Things...

Getting close...!!  Also getting tired of planning and experimenting, and whatever else there is that I've been doing.  I've spent the last couple days out in the woods on two treks.  Not very long, but fully geared up.  Its been rewarding, no soreness, no issues, nothing of concern.  I still am not completely geared up though.  I finally gave in and decided that I needed to buy a stove.  I purchased the MSR Dragonfly stove.  I wanted to use the aluminum can stove, but I have just gotten to the point where there are too many uncertainties.  Most profoundly, both whether I could actually get it to work properly, and whether I could even get the right kind of fuel in Sierra Leone.  So I've decided to just get a proper stove that can use any kind of fuel (white gas, kerosene, unleaded fuel, diesel, and even jet fuel!!) and would function in most any environment.  But... another cost...  :-/  One, that had to be done though. 

Otherwise, the only real things left are to finish up my medical kit, get a bed roll of some kind, and maybe a safari type hat. Also, extra batteries, toiletries, couple books, etc.  I have also decided that I will take a bit of food with me.  Maybe a few couple kilos (4-5 pounds) of rice, some energy bars, and some homemade beef jerky.  I am of course experiementing with makeing the jerky right now.  Not bad so far...  we'll see...  ;) Ultimately though, this week is about relaxing, getting into the woods with my gear, and trying to just get comfortable walking and in my gear.   

If I'm safe...

Another substantial development has come about.  I spoke to the one Peace Corps volunteer that I have been coresponding with fairly regularly now - "Alli".  I spoke with her for 30 minutes and 37 seconds using SkypeOut and calling directly to her mobile phone.  It cost $14.48!!!!  Holy #$@^#$%^#@!!!!!  I guess I won't be hearing from too many people while I'm over there.  There has got to be a cheaper way to do that...  We'll see.  Not sure how much data usage goes one with skype to skype online calls.  That would seem to be a heck of a lot cheaper on the whole, but this puts all the cost on me while in country. 

...why wouldn't he be??

But this call was great.  I learned one fundamentally profound thing: I WILL BE ABSOLUTELY FINE.  I know there are enough detractors (or in urban parlance - "Haters") out there that have been critical - even patronizing at times - regarding my trip.  I have tried to tell everyone that I will be absolutely fine.  And I will.  I'll probably be safer in Sierra Leone than driving through Newburgh, NY!!.  There are good people out there, and it sounds like a lot of them live in Sierra Leone!!  ;)  

Gear

So just about all of my gear has now arrived.  In the last few days I have gotten the solar panel and my new headlamp, as well as most of my clothing.  I have a pair of lightweight quick dry pants that zipper into shorts.  I also have gotten a microweight wool T-shirt for hiking and and a lightweight wool hoodie to keep me warm as needed.  These items will be my staple for the trekking part of the trip (i.e. the stuff to get all sweaty!!).  Today my water purifier and sleeping bag arrived as well.  The sleeping bag is a bit tight (i.e. as a mummy bag should be...), but super light and small.  

All-in-all, I'm pretty much all set.  I have everything I need except for a fully functioning stove.  This is still a bit tricky as I want to use the aluminum can stove but I can't get it to work just right.  I would hate to have to buy a stove, as the one I'd need to guarantee it would work was over $100.  So I'm just gonna keep trying...  ;)

This is gonna keep me warm late at night!!

But fact of the matter is that most all of my gear has arrived now.  I can now really start thinking about the last little things and how I want to pack everything up for the trip.  Someone asked me yesterday if I was ready to go, I was iffy on answering.  I would say unequivocally now - not 18 hours later - that yeah, I'm ready to go!!   

Can Stove... can not!!

So my stepfather and I spent last night trying to construct an aluminum can stove out of some old soda cans.  Two hours later we had had fire and we had had heat, but we hadn't had anything like what we were supposed to have.  :(  We tried two different kinds of stove constructions, but neither one seemed to work properly.  We are thinking its because of the fuel.  We first tried rubbing alcohol and then pulled some denatured alcohol of of a shelf somewhere.  It just didn't seem to be getting hot enough to really do what it was supposed to do. 

