Tick, tick, tick
Submitted: Thu, 27 Aug 2009 | Views: 14 | 1 comments
Times a tickin' faster and faster as we get closer to take off. I am busy getting ready, getting shots, getting fit, getting geared.
Went to the Consulate General of India on monday to get a visa to enter the country and as expected the details on the website have changed and the office has moved...oh well the paper work is in and the visa is paid for, now they just need to get it to me along with returning my passport. I have started my shots at the doctors, I got Tetneus and Twinrix and I go for a consultation and more shots next Friday at the Simcoe County Travel clinic. The Dr gave me a check up and some blood work and with a very puzzled look he asked me.. "what does one do in Nepal?" I told him, "one hikes!"
Speaking of hikes: Hiking has been my number one fitness activity over the last months and I am ramping things up considerably. I am up to 53lbs in my pack and putting on some serious miles on hills! I also did a 10 mile hike on Saturday. I am doing an experiment/trial on my gear this week. As I will have only limited space and a target pack weight of around 25lbs, the amount of gear will be sparce. So to make up for it I have spent the money and bought IceBreaker base/mid/heavy layers that are touted to be somewhat amazingly odour free even after many many days on the trail. That being said I know that one t-shirt etc will not last me 30 days! So I tried hiking in one of their T-shirts, underware and socks for 4 days without washing them and would you beleive they are amazingly still going strong...no, not the smell. The t-shirt is totaly amazing, the underware not bad at all but the socks smell like my boots...which is more to do with my boots than the socks I suspect. Now here is the fun part....They all need to be cleaned and dried at some point and with no laundry service, I have started my next test. After the forth hike I simply jumped into the shower wearing the t-shirt, underware and socks and proceeded to shower them clean. The I finished my shower, rung out the clothes and hung them on the deck...the deck will be replaced with my backpack once we hit the trail and the plan is to let them dry as I walk. So far so good, I think my plan of: 3 pairs of socks and underware, 2 t-shirts, 2 long sleeve baselayer shirts, 1 midweight, 1 heavy, 2 pairs of pants, 1 swim shorts, 1 long undeware, 1 rain/wind outlayer jacket, sleeping bag, maps, guides, personal items, camera, pen, journal, 2 pairs sunglasses, 1 mitts, 1 hat, 1 bandanna, 1 water bladder and filter and some small odds and ends is totally doable. Next test: Fit all this gear into my Osprey, Kestral 48L pack!! That will be for next week but time is a tickin'....tick tick tick!
Comments 
Thu, 17 Sep 2009 at 2:08 AM, by
Mountain Sherpa Trekking & Expeditions
I found this blog very useful. thanks for all you effort to write such a nice blog.
Mountain Sherpa Trekking & Expeditions
Phone NO. 0977-1-4417389
Fax No. 0977-1-4435828
website:http://www.guidenepal.com
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Sat, 31 Oct 2009 at 2:07 PM, by
Inga
OK John I've got you on my "favourites" so I will be checking in on you regularly. Hope you have an awesonme trip and looking forward to hearing from you while you are there......we'll miss you while your gone but can't wait to hear all about it and see all the photos when you get back