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f1nalboys · 3 years

Note

Okay, okay! So I love your poly!Ghostface dark/angst, but I wanna see you do some poly!Ghostface dark/fluff too(if that's a thing?)! Still unhealthy/toxic relationship, but one where their feelings are at least actually true and genuine. Trio vs the World shit. Best Friends to Lovers blah blah blah cause you know Im a slut for that lmao. NSFW too if you're willing 👀

AHH so glad I finally got to this request I'm sorry it took me so long :(( HOWEVER i had fun writing it!! i really hope you enjoy (ps, no smut unfortunately i tried to add it and it was coming out wrong ahhh) flashbacks are italicized!

WORD COUNT: 2352

WARNINGS: toxic relationship, kinda cute moments between the three of you, cursing, little bit of stalking, threats of violence, no nsfw because i was a little lazy sorry :,(

Had someone told you five years ago that you'd be dating not only Billy Loomis but Stu Macher as well, you’d have laughed straight in their face. And yet here you were, curled up on the couch between the two, your legs thrown over Billys and your head resting on Stu’s shoulder, watching a horror movie. You smile softly as you feel Billy’s hand grip your thigh slightly. He never seemed to realize he was doing it which made it even cuter.

“Remember the day I met you guys?” You question, head moving off of Stu’s shoulder when he turns to look at you. He gives you a goofy grin and nods, kissing the tip of your nose. “Sure, baby. Why?”

“Did you think we would have gotten together? Like, back then?”

“Definitely,” Billy says, poking his finger into your side. You raise an eyebrow at him, catching his hand and holding it in your lap. He sighs, grinning slightly. “Alright, maybe not the day we met, but I knew pretty soon. Why? What’s got you thinking about it?”

You shrug, not really sure yourself. Something about the situation you three were in at the moment made your mind drift to those few awful god damn weeks. “You two really sucked then, you know? Honestly, I’m surprised I didn't kill you both.”

Stu gasps, throwing himself back with a hand on his heart. You roll your eyes; ever the dramatic. “You would have hurt us? I can’t believe this… the betrayal!” You elbow him and he sits back up, laughing, and wraps his arms around you, planting a few sloppy kisses onto your neck.

“We weren’t even that bad, babe.” Billy says, eyes widening as you glare at him.

“Not that bad? Do I need to remind you of the first thing you said to me when we met?” You shoot back, sitting up closer to Stu. You had already forgiven the two for how they acted then, but that doesn’t mean you can’t give them a hard time.

The first day you met Billy and Stu, it had started out good. You still didn’t have many friends but that was perfectly okay with you. You were sat in the grass outside one of the buildings where your next class was held, waiting. Thirty more minutes and you got to go to math; yay. You were leaned up against a tree, headphones in, trying to relax, when two men stood in front of you. They were pretty cute. One was tall, wearing a thin sweater and a goofy grin, while the other was shorter with dark hair and a smirk. The tall one's mouth moves and you pull your earbuds out, about to apologize for not hearing him, when the shorter one speaks.

“Pretty stupid to wait for someone to talk to you before taking your headphones out.” His smile was still there but it was clearly masking his annoyance. Your eyebrows raise in surprise at the gall of this dude. You don’t even know him and he thinks he’s owed a conversation?

“Excuse me?”

“What? You’re deaf and a bitch?” The taller one slaps the back of his head immediately and he grumbles, rubbing the soreness. You scoff, shaking your head, fuming. Was it just this dude or were most people here dicks? You didn't want to find out.

You stand, grabbing your bag and pushing past the two, heading towards the building. Your eyes instantly roll into the back of your head when you hear the sound of footsteps behind you. “Hey, I’m sorry about him, really. That’s how he jokes and sometimes it comes across as mean. I’m Stu and he’s Billy.”

Stopping in your tracks you turn to face Stu, the taller one, and take a second to think of a response. Glancing over at Billy, who had finally caught up with you, you can see what resembles regret on his features. “Well, he didn’t come across as mean, he came across as an asshole.”

Stu laughs, nodding. Billy shrugs, giving you that same weak smile he had shown when he approached. You shrug your backpack up higher onto your shoulder, the weight of it starting to get to you, when Billy grabs ahold of it and yanks it off of you. “What the hell? Give me my shit back!”

“Least I can do is to carry it for you. You going to class?” He asks. It’s like he wasn’t taking no for an answer. You give a large sigh and nod, silently thankful for the weight off your shoulders. “Which building?”

“Sycamore.” He nods and begins to walk there, you and Stu trailing behind him. “Is he always so...?” You ask Stu under your breath, trailing off, unsure of a word that could describe the man. He grins and nods. “Annoying? Mean? Stubborn? Yes, yes, and yes.”

Billy groans at the memory, annoyed. He hated when you brought that up. “I told you I was just having an off day! Come on, you’re acting like Stu didn’t offend you too! Do you not remember when you got food with us, like, that night?” Stu punches Billy in the shoulder hard, pissed that he had brought it up.

“Oh yeah! I kinda forgot about how much of a dickhead Stu was,” You say, leaning back against the couch. It really was a shock your relationship with the boys got to where it was now.

Billy and Stu followed you around all day. It seemed they were trying to apologize for Billy’s attitude earlier but, if you were being honest, it was kind of unnerving. After your math class, where they had walked you inside the building and only left when the professor came in, you saw them waiting outside under the tree you had been at.

“Can you guys stop following me?” You had told them the third time you noticed them, this time at the small diner you stopped by after your last class. Stu’s face turned red and he looked behind him as if there was someone else you could be talking about. “Yeah, you two.”

“We wanted to apologize for earlier,” Billy said, motioning for you to join them at their table. You had to choose which one to sit next too and, after your not-so-pleasant meeting with Billy that morning, you sat next to Stu. He sticks his tongue out at Billy who rolls his eyes.

“You already apologized. It’s getting kind of creepy.” You say, placing your elbow on the table. Before the boys could respond, the waitress walks over, placing down their drinks. She flashes you a smile and takes your order, walking off with a sway in her hips, much to the boy's enjoyment.

Stu throws an arm over your shoulder and you shrug him off, ignoring the pained look he gives you. “We just wanted to make sure you really knew we were sorry! Billy here never acts right around a hottie,”

“Stu you fucking idiot.” Billy spits, throwing something at him. Stu laughs, holding his hands up in mock surrender. Billy looks at you and gives you what looks like a real, genuine smile. “Sorry about him; he can’t seem to think with his upstairs brain.”

“Don’t need to when my downstairs one leads me to be sitting next to a smoke show,” Stu says, holding his hand out to you for a high five. Your face flushes and you ignore him, scooting away from him slightly. He was cute, sure, but way too forward. “What? Can’t compliment people anymore?”

“Not when your compliments are preceded by stalking.” You mutter, a part of you hoping he doesn’t hear it. Unfortunately, he does. You see his face change in your peripheral vision and your eyes flick over to Billy. He grins at you, sitting back in the booth, and taking a sip from his drink. He was enjoying this.

“Stalking? You’re fucking with me, right?” His rant is cut short by the return of the waitress who hands you your drink and places the food the boys had ordered onto the table, completely oblivious to your discomfort. She leaves and Stu grabs a fry from his plate, chewing loudly. “We’re not fucking stalking you - trust me, there are better ways to spend our time.”

Billy throws his balled up straw wrapper at Stu, catching his attention, and you let out a soft sigh of relief when Stu’s demeanor changes. He was back to smiling and laughing as if he hadn’t just been attempting to tear you to shreds. “Sorry about that… I’m pretty tired, that’s all.” Stu says, playing with his fingers.

“S’okay, I guess.”

“Why don’t you let us take you on a date? You know, as an apology?” Billy chimes in and Stu grins, nodding. A large part of yourself was screaming no. There was something off about these boys, something dark just under the surface, but you were intrigued. And so you smile.

“Yeah, I guess you two can do that.”

Billy had his arms wrapped around you, laughing at the excuses Stu was stammering out. He was obviously getting frustrated at the memory and you opened your arms to let him join in on the cuddling.

“You know, I really am glad we stuck together. I don’t know what I’d do if it were for our nightly cuddle sessions,” You say, your words muffled by Stu’s sweater. He pulls back and gives you a kiss, Billy swooping in to take one from him as well.

“Yeah, I don’t know what I’d do without our fuck sessions,” Stu hums and you groan, punching him in the shoulder. What a way to ruin the moment. “Wait, let’s not act like you were a saint in all of this! I remember you being pretty awful at one point.”

“What?! No way!”

Billy nods, tickling your sides for a second. “Sure were, babe.”

Two months into the relationship was your breaking point. You really did like, if not love, the boys and yet you were still an outsider. Walking into the shared apartment just for their whispered conversations to stop. Late nights spent in the living room with hushed voices while you tried to sleep. You felt as though you only knew a portion of the two people you had come to like; no, love.

You admit it was petty. It wasn’t the right thing to do in any circumstance, but you did it because you knew it would get a reaction. You had packed a bag and sat in the living room. You wanted them to see you leave. Wanted them to see how much their secrecy had taken. You had been together only a short while and yet you felt so at home with them that the idea of actually leaving, of breaking it off, nearly tore you apart.

The door opens and in enters Billy and Stu, wrapped up in their own conversation. Stu waves at you, carrying on before realizing what he had just seen. “Babe? What are you doing?”

“I’m leaving.” Your voice was confident, not a waver in sight, and you knew it was because you weren’t planning on leaving. Some would call it manipulation, sure, but you were backed into a corner. Stu’s mouth drops open and Billy stares at you, his eyes narrowed.

“What? What do you mean you’re leaving? What’s wrong? Did something happen?” Stu rushes to sit down next to you on the couch, not wanting to accept the idea that you were leaving them on your own volition. His arms wrap around yours and you shove him off. “Babe?”

You shake your head, standing from your spot on the couch, grabbing ahold of the bag. Billy was still standing near the door, his arms crossed, watching you. “Don’t call me that. The two of you… It’s like I’m not even in this relationship. I’m an outsider with the two people I love and there’s not a damn thing I can do about it.”

“Where the hell is this coming from?” Billy questions, grabbing ahold of your arm when you try to walk past him. His voice is thick and you could see the vein in his forehead throbbing. He was angry and you hate to admit it but that’s exactly what you were hoping for.

For the next two hours the three of you talk about your relationship and the future of it. Stu cried, you cried, Billy sniffled a few times, and then you came to an agreement. No more secrets. They told you things that they hadn't told anyone before that they hid behind a vague threat of ‘once you hear this you’re stuck with us,’ and you told them things you had planned on taking to your grave. To say you weren’t shocked at what they told you would be a lie.

Murder wasn’t what you thought they were capable of and especially not murder so gruesome. But, oddly, you felt better about being with them. They trusted you, loved you, enough to let you know their biggest and darkest secret. And you loved it.

Knowing they wouldn’t hesitate to kill for you was a major turn on, which they soon found out.

“Wow, I really was kind of horrible, wasn’t I.” You mutter as Billy recounts the memory with a few interruptions by Stu. You didn’t remember it that way but the more they talked the more you could tell they were being honest. “Well, good thing we stuck together, hm? Would have been pretty bad if we hadn’t.”

“Yeah because we would have killed you,” Billy whispers into your ear and you shiver. He’s telling the truth and that’s what makes the relationship the way it is; they choose to be with you, to keep you around, to love you. “Yeah, we would have given you a call a while ago,” Stu says, his finger making a slicing motion across your neck.

You roll your eyes not because you don’t believe them but because you do. And you wouldn’t have it any other way.

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hanniiesuckle17 · 5 years

Text

Boys vs. Girls

A/n: Not requested but thought this was a cute idea

Member: Vernon Chwe

WARNINGS: swearing, vernon being the cutest fluffing thing ever

Summary: Y/n loves her summer job as a camp counselor. She has been doing it ever since she was a sophomore in high school. Now it’s her second year in college and she still returns to Camp Moheom (Camp Adventure) in the mountains every year. But, for the past two years one of the boy cabin counselors just won’t leave her alone, especially when Cabin Competitions come around.