In the beginning it should be just a light flame in the middle, but once it gets up to temperature, the flames should come out the little rosets to look just like a typical burner.  Upon playing with it and practically pouring the alcohol over the entire stove, we still weren't getting it to work properly...  We got about 30 seconds out of it, but it couldn't maintain... :-/  Back to the drawing board...  :-/ 

Yeah... for about 30 seconds!!

Time to go...

(This post was written on Wednesday the 22^nd).

So I am starting to feel like I am very much mentally and emotionally ready to go. I have started to pretty much get all my gear together and have the bulk of what I'm going with. This is of course a big barrier both physically and mentally. Once you have the gear you're going with there is little left to really worry about. There are a few things that need to be done and obtained, but for the most part the main things are falling into place. I just got my Titanium cooking pot – wow, can you say light? It's literally like carrying nothing.  I cooked with it the other night as well, not bad, I think it will do just fine.  I just threw rice, greens, and some stew meat into it and let it cook.  Not bad - needed more spices, but good cooking-wise...

I also got the tiny flexible waterproof keyboard the other day. The phone should come at any time and this will tell me a lot. The keyboard is a little odd, but could certainly be gotten used to. This would seem like a coup if I could just go with the phone and the keyboard. I really would like to take the computer and would love to be able to just sit down and write as I am right now. However there is a bit of a concern for me with this. Despite being tiny, it is an emotional bulk. I would certainly have to worry about it. It is not big or heavy as computers go, but it is fragile and takes up space. Do I want to be bouncing through the jungle with it? What if I want to run and I have my pack on? Water? Security/Theft? These are all things that could become an issue. I wouldn't have to worry about these things quite the same with out it. I would feel much “lighter” I think. Be we shall see. I may not spend as much time as I thought moving around during this trip, who knows. If I am sedentary for some time then it would be a better scenario to have a computer, but I think I could get by otherwise. We'll see. I need to experiment.

I also have come to a bit of a dilemma about the shoes. I got my second pair and was feeling satisfied. But I went out for a long hour plus run on the AT Sunday and realized that that older pair is quite worn. There is a small hole starting to appear in the fabric of one of them, and the inside seems to have been worn down to the point where friction seemed to be starting to be an issue. Now I obviously will take that pair and they will be used. But the second pair I'm taking – the smartwool ones – do not seem exceptionally durable material wise. The fabric is wool and isn't woven so incredibly tight as to think that I could be off running through the woods with prickers and whatever else I might encounter not tugging or pulling at the fabric. So we will see, I guess it will depend on finances. But in an ideal world I would take a third pair (which was my original plan). I've looked into them, a little more tread and cushion would be helpful. They have trekking ones, but they are 125 dollars and made out of kangaroo leather. I would think this would be hot, the sport trekking ones are synthetic as are the running ones. Anyway, we shall see, both financially and practically.

The other thing I learned Sunday was that there really is a reason why no one uses silk for exercising and such, it does not manage moisture well, at least not the one I had on. It got soaked and then it started causing friction – I started to feel like it was going to rip my nipples off. They're still sore...

Today is Vaccination day, so that is again another big hurdle in this whole endeavor. Tomorrow Visa day, I leave in three and a half weeks, time to have everything together...

Practicalities

I still have a post to finish about positive developments with the Gamechangers athletics/track project, but while I am working on that I still have had a few other time sensitive things that need to be handled this week.  Wednesday is my second vaccination cycle - second round of Hep A/B and the Yellow Fever and Typhoid (both of which I have to get a prescription for).   Trying to get my self clean and healthy to make it easier to handle.  Should be interesting. 

