Did some trekking today for the first time in 35 years...nothing major...just a little 6 mile day trip. Went to a place I've been before on trail I've walked before...the trail starts at 8000 feet and climbs to 9000 feet in about 3 miles. Never seemed all that hard before but today was very different. I carried my Traditions Kentucky rifle, horn and bag with just enough gear to do a little shooting. No shelter or other overnight gear. I was wearing traditional garb including soft soled moccasins...BIG mistake! Since I last walked this trail all the rocks have doubled in size, sharpened themselves to a razor edge, and placed themselves in the only place a moccasin could possibly fit. The trail has somehow increased it's steepness by at least a hundred percent. What should have taken about an hour and a half took three hours...one way! When I arrived at the top at least I got to shoot a few rounds before starting back down. My flinter shot beautifully, no misfires or hangfires and I even hit a few targets! Coming down took as much time as going up due to my feet feeling like they had been stomped by a maddened bull elephant. Now I know why we have had no posts about trekking...either nobody does this twice or the successful trekkers are supermen and wont speak to the rest of us. I was hoping to do some overnight trekking next, but unless I get some advise on how to survive without crippling myself...I don't know.
Flatfoot Ned
A few photos
(http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/7383/dscn0433an8.th.jpg) (http://img205.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dscn0433an8.jpg)(http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/151/dscn0415al2.th.jpg) (http://img208.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dscn0415al2.jpg)(http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/4705/dscn0419eu5.th.jpg) (http://img508.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dscn0419eu5.jpg)(http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/4012/dscn0421wj4.th.jpg) (http://img205.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dscn0421wj4.jpg)(http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/9558/dscn0423zt6.th.jpg) (http://img207.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dscn0423zt6.jpg)(http://img511.imageshack.us/img511/5545/dscn0424vs6.th.jpg) (http://img511.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dscn0424vs6.jpg)(http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/1922/dscn0425cd9.th.jpg) (http://img253.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dscn0425cd9.jpg)(http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/9666/dscn0428nt3.th.jpg) (http://img296.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dscn0428nt3.jpg)
Ned, at that altitude I think you did very well. I couldn't go 100 yards up hill at that altitude. 300 Feet above sea level is high for around here! :) Now when I was about 50 I could have done it without much trouble... go the 100 yards that is! ;D
Thank you for your kind words Gene, but just 10 years back I could hike 20 miles per day carrying a pack at that altitude...I must be getting ol.....ol............old! Nah...cant be that! Maybe gravity has increased due to global warming or smog, or something...that might explain why walking takes more effort then it used to. And the earth is going through a growth spurt...that explains why mountains are so much taller and steeper now.
Ned
What charge are you using in the flinter at this time Ned? I think I told you I may have some flints that will fit that small lock. Picked up some small gourds at the apple festable this weekend to make a flint primer flask, should have all the things I need.
She shoot's best with 50 grains fffg, although she likes 40 grains also. Main thing I've found is she needs to have her vent picked before every shot. Yea, I shur could use some more flints...the present one has had close to 75 shots on it. Might have to reverse the flint in the jaws soon
Ned
Bull frog, could you show us innocents how you make a priming flask out of a gourd? I'm on the lookout for new trade items and such and that might fit the bill! How bout a "How To"?
Looks like ya had a nice outing Ned and good weather to boot !
Looks like a heck of a nice day, and some beautiful country to boot.
Those are some pretty pics. 'Ceptin for that ol fart in the middle of all of 'em. ;D
Looks like you had a great time, Ned. That is some beautiful high country. We don't have anything that high around here in Ohio. Just corn and soybean fields!
No high country around here either
Nice pics ;D
Adam, I had about decided to take it easy on you due to your.....well....you know,....your little...mental problem. But not now! You've had it Bois de Vache!
Ned
Great pics, Ned.
but who was trekking with you?
Bigfoot. He's actually a pretty good camera thing...took a little training but he stopped trying to eat the camera now.