Genre: fluff, comedy, camp counselor!au, summer!au, summer camp!au, acquaintance to lovers?!au. friends to lovers!au?, summer romance, college!au

The five and six year old girls ran around me and laughed in the summer air. Some of them were girls that returned year after year, but others were new faces. It didn’t matter though, I loved being a counselor at Camp Moheom. I loved the camp t-shirts and sweatshirts the staff got each year. The mountain air and landscape. Camp Competitions the last week of camp. And the hot boy counselors didn’t hurt either.

“Y/n!” I turned hearing my name called from nearby. Hyojin, one of the other two girl counselors, was walking towards me with a bright smile on her face. “It’s almost time to head over to the rope course.” I checked my phone with the schedule on it and nodded. “Thanks! I’ll pack up why don’t you head on over with the girls.” She returned the bright smile an gathered all fifteen of our campers together.

“Oh, Y/n.” I looked up from one of the two backpacks a counselor was supposed to carry. “There was a change in schedule. The boys cabin is going to be joining us.” She said before walking off with the girls.

No. I didn’t mind the boys cabin. They’re campers were always relatively nice and sweet boys, as were most of the counselors. However, this summer, Vernon Chwe had made it his mission to bother me every chance he got. I didn’t hate Vernon. We had been counselors together for the past two years. But, before this summer our encounters mostly consisted of polite small talk and staff meetings. Now every time he saw me he teased, poked, and flirted with me endlessly. I could not wait to kick his ass in Camp Comp.

Last year the boys won Camp Competitions, but the girls were fired up this year. With a sigh I shouldered the bags and headed across the camp grounds When I got to the rope course, both cabins were already in safety harnesses and climbing in the trees. “Hi Y/n!” I looked up into the trees to see HaeJoon, a little girl who had taking a liking to me, waving down. “Looking good, Haejoon!”

“Look at the beauty that just walked in.” A voice behind me said. “Hello, Vernon.” I turned to see the brown haired boy with a smile plastered on his face. He wore the camp issued black hoodie and jeans. “Let me help you with that, cutie.” He took one of the bags I was carrying and brought it over to the girl’s picnic table. “Thanks, I guess.” I busied myself with looking in our schedule binder, but looked up to find him still leaning against the table. “How was your day?”

He looked down at me with the smile that all the other girls on staff fawned over. “Was fine until a minuted ago.” “Awww Y/n don’t treat me this way.” His laugh echoed across the trees. Just then another boy counselor walked up. His name was Jihoon, and he and I had been friends for awhile now. “Hey, dummy.” He said with a smile ruffling my hair. I swatted his hand away playfully.

“Would you tell your dongsaeng to get off my ass.” He chuckled and turned to Vernon. “Get off her ass, Vernon.” I smirked looking up at the boy. “I can’t help it if her ass is cute!” I scoffed and turned back to Jihoon. “You guys ready for Camp Comp?” My best friend shrugged and looked to his campers. “Our group is pretty chill this year, but Vernon is pretty hyped about it.” I glanced over to see the smiling boy still there looking at me. “Really? Can’t wait to kick your sorry ass.”

The rest of the hour was uneventful. Hyojin saved me from the conversation with Vernon and I went climbing with one of the girls. After the rope course was done the girls, Hyojin, our other counselor Hyebin (Hyojin’s sister), and I headed to the mess hall for lunch. The girls happily ate the lunch served and I stood at the head of one of the tables talking to the girls. All of a sudden their was a hand on my waist.

“Long time no see.” I turned and Vernon took the opportunity to kiss me on the cheek. All of the girls squealed and Vernon smiled at their reaction. “Girls are you being good for Y/n?” “Yes!” The table shouted. I looked to Hyojin for help and she simply shrugged with a smile on her face. “If you don’t shut your mouth, the next thing that comes out of it will be your teeth.” I said through my teeth.

I had to admit, I was starting to like the attention Vernon was giving me. I would never admit it though. At my university, I was so busy studying I didn’t have time for dating. Not many boys seemed interested in me anyways. “Well, that’s my cue to leave. See you later girls!” He gave a salute and wink to the table and then returned to his own.

“Y/n! Are you and Vernon Oppa dating?” HaeJoon asked with a bright toothy smile. Vernon was the girls’ favorite guy counselor by far. I had to confess he was great with kids. “No, we aren’t.” I shook my head and took a sip of my drink. “Y/n is too busy with school to date Vernon.” I choked on my water and shot a glare towards Hyebin who innocently smiled at me. “Does that mean you like him?” All the girls started piling on questions about me and Vernon.

I glanced over to his table only to see him playing around with one of his campers.”Listen, I don’t know how I feel about Vernon. It’s an adult thing okay?” Hyojin and Hyebin laughed at each other making kissy faces.

“I hate all of you.”

“And The Great Sana sheathed her sword as she stood victorious in the tournament of champions!” I looked around the dimly lit cabin to see all the girls fast asleep. Carefully I climbed the stairs up to the loft where the counselors slept and changed into a crop top and sweatpants. “Nice story, Y/n. Way to set the bar for tomorrow night.” Hyebin said face down on her bed. I chuckled and grabbed my phone when a notification sounded.

Message from Jihoon’s Dongsaeng

10:26 PM- Look out your window.

Confused I walked to the window and looked down. There stood Vernon in joggers, a hoodie, and a jean jacket looking up into the loft. “You’ve got to be kidding me!” I said with a laugh. “What?” Hyojin came to the window, curious. “You have to go down!” Hyebin perked up and turned to the two of us at the window. “What’s going on?” “Vernon is at the window.” “’No way!”

I sat on my bed in disbelief as the girls quietly squealed as so as to not wake the sleeping campers. “I’m not going.” “Why not?” Hyebin whispered. “You saw him at lunch! The guys is just messing around.” Hyojin shrugged still looking out the window. “It’s like forty degrees out. I think he’s serious.” I sighed and looked out the window once more. “You never know unless you try.” Hyebin said, holding out my Timberlands. “We’ll cover for you when Amber does rounds.” Running a hand through my hair, I took my shoes and slipped them on before grabbing my phone.

Quietly I tiptoed down the stair and passed the girls. The cold air greeted me as I walked out of the cabin. Vernon turned at the sound of my footsteps and smiled. “What do you want, Vernon?” He faked being shot in the heart like the dork he was. “You wound me Y/n, truly.” I tried to hide the smile on my face to no avail.

“Walk with me?” He held his hand out to me, waiting for me to take it. “You aren’t going to murder me are you?” He laughed and grabbed my hand. “No, not with your friends watching.” He pointed up to the window. Two heads popped out of sight just as we looked up. “Come on. The night it young. We have things to do.” He dragged me off down the trail leading away from the cabin.

“So, you excited about the competition?” I shrugged. “I mean obviously. The girls are ready to kick butt this year. I’m just a little nervous about the counselor portion.” He nodded and continued to walk a little ahead of me, carefully watching the ground for roots or rocks. “What did you sign up for?” He briefly looked back at me, brown eyes twinkling in the moonlight.

“All that was left was archery. Thing is I suck. I also signed up for the dance with Hyojin.” I heard him chuckle and I looked down at our hands which were still latched onto each other. Suddenly I felt very nervous. Vernon brought us into a small clearing. A rope swing hung from a big tree and it blew softly in the wind.

“Are you cold?” Vernon asked turning and looking at me. I shrugged and was about to say no when Vernon removed his jacket and placed it over my shoulders. By instinct I wrapped it around my body and surrounded myself in its warmth. I watched as he walked over and stood on the swing, causing it to sway back and forth. “I could help you, you know.” “With what?” He smiled when he saw me moving towards him.

“With archery.”

“What’s in it for you?”

“The joy of your precious company.”

I couldn’t tell whether or not he was joking. The swing came to a stop and I stood looking up at him. “Wanna ride?” He motioned to the swing with a smirk after hopping off. Gently he pushed me onto the plank of wood and held onto the rope in the middle of the plank. “Ready?” I nodded with a smile. Soon he was pulling the rope after him as he jogged in a circle. When he let go the swing flew and spun in a circle. I laughed at the sensation and held on tightly to the rope. Every once and a while I felt Vernon’s hands on my back pushing me to keep up the momentum.

“Stop! Stop!” I said with a laugh. Vernon slowed the swing and stood in front of me. “When are you off tomorrow?” He asked slightly out of breath from pushing me around. “After lunch.” He nodded and looked up in thought. “I can ask Hoshi to switch shift with me.” A silence fell between us. I didn’t necessarily desire to fill it this time. Something about Vernon made me curious. Was he really serious about me. Or was this dorky personality just part of some play?

“What about you what are you doing in the Comp?” I looked down at my shoes before meeting his eyes again. “I’m signed up for dance and wrestling.” There were two sections of the Camp Competition. One was girls vs boys, and the other was junior campers vs. senior campers. Vernon and I both were part of the junior staff. The kids did fun games like tug-of-war for JR. v SR, while counselors did things like wrestling. “The boys pressured me into it.” He nervously scratched his neck before looking at me again.“Well I hope you win.” Suddenly his smile returned, upturning at the corner of his lips.

“Will you be cheering for me?”

“Only if you win.”

“Works for me, Y/n.”

There was something about the way he said my name that I hadn’t noticed before. Something that made me want to hear it come from him over and over.

“That’s why avocados are the bacon of vegetables.” Tapping Vernon on the shoulder he turned around and his smile became even brighter. “You ready?” He nodded and turned towards Hoshi and his bright red hair. “Thanks for letting me take your shift.” He shooed him off and Vernon’s hand went to the small of my back as we walked out to the archery range.

Pulling the string back taught I kept my eye on the target. My fingers released and the arrow went flying through the air straight into the outer ring. “Hey! You hit the target this time.” Vernon said trying to hide his laughter. “You offered to help, not laugh.” He walked over to me and handed me another arrow. “I know. Take your aim.” I set the arrow in place and pulled it back again. I could feel Vernon’s presence behind me. He placed his hands on my waist and turned me so my hips were squared off to the side.

“Lower your elbow. Keep it straight.” His voice was low and calculated, like he was going through a checklist. He helped me make the adjustments with a gentle touch. “Use your lips as an anchor.” I felt the blush creep up my cheeks. I rested the nock onto the corner of my lips. “And....take a breath....” I could feel his hands still on my waist and it was like every cell of my body was awake at his touch. With a deep breath in and out I awaited his next instruction. “Release.”

My fingers released their grip and the arrow flew silently through the air and straight into the center. “Oh my God, Vernon!” I turned and jumped into his arms. “I did it!” He smiled at looked at arrow smack dab in the middle of the target. “Yeah you did! Congrats!” He looked at me with such adoration that I couldn’t help but blush.

The clearing of someone’s throat caused us to push each other away. “When you guys are finished deciding whether or not to fuck each other, Y/n we need you to help out with the counselor skit.” Jihoon stood with his arms crossed and staring at the two of us. “Uh....yeah. Thanks.” I quickly put the bow away and scurried off away from the awkward encounter.

Jihoon looked to Vernon who still had bright red cheeks slightly hidden by his shaggy brown hair. “Hey, Chwe.” He turned to his hyung, hearing his name. “You hurt her, and I will kick you ass so hard you won’t be able to stand for a month.” Vernon shuddered at his hyungs words and was about to respond until Jihoon walked away leaving him speechless.

With the days coming closer and closer to the end of summer, I began to look forward to Vernon at my window each night. However to avoid more embarrassment I asked him to come after the twins had gone to bed. I slowly tiptoed down the loft stairs into the main room. With a single step a floor board creaked sending a loud noise into the cavernous like room. Flinching, my body stilled and I waited to see if any of the girls woke up.

Letting out a sigh of relief I balanced myself against the door and slipped on my shoes. “Y/n? Is that you?” A small voice called out. Turning I saw the small frame of Haejoon rubbing her eyes. “Haejoon-ah, go back to bed.” I gave her a smile, hoping to quickly leave soon.

“Where are you going?”

“I-uh--I’m going to meet a special friend.”

“Can I come with you?”

I chuckled and finished tying my shoes. Picking her up, I placed her on my hip looking at her sleepy grin. “I don’t think he would be very happy if you came along. Besides, you must be well rested for competition tomorrow.” My whispers filled the large dimly lit room. “He?” Ah shit.