I need to get more contact lens as well.  I have been using the same prescription and "one year supply" of contacts since 2006.  lol.  One year my butt.  ;)  But I don't have enough now to be certain if something happens while I'm there, and my glasses are from 2003/a mess.  I can't afford glasses as well, but contacts are a must.  Sadly though, in the US in order to order new ones you have to have a prescription from within one year - 2006 obviously doesn't qualify!! lol.  So working on getting something together for that. 

Still working on funding, if anyone wants to donate... now is the time!!  I leave in less than a month and am down to the bottom of my budget.  I want to say thank you to the few people that have already.  You know who you are!!

 

I also have started thinking more about my stove situation.  I want to use an aluminum can stove as it would be light and easy.  But I need to use denatured alcohol (methylated spirits, grain alcohol, rubbing alcohol, etc.) and I am not sure of availability over there, thus an inquiry is in order.  I found one typical backpacker stove that uses three different kinds of fuel (including gasoline) here which would have been ideally versatile - but it costs $125, so I'm gonna try the can stove first.  Maybe try to make it this afternoon...



On Thursday, right after Wednesday's vaccinations, I believe that I will be headed in to NYC to apply for my visa.  We shall see how that goes, but it is something that I am actually quite looking forward to.  Not sure why, maybe another finality thing.  I've also been trying to get some work done while in the Hammock, but not so comfortable to type in there.  It needs a pillow of some sort for sure to keep your head up.  Ok, so I need to get back to work.  Hope you are enjoying your day. 

What!?!?

Just not sturdy enough...

Dan?!?!  My REI superman...  was mistaken when he told me that my cookware was titanium, its aluminum.  I am not sure if you know that aluminum is actually not that great to cook on.  Some of the metal leaches into your food, which is of course not good.  So I may have to look at this again.  I also went out running last night with my headlamp and it didn't get the job done.  I got a light weight one from Petzl and the strap doesn't seem to be working well, not very secure.  I tried another one on while I was there and it seemed more stable, so I will probably exchange it.  The way the light worked wasn't really ideal either, so we will see how another one works out.  All told, I will be exchanging much of what I bought, the steripen, the headlamp, perhaps the the cookware (beggars may not always choose...), and even the camelbak bladder I bought doesn't have a valve to shut off the water (which I've already had an issue with on my other one).  The beauty of REI though is that they have the 100% satisfaction guarantee.  Meaning I can just go in and exchange them.  Fabulous store.

My finances are back to possibly being perilous as well, so I need to be careful about everything.  I had been told I would be getting unemployment, however, that may not be the case now.  Back to square one...

On a side note, I wanted to say that it had been a bit since I checked in on Crisis Watch (pdf), which is a great piece of information put out by Crisis Group.  And there it was - no Sierra Leone!  This group and publication specifically tracks crisis and war across the globe, and it has no mention of Sierra Leone at all.  In other words, its not in danger of a crisis!!

Shopping

So I headed out to spend my day yesterday in the Rhode Island branch of REI today.   They had a sale going on right now so it made sense to go today and walk up and down every isle to see what I needed.  I met three outstanding people (who happened to also work at REI as well!!) who were all extremely helpful - Dan, Nate, and Helga.  I spent the most time chatting with Dan as we went through the trip/what I'd need (I was there for over three hours...)  I purchased:

• The SteriPen Classic - which I will take back and exchange for the 'Adventurer'.  The classic was on sale so I figured I'd go with it and do the research when I got home.
• Camelbak 3 Liter bladder.  I now have a 2L and 3L.  They can fit into my pack together or seperately, so it gives me some versatility.
• A cooking pot set-up.  They had the GSI Halulite that is basically one big pot (big in camping terms) and then some other bowls that all pack into the one pot.  It s really light as the pot is titanium and the bowls plastic.  I don't even have to take the whole thing either.    
• I picked up some Sawyer permetherim insect repelant for clothing. You spray it on clothes and it should minimize insect issues.
• A leatherman plier/knife /tool set.
• A Petzl head lamp.  I am a bit sceptical with this one as I sacrificed some comfort for weight and a bit better light.  We'll see REI's 100% satisfaction guarantee makes it easy.  I will try it next thursday I think and if it doesn't sit right, I'll exchange it.  Worried about running with it and sweating - will it stay in place...  
• I also got a little lantern type light by black diamond.
• I finally got some body glide...
• I also got some tiny little containers for spices or something of the sort, and a 2L dry sack for whatever ends up in it.  

