Post Mountain Update 2

Well, I’ve got a couple of videos related to food 🍿 to share with you. This will be my last post about the preparations leading up to the mountain climb. It should get us caught up with what I filmed before leaving and had intended to publish on my climb if I hadn’t ran into technical problems with copying footage to my iPad.

This first video shows how I packed and sorted my food, along with what types of meals I planned to eat on the trip. I filmed it around 3:30 in the morning the day I left. My fiancé was sleeping and I was pretty tired so I’m speaking quieter than normal 🤫 . I’ll be doing a follow up video later on regarding how well all of this food planning ended up working out.

The second video is a recipe for some dehydrated ground beef. From what I hear, dehydrated ground beef isn’t very enjoyable. It can get a rancid taste and also it doesn’t tend to re-hydrate well since there’s not much there to reabsorb water. I found a recipe shared by Dixie over on her channel HomeMade Wanderlust that looks to solve that problem so I’m giving it a shot.

Here’s the recipe:

• Ingredients

  • 1 lb 93% lean ground beef (It needs to be 93% to help prevent the rancid taste)

  • 1/2 cup bread crumbs

• Instructions

  • Combine raw ground beef, breadcrumbs and salt & pepper to taste in a bowl until thoroughly mixed

  • Brown ground beef mixture in skillet

• Rinse it in hot water to remove as much grease as you can

• Drain well and dry with paper towels, again to remove as much grease as possible

• Use parchment paper or buy a fine mesh screen for your dehydrator if you need to prevent it from falling through the grates

• Dehydrate on 145℉ (60 ℃) for about 6 hours (you’ll know when its completely dry). You can mix it around during drying to dry more evenly if you want.

Stay tuned to the end of the video to see how well it tasted on the trip and also get a sneak peak at some of the first footage from the mountain.

Post Mountain Update 1

Well, I started my climb and if you follow me on social media, you’ll know how it went. I meant to edit 2 videos on the drive out to Colorado, but the source videos didn’t copy to my iPad correctly and so I’ve been eager to get this and another preparation video uploaded for you.

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So rewind time in your mind for a moment and pretend it is still the night before I’ve left and am still packing my gear. In this video you can see all of the gear I set out with on the trip. In future videos I’ll review how the gear performed and what I would have changed about my 59 pounds of stuff.

Here is a link to the spreadsheet I used to keep track of all of my gear, its weight, and if I planned on packing it: Gear Weight List

If you’re interested in buying something, please consider using my links below to help support my page and channel. It costs you nothing, but I get a small cut if you use one of my links. I’ve tried to put the gear names and links in the order I show them in the video and noted if the item is no longer available.

Gear Links

• REI Co-op Flash 55 Pack (Out of Production) - Alternative: https://www.rei.com/product/148589/rei-co-op-flash-55-pack-mens

• Therm-a-Rest Appogee Quilt - Regular (Out of Production) - Alternative: https://www.rei.com/product/148793/rei-co-op-magma-trail-quilt-30

• REI Co-op Hammock Underquilt - https://www.rei.com/product/118931/rei-co-op-hammock-underquilt

• SeaToSummit Aeros Pillow Premium Regular - https://www.rei.com/rei-garage/product/167441/sea-to-summit-aeros-pillow-premium-regular

• REI Co-op Flash Insulated Air Sleeping Pad Regular - https://www.rei.com/product/110723/rei-co-op-flash-insulated-air-sleeping-pad

• REI Co-op Quarter Dome Air Hammock - https://www.rei.com/product/128163/rei-co-op-quarter-dome-air-hammock

• Gonex 30L Lightweight Packable Backpack Handy Travel Daypack - https://amzn.to/2LGtWSh 

• EnergeticSky Ice Cleats - https://amzn.to/2SJsaAd 

• Joy Walker Backpack Rain Cover - https://amzn.to/2SJsm2p 

• WEHE Hammock Straps - https://amzn.to/30WXmyX 

• VANWALK Aluminium 12KN Wiregate Carabiners - https://amzn.to/318kISv 

• Ascend Acadia Trekking Poles - https://www.cabelas.com/product/camping/hiking-navigation/trekking-poles/pc/104795280/c/576451080/sc/104384880/ascend-acadia-quick-lock-trekking-poles/3233955.uts?slotId=2

• Tilley Mash-Up Hat - https://www.rei.com/product/863682/tilley-mash-up-hat

• The North Face Fanorak Rain Pullover - https://www.scheels.com/p/mens-the-north-face-fanorak/1486-NF0A3FZL.html?cgid=mens-jackets-coats#sz=24&start=2