“Y/n, are you going to see Vernon oppa?” Her bright toothy smile seemed to light up the room. Nodding, I put a finger to my mouth, “You must keep it a secret. Okay?” She nodded and held out her pinky. Her cute action only made the smile on my face grow bigger. Sealing our secret with a pinky promise, I put her back in bed and quietly exited the cabin. My eyes searched for any sign of the head counselors only to almost let out a scream when a pair of arms wrapped around my midsection.

“Yah! Be quiet or you’ll get us both in trouble!” Turning my head I saw Vernon’s smiling face in the buzzing light outside the girls cabin. “You do know 6/10 horror stories take place at summer camps.”

“Well then lets go be the couple that gets killed off first.”

“Really?”

“Yeah...that sounded better in my head. Let’s go.”

Withouth letting go of my waist Vernon and I started walking towards the lake. “We’ve got four hours before morning checks. Wanna go for a dip?” He said already half way finished removing his shirt. “Do I have a choice?” It was almost impossible not to laugh with Vernon around. It was getting harder and harder to find things to hate about him.

“What are you going to do when you go back to school?” Vernon asked as he swam in circles around me. “Back to studying most likely. What about you?” He shrugged, finally coming to a standstill and resting his chin on my shoulder. “Procrastinating classes, watching movies, hiding in my bed, hopefully with you.”

I turned at his words coming out of his embrace. “With me?” His hand came up to run through his wet hair. “Well, I mean yeah. With you.” He shyly glanced up at me. I had kind of figured out that Vernon liked me, but I didn’t think that this would turn into anything more than a summer fling. “I...I just didn’t think you were serious about- whatever this is.” Through the warm water I felt his fingers come to rest on my waist. My hands went to his forearms and traveled up his arms to lay on his shoulders.

“Of course I’m serious about this. What makes you think I’m not?” This time he stared me straight in the eyes. “Several things.” He scoffed and looked away. “Name three.” “I can name five!” Vernon still wore that quirky little smile on his lips, but his eyes held a seriosuness I hadn’t seen before. He nodded for me to continue.

“One, you flirt with all the girls.” “I’m a very friendly person.” His fingers traced patterns across my skin. His stare was piercing and it never once left my face. He seemed to have a response for everything I said. “Two, you never even talked to me before this year.” “Would you believe I was shy?” Trying to hide my smile I looked past him at the other end of the shore.

“Three, you make everything a competition.” “When?” I was shocked I had to remind him when an hour ago he challenged me to a race to the other side of the dock. “Four...” My eyes met his soft brown ones again. “Can’t think of one?”

“Four, you haven’t even made an attempt to kiss me.” He laughed. “I can fix that right now!” Immediatley he pulled me closer and I had to dodge his lips while trying to contain my laughter. “Seriously, what else though.” Without me knowing, Vernon had slowly brought the two of us back to shore and near the dock. He pushed him self up and lended me a hand. “You won’t do any of this with me in front of the others.”

His hand came up to my cheek and suddenly I felt embarrassed for even mentioning it. Did I really want everyone else to know? “I thought you didn’t want people to know.” I shrugged. “I don’t really know what I want right now.” He nodded and his hand dropped from my cheek. “I’ll walk you back to your cabin.”

“Vernon...”

My fingers grasped at his wrist stopping him from walking away. He stopped and turned to look back at me.

“Listen, Y/n I don’t blame you.” His smile returned and he took my hand. He leaned down and kissed my cheek. “Just know that I am serious about this. About you.” The two of us then walked back to my cabin before he left me for the night.

The campers competition had ended and the girls had taken the victory this year. Before everyone moved out to the clearing to watch the counselor’s tournament it started pouring down rain. Everyone was soaked and the ground soon turned to mud. It was the last event of the day before everyone went back inside for the party.

Vernon and I had barely spoken all day and Hyebin and Hyojin had taken notice. “What’s up with you and Vernon?” Hyebin shouted over the storm. Our red shirts clung to our skin and the black and maroon war paint for the girls team had started to streak down my cheeks as well as theirs. I looked over to the boy counselors in their blue tank tops which heavily hung on their shoulders. Blue and black paint was streaked all over their skin. Vernon’s usually light brown tossled hair was now hanging in dark wet strands in front of his eyes as he talked to Jihoon.

“You like him! I can see it!” My attention turned back to Hyojin’s voice. “Yeah, I think I do.” I felt a tap on my leg and I looked to see Haejoon pulling at my shorts. With a smile I picked her up. “Is Vernon oppa going to be in the next event?” She pointed over to Vernon who was still talking with Jihoon across the way. They were looking across the small clearing filled with puddles and mud at the Sr. counselors.

“Holy fu-” I shot Hyebin a glare and nodded at Haejoon. “Holy fluff..” She corrected herself. “Is Vernon going up against Jackson?” I turned to find both boys taking off their IDs and shirts and stepping over the fence into the tiny makeshift arena. “We just have to cheer him on!” Haejoon said in my ear. She asked me to take her up to the fence to watch.

I stood behind her as she stood on the barrier. Quickly I explained the rules of the event to her. “For Vernon-ah to win, he has to get the other oppa to tap out twice.” She nodded and whispered in my ear. My eyes found Vernon once again to see him already looking at me. Without looking at my little camper I nodded at her words.

Right before the referee blew his whistle Haejoon and I yelled, “VERNON OPPA! FIGHTING!” That huge megawatt smile grew on his face as he heard us and he sent us a wave before taking his position once again. The whistle was blown and both boys circled each other for a few moments before Vernon went in for the first strike.

The boys weren’t allowed to physically hit or kick each other, but anything else was fair game. Jackson had Vernon by the waist and tried to knock him off his feet. “Come on Vernon!” I screamed into the crowd. Every person in camp was watching the event and cheering on the counselors. Haejoon cheered wildly beside me as Vernon took the upper hand for a second and pulled Jackson’s leg out from under him causing both boys to fall into the mud.

Jackson recovered quickly and flipped Vernon over onto his stomach and put one of his arms in a lock. “Come on Vernon! You can do it!” The two of us yelled. After another second, Vernon tapped out, splashing dirty water on the ground next to him. Cheers from the Senior side of the field were loud and filled the clearing. Jihoon handed Vernon a bottle of water before turning him back in.

His face was and body were half covered with mud and sweat. Blue paint and brown mud mixed on his cheeks and hair. He glanced my way and I gave him a thumbs up, hoping to lift his spirits. While Jackson drank some water Vernon came over to Haejoon and me. “Hi,” He said out of breath. His eyes went first to me and then to Haejoon causing a big smile to come on his face.

“How’s your arm?” Carefully I pulled it from his side and looked at the red mark from Jackson’s grip. “It’s fine. There is no such thing as weight class in summer camp, right?” I could see he was making a joke, but something told me he was actually worried. Jackson was a big guy compared to Vernon. My fingers entertwined themselves with his and he looked down at them resting on the fence. “We are cheering for you.” I shouted over the rain. Haejoon smiled at him once last time before he let go of my hand and went back to the ring.

The second round began and I could hear the twins behind us cheering for Vernon. This time he waited for Jackson to attack first. When he did, he used his size advantage to dodge and wrap his arms around Jackson’s stomach. Before I could even blink Vernon used Jackson’s momentum to swing him around and into the ground with Vernon ontop of the heavy built senior.

Haejoon and I screamed like crazy as Jackson tapped out. Vernon being his dumbass jumped up and did a victory dance high fiving anyone he could see. Soon the third round began and Vernon again let Jackson attack first. The rain pelting hard down on the ground made it slick as the boys wrestled and fell to the ground. The third round was much more of close call. No one could tell who would win until Jackson twisted Vernon’s wrist in the wrong way causing him to tap out.

The senior campers cheered for their counselor and Jackson ran over to them covered in mud. I put Haejoon on the ground and she ran to Vernon and hugged his leg. I watched as he smiled at her and picked her up with his other hand. I sloshed through the rain over to them and wrapped an arm around his mud covered waist.

“Hi.” He said, once again out of breath. Mud and blue paint was streaked all over his face and chest. “Hey, I’m gonna get your shirt all messy.” He tried to push me away, but I stayed put. With a smile he gave up and adjusted Haejoon on his hip. Before he could say anything else or crack another joke, my hands flew to his neck and I pulled him into a kiss. I could hear the twins squeal from somewhere in the crowd.

Smiling I pulled away to look at his shocked face. “I’m going to put the kid down now if that’s okay.” I chuckled as he let Haejoon down from his arms and she ran off to Hyojin. As soon as he did his lips crashed back onto mine giving me the best kiss I could ever imagine. He pushed a wet strand of hair behind my ear and stroked my cheek.

Vernon pulled away and smiled at me through the rain. “I didn’t win though?” I shook my head and wiped some of the mud off of his face and shoulders. “Doesn’t matter.” He smiled and pressed his forehead against mine still out of breath. “So, I remember being promised movies in your bed?” He laughed and picked me up by my waist.

“I have never been more excited to go back to school.”

Masterlist

Requests are open my lovelies

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repulsivepangolin7 · 4 years

Text

Cooper VS Winch (2/50)

Alright 2nd chapter. Hope it’s hooking you in. It took Jack, Boxer and Pete a few minutes to unhook the package and ready the wire for sending the two men down it.

“Hey, brother…” Duncan whispered, still acting like a backrest for Cooper, “How are you doing?”

“I’m not gonna lie, it hurts like hell…” Cooper frowned. “But it’s better than it was five minutes ago…”

“Helps not to move it?”

Coop dipped his head in a short nod, “Yeah.”

“So, ready to take the shortcut down?” Duncan asked as he studied the three other men working with the wire.

“Not all for it…” Coop frowned.

“Which part don’t you like?”

“Maybe the part about being suspended more than 100 feet up in the air, with one hand that just don’t work…” Coop shrugged his left shoulder. He was cautious to move anything that connected to his right hand, even if it was as far away as his shoulder.

“Don’t tell anyone this, but that might have freaked me out a little bit too…” Duncan admitted in a whisper, causing Cooper to smirk.

MACGYVERxDELTASPECIAL

“It was a real nasty wound…” Pete frowned as he secured two harnesses to the hook on the wire.

“How bad do you think?” Boxer looked up, worry written all over his round face as he went over the harnesses themselves, “Like, what should he prepare for?”

Pete shrugged, casting a glance back over his own shoulder. “All depends on whether he gets an infection or not… And how bad that infection might end up being.”

Boxer shook his head, “Poor kid…”

Pete nodded. “And, before he gets that wound cleaned out and checked by a real doctor, there’s no way of telling how bad the wound is in itself. It bled too much for me to evaluate beyond ‘it bled a lot’… All I really know is, surfer boy over there is taking it a lot better than I would have expected.”

“Well, I didn’t see it up close before you had already bandaged it, but if you mean he’s taking it better than he ought to… That’s kinda scary…” Boxer paused what he was doing and looked at Pete, “What are you most worried about?”

“Look, I’m no doctor…” Pete started, “But apart from infections and fractures, big guy over there might have cut over sinews and ligaments. Maybe even nerves. I’ve got no way of telling right now, not without causing him unnecessary amounts of pain and possibly harming him even more.”

Boxer nodded and looked past Pete to watch the two youngest Delta’s. “Looks like he’s a little more comfortable now at least…”

“It’ll probably feel just as bad if he moves his hand again…” Pete shrugged.

Boxer nodded, “Yeah, I remember one time a bull tossed me off. Broke my wrist, not a bad break, but still enough to have the doctor decide that I needed a cast for four weeks or so. Hurt bad at first, but then once I had put some ice on it and kept it still for a while it wasn’t half bad…”

“And then?”

“Then I almost convinced the judge that I was good for my second ride. He tricked me into shaking on it…”

“…And?”

“I hit my knees! Ol’ Herman Reeves had hands that could crush stone!” Boxer chuckled, “I didn’t end up riding…”

“No wonder…” Pete answered with a roll of his eyes.

“How’s it coming along guys?” Jack asked as he joined them, finally done with preparing their package for when they could be on their way. He had divided the stuff that originally should have been divided between 5 backpacks into 3 piles and sorted out the stuff that wasn’t absolutely necessary. He could hide that here until they made it back.

“Almost ready Boss.” Pete answered as he pulled down on the harness with his full weight.

