve
Yeah! I’m excited to follow you via Trek on your hike!
Thanks, Julie!
Class of 21’. I live in NC near Roan Mt. we have 35-40” of snow currently. The smokies has equally as much. Just an FYI
Best of luck!
Meteor~
Thanks! I am definitely planning on snow.
Blessings,
Steve
Pearwood,
You got this. One step (up) at a time. I will be following your blog and on trail. Hope to catch up and have a Ramen bomb with ya.
Chris
Thanks, Chris.
GL.
Hopefully I will be following you in a couple of weeks or so.
Depending on the Covid GAUNTLET I have to run, jaja
Taffy from the UK?
Thanks! I’m triple vaccinated and stll being very careful.
Blessings,
Steve