2024 January - June Backpacking Round-up

View to the south from the slopes of Lower Pilot Knob – Hercules Glades Wilderness. Unfortunately, I only had my cell phone with me. Three days backpacking, January 2024. Copyright © 2024 Gary Allman, all rights reserved.

The year thus far has been a bit different. It started well with two trips out in January, followed by another four trips by the end of April, including a three-day outing to the Mark Twain National Forest to watch the total solar eclipse.

Uh oh! Pills out on the trail can only mean one thing. Yup, the dreaded AFIB has struck again. Going as slow as I could, and taking a rest at what seemed like every few yards, it was still a struggle to bring and keep my heart rate down, and impossible to get it to settle into a regular rhythm. Solo backpacking in Paddy Creek Wilderness, March 2024. Copyright © 2024 Gary Allman, all rights reserved.

But — there’s always a ‘but’ — on two of the trips my heart decided to play up a bit more than usual. Dehydration and heat seem to be the main triggers. The lack of water on the trails (and my own ~~stupidity~~ reluctance to carry huge amounts of water) was probably contributory. In May the temps rose quickly, so I have kept off the trails.

I’ve been working on combating the problems by regular (4-5 times a week) strength training and cardio exercise (running). Throw in some new pills, and prospects are a lot better. I’m looking forward to some excellent fall & winter backpacking — that’s if it rains enough to put water back in all the dried-up creeks and springs.

So far in 2024 I’ve hiked just over 78 miles, climbed 6,100 ft and spent 13 nights in my hammock. If I want to hit my 240-mile target, I’ve got 160 miles to cram into the rest of the year.

Once again, all of my trips were to places I’ve hiked before, so, no new places to report about.

Below are links to trip write-ups published on my personal blog if you want to check any of the trips out.

Gear Changes

I’m really very happy with my setup so apart from replacing some broken and worn-out gear and doing a little bit of experimenting, it’s all very much the same.

I bought a Hammock Gear Circadian Hammock, not that there was anything wrong with my Dutchware Gear Chameleon, but because it was the only hammock I’ve used, and I wanted to broaden my experience. I probably ought to write a Comparision review.

Hammock set up at ‘Paddy Creek Trolltunga’ It’s good to be back, I had to put in a long hike (with AFIB) today to get here, but it is such a great place to set up camp. Solo backpacking in Paddy Creek Wilderness, March 2024. Copyright © 2024 Gary Allman, all rights reserved.

I’m trying out some daisy chain webbing for my hammock suspension — Thus far I’m liking it. It is light and very simple. February 2024. Copyright © 2024 Gary Allman, all rights reserved.

I switched out my Dutchware tree straps with buckles for Daisy chain straps with carabiners. And thus far I prefer the daisy chains.

I’ve reintroduced a sit-pad into my gear — Just because I can.

I tried a gas cannister stove for one trip — an experiment I won’t be repeating any time soon. The Fancee Feest Cat Can stove, and my Firebox Nano stove are perfect for my needs.

I bought a pair of Bedrock Cairn Evo PRO Sandals (not an affiliate link) to replace a pair of Luna sandals that broke mid-hike back in December 2023. They are, in my opinion, much better than the Lunas they replaced.

New hiking Sandals — I’m not sure when they stopped calling shoes like these huaraches, but sandals seems to be the current nomeclature. The are Bedrock Cairn Evo PRO Sandals. So far I am much prefering these to my Luna sandals. Solo backpacking in Paddy Creek Wilderness, March 2024. Copyright © 2024 Gary Allman, all rights reserved.

I had to replace one of my hiking poles, because I accidentally broke one in March. I toyed with idea of trying a different brand, but the ones I have, have worked great so far, so why change?