“Good.” Jack nodded, before he walked towards Dunc and Cooper.

MACGYVERxDELTASPECIAL

“Ready to get down from here?” he asked as he knelt down next to Cooper.

“Wish I could stay and finish the mission…” Cooper answered looking away, “Feels wrong to just pack up and leave.”

“Don’t worry about that…” Jack shook his head and gave Coop’s shoulder a solid squeeze, “Better send you back now and get you back sooner, than having you struggle through this mission and end up in need of more help to get back to normal…”

Coop looked up into Jack’s dark brown eyes, then he looked back down at his own arm. “I feel like a wuss…”

“We all feel like that from time to time.” Jack smirked in a hope that it would get Coop to relax. He only needed one look at the man to know the younger soldier was downplaying how bad his hand actually hurt. It wasn’t necessarily all that hard to fake the desperate look in his eyes, but Jack knew that the blond couldn’t start sweating like this on command. Not when he had appeared completely dry two minutes before he started winching the package up. “Right now it’s your turn to feel like one. But trust me, none of us see you as one.”

“You don’t?”

Jack shook his head again, allowing himself to ruffle his hand through Coop’s short blond hair. Then he trailed his hand down to where he knew he would find Coop’s pulse. He placed two fingers, frowning slightly at how rapid the beats were. Cooper didn’t seem to mind him checking his pulse. “Of course not, but you don’t press a lame horse, not when it’s likely to heal up with a little rest.”

“Is that really another one of your Texas proverbs?” Duncan shot in, almost amused by all the different things that had come out of their Boss’ mouth over the years they had known each other.

“Dunno…” Jack shrugged, “We might make it one!”

He studied the Californian for a few seconds before he looked towards his backpack, “We should probably fix a sling for you before you need to start moving around. Best to keep that paw sort of elevated.”

“You don’t need to Boss…” Cooper ground out, “I can just hold my arm like this, don’t spend time on making a sling…”

“Just holding it in that position will start aching quickly.” Jack shook his head to deny Coop’s suggestion, “Trust me, you want a sling.”

The blond was just about to protest when Duncan answered for him, “Thanks, a sling would be awesome.”

“Traitor…” Cooper muttered under his breath, much to Dunc and Jack’s amusement.

“I’ll be right back…” Jack noted as he pushed off the ground and went to find some fitting material for an decent sized sling, “Don’t go anywhere…”

“Funny…” Coop sighed and rolled his eyes, then he twisted to meet Dunc’s eyes, “I really don’t need a sling…”

“Sure you don’t big guy…” Duncan answered as he rolled his eyes, “Just humor me, alright?”

“I don’t n…”

“Just take it, alright.” Duncan stared hard at the blond, “If you decide not to wear it later, I won’t force you to. But just take the damn sling, okay? It might come in handy.”

With a heavy sigh Cooper nodded, “Okay. I don’t like it though!”

“Of course not…” Duncan shook his head, with an amused smirk forming on his lips.

“Seriously, I hope you guys don’t think I’m this fragile thing that can’t take pain, it’s just a fracture… Alright… I’m not even sure it’s fractured!”

Shaking his head, Duncan twisted around Cooper so that he could reach the larger soldier’s right elbow, “Coop, it wasn’t just a fracture…”

“It’s not sure that it’s a fracture even…”

“I’m pretty damn sure it is…” Duncan noted as he gently forced Coop to move his hand into his line of sight. “Even your fingers have started bruising…”

“It’s not that much…”

“It’s barely 15 minutes since you got injured!” Dunc frowned, “This much bruising and swelling in that short a time is bad. Can you even move your fingers?”

“Don’t want to yet…” Coop frowned, “Bet it’ll hurt like a bitch.”

Duncan nodded, as he studied the exposed parts of Cooper’s hand for a few seconds more. “Probably will…”

“What do you think? Are Desert Sand colored slings in this season?” Jack joked as he returned with two 4x4 squares of cloth cut from the tarp that had been used to camouflage their package earlier. “Sit up a little straighter so that I can tie you up as best as I can…”

Coop nodded and sat up, careful of his right hand.

“Now, I think it would be best for you to have your hand up next to your left shoulder, kinda like when you pledge allegiance, what do you think?” Jack asked as he folded the first square into a triangle. “Least movement that way I think…”

Cooper nodded passively, “Sure…”

“Okay, then we do it like that, and we wrap this other one around your chest to anchor your arm to your chest… How does that sound?”

“Great…” Cooper nodded. Not entirely enthusiastic, but understanding that it probably was his best option. “Wanna help me get my backpack back on first?”

“You’re not carrying a backpack.” Duncan intervened, “That hand disqualifies you from carrying anything.”

“It’s my hand, no my shoulder that’s messed up! And we can’t really leave it here either!”

“Then I’ll carry it!”

“No. Not a chance in hell!” Cooper stared at Dunc with ice cold eyes, “You’re not carrying my bag in addition to yours. That’s like 140 pounds or something total!”

“It’s better that I carry that much than that you carry those 70 pounds…” Duncan challenged, “I’m not letting one of my best buddies trek through this desert with a banged up hand and a full pack!”

“It’ll be easier for me to carry my pack, even with my hand like this, than it’ll be for you to carry both.” Cooper shot back, his jaw set in determination.

“It’s not happening.” Duncan shook his head.

“Well, we can’t leave it either. You know that. And we can’t put it on the others either. They have to carry extra just cause we’re not going on the rest of the mission.”

“You’re not carrying the full load, do you hear me?” Dunc repeated, “Or does the altitude steal all the sound?”

Blowing air through his nose Coop looked away, towards his backpack. He spent a few seconds looking at it before he looked back at Duncan, “Hey, how about we compromise?”

“Compromise? How?”

“The detachables on my pack. We click them off and hang them on yours.” Cooper looked over at Duncan waiting for a reply, when none came he continued, “That way I won’t be carrying all the weight, and you won’t have to carry the double…”

Eyeing the backpack for a moment, Dunc started to nod slowly. “Okay, but I take everything that comes off that pack.”

Cooper looked over at the pack again, judging just how much of it that was possible to disassemble before he nodded, “Deal.”

“And, I’m carrying your rifle too.”

Cooper frowned at the thought of not being armed with his own rifle, “I might as well walk naked back to the camp!”

“Please don’t…” Duncan grimaced, “None of us want that image stuck in our heads…”

“Just let me carry my own gun…” Cooper shrugged.

“You can’t use it anyway!” Duncan knitted his hands in frustration, “You’ll still have your 9mm!”

“I’d still like to carry my own rifle…”

“Just let me carry it, Coop!” Duncan sighed, “Promise I won’t mess with it!”

Running his uninjured hand through his hair, Cooper glanced over at the spot where his HK416 rested. After a long second he looked back at Duncan, “Okay…”

“Great.”

“But only because it’s useless in my hands right now.”

“Okay, Duncan…” Jack started and cleared his voice, “Tear Coop’s backpack apart and hand me the skeleton. Think he better have it on before I start tying this sling around his neck…”

“Got it Dalton.” Duncan nodded and hurried along with his new task.

MACGYVERxDELTASPECIAL

It wouldn’t work to downplay this. He had already screwed up that shot. Dunc had turned in to one of the most overprotective siblings he could ever imagine, Pete had seen his hand up close and the last two Delta Operators had both made up their mind about how bad his hand was.

He had to admit though, it hurt. Every beat of his pulse set fire to the surrounding tissue. Every teeny-tiny movement felt like shards of glass rubbing against the bones and muscles in his hand.

He decided to hold his arm like Jack had suggested a shy minute ago. At least until he could get his backpack on, or whatever was left of it after Duncan had stripped it of everything that could be taken off. Knowing Dunc, the man would probably take off everything that was meant to be taken off, and then some.

He squeezed his eyes shut as another wave of pain surged through his right hand and forearm. It was blindingly painful, it even felt like all the sounds around him got morphed into a static noise for a second. Then it cleared up again.

“…ood there Coop?” he only caught the tail end of the question, but had enough to piece together what Jack had asked him.

“Yeah. Fine.” Oh how he wished his voice could have sounded a little bit more convincing. A little bit more like the tough as nails Delta Operator he was supposed to be.

“You paled…” Jack’s voice broke through to him once more, he didn’t have to open his eyes to see the worried frown he knew their Boss was displaying, “Literally paled…”

“Just jarred my hand or something…” Cooper winced, “I’m good…”

“Would have been a little more convincing if you weren’t giving Casper the Friendly Ghost good competition on who could reach the whitest level of white…” He could hear as the frown deepened on Jack’s face, “We could radio for medevac…”

“Nah… Would be embarrassing to get medevac’ed for something as silly as a beat-up hand…” he did his best to keep his tone level. “Just help me with the pack and the sling and everything’s good…”

“Here. That’s EVERYTHING I’m letting you carry.” Duncan’s determined voice forced him to open one eye to look at the stripped backpack.

“There’s barely anything left of it…” Cooper complained as he tapped the fabric with two fingers, “I told you to remove all the parts that could be clipped off… I didn’t tell you to re-pack most of it to your bag…”

“Well, now it’s done.” Dunc straightened up and folded his arms over his chest, “I really don’t think you’re in any condition to pack from my bag and over to yours again. Just put it on and Jack can fashion a sling for you.”

Hesitantly reaching for the near empty backpack, Cooper started running through options of how he was going to get the backpack on his back without causing himself fresh loads of pain.

“Let me help you, before you hurt yourself further…”

He wouldn’t admit it, but Dunc’s offer was a godsend. A fractured hand shouldn’t hurt this much, now should it? It never had before.

He needed to toughen up. Needed to pull himself together and just power through it. It wasn’t so bad… He was just having a bad day. One of those where everything seems worse than it is. Where a little splinter stings enough to make you cuss, yeah. He was having one of those days. He just needed to get his act together. It couldn’t be that hard.

“Thank you…” he whispered, barely audible, as Duncan held the first strap out for him to just guide his hand through. It truly made getting the backpack on a lot easier.

“Hey… No problem…” Duncan smiled, “You’d do the same for me…”

“You sure?” Cooper allowed himself to tease, thinking back on a few missions where everything hadn’t gone as planned.

“Yeah.” Duncan smirked, “You’ve already done stuff like this a few times.”

“Okay, now that the backpack’s on, I can finally go ahead and secure your arm…” Jack offered a mile, “Come on kid, hand towards shoulder…” NEXT: Chapter 3

#MacGyver #macgyver 2016 #Jack Dalton #Cooper Lea #Duncan Johnson #Pete Santorro #Claude Boxer

0 notes

oldfashionedswiftcurse · 7 years

Text

Alwyn vs. Swift Pt. 5

Taylor returned home early the next morning and found her father frantically on the phone. She slipped in through the front door and overheard his conversation.

“I swear to God, Susan, if this is some sick game,” he began, but the voice on the other line interrupted him.

Taylor froze. There was no way he was talking to her mother. Her father swore that when her mother walked out on them ten years ago, that was the last bit of contact he had with his wife. However, Taylor realized that like always, her father had lied to her.

“We had a deal. I moved her closer to you, but not so you could reach out to her. When you left, it nearly destroyed her. I won’t pick up the pieces when you break her heart again.”

So it was really her mother, and from what Taylor gathered, her father thought that she had run away to meet up with her mother. As if that would really happen. The only way Taylor would travel to find her mother would be to curse and yell at her for abandoning them. She listened closely, hoping her father would slip up and mention where her mother was currently living.

“Just stay away from Taylor. And let me know if you hear from her,” he said angrily, hanging up.

Taylor gave him a few moments to compose himself before she entered the kitchen.

“Morning, Dad,” she said casually, waiting to hear his outburst.

“Taylor Alison Swift, where the hell were you? And why didn’t you call me back?! You’re grounded.”

She could tell this form of parenting was new to him. Her dad hardly realized anything different about her, so she stopped telling him her concerns, fears, and dreams.

“Why does it matter, Dad? You’re never here when I do come home. Maybe I got tired of coming home to an empty house,” she muttered, and she saw his eyes darken in regret.

“Sweetheart…”

“Forget it, Dad. I’m going to my room,” she stated and turned to leave.

