Coyote
I haven’t posted for a while. Lifes been busy and training has taken a back seat to life. I may pay for that in ten days. I have been working on a yard project for my son (cutting down about 20 trees, grinding stumps, leveling the land and planting grass, domestic stuff). My buddy Tim says I’ll be the best firewood cutter on the mountain, making fun of my lack of proper training. I also hurt my back and had that to get in the way. Since I last posted I may have only gone to hike three times and have gone to the stadium to hike up and down the steps with my pack. I’ve done that three times. So not much real training. I also have a foot injury but as long as I don’t turn it , it is o.K.
Today I went out and hiked about 5 or 6 miles maybe. Strange thing happened. I heard something crashing through the woods and thought it was a deer. Once I got a better look, it ended up being a very large coyote. He crossed the trail only about 15 yards from where I was resting. I don’t think he saw me, as I was sitting down and being very still. Made me very nervous though and I was paranoid the rest of the trip. you never know when those things are sick or could have rabies. Anyway I finished the hike and was pretty tired. I’ll go back out on Sunday and put in some more miles.
Equipment- I bought a new sleeping bag, thermorest, silk liner and a military sleeping bag cover (not crazy about the camo design, as I am tring to leave no traces of my military past to stick out. Al-Quida is known to have operated in Tanzania and I don’t want to stick out). The bag is only rated to 20 degrees, they recomend it be -20F. I think though that with the liner and cover that will get it close to zero. Seeing that I’ve spent some real time in cold conditions (200 miles above the artic cirlce in -60F, that was cold) I think I’ll survive. However, This could be my 2nd biggest miscalculation, right behind not training enough. I also bought some silk wicking long handle underwear, hiking poles, and a hat.
Tags: Travel
