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Author:	Kat	Created:	1/2/2009 1:23 AM
Learn about my newest great adventures in the Great Outdoors! Expect to hear a lot about the big Grand Canyon Backpacking Trip of '09!

Down 6, Hiking and Eating Out

By Kat on 3/13/2009 8:29 AM

I am officially scared about our big Grand Canyon Hike. I haven’t been able to get to the gym or anywhere else in two weeks! Jay and I had a short hike carrying our ½ packed backpacks but my lung capacity sucks ever since I got that cold. I’m feeling a lot better so I’ll probably restart my gym workouts on Saturday or Monday. I’m just worried. The bad part is that no matter how hard we practice and build our endurance up, it all goes into the toilet when we arrive at the top of the Canyon. Our hometown is only about 700 feet above

sea level. Compare that to over 8000 feet above sea level at the top of the Canyon. There isn’t really anywhere I can drive to and practice for that. 0 to 8000 right away. We might die. No joke.

Meanwhile, on our wimpy hike the other day we wore most of our new hiking outfits. I’m at an in between size for the convertible pants (pants with zippers that turn to shorts!) so I’m trying to lose a few more pounds so I’m not wearing my super cool hiking pants yet. Neither of us is wearing our sun hats and various other accessories. Please note our matching, cool wicking, convertible, 50 SPF shirts! I told Jay I wanted to get our names embroidered into them with a little thing under that says “Grand Canyon Hike ‘09” or something. His reply was, “Kat, this is NOT a church youth group trip”. Oh, and no we're not taking the dog.

There wasn’t much green around to be seen but there was this one tree that reminded me that once upon a time there must have been leaves on this tree but then calm fall came and then evil winter. I cannot wait for spring to be here. Mid -spring. However, the growth and greenery seriously cuts back on my desire to hike; too many bugs and spiders and poison ivy.

In other news, I’ve lost one more pound despite my lack of attendance at the gym. Now I’m down 6 pounds! Still no notice in my clothes or anything but I’m certain with the next 5 or so pounds I’ll notice the difference. That’s about when I had to go up a size to I’d have to lose close to a size, right? I’m not sure if it’s the not drinking alcohol or the not eating out that’s the most effective. Perhaps they are equally important.

The not drinking alcohol isn’t that hard. I do miss going to the wineries around here and enjoying a bottle of wine with dinner, however I’m okay without it. It might help that I AM seeing results. I do miss eating out a LOT! So many social events and get togethers revolve around eating at a restaurant! At least in my life they do. The only way that I’ve found it possible to deal with is that we’ve been having friends over and going over to friend’s houses to eat. It’s ALMOST like eating out….well. Okay it’s NOTHING like eating out but it’s still been fun!

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Packing List

By Kat on 3/9/2009 10:18 PM

In case you are new to my life, we are hiking the Grand Canyon in about a month. We’re camping at the top of the Rim on Day one, walking/backpacking/hiking to the bottom on day two, sleeping at the camp ground near Phantom Ranch (dormitories are FULL), hiking half-way up on day three (about 8 hours), camping and then hiking the rest of the way on day four (also about 8 hours).

I think I have the world’s longest packing list. Today I crossed a few things off of the “To Buy” list.

Here is all of my pretty gear. And yes, it IS all about comfort AND style (I learned this in my scuba diving classes when I was 12). Camping gear doesn’t really come in pink so I’ve settled for red and burnt orangish red.

This is the GoLite Odyssey Internal Pack for Women in the color "Lipstick". It only weighs 3lbs5oz! This is a great weight. Jay's backpack weighs 6lbs in comparison.

This is my Slumberjack, right zip 30 degree sleeping bag in an almost perfect color match with my backpack! It is a mummy bag and will hopefully keep me toasty enough on the first night where we could face freezing temperatures and then keep me comfortable at the bottom of the canyon where it could be really, really hot!

Perfect fit in the bag, as long as I don't use it!

This is the handy travel container my mom gave me for Christmas. In it you see earplugs (I know each and every one of my travel companions snores!), Q-tips, dental floss picks, Aspirin to prevent heart attacks, my heart medication...probably also to prevent heart trouble and two empty spots -- I'm hoping to get prescription pain killers from my doctor!

Here you see very important items, this is called dinner. Jay is carrying the other half. We'll be packing many more salty snacks but this is a good start. Notice the three packages of Astronaut Ice Cream. My favorite part.

It's always good to be prepared for all kinds of weather!

And most important (or so I've been told) we have the foot wear. Here is my first pair of Smartwool socks, my pretty Columbia boots and some extra laces.

Tooth brush, paste, razor, ace bandage, contacts, solution, case, deodorant (you're welcome).

I know that I have so much more to go and so many more things on my list. I am open to suggestions. Just because you didn't see it here tonight doesn't mean it's not on the list, this is just all that I've purchased, organized and packed. Let me know, none of us have ever done this before!

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Getting Ready for the Grand Canyon

By Kat on 2/24/2009 11:46 AM

In a month and a half, we are joining 3 of our closest friends on a hike. You may have heard me talk about it a bit. The five of us are hiking to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and we are also hiking back out! After having “let myself” go over the past 5 or 6 years, I’m stepping up. It might be a little too much a little too late but I’m trying my hardest to get into shape for this hike. I don’t want to be the one holding anyone back!

Here is my plan:

Jay and I are NOT eating out for the next 30+ days (crossing off a task on my 101’s list). We’d like to make it for about 45 days but we’ll have to see!

I’ve been visiting the gym Tuesday-Friday and working out for 1 hour divided between the treadmill, elliptical and the bike. I’ve also thrown in a few weight machines each day. This week I’ll increase to 5 days (thus crossing off another task on my 101’s list). In two weeks, I’ll increase my time spent on the machines to 1 ½-2 hours total.

In March, I’d like to attend at least 1 hour long or more hike and complete it carrying my hiking backpack, loading it down with a little bit more gear each weekend.

I will not be consuming any alcohol for all of March and on into our hike.

I’m trying to eat healthier meals and make choices that are contributing to my success.

I’ve renewed my prescription for my heart medication and I’ll be taking it EVERY day (another crossed off my list!).

This plan has been well thought out and I cannot wait to see the results in April. So far I’ve lost almost 2 pounds. It doesn’t seem like much but I’m happy with it. I’d like to lose a total of 30 pounds in the next 3-4 months. Once I hit that benchmark, I’ll set another goal for the remaining 30 I have (ha, ha! Another crossed off if I can reach this). I do realize it took years to put it on but I’d like it to take a lot less time to take it off!

Does anyone else have any suggestions for me?

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