Saturday, December 31, 2016

Relaxing in Chicxulub

Mostly relaxing times and reading with a walk to Progreso and back a few times a week.  Walking the beach to Chicxulub for Pancho's seems like a good idea today or.. well ..  I have a severe case of inertia going on.  Maybe continue reading Anderson Cooper "Dispatches From The Edge".  It is a difficult book to swollen given how it exposes our undeveloped human collective brain.

Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Shikoku Henro 88 Temple Walk 2017

Again  I will walk the beautiful pilgrimage in Shikoku.  So many people have been kind and encouraged me in various journeys.  It is a very special emotional and physical journey to undertake but the tranquility and compassion it brings are life affecting.  In my blog I will try to include some Japanese words as it is a Japanese pilgrimage after all.  A special thanks to the many friends who have helped me learn a little bit of Japanese.  Your patience is wonderful. Arigato gozaimashita.  Yoroshiku onegaishimasu.
Much of the journey is about empathy and compassion which are fundamental to Buddhist philosophy.  In a world where there is not enough kindness hopefully - Negawakuba - we can all try harder to make things better for all.  May Peace Prevail On Earth.

Mexico 2016 -2017

Great to be in Progreso and Chicxulub again.  Our winter home.  See Andrea's blog for all the details as she really does a nice job on that.