It was a costly trip, but I got good deals on some stuff and then the things I wasn't certain about put on my registry:

• Sleeping:  I got into the one Marmot sleeping bag I'd been looking at.  It was really warm, more than I'd want.  I tried out some sleeping mats but wasn't sure about using/carrying them, as well as cultural etiquette when sleeping at someone's house.  I also saw silk sleeping bag liners.  This seemed like a great option perhaps just in general.  If the sleeping bags are to warm (and $2-300) then maybe a $65 silk liner, with maybe some kind of bed pad type thing and another layer may be a more versatile way to use money and sleep well.  More for the same dollar.  We'll see, worth thinking about, but is it warm enough?  I just basically need a solid lightweight blanket!!  Any advice?  
• Solar power:  hhhmmmmmm....  this one is gonna be tricky.  After speaking to both my fathers about the computer and wattage, it seems that the ones they have there just aren't enough.  I need more wattage and then they get pricey.  This is going to be tricky.  I can't spend $2-300 on some giant solar panel that I can't walk with.  I need to learn more and see what I can do.  But if I can't get a solar panel that is functional I might have to use just the phone and keyboard - if possible... 
• I also found a nice pair of Nylon pants that zipper into shorts.  I just couldn't justify buying them yet though.  We'll see.  I have some other considerations for clothing and a lot of this.  I'll get that post written at some point here as well...  

Ok, so that was my day.  I can't say enough about the help I received today.  Dan had actually spent some time in Africa and had some good advice and pointers on what I'd be up to.  Like I said, good people.  

Gear List

So as per my 'Master List' post I am going to start putting together lists of what things have/need to be done.  The best place to start right now is with hiking/living gear as I just went to REI and spent about 2 hours chatting with 'Mark', outdoor extraordinaire...  Only person that might talk as much as I do, but this is certainly a good thing given that I am trying to learn as much of the nuances as I can.  I'll try to get into list form here and update progress as time passes.

Color?

Shopping...

Took a trip to REI yesterday to try to get my head a bit further around the upcoming endevour's equipment.  I've spent quite a bit of time hiking and running on trails, and a lot of time camping when I was younger, but never any real overnight backpacking tours like this one.  So I've gotta get as much informaiton as possible before I start buying anything.  REI is a great place, I've been into EMS and can walk around and look for days it seems without anyone speaking to me, and when I ask them things they rarely have much to offer.  Sad, customer service is apparently not a way to maximize profits I guess!!  lol.  Anyway, I had a list, started asking questions.  I'm planning on doing a week or so on the Appalachian Trail in August to get a bit of time out there before I go.  I've been spending a lot of time running on the trail, wonderful place.  Anyway, this post may be a bit distracted as the world cup is on...  Multi-tasking... 

Ok, so basically the issue is tropical camping and backpacking.  In general I need the lightest weight stuff I can come up with.  Obviously I'm going to be carrying it all in a pack on my back for some three months.  Problem is that that stuff is more expensive.  The other key issue with all of this is my desire to stay as "natural" as possible.  By this I mean, natural fibers, natural products, sustainable scenarios, etc.  There are two reasons for this, one allergies that I have to most synthetics, and second, principle.  If it doesn't happen naturally in naure, I'd like to not to be a part of it.  This of course is very difficult to do in our current world.  Especially in technical scenarios.  Everything is polyester.  It all does amazing things, keeps you dry, warm, cool, washes your backside, whatever.  But I want real, naturally occuring things, yet it is of course more costly to 'grow' in nature than to produce in a factory. 