Taylor had managed to sneak her father’s cell phone off of the kitchen island. Texting the number listed as “Susan,” Taylor impulsively asked her mother to meet. The number responded immediately with an address in Munich. Looks like her mother isn’t really that close. From what Taylor could tell, Munich would certainly be a day’s trip on train, but she was willing to do it. She was angry with her father for keeping this from her and her mother for nearly everything else. She agreed to meet at the Munich address on Saturday afternoon, two days from today. If she left class early on Friday afternoon, Taylor knew she make it to Munich by midnight. She would rent a hotel room, find some food, and meet her mother the next day.

When she arrived at school, Taylor immediately raced to Rebecca, asking if she wanted to visit Germany with her this weekend.

“Germany?” Rebecca questioned. “That sounds oddly fun, but I’ve got a date with Mark.”

Taylor told her best friend about her intricate plan, and Rebecca was shocked.

“You know what? I can cancel on him. This is so much more important. Shit, your mother…I can’t believe this.”

Taylor paused.

“No,” she began, “this is my problem. Go and enjoy your date. I’ll be fine.”

“Like hell you will. You think I’m going to let you, an American, travel to another European country all by yourself?”

At that moment, Joe appeared, hands in his pocket.

“Becks, do you mind if I talk to Taylor alone?”

“Sure,” Rebecca stated, turning to leave. “You might as well just take Joe. He knows his way around Europe, just ask our nannies.”

Taylor chuckled, but grew silent as Rebecca walked away.

“Hey,” Joe muttered, smiling slightly. “Look, about last night…”

“You don’t need to apologize, Joe,” she said, shaking it off.

“I do. I was drunk and idiotic, and I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable.”

“You didn’t,” she admitted honestly. “You were entertaining, for sure.”

“Oh no,” he said, placing his palm over his forehead in embarrassment, “I hope I didn’t ruin my chances with you.”

“Well…”

“Anything. I’ll do anything.”

“Come with me to Germany this weekend,” she stated, and he lifted his eyebrows in confusion.

“Aren’t you supposed to be punishing me? A trip alone with you to another country doesn’t seem like much of a punishment.”

“Well, it will be because you’ll be falling in love with me all over the world, and I still won’t give in to your flirtation,” she teased, and he chuckled.

“You’re finally getting the hang of this whole teasing thing, love.”

“So will you come with me?”

“Just say when. I pegged you as more of a Paris girl, but to each his own, I suppose. Note to self, leggy blondes prefer the German countryside over the Parisian city.”

She rolled her eyes, but when she returned home, she packed a backpack for their trip. The next morning, Taylor went to class like normal, but she left a half hour early. When she stumbled into the hallway, she found a beaming Joe waiting by the door. Because it was growing colder, he was wearing a denim jacket, black jeans, and Converse, as well as a black beanie covering his blonde hair.

“Ready for our adventure, love?” He whispered, handing her a Euro train pass.

She nodded, grinning back at him.

“Remind me why you’re so excited to see a woman who left you and your dad,” he questioned, furrowing his eyebrows.

“I’m not excited, per se. I just want to see her and tell her what a huge mistake she made. I deserved to have a mother who constantly loved me, not one who left just because things got too tough.”

“Beautiful and candid. You just keep surprising me.”

They left campus together and the second they got to the train station, Joe heard Taylor’s stomach grumble in hunger.

“What’ll it be then? Sandwiches? Sushi?”

Taylor eyed him slowly.

“I can just wait to eat on the train.”

His eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

“Silly me, I just assumed the nasty sound coming from your stomach actually meant something.”

“Joe, I’m too nervous to eat. This is my mom, okay? This could be perfect, and she’ll finally realize how much she hurt me and my dad. Or this could go very badly, and she’ll admit she never loved me and doesn’t feel bad for hurting us.”

Joe chuckled, but grew serious when she saw how stressed she was.

“Taylor, your mum made a huge mistake, and it quite possibly ruined every good thing in her life. She probably doesn’t understand what it means to truly love someone, and she probably never will. That, however, does not mean that you need to carry the weight of your mother’s blunder. Now please choose a place for us to eat before my stomach starts a band with yours.”

She tried not to smile, but eventually, she couldn’t help herself.

“Fine, sandwiches for now. I’ll see how I’m feeling in an hour. My appetite is very particular. I have to eat as often as possible and as much as possible.”

He chuckled.

“Did you just make a joke? Remind me to never deprive you of food. And always remember that when you chose not to eat, I was the one who kept convincing you to eat.”

Their train finally arrived, and they got comfortable in their seats. The train ride was nearly eight hours nonstop, so Taylor took two seats opposite Joe and sprawled her legs over the seats. After sleeping for a little bit, they sat next to each other and rotated songs from their playlists. Joe nearly blushed when he realized that Taylor had one of his band’s original songs on her playlist. While listening to their music, Taylor fell asleep again, resting his cheek against Joe’s shoulder. Joe left their seats to pick up some food and returned just when Taylor was waking up again.

“I got you some Pepsi and a BLT,” he whispered, resting the food against the seat.

“How’d you know what I like? You took a pretty big gamble.”

“That first night after the show, when we were moving from pub to pub, you kept talking about how hungry you were and then you kept mumbling ‘BLT.’ I am a gambler, but I never take unnecessary risks.”

“How could you possibly remember that?” She teased, straightening her unkempt hair.

“Well, that’s when I realize that I was attracted to you. I couldn’t help remembering. I wanted to know everything about you then.”

“And now?” She asked.

“Now I’m afraid we know too much about each other.”

“Well, you’re on an eight hour train ride to another country with me to meet a woman I haven’t seen in about ten years. So yeah, I think we’ve definitely crossed that line.”

“Can I ask you something?”

Taylor was hesitant, but nodded. These kinds of questions always scared her.

“Why didn’t you invite Martin? It seemed like you guys were getting pretty serious at the party and…”

His words trailed off.

“Martin is a great guy. I’m not sure. I just didn’t feel comfortable telling him about my mom. I just…didn’t want to ruin his perfect life, I guess. We don’t even know each other that well.”

“Hmm.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” She asked nervously.

“Just an observation. Does that mean you feel comfortable around me?” He said seriously.

Taylor didn’t know what to do when he wasn’t joking.

“I do, as much as it kills me to say. I probably feel the most comfortable with you…but your drunken confessions may have helped that happen.”

“Oh no,” he said, a slight rosy blush appearing on his cheeks, “you’ll never let me live that down.”

“Never.”

The train came to a stop, and Taylor and Joe exited. They found their hotel, booked two nights stay, and proceeded to look for food. It was nearly eleven at night, and after stopping by a late night fast food place, they got to their hotel. Joe allowed Taylor to shower first, and he turned the TV on. He ordered in for ice-cream, so by the time Taylor got out of the shower, it was waiting. She slipped it into the fridge while she waited for Joe to finish showering. She laid a towel on the bed when she heard the shower shut off, and Joe was grinning. Taking the spot next to her, they began digging into their rocky road pint.

“This makes up for having your drool all over my t-shirt today,” he mumbled in between spoonfuls.

“Oh, you little baby,” she teased, “I had to deal with your drunk self for an entire night. I thought you’d puke all over me.”

“Luckily, the only kind of vomiting I did was straight from my heart.”

“Your corny lines are getting old, Alwyn.”

“Luckily, my body is maintaining its youthful glow.”

“I don’t know,” Taylor began, giggling. “I’m spotting a few wrinkles right there.”

She ran a finger along his cheek, smearing ice-cream along his face. Joe’s face wrinkled in disgust, but he reacted quickly. With his ice-cream still in his mouth, he leaned over Taylor and deposited the melted ice-cream onto her neck. Taylor screamed at the coldness of it and pushed Joe away, resting a dirty hand along his white t-shirt. He jumped off the bed, examining his filthy t-shirt, and scolded her.

“Miss Swift, you’ve gotten me all mucked up,” he said as she tried to control her giggles.

Using the towel that they held the ice-cream on, Taylor wiped the remains of the ice-cream from her neck and tossed him the towel. He threw the towel to the ground and lifted up his t-shirt. Lifting it over his head, Joe stripped down until Taylor had a near perfect view of his golden chest. He had some chest hair, but it was enough for Taylor to find extremely attractive. She watched him as he looked in his bag for another shirt, all the while hoping he couldn’t see her blushing cheeks. When he replaced his chest with a new t-shirt, he grinned at her.

“You know that feeling where someone’s stare could burn through your skin? I’m burning, love.”

She definitely felt her cheeks redden.

“I wasn’t…”

“It’s nothing to be embarrassed about. But just know that now you can’t keep using the excuse that we don’t have sexual chemistry. It’s near palpable, and it’s radiating off of you.”

“Shut up,” she teased, throwing a pillow at him.

He ducked quickly, chuckling to himself. He slipped into the other bed, turning to face Taylor. Taylor began thinking about tomorrow.

“I know you’re nervous about what might happen,” Joe whispered, “but just know that no matter what, you’ll always have Becks and me in your corner.”

“Thanks, I really needed that.”

“Good night, love.”

“Good night, Joe.”

#alwyn vs. swift #taylor and joe #taylor swift fanfiction #taylor swift #joe alwyn

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j0sgomez-blog · 5 years

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Testing the Osprey Exos 58 backpack in Glacier National Park.

Ultralight Backpack Osprey Exos 58 and Eja 58 $220, 58L/3,539 c.i., 2 lbs. 11 oz. (men’s medium Exos) Sizes: men’s Exos S-L, women’s Eja XS-M Moosejaw.com

It’s difficult and sometimes dangerous to improve on a piece of gear that’s nearly perfect in its simplicity and functionality. So when Osprey rolled out the redesigned Exos for 2018, along with a women’s version, the Eja, with some changes to this popular model—which became an ultralight pack archetype when it was introduced in 2008—I immediately wanted to see whether the changes represent an improvement. Taking it on a six-day, roughly 90-mile hike on the Continental Divide Trail through Glacier National Park, I found definite improvements—including that it carries better than the previous iteration—and I think some backpackers may miss one convenient feature that’s absent from the updated pack.

For starters, Osprey finally made a critical update to its ultralight pack line, launching a women’s version, the Eja, with the same design as the Exos. Both models come in three torso sizes and three capacities (38L, 48L, and 58L). My 18-inch (46cm) torso falls on the cusp between a small and medium in the Exos 58; I chose the medium and it was comfortable with 30 pounds in the pack.

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Osprey Exos 58 front.

I had no trouble fitting my ultralight gear—including one luxury, a collapsible camp chair (the 17-ounce Helinox Chair Zero)—and food for six days inside the Exos 58 without overloading it. While I see the Exos 48 as strictly for backpackers taking short trips with a very minimalist kit, and the Exos 38 as basically a large daypack or possibly useful for extremely ultralight backpacking, the Exos 58 certainly has the capacity for weeklong trips and ultralight thru-hiking.

With an empty weight just a few ounces over 2.5 pounds, the Exos carries 30 pounds or more comfortably, thanks to the fixed (non-adjustable) Lightwire alloy perimeter frame with a stabilizing plastic cross strut. Like its predecessor, the frame has slight flex along its vertical and horizontal axes, and the frame’s curved shape transfers much of the pack weight onto your hips, where you want it. The redesigned frame is a couple of inches taller and has more of a bell shape than the previous version of the Exos, which helps focus the load more directly onto the hips—an improvement in comfort that’s noticeable, particularly on longer days or when you’ve loaded the pack to its weight capacity.

Like comparably minimalist suspensions, this one can generate a little bounce in the load, primarily when the pack weight exceeds 25 to 30 pounds. It’s not very noticeable, though, and basically unavoidable unless you get a pack with a more substantial suspension, which means significantly heavier.

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Osprey Exos 58 harness and back panel.

The trampoline-style back panel with side ventilation keeps the packbag off your back, allowing air movement through that gap. I noticed the cooling effect on long climbs to mountain passes under a warm sun in Glacier. The shoulder straps made of highly breathable, perforated foam are improved over the previous version, made slightly wider near the top, with the foam extending farther down toward the armpit.

Perhaps the biggest design change appears in the hipbelt. While still made of breathable, perforated foam, it replaces the zippered pockets of the previous Exos with a cutout that improves breathability, and a different wrap and weight distribution intended to complement the frame’s increased length and pronounced bell shape.