Friday, June 17, 2016

TGOC Planning.. The curious case of not knowing

Now that the TGOC has been conquered, as if one could ever conquer the beautiful hills in Scotland it is time to think of many things.  The germ of doing the TGOC came from my friend Alex is who is always sending me beautiful and terrifying adventures to consider.  That's for me I thought.  Seeing great reports, pictures, videos and more just made me more than ever determined to give it a go.  Start where I wondered.. well Torridon is the most remote so that was chosen with little thought to the idea of going easier on a first try.
Tools.  The planning sheets were a big help to keep focused and not forget safety, stops, pacing, ascents, and more.  The vetting help was superb and the final approved well in time.  I got a subscription to OS MAPS , OSLOCATE and started off doing the routes on the OS planning tool.  I tried the walk highlands one as well but the OS tool was superb.  Being able to relatively easily download the routes and get them into my Android helped and paid off during the challenge crossing.  The OS tools have come a long way and hopefully they will work with maps outside the center of the universe (U.K.) at some point.  A couple of comments in the crossing report will support my initial findings.
OS MAPS. Seven maps bought and the downloads included put onto our phones.  OS allows multiple devices which was essential as all four of us needed to have them.  OS should continue this as it would be prohibitively expensive if I had had to buy four sets of everything. 
** NO ONE SHOULD BE WITHOUT PAPER ROUTE MAPS AND A COMPASS EVER.
FOOD PLANNING.  Given the several stops in civilization - Aviemore and Braemar we loosened up our food planning a bit.  This was a mistake as we ended up unsure about what to eat when sometimes.  Food that worked included oatmeal packets, ProBars, hot chocolate packs, cheese, hard bread, pita, peanut butter, dehydrated chili con carne, Idahowan powdered potatoes (80 cents in US), dried vegs, TVP, fruit bars, chocolate, pasta noodles.  The powdered potatoes were great combined with dried veg and the TVP.  TVP alone is not tasty.  A few hard boiled eggs were a big help after aviemore and braemar.  Food that did not work included extra freeze dried meals not needed, dehydrated soy based chili con carne.  Food is such a huge part of weight that most people would do well to focus more on that than on the weight of the cut down tootbrush!  OK .. guilty am I for SUL obsessions.
GEAR PLANNING AND RESULTS.  I planned on keeping things to five Kgs but was up as high as 8Kgs at the start with food and such.  My use of cuben gear from Zpacks made a big difference.
-  big three.  Tent was Zpacks Duo modified for stand alone.  I love the low weight and there is no problem with condensation or rain.  There are a couple of fundamental things I found thought that I will follow up on with Joe at Zpacks.  The doors flap in the wind regardless of tensioning or the extra toggles.  Given light weight zips these days I think the best practice these days is the use of zips for doors so I would be OK with the extra weight.   The ability to get the edges down to the ground snugly for wind situation needs more work from me I think.  The update with Easton poles did not work out so well with the floppies of the poles a problem.  When I looked around the tent cities I would say I had a great tent weight wise but not the best in terms of technical performance.  One pays a price for weight of course.  I will continue to experiment.
PACK.. MY ZPACKS ARC BLAST has been through various trips now and is still my favourite.  Very light with added side pockets, and options it is reliable, sturdy, and very comfy.  I used a liner bag for boule protection since it ocasional rains in Scotland.  I saw a few others with Zpacks packs and all loved them.  The only issue is that the stays do not stay bent despite the latest linelocks but I am not sure I care very much about that.  One challenger going SUL had no external add ons which gave the pack clean lines and of course got everything inside.  I like having quick access to some things so will play around a bit more.  Overall great pack from Zpacks and I will buy another when I wear the current one out.
SLEEPING KIT.  There were four of us so my gear was mixed a bit in the group.  I used my Montbell 5 degree bag and an X-lite pad.  The bag left me a little chilly on a couple of frosty nights but I layered up to compensate.  I would opt for something a bit warmer for the challenge.  I met a,couple using a Zpacks double quilt.  The feel is amazing and they were raving about how happy they were with it.  Although one of us bought an MLD quilt recently I think I will buy a Zpacks quilt for myself given the satisfaction they showed.
The neo-air is too long!  When will they get that into their minds and sell a shorter one.  I could not get the listed short one anywhere in canada (grrr to MEC).  I tossed in the MSR battery pump for a try.. works nicely but is a weight luxury and not needed if you are serious about weight.
BIG THREE SUMMARY.
PACK.  ZPACKS ARC BLAST *****
TENT.  ZPACKS DUO, MODIFIED. ***
BAG.  MONTBELL.  *****
NEO AIR.  ****
CLOTHING
SHOES - Altra Lone Peak 2.5.  Superb and wore them now over 500kms. They are light, comfy and no problem drying fairly quickly.  Perhaps a little light on thread for TGOC.  ONE MAJOR PROBLEM IS THAT THE INSOLES ONLY LAST ABOUT 250 KMS.  I will be all over Altra about that.  To spend good money on good trail runners is fine but if they only last a few hundred kms before the insole wears out it is poor value.  Either supply extra insoles or deliver some that last.  W would buy altra for my next pair but only if I can get extra insoles or ones that are not done so quickly. 
SOCKS.  INJIJI, DARN TOUGH, .. All worked fine.  I would bring a third pair on TGOC to use as night dry socks.  I brought a pair of neoprene socs as well but only used them once.
PANTS.. PRANA quick drying and rugged.  No need to bring any others in general.  They last forever so far. I have various long hikes and canoe trips on my Prana and highly recommend them.
BASE LAYERS.  Icebreaker merino shorts.  Comfy but do not last well at all.  Given they charge $50 for a pair of knickers I will look for alternatives.  BUT.. Icebreaker 260 tops are fantastic.  I brought one short sleeve, two long 260 and was nice and warm always.  I would bring just one 260 to save weight.
MIDLAYER.  MEC T3 HOODIE.  used a lot and solid.  Great value.
PUFFY. MONTBELL 800 DOWN.  Superb if just a little short and needs a waistband.  May look at Ghost Whisperer instead.
WIND JACKET.  Montbell Tachyon.  I never go without it and use it a lot.
RAIN JACKET.  Zpacks of course.  Very light, reliable and with pit zips no problems.  In hailstones and 500kms wind I was nice and dry and warm.  I will buy the latest version from Joe and the Zpacks team.  There are those who would argue for a heavier waterproof jacket on a wet trip.  I had no problem.  My Liam had his new Arcteryx jacket which he found superb.  The Zpacks does the job at a third of the weight so unless in serious foul weather it is my choice.
HAT.  BLACKROCK DOWN.  I just love this head cozy.  If you are in any chilly place it is the best thing to have.  I never go hiking without it.  I need a light had for sun protection.  I almost brought my pointy hat but it is a bulky option.  Perhaps a Tilly is in order?
MEDICAL.  minimal with blister pads, couple bandaids, second skin.  I bring ibuprofen, robax gold, antihistamine, zovirax, and antifungal cream.  As little as possible of everything but first aid skills should be a priority.
TOILETRIES.  I limit them to 300 grams.  Small sponge, floss, etc. 
EMERGENCY KIT.  A small pill prescription bottle with a pin, safety pin, guerilla tape, nail clippers, class Swiss army knife, two blister pads, two robax, tick remover.
More later and pics as well.

Sunday, August 16, 2015

Wednesday, July 8, 2015

A special time at a temple

A group of Henro Pilgrims in Shikoku at a temple.


Each of the 88 Temples is special and unique.  Some are tranquil and others busier.   Some are prosperous and some more humble.   There are several rituals to follow at each temple as part of the journey of exploration of the Shikoku pilgrimage.









The temple grounds are always imaculate and beautiful.    Many have ponds with koi fish and all have various statues of deities and Buddhas and others representing stages of life.
Each temple has a story and a primary deity but there is always Buddha present.   There is also a hall for Kobo Daishi who was the originator of Shingon or esoteric Buddhism in Japan.















The interior of temples vary from simple to extremely ornate.   Most are not open to go inside unless you are staying at the temple itself.

Given the length of the pilgrimage there is sometimes a temptation to rush to the next temple or to where your will be staying.   It is much nicer just to sit when you find a special place and just be.
It can be a little bit busy if a bus load of pilgrims arrives but every person does their own pilgrimage as they feel appropriate.