Does this pack make my butt look big? It’s hard to check the fit of a new pack when you’re home alone. But there’s always a way in this new digital world. (I’m sure to get comments on that location for carrying an iPhone as awkward and difficult to frame the snapshot on the trail.)
Our cadre of UL hikers are heading out for an exploratory trip into the southern region of Canyonlands. Will, the veteran explorer, has this region pretty well dialed in, but he is always looking for a new path thru the sandstone bluffs. Topo map’s can’t give you a true answer whether a route down thru boulders or up a hillside is “doable”, but Google Earth 3D gives you a little more encouragement.
As you can see from the tracks superimposed on Google Earth in photo on the right, Will has covered and explored much of this region already. It’s a real pleasure to hike with him and benefit from his extensive knowledge of these areas.
The only downside to checking out these routes is that you have to carry a lot more water than normal. Six liters is what we’re planning on for this section and that’s 13.23 pounds of water. Which is 4 pounds more than my *Base Weight of 9 pounds. Fortunately our 5 day food weight will be down some from the approach hike and that water weight will decrease each hour we’re on the trail.
Regarding the new pack in the top photo: It’s a zPacks Zero (weighs in at 13 oz with extra custom features) that I ordered last Fall and haven’t had an opportunity to test it out. It’s only 5 ounces less than my other UL pack but was time to upgrade and save the other one for heavier loads.
Acclimating back in Durango isn’t quite complete, although the important things like taxes, re-stocking the larder, and getting back to the gym routine have been accomplished. The transition from sea level to the Rockies takes 21 days for the hemoglobin to increase it’s oxygen carrying capacity and that’s only 2/3’s done.
A couple of river trips are next on the schedule after this 5 day adventure in the Utah desert, and by then the snow’s will be greatly receded and hiking in the high country will be possible. Come join us. I’ve got an extra UL pack now.
*BaseWeight – Total weight on your back without consumables (water, food and fuel)