• Levi’s Cotton Bandanas - https://amzn.to/2Mk3Zr9

• THDa Men’s Base Layer Set - https://amzn.to/2YkNcGx

• REI Co-op Multi Towel Lite - https://www.rei.com/product/127504/rei-co-op-multi-towel-lite

• Clevedaur Men’s Underwear - https://amzn.to/2Mh05ix

• Danish Endurance Merino Wool Hiking Socks - https://amzn.to/2SHpJ11 

• WhiteSierra Kalgoorlie Long Sleeve Shirt - https://www.scheels.com/p/mens-white-sierra-kalgoorlie-long-sleeve-shirt/1898-D4765M.html#q=whitesierra&prefn1=Gender&prefv1=Men&start=6

• North Face Paramount Trail Convertible Pants - https://www.scheels.com/p/mens-the-north-face-paramount-trail-32-in.-convertible-pant/1486-NF0A2WLAPLW-32.html?cgid=mens-pants#prefn1=Pant_Type&prefv1=Convertible&start=5

• WateLvs Watershoes - https://amzn.to/2JWiRug

• Xero TerraFlex Trail Running Shoes - https://xeroshoes.com/shop/terraflex/terraflex-men/

• RedHead Ripstop Utility Vest - https://www.cabelas.com/product/REDHEAD-RIPSTOP-VEST/3178328.uts?slotId=4

• Coghlan’s Mosquito Head Net - https://www.scheels.com/p/coghlans-mosquito-head-net/05638908941.html

• Chums Marsupial Wallet - https://amzn.to/2LIhgdB 

• Victorinox Siwss Army Signature Lite PocketKnife - https://amzn.to/2LJzRWp 

• Jetboil Flash JavaKit Camping Stove - https://amzn.to/2JZb9j3

• SeaToSummit Collapsible Bowl - https://amzn.to/2ydwiPt

• Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter - https://amzn.to/2SK4zzw

• GSI Outdoors Infinity Backpacker Mug - https://amzn.to/311jCYi

• Sea To Summit Alpha Light Spork Long - https://www.rei.com/product/899045/sea-to-summit-alpha-light-spork-long

• Jetboil Jetpower Fuel (Not affordable online due to shipping safely)

• Biodegradable Toilet Paper - https://www.walmart.com/ip/Coleman-Biodegradable-Toilet-Paper-4-Pack/13848682

• GSI Outdoors Cathole Sanitation Trowel - https://www.rei.com/product/799009/gsi-outdoors-cathole-sanitation-trowel

• Coughlan’s Camp Soap - https://amzn.to/2SHrlIc

• Johnson’s Baby Powder - https://amzn.to/2yhsyN6

• Combat Wipes Active Outdoor Wet Wipes - https://amzn.to/32RIbsC

• Schrade Hatchet - https://amzn.to/2YkCHmz

• MPOWERD Luci EMRG Solar Light - https://amzn.to/2YsAYvS

• CRKT Minimalist Bowie Neck Knife - https://amzn.to/2JUrTI3

• Knife Sharpener - https://amzn.to/2SKvXgB

• Rite in the Rain Weatherproof Soft  Cover Notebook - https://amzn.to/2SGGsSa 

• Rite in the Rain All-Weather Durable Clicker Pen - https://amzn.to/2JYgSWh

• Emergency Blanket - https://amzn.to/2Yr2E8o

• Emergency Rain Poncho - https://amzn.to/2SIDVXV

• Tear-Aid Fabric Repair Kit Type-A - https://amzn.to/312ebsu

• WetFire Tinder - https://amzn.to/2LKLTz6

• Coughlan’s Trail Compass - https://amzn.to/2YjG39v

• DJI Mavic Air Fly More Combo - https://amzn.to/32WssbA

• Garmin inReach Mini - https://amzn.to/30ZeWCk

• Garmin fēnix 5X Plus Watch - https://amzn.to/30XqHt4

• GoPro Head Strap - https://amzn.to/2ydGWWy

• GoPro Hero 7 Black - https://amzn.to/2SS0qK5

• Sametop Backpack Strap Mount - https://amzn.to/30X1XkH

• GoPro Hero 7 Black Spare Battery - https://amzn.to/2YkDPXl

• Canon PowerShot SX740HS - https://amzn.to/2SLk0aH

• Fujifilm X-T3 Camera w/XF18-55mm Lens - https://amzn.to/2YqoOaN

• Watson X-T3 Spare Battery - https://amzn.to/32RLCiY

• DJI Osmo Pocket - https://amzn.to/30ZIOi8

• DJI Osmo Pocket Expansion Kit - https://amzn.to/314Xgp7 

• tinyRigs Oslo Pocket Pocketable Case - (Sold Out)