Osprey gave me this explanation for the hipbelt redesign that eliminates the hipbelt pockets: “The decision to remove the hipbelt pockets from the new Exos/Eja was not based on either cost or weight savings but rather a small sacrifice in the name of comfort. During the design process of Levity/Lumina, we found that this style of pack carried much better and was significantly more comfortable with this contoured shape that is wider at the bottom. This bell shape gives a better wrap around the hip and really adds to the comfort. With the bottom of the pack being wider, the hipbelt is much shorter and there is not room for a pocket that would be worthwhile. Our design ethos puts fit and comfort first and we are sometimes faced with the decision of features vs. fit/comfort. Fit and comfort will almost always win that battle.”

Osprey Exos 58 hipbelt.

As I wrote above, I think the redesigned pack carries a bit more comfortably than its predecessor. A friend with me in Glacier who has been a contented owner of the previous Exos 58 for some years told me, “I think I’d miss the hipbelt pockets.” I’ve always been a fan of hipbelt pockets on a pack. But in reality, the ease with which you can reach into the side pockets while wearing the new Exos—and thus keep snacks in them—meant I didn’t really notice not having the hipbelt pockets on our Glacier hike. I agree with Osprey’s decision that comfort should trump convenience in this case.

Osprey kept other smart details in the new Exos and Eja. The lid pocket is removable, to reduce pack weight by 4.5 ounces when unneeded, and it has good space for a pack in this category, plus a spacious, zippered valuables pocket on its bottom side. A fixed flap clips over the top-loading main compartment when you don’t bring the lid. But the lid is not extendable—arguably a good thing, because you don’t want to overload this pack, and you especially don’t want to make it top-heavy. (You also don’t want to make a pack with a trampoline-style back panel front-heavy, which can tip the weight away from your back, making the pack pull uncomfortably against your shoulders. See my video on how to properly load a backpack.)

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That said, the voluminous, stretch pockets on the front (large enough for a wet rainfly) and both sides (which fit a liter bottle with space to spare) do allow you to begin a trip with the Exos or Eja loaded beyond recommended capacity (and ideally eat into that load to reduce it within a day).

The new Exos/Eja also retain a favorite feature of mine, the trekking poles attachment on the left shoulder strap, useful for freeing your hands to shoot a photo on the move or scramble steeper terrain. These packs have standard features like ample side compression and external attachments for gear, including a single ice axe. The redesign eliminated the stretch-mesh pockets on each shoulder strap for bars or gels. The lightweight, 100-denier, high-tenacity nylon pack fabric in the bag and 210-denier high-tenacity nylon on the bottom compares to many packs.

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The price of the Exos hasn’t changed in the decade since it was first introduced, and it compares with similar models like the men’s Gregory Optic 58 and women’s Gregory Octal 55 ($210), while being less expensive than some of the better, specialized ultralight packs on the market, like the standout Hyperlite Mountain Gear 3400 Windrider (which has design features and materials that justify its $340 price tag).

Testing the Osprey Exos 58 in Glacier National Park.

For ultralight backpackers who may carry 30 pounds or more and need a pack that can handle trips or thru-hiking sections of up to a week—while being light enough for shorter trips—the Osprey men’s Exos 58 and women’s Eja 58 are not the lightest options on the market, but are leaders in terms of comfort and design, and available at a competitive price. They also come in the smaller Exos 48 and Eja 48 ($200, 48L/2,929 c.i., 2 lbs. 8 oz.), Exos 38 and Eja 38 ($180, 38L/2,319 c.i., 2 lbs. 5 oz.) is sized for use as a large daypack or for extremely ultralight backpacking.

As a side note, Osprey also introduced what it’s calling “super ultralight” packs in 2018, the men’s Levity 60 and women’s Lumina 60 ($270, 1.9 lbs.), which Osprey says carry up to 25 pounds, and the smaller Levity 45 and Lumina 45 ($250, 1.8 lbs.). Osprey cautions that these packs are definitely for committed ultralighters—for lighter loads than the Exos/Eja. I hope to test and review one soon, but I agree that they appear to be designed strictly for backpackers—primarily thru-hikers—who are carrying extremely minimalist kits.

BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog by clicking any of these links to purchase any men’s Osprey Exos backpack at moosejaw.com, ems.com, or rei.com, or any women’s Osprey Eja backpack at moosejaw.com, ems.com, or rei.com, or an Osprey Levity or Lumina through the links in the above paragraph.

Tell me what you think.

I spent a lot of time writing this story, so if you enjoyed it, please consider giving it a share using one of the buttons below, and leave a comment or question at the bottom of this story. I’d really appreciate it.

See all of my reviews of backpacks, ultralight backpacks, backpacking gear, and ultralight backpacking gear at The Big Outside. Click here to read my review of the previous version of the Osprey Exos 58.

See also my “Top 5 Tips For Buying the Right Backpacking Pack,” and my stories “Gear Review: The 10 Best Backpacking Packs” and “Ask Me: What’s the Best Ultralight Thru-Hiking Backpack?”

NOTE: I tested gear for Backpacker Magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. See categorized menus of all of my gear reviews at The Big Outside.

—Michael Lanza

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aemilythings-blog1 · 5 years

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With views stretching as far as the eye can see in every direction, the summit of Mount Barney offers one of the best summit experiences in South East Queensland.

While the hike up is challenging, it is well worth the effort. Having hiked up half a dozen different routes multiple times, in rain, whiteouts and darkness, it’s a place I love for the many adventures I’ve had there. But it’s also not a place for beginners.

Here is all you need to know about your first trip to Mount Barney and how to make it safe and enjoyable!

YOUR FIRST TRIP UP MOUNT BARNEY- WHAT TO EXPECT

Mount Barney National Park offers some challenging terrain to hike and climb in. And none more so than the many routes up to the two main summits.

The predominant East summit sitting at 1354m is the most popular, with the most well worn trails, while the West summit is slightly higher at 1359m and has far less traffic.

12 of the Best Hikes Around South East Queensland!

5 Things You Need to Remember When You First Start Hiking

The most common route up Mount Barney is the Peasants ridge, or south ridge, and is the best option for your first attempt.

Starting from the carpark, you immediately get hit with a decent hill to hike before it levels off and you can catch your breath and take in the incredible views. After this, the elevation goes up again as you weave around the bluffs and rocky outcrops, and your first challenge is the rocky slabs which often see ropes attached for many people as extra help.

This is only one of 2 main vertical challenges however, the second being the chimney section. Make it past these and the rest of the challenge is just fitness and navigation.

If you find either of these a bit too much, its best to turn around. Going up or coming down when its wet also adds a great deal of difficulty. Remember, coming down is always harder.

Eventually you will hit the midpoint between the two main peaks at the campsite known as ‘Rum Jungle’. From there, the tracks become faint as many people take different paths. This can be quite hard for those not used to ‘off track’ navigation.

Your first trip should be to the summit of the East peak. The important thing to remember is to stay on top of the ridge. If you drop off too far to each side you can get yourself stuck. Sheer drops also await there.

Making the Eastern summit is fantastic and on a clear day you can see very far. Look East and you will even see Mount Warning in the distance, 60 kilometers away.

After all the walking up, the decent is just as tiresome as your legs get worked on the opposite side. Fitness is important, including strong muscles in the ankle as its always when coming down that most accidents happen.

All in all, your first trip will take between 7-10 hours return.

PREPARING FOR MT BARNEY

There are 3 main areas you should have dialled before undertaking a trip to Mount Barney.

► Fitness

You should be quite capable of doing a full days hike in steep terrain. The fitter you are, the more you will enjoy it. A good solid base would be hiking a few times a month, doing full days, plenty of uphill, at least 2-3 months prior to your attempt.

Ankle strength is very important. I don’t advocate any particular footwear as the most important thing is good, strong muscles, tendons and joints. You will get these by simply hiking regularly! If you are new to hiking, some high cut hiking boots, the type that go just above the ankle, can help and would be recommended.

► Navigation skills

Often forgotten and ignored are your navigation skills. Situational awareness is the most important part of navigation and is only gained by spending lots of time doing it. You should take a topographic map covering Mount Barney, a compass, and know how to use it.

On top of that, whiteouts are very common on the summit and you can easily get lost without situational awareness.

You can read more on this post about it:

Learn This to Master Navigation! Learn Situational Awareness!

► Scrambling skills

Scrambling is the use of hands and feet getting up steeper terrain but without the use of ropes and climbing gear. This makes it challenging as there is no ‘safety’ other than you. Trusting yourself and your abilities is crucial. You should be able to deal with sheer drops and the exposure that goes with them. While the moves on exposed scrambles on the South ridge route are not technically challenging, if you let yourself get stressed you may make a mistake.

I cover the topic of scrambling and how to improve it here:

How to Improve Your Scrambling Ability

A DAY HIKE VS A OVERNIGHT HIKE

For your first trip, a day hike is highly recommended. Doing an overnight trip is harder if you haven't done them before, and especially if you haven't done any scrambling with a heavy pack!

Once you have done the South ridge once, and you are fit and experienced enough, you can definitely take your camping gear and plan an overnight trip! Going up at around lunch time and then camping in rum jungle, you can get up early for a scramble to the summit for sunrise.

THE IMPORTANT STUFF & GEAR TO TAKE

For a day hike:

◘ Backpack

◘ First Aid Kit

◘ Water (4 Litres)

◘ Food and snacks

◘ Shell/rain jacket

◘ Warm midlayer

◘ Hiking Shoes (high cut if beginner)

◘ Headtorch

◘ Trip intentions left with trusted contact (and a PLB is highly recommended)

You can find the full gear lists with downloadable PDF’s, HERE.

DIFFICULTY: Hard

TIMES/LENGTH: 7-10 hours return, 16Km with 1150 meters elevation gain.

START LOCATION: Yellow Pinch Reserve located HERE.

SEASON: April to October is ideal. Summer months (November to March) is not recommended as the heat is very intense.

WEATHER: Whiteouts are common, avoid when raining or rain is forecast. Check the weather before you go!

OTHER:

◘ Wikiloc GPS link HERE.

◘ Water is usually found at Rum Jungle Campsite, however in hot years this can dry up. No other water sources are up there, carry all your water!

◘ Mt Barney Lodge runs guided tours if you are unsure of whether you can manage it. They have excellent guides and can tailor trips just for you! Check them out HERE!

Mount Barney is a real gem for exploration with many routes to try. Once you have done the South ridge, try the South East for extra challenge. It’s one of my favourite routes up there and gets you straight onto the East summit! Nothing beats those expansive views

Happy adventures!

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altughuner-blog · 5 years

Photo

We all are travelers in our own ways and there different types of travel to explore. While some of us are in the business of traveling, it is a part of life for everyone. Humans have an inherent urge to travel, to see the unseen, to know the world unlike ours. Our ancestors were nomads, they wandered around in search of food and shelter. I wonder if they also wandered to discover new lands, new landscapes, new types of food and maybe better dwellings.

Human Civilization has come a long way since then. Our urge to travel, our curiosity for the world not seen yet has taken the shape of holidays. We look forward to breaks from our work to enjoy leisure time in a new destination.

37 Types of Travel

I am often asked what type of traveler you are? How does one answer that? There are so many reasons and seasons to travel. So, here is a post telling you some of the popular ways to travel. Which one should you choose depends on your interests, your finances, and your personality? I would say try as many as possible at least once.

1, 2 – Short Weekend Breaks Vs Long Slow Travel

The first thing that you need to travel is time. If you do not have time, there is a day job that needs all your active time. Take a weekend break at least once a month. Explore the areas surrounding your own city and you will be surprised how much there is to explore there. When I was working full time I used to follow weekend travel for at least one week in a month.

On the other side of the spectrum is Long Slow Travel is the type of travel that digital nomads prefer to work with these days. In Long Slow Travel you stay at a destination for a longer duration – anywhere from one month to one year. Most nomads would stay for 3-6 months and explore the destination or region at a slow pace. Many Travel bloggers also do this.