Ned
Well Mr. Bull, it will be a few days befor I can get to it, but if your really interested I will try to take pictures and let ned post them for a how too.
Some of those pictures turned out pretty good Ned.
Thank you Mr. Frog. When you have those ready for Bull I'd be glad to post them for you...or I can show you how, if you prefer.
Ned
Quote from: bull frog on October 21, 2008, 06:28:07 PM
Well Mr. Bull, it will be a few days befor I can get to it, but if your really interested I will try to take pictures and let ned post them for a how too.
Yessir I would like that and thank you very much!
Nice pics Ned.
Excellent job hiking that trail.
Those ar high allitudes.
I wouldnt make it.
I have that exact rifle,its a good shooter.
(http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p182/lg40402/target-2.jpg)
(http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p182/lg40402/tennesseerifle004.jpg)
Thanks Tom! Next time maybe an overnighter if I can figure out how to not cripple my feet.
Ned
Pack some gear,shelter,good wool blanket,water,and some grubb.
Dont forget coffee or tea.
(http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p182/lg40402/TNRifle026.jpg)
Tom, what size is that backpack?
Ned
Its a canvas longhunters bag I got for $18.00.
Its 9x10.
Good lookin trekkin gear, Tom. 8)
Thanks Adam.
Nice looking country Ned, i`ve always wanted to live in the mountains.
Funny how the older we get the more things hurt isn`t it.
Maybe we just become more alert to the pain we've always felt.
Ned
Quote from: Ned Christy on October 24, 2008, 10:17:37 PM
Maybe we just become more alert to the pain we've always felt.
Ned
Yepper :D
ooowweee looks like mighty fine country! beautiful beautiful.
ya done good.
I'll let ya in on a little secret; insoles...shhhh don't tell anyone. I always wear the plastic insoles that I had made to fit my feet to give support for my arches, they work great to stop the rocks too. shhhh don't tell, I want every one to think I'm a real mountainy man (whoops woman)!
nice kit there tomg!
Z
Thank you Zan, I'll have to try that.
Ned
wish i would have seen this sooner! you know ned, on my mocc's i use thick hard leather for the souls, with a wool insoul and soft leather on top. makes for a real comfey mocc. also considering the altitude i think you did great! not smart at your age, but great. and thats not meant to be an insult, its just that you really need to work up to it. i live at 7000ft these days and trek all the way up to 13,000ft. right after the first of the year me and a couple of buddies are going on a 2-3 day trek up around 10,000ft in the snow! and i promise to post pics when the time comes.
Hey! Whadaya mean my age...I represent that! Your right though...I should have worked up to it. I was above 7000 foot elevation most of the summer and didn't think I had lost my acclimatization. Oh well...live and learn. Yeah, I really want to see those photos...lots of em! My age....such nerve! Young whippersnappers got no manners!
Ned
lmao!!!!!!!!you never got acclimatization!it takes 3-6 months and a lot of red meat! lol!!!!!!!!! your body needs time to produce extra red blood cells. i know when i leave my mountain, and i'm doing anything strenuous, i feel like Hercules! and i know it took at leas 6 month for me at this altitude! but still you did real good with out dying! also those mocc's, i looked again and um,,,,,,that wasnt your finest hour. like i metioned before, hard souls! and thanks for the complement! been a long time sense someone accused me of being young, least of all my granddaughter! lmao!!!!!!!
Jean, you could have let this out and I wouldn't have minded: "but still you did real good with out dying! also those mocc's, i looked again and um,,,,,,that wasnt your finest hour."
Ned
Quote from: Ned Christy on December 25, 2008, 03:38:55 PM
Jean, you could have let this out and I wouldn't have minded: "but still you did real good with out dying! also those mocc's, i looked again and um,,,,,,that wasnt your finest hour."
Ned
i was refering to the moccs not the trek, sorry ned
ROFL Ned... if the shoe fits wear it! ROFL
Jean....your forgiven. Gene...your not! That was a terrible joke!