I have been working with this for a while though so nothing new.  I usually wear cotton everything, but cotton doesn't do well in hot, sweaty environments.  Wool and Silk.  I've been looking at a company called Wintersilks which seems good and responably priced.  The wool however seems to be coming from Smartwool and that is a different story - wonderful quality, yet $60 for a T-Shirt.  Not sure if that is feasible on a budget that includes food stamps...   :-/  We'll see.  I'm still looking to approach Smartwool, Wintersilks, and Vibram on sponsorship basis. 

Prior to this expected aparrel disapointment though I went through all the gear.  I have a backpack that I used to backpack through Europe in 1999, and off and on in other terms since.  It would be adequate, but is not set up for a hydration bladder.  This is a bit of an issue.  I'll have to see if I can rig it up.  It is also not a top loading pack, but like a normal school backpack.  Easier to get to things I think, We'll see.  But I'm going to take it on my AT trips and see how it goes.  Hydration will be key.  I also don't want to show up in a developing country with new flashy stuff.  I'm poor myself (at least by american standards), so A, I can't aford it, and B, I don't want to present myself as someone capable of something I may not be.  This will already be hard to do.

Next, I looked at sleeping, both bags and shelter.  It's going to get 'down' to 60 degrees Fahrenheit (maybe 16C) at night, so its not going to be like I need much.  Of course though everything you see in NY for sale is warmer and they are mostly 'mummy' bags meaning no leg room.  But REI apparently has a 'sleeping sack' which is comfortable to 45 degrees (maybe 6-7C).  They have a down one which obviously could be good for my interests.  I still will entertain blanket options as I sleep year round in flannel and/or down.  Its going to be hot and humid there, so not to comfortable at times.  The other key to tropical treking seems to be to sleep off the ground.  'To much stuff going on down there' as I was told.  Makes sense, especially with the amount of moisture and rain.  I was looking for hammocks, but of course they don't stock them in West Hartford, Connecticut where I was.  Seems like they will be worth looking further into, but not what I expected (no white netted porch type!!).  Seemed like a sleeping bag that you just rope to trees and put a tarp over.  Again, we'll see, probably cost $200 - ouch.  I'll have to do some more online research. 

Cooking stoves... in going to Africa you never know what kind of scenarios you may find for fuel. So the most versatile one takes kerosine, diesel, and one other type of fuel for $130. It was the most versatile and most expensive - but you gotta eat!! Pots and pans, knives and forks.

My next big sticking point was more naturalist induced. Bugs and water. My helper was convinced that I needed deet, I thought he was joking. Hey, let me coat myself in chemicals just for fun and see if it bothers me... nope. I hate to be cynical, but its the only response I can take to what just seems so absurd to me. Same thing with water - no chlorene. Its a chemical that I, A, don't want to ingest, and, B, have always had trouble drinking and swimming in. But this is seen as blasphemy in what has become our artificially natural world. Iodine tablets are fine in "controled areas" such as the US, but apparently tantamount to suicide in other 'less clean' places. There was a UV neutralizer for $100. Lol, no chemicals, we'll see. As for the little critters, I'm thinking I'm going to stick with my brothers advice. When he went to Thailand for the summer he used "All Terrain Herbal Armor" and never got bit (while all the other students with deet regularly lost chunks of flesh!!)

Food however was a better conversation.  Not to much ideology that goes into drying food or dehydrating it.  There seems to be good harty food to be found in Sierra Leone, but I will certainly need to have some lightweight but dense protein with me.  Will probably do some of that before I go and for the AT trials.  Food there will be cheep, but I'm anticipating I will not get as much as I'm used to.  But how else do you understand a country but to live amidst it and use its own resources, at the levels those living there do...