3, 4 – Backyard Travel Vs Travel the World

If you live in an ancient land like India, there is so much to explore right in your neighborhood. You can simply go walking around in your own city and you will discover so much. When I lived in Delhi, I walked around the streets of Delhi and explored so much about the ancient to the modern history of the city. I wrote 30 odd walking tours of Delhi. It was a world in itself waiting to be discovered. And, while you go around exploring the nook and corner of India, don’t forget to secure your journey with Tata AIG’s Domestic Travel Guard Insurance to have a hassle-free trip.

Travel the world is everyone’s dream. We all fulfill it to some extent. It is always fascinating to visit new countries and learn about their culture and food. Many travelers keep a count of the number of countries visited, some are chasing the number of stamps on their passports. Whenever you travel overseas, make sure you have International travel insurance to take care of any mishaps. The laws of every land are different and costs of trip cancellation, baggage loss, unexpected accidents, and medical emergencies can be prohibitive.

5, 6 – Leisure Vs Business Travel

Leisure travel is what our dreams are made of. Sitting on a sunny beach, sipping our favorite drink in a luxurious resort away from the world. This is travel when we leave our normal day to day life back home and treat ourselves to all the luxuries we can afford, pamper ourselves and rejuvenate ourselves. Please treat yourself to such travels once in a while, works like magic for your well being.

Heritage and Nature at Lodhi Garden in Delhi

Business travel also takes you to different parts of the world. While most of us see it as work, it shows you the world from a common citizen’s perspective. Take out time in the evenings or add a day to your travel to explore the destination. When I was working, I used a lot of my business travel to explore many destinations my work took me to.

7, 8, 9 – Air Travel Vs Train Travel VS Cruise Trips

A journey is as enjoyable as the destination they say. The mode of travel you choose can be a part of the travel adventure. Many of us who grew up in the 1980s in India, travel memories are invariably tied to long train journeys. I remember my uncle used to live in Varanasi and we used to visit them during our holidays. The joy of the train journey is what I remember the most. We used to wait for stations for the food that we used to get there.

Air Travel is the most popular in this day and age. It has the advantage of speed, but I do not recall any stories from my thousands of air journeys. For some reason, people hardly speak to each other on airports. The food is usually bad. Having said that, Air travel is the best option for long distance travel or when you have a shortage of time.

Cruise ships take you over waters. Imagine surrounded by waters all day as you move from one destination to another.

10, 11, 12 – Road Trip Vs Cycling Tours Vs Walking Tours

Carrying the mode of travel thought forward, one of my favorites modes to travel is road trips with no defined itinerary. You have a final destination but there are a lot more than you discover on the way. Road trips are when you discover the small eateries on the way. You stop by the fields to admire them. I remember Sarson Ke Khet that you find across North India when you drive from Delhi to Alwar or in rural Punjab around Patiala.

Cycling tours are favorites with those who prefer eco-tourism and responsible tourism. It is also great for fitness travel. You are slower than a vehicle but faster than walking. You can stop where you want. There are cities like Chandigarh or Vancouver where you can rent a cycle and tour around the city. Hope every city in India someday gets this system in place.

Walking tours are my favorite. I love walking around the cities I live in & the cities I visit. When in nature they take the form of nature trails. Walking is like meditation in nature. In cities, it is like being a part of the trail you are walking. You engage with all the elements of place, absorbing them, making them your own.

13, 14, 15 – Luxury Travel Vs Backpacking or Flashpacking

Travel is for everyone – rich or poor or middle class. If you can afford it, you can buy all the possible luxuries in your holidays. If you can’t, you can still roam around like a carefree person with your backpack. The core of travel remains the same – a luxury traveler may take business class flight ticket while the backpacker may travel in second class in railways. The luxury traveler may enjoy the Gourmet food while backpacker may binge on fresh street food.

Lately, Flashpacking is becoming the trend, which is nothing but an affluent backpacker. The clear definition is still evolving but in my mind, it is the what next generation free-spirited travelers will aim for.

16, 17, 18 – Solo Travel Vs Family Travel Vs Friends Travel

Let’s come to who do you travel with. They say that travel brings out the best and worst in you. Maybe you should travel with your potential partners to discover that.

Solo travel is overhyped in digital media, most people travel solo as they cannot find a company to travel. Having said that, I suggest you should do some solo travels in life. It is when you travel alone that you are 100% in the destination. It is during solo travels that you get to know yourself a lot, get to spend quality time with yourself. It’s also the freest mode of traveling with no constraints to accommodate others. It comes with its own downsides, so balance it out by traveling with others, at other times.

Family travel comes naturally to most families, who look forward to spending some free time together. I think if you ask a couple or a family, their fondest family moments – they are always the travel moments. So, go ahead and create those magical moments for yourself and your family.

Traveling with friends is fun. While family usually has different age groups, most friends’ groups are in your age bracket. People in our age bracket tend to have similar tendencies, and that makes travels with friends so much fun. There is nothing like gossiping through the night or binging on your favorite food with friends sitting on a beach or a mountain.

19, 20, 21 – Visiting Friends & Relatives Vs Retreats

Do we always have to travel to distant places? Not really. Most of our childhood travels meant traveling to visit grandparents or relatives or family friends. It is still a great idea to go and stay with family and friends when you want to explore a destination. Not only do you get to meet your loved ones but your costs are also taken care of. Be welcoming when the reverse happens.

Retreats mean going away from everyone and spending time with yourself. There are different types of retreats offered in distant resorts like Yoga retreats, meditation retreats, spiritual retreats or wellness retreats.

22, 23 – Package Tours Vs Follow your Heart Travel

Package tours are looked down upon by many travelers, but they are the easiest way to travel. Everything is outsourced to someone and you just follow the itinerary and enjoy the tour. Yes, it does not give you the flexibility to do your things or spend as much time at any place that you may like a lot. I suggest if you have just started to travel – they are not at all a bad option to explore. Package tours are usually economical.

Planning your own travel itinerary or following your heart is something we all want to do. Please note that this requires a hell lot of research, negotiations, planning and any downside anywhere is your responsibility. You have the freedom but you have to do take care of every minute thing yourself.

24, 25 – Laid Back Vs Adventure Travel

Laid back and adventure travel may seem like two ends of a spectrum, but we need both of them. When you are stressed out and in need of some relaxation, choose the laid back resort to relax. On the other hand, when life is too sedentary, take an adventure break and get back your Josh.

I would not suggest choosing between these two types of travel but just enjoy them alternatively.

26, 27, 28 – Culture Travel Vs Nature Trails Vs Offbeat Travel

I am a culture vulture. I can spend hours in the galleries of museums, in the crowded markets, in old streets and talking to people. All the old living places are my go to places. This does not mean you have to like it too, but try it, you may just fall for it.

Nature is everyone’s muse. Who does not like to be closer to nature? Till industrialization made us a part of concrete jungles, our ancestors happily lived with nature. Flora and Fauna were a part of their everyday life. We visit national parks and wildlife sanctuaries to relive those times. For me, it is an opportunity to learn about wildlife, trees, spiders, and things that are not there in my surroundings.

Offbeat travel is a jargon. Anything that you have not seen but you want to see is offbeat. Does it really matter of million other people also want to see that? If you have not seen Taj Mahal but you want to see, it is offbeat for you. So, make your own wish list of places you want to see and follow it. You will keep adding things as you go, that is another thing.

29, 30 – Traveling for Festival Vs Sports

These types of travel are time-based. You must do them at a particular time.

Festivals are a good reason to visit a destination at a particular time like visiting Gujarat for Navaratri or Surajkund during Mela or Prayagraj during Kumbh Mela. This includes shopping festivals that are hosted by countries like Singapore and Dubai.

Sports events too, take place in a given duration. So, if you are a huge cricket or a football fan and you have a followed the sport all your life on television, once in a while you should see the action live. I think this would be best enjoyed with your buddies who are equally passionate about the sport.

31, 32 – Gap Year Travel Vs Volunteering

Gap year travel is popular in the western world. This is one thing I hope our Indian youth also starts taking up. There is so much you can learn first-hand from traveling that it would enrich you for the rest of your life.

Voluntourism came in vogue last few years but lately, there are a lot of questions being raised about it. I would say pick up a small job with a local organization that allows you about 50% of your time to yourself, that you use to explore the place.

33 – Pilgrimage Tourism

Pilgrimage is the oldest form of tourism. In India, many Yatras are prescribed for everyone, that would take you around the country. Though the ultimate destination is always a temple or a Tirtha the journey would take you through the landscape of the route. You would end up interacting with the people on the way and discover their cultures.

It is also the spiritual travel that you take as much inwards as you take it outwards. In good old days, when you went on pilgrimage, you also spent time with learned saints and sadhus with an aim to gain knowledge.

34, 35 – Medical Tourism Vs Industrial Tourism

These are two modern age technology driven travels. Medical tourism lets you go to a new destination for medical treatment. You may do it for its cost or for the quality of treatment. For example, a lot of people come to India for Ayurvedic treatments or Dental treatments.

Industrial tourism is mostly done by students trying to gain insight into the world of industries that they would soon become part of. However, in Germany, I visited the Volkswagen factory on a tour, and it was an incredible experience. There may not be too many readily available, but try the ones that you can take up.

36, 37 – Mountains Vs Beaches or Skiing Vs Surfing

Some of us are mountain lovers and others are beach lovers. I like both. Do not let the labels you give yourself not to enjoy the other. I have friends who would not touch beaches because they call themselves a mountain person. Skiing and surfing are equally enjoyable.

Types of Travel

Finally, no matter what types of Travel you choose, you are essentially choosing between disconnecting from the World or engaging with the world. No matter how you travel, enjoy it, these are some of the most precious moments of your life.

The post How Many Different Types Of Travel You Can Do? appeared first on Inditales.

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universi-tea · 7 years

Photo

i. supplies

Binders for each set of classes (Monday/Wednesday, Online, etc)

I personally find that this works better than individual notebooks because some classes you will hardly ever take notes in but get a lot of handouts, while others you’ll be making pages of notes in everyday. This way you can customize it how you need and not waste a whole notebook because you only took five pages of notes all semester. It also saves space since you’ll just have one binder in your bag vs. three notebooks!

Extra looseleaf paper (I like Target’s with reinforced edges)

Folders (one for each class’ old notes, + extras)

A good variety of pens, pencils, and highlighters

Including some you don’t care about, because your classmates will inevitably borrow them and never give them back.

Sticky notes

Index cards & holders

A flash drive (keep it with you always)

A planner

Desk supplies such as tape, scissors, ruler, etc

ii. your backpack

A plain, old fashioned backpack is best. Get one that’s sturdy and roomy; outdoor brands are a good place to start (North Face, LL Bean, Patagonia, etc).

Tote bags are good if you just have one class and don’t have to carry much, but be sure not to overload them.

What to carry everyday:

A couple pens and some paper. Even if you never use it in that class, the day you forget it is the day you’ll have a pop quiz.

Don’t carry textbooks unless you know you need them. They get heavy fast. Buy ebooks when you can, or share with a friend.

Your laptop if you use it for notes or have breaks to study.

Earbuds! I always keep a spare pair in my backpack.

Chargers for your phone and laptop

A water bottle

Healthy-ish snacks (granola bars and trail mix are good choices)

A couple of dollars, just in case.

Your student ID

You may need to carry more or less, depending on what classes you take! Just try not to carry too much and hurt your back.

iii. clothes

Don’t wear pajamas or sweats to class. I don’t care how late you slept or how hungover you are, have the respect for your professor to take the extra ten seconds to throw on a pair of jeans. Your future boss won’t put up with you not bothering to get dressed, so don’t get in the habit now.

Cute alternatives to pjs: jersey dresses (with leggings if it’s chilly), joggers/harem pants/whatever the kids are calling them these days, these pants. All easy to put on and run out the door, plus way comfy for days when you’re just not feeling it.

LAYER, always.

Because out of all the tens of thousands of dollars you are giving to that place, not a single dime is going towards updating the air conditioning unit they put in in 1962. You will be frigid in one room and burning up in another.

If you have a presentation, dress in an outfit that’s not distracting for you or your audience.

No busy/graphic shirts, short hemlines that you’ll be tugging on, or anything that you don’t feel confident in.

Bonus points for going business casual (it may even be required!).

Have at least one nice, professional outfit for interviews, career fairs, etc.

