Another Saturday and more TGO Training 3.29.14

8.5 miles with Vicky today on the Lewis and Clark trail. Vicky has never been on the Lewis section always thinking she couldn't do it, even when we just walked this trail without any weight. She had full pack and aced through it.
 It was cold this morning 38 degrees and breezy with overcast skies

Vicky pointing to the Lewis Loop which she has never done- she grabbed it by the scuff of the neck and wrestled it to the ground- Vicky 1, Lewis Loop 0
 Vicky on Lewis Trail overlooking the Missouri River

Trying out the new hiking Kilt- a possibility for wearing while I cross Scotland in May!

Which way to Scotland - 38 days and counting

TGO Training continued....

Sunday March 23, 2014

11 more miles on the Lost Valley Trail carrying a full pack weight of 20 lbs. It was only 28 degrees when I started at 9 am. I managed to make it almost all the way around without bikes until the last 2 miles when I was overtaken by a dozen or so. There is a big race there next Sunday so I will have to find somewhere else to train next week. I also made another discovery on the trail. the Boone-Dunlap Cemetery. (That is Daniel Boone's family) I knew it was back here somewhere but until today I never saw it off the trail.






 It helps when you not looking down at your feet and can actually look up and around- you actually see things!

 Buried 1892


Small Child only lived 6 months. Died March 1879


11 miles = 3hr 20 min. started out 28 degrees finished in the sunshine but only 35 degrees.

More TGO Trail Training March 22 and 23 2014

Saturday March 22- Lewis and Clark Trail

More TGO trail training today. Vicky took her Mother to Memphis, TN., for her Mother's birthday so I did some speed training at the Lewis and Clark trail, along the Missouri River. 20 lbs pack weight. 8.5 miles in 2'24"















Also got to play with the new Cuben Fiber Duomid from Mountain Laurel Designs that will be out shelter for the two weeks across Scotland. It will be cozy for Vicky and I but it should keep the weather off of us and the weight off my back as it only weighs 12.5 oz for the Duomid and 13.5 oz for the Innernet






Music for the TGO Challenge

Everyone of my adventures has music. Music is a big part of my life and I have always had one piece of music that has fit in every adventure. The one that sets the tone for the entire adventure soundtrack. It has been eclectic for sure. EnigmaDepeche ModePatrick O'Hearn Music Official Page, Dead Can Dance, Ting Tings, George Winston. Lots of music speaks to me but there is usually one particular piece that speaks to me more than others around the time of each adventure. For the TGO Challenge Scotland in May it has become Clannad Music-Brave Enough from their new album Nadur. The music and lyrics really speak to me for the challenge ahead and appropriate as they originate close to the area of the adventure (Ireland)

TGO challenge training together begins March 15, 2014

Well training has actually been going on for months. Vicky has been in the gym and with a personal trainer since October/November. I have continued to referee hockey games and work out on my own, but today we hiked together and it was a great success. We went out for a little hike together on the trail to give Vicky an idea of what her pack would feel like (it is loaded with accurate gear and the actual weight she will carry- 12 lbs) and I had a pack with a few items as well. I was hoping for 3-4 miles, but Vicky did the entire 11 mile loop at Lost Valley Trail.
BIG SUCCESS and WELL DONE. with 52 more days to train it is a good start.

 We started around 9:30 and it was in the 60's already. Winter is trying to hang on (as it is snowing again the next day as I type this) but today was a great day to walk

 Lost Valley is also a bike trail and there were many mountain bikes out but we still had long sections where we were the only ones on the trail.

 Good creek crossing practice with the pack

 We only stopped for a brief 15 minute break and we were back on the trail

 The trail covers mixed terrain- Gravel road, double track dirt and single track woods 
Vicky at the 10 mile mark with just the 1 mile left to the parking lot and car. A great first effort and I reminded her that is the distance from Inverey to Sourlies Bothy the first day of the TGO Challenge!  She was very excited.

11 miles = 4.5 hours full pack weight. no blisters and while her feet hurt, by evening it was all forgotten and ready to do it again.


Support Our National Parks - Preserve - Protect - Enjoy