Ned
seriously! i did mean the moccs, i think its great you got out and did it! and you should more, not nessisarily at that altitude. i think all of us should get out and do more trekking!
Jean, I knew what you meant....but it was a great chance to pull your cord. And I plan on a lot more including overnights this spring and summer...see, we old codgers have a lot of time on our hands and get to go whenever we want...as long as it doesn't over stress our worn out old body's too much of course. And around my area anything below 6000" is mostly private land...so I'll just have to risk keeling over at higher altitudes. Oh well...what a way to go!
Ned
Being in great shape at low altitude helps when at 7-10,000 feet. However it's still a real chore to go uphill or even downhill. I'm speaking from personal experience. ;D
Ned...... now you know I was just kidding.................hmmmmm, now that I've had a chance to think about it while reading your reply,.... maybe not! blah blah blah
Ned said "Bigfoot. He's actually a pretty good camera thing...took a little training but he stopped trying to eat the camera now."
It is my dream to move to Eastern Oklahoma and live amongst the bigfoot. Allthough the Okie/Texan bigfoot or skunk apes are not too friendly from what I hear.
Looking good Ned. I really like that "Hawg Gun".
The moccasins were the big mistake. I've worn the darned things for years, and learned the hard way that if you can't walk on something barefoot, moccasins ain't gonna help a whole lot. I have very tender feet (a sign of culture and breeding, I'm sure ;)) and I say to heck with 'authentic' and get the thickest soled boots I can find.
Thanks for sharing!
Dave
Some great country up there.
Just caught this- I'm with NorthwoodsDave on the footwear issue. Did 6 miles on the rocks wearing tennis shoes; my feet hurt bad for close to a week. From then on, I've pampered my feet with Real hiking shoes. If period correctness is an issue, they can be covered up on the outside. Cell phones, first aid kits, GPS, coolers and whatnots are allowed in PC camps if hidden, so why not good shoes? When my feet hurt, I hurt all over! Those mocs will feel real good back at camp.
williedee, with a little planning, a good pair of moccs are better than the best hiking boot. in one word, "GEL INSOLES"
INSOLES! I got a pair of mocc's and put some cheap insoles in them and went around the hillside here all day with no discomfort! The bigger rocks and stones could still be felt before I put my full weight on them and evrything was peachy.. I have very tender feet ( haven't gone barefoot for over 30 years - not even swimming!)
None of your photos are available, it's July 3, 2016 now, I was looking forward to the photos. Crap.
Ol' Ned founded this forum and left us several years ago. We most all have fond memories of him and his hack saw.. Guess nobody is maintaining hi s photos..
Doug
I'll take the heat for this - was an oversite on my part - I should have asked bigfoot (Dryball's son) to add any photo's in his dad's photobucket account to the website storage so we could have them in perpetuity(forever).
The main reason the site is still here is that Bigfoot generously pays the bills and maintains the website to honor his father's memory.
We should all send Bigfoot a thank you for this! I my be the chief factor but Bigfoot controls the site and has all the passwords and pays the bills!
A big thumbs up to Bigfoot. thmbsup
Thanks.
Thanks to Dryball for starting the sight and Bigfoot for keeping the bills paid.
The main reason the site is still here is that Bigfoot generously pays the bills and maintains the website to honor his father's memory.
We should all send Bigfoot a thank you for this! I my be the chief factor but Bigfoot controls the site and has all the passwords and pays the bills!
[/quote]
Thank you Bigfoot! God bless you as well.
Quote from: flintboomer on July 10, 2016, 02:53:14 AM
Thanks to Dryball for starting the sight and Bigfoot for keeping the bills paid.
:applause: :applause: flwa flwa
thmbsup Thanks Bigfoot! This forum is one of my favorite places to peruse and enjoy myself. I came around long after Dryball's passing but I hope I am helping to keep this site going forward in line with his vision and wishes. You are giving us all a great gift.
thmbsup thmbsup thmbsup thmbsup thmbsup
flwa flwa flwa flwa thmbsup thmbsup thmbsup thmbsup