Johnny Outdoor

I have been really getting amped up to go hiking with my wife sometime this March. I have been in the market for a new backpacking stove. Not sure if I want the Pocket Rocket or Whisperlight. They are both pretty small and compact. There is a difference of about $30 between the two. I will have to do some research and get one soon. I will be in the area of REI this weeknd so maybe I will pick one up then.

I'm guessing this trip will be fairly small in regards to distance. I am thinking between the 15-20 mile range over the course of 2 days. That should be good enough to break in the season with. It may still be kind of chilly that time of year there. I will have to look up the average tempratures for that area and time of year. I will be sure to document it with some pictures and tales of what happened.

I would suggest to anybody that is on the east coast and can get to Shenandoah NP should do it. It seems like you can get in the "backcountry" pretty easily and be alone for a while without seeing another sole. I think a mid-week trip would be prefered over a weekend trip. I have been lucky in my travels there in choosing trails that nobody hikes. I have seen about 5 people on the trails in the 2 trips down there last year.

I will have to look at maps and books again tonight so we can start getting an idea as to what and where the hell in Shenandoah we want to hike. I imagine this timeof year it's kind of dead there. I think we will head up on a weekend for that trip. If all goes well we will bring the boy down a month later to do some horseback riding and light hiking. He is good for about a mile or so and then he needs me to carry him. He is only 3 after all!! He is pretty hardcore with his boots and gear. When I have to carry him it tends to suck because he is over 35 lbs. and he makes me top heavy so it gets crazy.