• Wide Angle Lens for DJI Osmo Pocket - https://amzn.to/2LItumj

• DSLR Camera Case FlexArmor - https://amzn.to/30XRR2R

• ThinkTank Digital Holster 10 V2.0 - https://amzn.to/311mZhU

• JOBY GorillaPod 3K - https://amzn.to/2SJeDcc

• Garmin Tempe - https://amzn.to/312fzvc

• MagicFiber Microfiber Cleaning Cloths - https://amzn.to/30WK3OV

• Rechargeable LED Headlamp with Magnetic Shell - https://amzn.to/2YoLhRx

• Anker PowerCore+ 26800 PD - https://amzn.to/2XMlaUe 

• Jackery AC PowerBar 23200 Portable Charger - https://amzn.to/311lkJc

• COSORI Vacuum Sealer - https://amzn.to/2LJvfj8

• Outry Waterproof Multi-Purpose Tarp - https://amzn.to/2JXzxBx

Mountain Climbing - Day 2

Yesterday we made it to Denver around 7 p.m. and went to REI to get some gear Seth was missing for his hammock. After making use of their restroom and picking up a few things we probably didn’t need (it’s REI after all) we grabbed 1 last quick bite of non-camp food at a place called Brider. They offer food sensitive options. I had a pretty good French Dip, though they added horse radish to it which isn’t my favorite, but not bad. Then they paired it with the most boring chips in the world that tasted like just burnt potatoes.

Brider French Dip

Then we drove another hour and by the time it was dark, we tried to find a camp site to setup our hammocks and grab a bit of sleep. Everything was, of course, full, so we drove on another hour to Gore Creek campground and ran into the same issue. It’s different here than in parks in Nebraska where they just have big areas for tent/hammock camping. Here everything had an actual spot so it limits the amount of people who can camp.

We decided to sleep in the car which was really uncomfortable. I’m no stranger to sleeping in a car. I used to do it regularly when driving back and forth to college. Last night however started out warm. We had the sun roof open a crack. I unbuttoned my shirt, took of my socks and was in shorts sleeping in the passenger seat. Seth tucked in in the backseat.

Around 2 a.m. it started to get cold and it kept getting colder down to about 49 outside. I woke Seth up enough to get help closing the sunroof. Then I did my best to use my vest as a blanket and tried to pull the bottoms of my pants up in between dozing. Eventually I woke up enough as it got colder to realize how dumb I was and actually zipped the pant legs on so they wouldn’t fall down and put my vest on properly. Socks and shoes also went on.

Jump forward another hour and we both went diving for our quilts in our bags and then were able to get a good hour or so of sleep. Needless to say, it wasn’t the most restful slumber to start our journey. As cold as it got, I’m wishing I had 1 more blanket with me to go between my hammock and my sleeping pad. I may just need to use my emergency blanket as an extra barrier.

We’re on the road again now headed for Half Moon Campground which is the start of our trip to the top.

We just woke up

Mountain Climbing - Day 1

This should give you a little bit better idea of what we’re climbing.
See the 3D render from the image below here: https://www.google.com/maps/@39.4277307,-106.4760719,2199a,35y,357.93h,63.63t/data=!3m1!1e3

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The trail we’ll be climbing is roughly along the yellow line. If we’re feeling spunky we can finish with the blue line instead of going back along the yellow.

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Here’s a view from the opposite direction looking from the trailhead up to the peak.

Mountain Preparation - Day 175 - The Final Day

Stay tuned in to this blog post throughout the day and night because video updates are going to be coming in as I finalize everything.

Well, my plan was to edit more prep videos on the drive to Colorado today (July 19), but it looks like all the footage didn’t copy to my iPad so I have nothing to edit. :( I’m sorry. I’ll make sure to post all of it when I get back as follow up videos.

Bug Protection

The question is, how to protect yourself from ticks, chiggers, and mosquitoes in the woods for 7 days? It would be heavy to carry that much bug spray with you so are there any alternatives?

Sawyer Permethrin Bug Repellent: https://amzn.to/2JO03vV