Some classes, especially labs, may have special dress codes. Check!

Be sure to check out part one!

#mine #studyblr #study #study tips #school #studyspo #academlets #medblr #lawblr #new studyblr #elkstudies #heysereena #photo #inspo #my masterpost #1k

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marymperezga · 5 years

Text

My Backpacking Gear Checklist (How To Pack For A Trek)

My Lightweight Backpacking Gear Setup

Outdoor Gear Guide

Learn how to pack for a successful overnight backpacking or trekking adventure with lightweight gear essentials like a tent, stove, clothing, and more. My ultimate backpacking checklist!

As you’re about to see with my ultimate backpacking checklist here — I’m a total gear nerd!

From backpacking in Greenland, trekking in Afghanistan, or hill-walking in Ireland, I’m always searching for the lightest and most comfortable hiking & camping equipment. Updating my gear guides on a regular basis.

Fortunately, you get to benefit from my expensive hobby of collecting and testing outdoor backpacking gear by learning from my experiences using it during adventures around the world.

At the end of this guide, you’ll find a FREE printable backpacking checklist that you can download and use for your next trip!

Favorite Backpacking Gear For 2019

Backpacking VS Trekking

Lightweight Backpacking Checklist

Choosing A Backpack

Color-Coded Stuff Sacks

Tents & Overnight Shelters

Warm Sleeping Bag

Comfortable Sleeping Pad

Backpacker Kitchen

Hiking & Trekking Clothing

Backpacking Outerwear

Hiking Shoes Or Boots

Backpacking Food

Personal Hygiene Items

The Backpacking Essentials

My Favorite Luxury Items

Backpacking With Camera Gear

Why Listen To Me?

Experience! I’ve been backpacking & trekking around the world for the past 9 years through mountains, deserts, forests, jungles and National Parks in multiple countries. This guide is also completely independent.

Backpacking VS Trekking

First off, I want to define the difference between backpacking, trekking, and hiking. These words are sometimes used interchangeably — but they can also have different meanings depending on who you ask.

Backpacking is a hiking trip that includes overnight camping. Packing everything you need to be self-sufficient in the wilderness on your back. Like my 10-day solo backpacking trip on Greenland’s Arctic Circle Trail.

Trekking is hiking long-distance, for days or weeks at a time. You might pack everything in yourself, but more likely you’ll have a guide and pack animal or human porter to help you. You may or may not need to bring your own shelter. Like my trek in the mountains of Afghanistan with a local guide & pack horse.

Hiking is just walking on a wilderness trail through the mountains, forest, desert, or even the countryside. Generally, this is used to define day hikes that don’t require an overnight stay. Like my day hike up Ireland’s highest mountain.

I’m going to focus on a typical 2-5 day backpacking trip, packing in your own food, water, and camping gear. But much of this will also work as a trekking packing list.

Lightweight Backpacking Checklist

The Gear I Pack for Overnight Trekking

Backpacking checklists & packing lists can be a controversial subject. Everyone has an opinion about what’s the best hiking and camping gear to bring on a trip!

You have your traditional backpackers, lightweight backpackers, and even ultra light thru-hikers who all do things differently.

For this backpacking gear checklist, I’m sharing my personal setup, which is considered “lightweight” with a 20 lbs (9 kg) base-weight.

Backpack base-weight is the weight of all your gear except for food, water, and fuel — which varies depending on the length & location of your trip.

Choosing A Hiking Backpack

Great Backpacks for Hiking & Camping

Overnight Backpacks

For multi-day hiking & backpacking, where you’ll need to carry everything in on your back, I recommend choosing a 40-65 liter backpack that will hold your tent, sleeping bag, food, water, and other backpacking essentials.

Gregory Mountain Zulu 55 – This is the backpack I take with me on most 2-3 day trips. It’s super lightweight (3.5 lbs), comfortable, and well designed. The front-loading pannel makes it a great travel backpack too.

Arcteryx Bora 50 – For long-distance treks with the potential for more extreme weather, or more weight (like winter camping), I prefer this for superior weather resistance and a more comfortable hip-belt.

Day Hiking Backpacks

You may or may not want a day pack — it depends on the type of trip. Other than a traditional day-hike that doesn’t require camping, you might also want a day pack to wear during a guided trek, for easy access to certain items while the rest of your gear is with a porter or pack animal.

I do not bring a day pack on independent overnight hiking & camping trips.

Osprey Stratos 24

Arcteryx Alpha AR 35

Waterproofing Your Pack

What if it rains during your backpacking trip? Most hikers bring a waterproof rain cover for their backpack, and I used to as well. Until I discovered the magic of using a trash compactor bag (or two) to line the INSIDE of my pack.

Why? First of all, they are much cheaper. Second, they are multi-use items. Finally, they are much more effective. Sure, the outside of your backpack will still get wet, but everything inside will be bone-dry. Even if you fall into a river.

Color-Coded Stuff Sacks

To keep your backpack organized during your hiking adventure, I recommend using a few lightweight stuff sacks and/or packing cubes, in different colors, so it’s easy to grab important gear quickly.

Sea To Summit Ultra-Sil Stuff Sack – I use a few of these in different sizes & colors for my spare clothing, cold weather gear, and more.

Eagle Creek Specter Sacks – I also have a few of these for smaller items, like my repair kit and to store my (occasionally damp) microfiber towel.

Tents & Overnight Shelters

My Nemo Hornet 2 Person Tent

If you plan to sleep outside in the wilderness, you’re going to need a quality shelter to pack with you. Traditionally this would mean using a tent, but a camping hammock or bivy bag are other possible options. While I own and use all three types of shelters, generally I think most people should start with a tent.

Lightweight Tents

This is one of your most important pieces of backpacking gear. You want to find a tent that is a good combination of lightweight, spacious, waterproof, and easy to set up. It’s basically where you’ll be living during your trip!

Nemo Equipment Hornet 2P – My current favorite lightweight backpacking tent if I’m on my own. Perfect for one person plus some gear, but a bit tight with two people. I use this 75% of the time.

Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 – Another great tent I own. Slightly more room if I’m going to be sharing it with someone else.

BUDGET OPTION: REI Quarter Dome 2 Tent

Camping Hammocks

If you’re going to be camping in a forest or jungle, it might make sense to hang a hammock for your backpacking shelter. A camping hammock keeps you off the ground, away from bugs & wet conditions, but is also easy to pack with no aluminum poles. Some people prefer sleeping in them to tents also.

Hennessy Hammock Jungle Explorer – I’ve used this camping hammock on many adventures. From hitchhiking America, canoeing the BWCA, and even exploring the jungle in Panama’s Darien Gap.

Bivy Sacks

Bivy sacks are not for everyone. Basically, it’s like sleeping in a waterproof bag. The reason some experienced backpackers prefer them is due to their extreme light weight. It’s for minimalists & ultra-light hikers.

Outdoor Research Helium Bivy – Weighing less than a pound, this is an ultra-lightweight shelter for hardcore minimalist hikers.

Warm Sleeping Bag

Good Morning!

For a good night’s sleep, you need a warm sleeping bag. They key is to pick a bag rated warm enough for the weather you’ll encounter on your backpacking trip. I own two sleeping bags (30F & 0F), but if you can only get one, I’d probably recommend something around 15F degrees.

Down sleeping bags are warmer with less weight, but also more expensive. Synthetic bags weigh a bit more, but are more affordable.

Nemo Riff Down 15F/-1C – An amazing 3-season down fill bag that packs up super small, with zipper air vents for those warmer nights. Spoon shape for comfortable side sleeping. I own the 30F version of this.

Nemo Sonic Down 0F/-18C – A fantastic winter mummy sleeping bag for staying warm in very cold conditions. They also make a -20F version.

BUDGET OPTION: Marmot Trestles 15F Synthetic

Comfortable Sleeping Pad

Sleeping pads have come a long way over the years. From bulky rolled pieces of foam, to lightweight inflatable versions with high-tech baffles that take up far less room in your pack. A good sleeping pad can make a huge difference in how much you enjoy camping outside.

Sea to Summit Ether Light XT – I’ve tried countless sleeping pads over the years, and this is my favorite by far. Weights only 15 ounces, but is insulated and inflates to a thick 4-inches. I’ve never slept better in the backcountry!

Backpacker Kitchen

Cooking Gear for Backpacking

You don’t need to lug a ton of pots & pans into the wilderness anymore. A lightweight backpacker kitchen allows you to boil water for cooking simple dehydrated meals on the go.

Camp Stove & Fuel

MSR WindBurner Backpacking Stove – After years of using a JetBoil, I made the switch to MSR’s new system due to better cooking in windy conditions and faster boil times.

Mug/Bowl/Spoon

GSI Infinity Mug – While I could technically use the thin “cup” included with my MSR Windburner stove, I prefer a proper insulated mug that keeps coffee warm longer, with a spill-proof cap.

GSI Essential Spoon – Awesome long-handled camping spoon that can reach deep into a dehydrated food bag.

Hiking & Trekking Clothing

Base Layers

Arcteryx Ether Crew – Lightweight, breathable, synthetic t-shirt. I wear one, and pack a spare. They weigh nothing.

Smartwool Merino 150 Top & Smartwool Merino 150 Pants – I always bring one pair of thermals to sleep in, or wear under my clothes in cold weather.

Mid-Layers

Arcteryx Konseal Hoody – Lightweight fleece pullover for when the temperature starts to drop.

Down/Synthetic Puffy

Arcteryx Cerium LT Hoody – Lightweight, packable down jacket with a hood. For extra cold conditions, or under a waterproof shell jacket.

BUDGET OPTION: Mountain Hardwear Ghost Jacket

Socks & Underwear

I generally pack 3 pairs of socks on my backpacking trips. Two pairs to alternate for hiking (so my feet are always dry) and some thick wool socks for sleeping. One spare set of underwear.

Darn Tough Socks – My favorite brand of hiking socks. As the name implies, they last a long time!

SAXX Boxer Briefs – Expensive, but sooooo comfortable. Quick drying very breathable. I also use them for travel.

Backpacking Outerwear

These are the outer layers that protect you from nature’s wrath — the wind, rain, and snow. You should always pack some sort of rain gear on any backpacking adventure.

Waterproof Shell Jacket

Arc’teryx Zeta SL Jacket – Super lightweight waterproof and packable rain shell for hiking.

BUDGET OPTION: Mountain Hardwear Ozonic Jacket

Waterproof Shell Pants

Arc’teryx Zeta SL Pant – Super lightweight waterproof and packable rain pants for hiking.

BUDGET OPTION: Mountain Hardwear Ozonic Pants

Warm Gloves & Hat

Obviously this is going to depend on the season, but I usually bring something to keep my head and hands warm just in case the weather turns bad, or it’s colder than expected at night.

Smartwool Sport 150 Hat – Lightweight merino-wool hat to help keep my ears and head warm when it gets cold or windy.

Arc’teryx Rivet Gloves – Thin but wind-resistant gloves that are comfortable for accessing the controls on my camera.

Hiking Shoes Or Boots

There is an ongoing discussion in the backpacking world about the benefits of using hiking shoes over heavy hiking boots. I own a pair of each, and use them for different situations.

La Sportiva Akyra – Lightweight mountain running shoes that I use for most day hikes and shorter backpacking trips.

Scarpa SL Active Boot – My heavy-duty backpacking boots, that I break out for long-distance trekking in more extreme environments.

Scarpa Mont Blanc Pro – Insulated winter mountaineering boots for hiking on snow & ice with crampons.

Backpacking Food

Here’s the deal. I’m not a backpacker gormet cook like some people are. Food is just fuel to me. So I keep my diet simple and fast to prepare.

Trail Mix & Snacks

Usually bags of trail mix (nutes, dired fruit, etc) and some energy bars. I prefer Lara Bars and Clif Protein Bars. These act as both snacks and my lunch. Maybe some Sour Patch Kids or chocolate as an extra treat.

Dinner: Dehydrated Food

Good-To-Go Backpacker Meals – Tasty dehydrated bags of food that just need some hot water to prepare. You can eat right out of the bag too!

Breakfast: Instant Oatmeal

Quaker Protein Oatmeal – Instant oatmeal packets with some extra protein in different flavors. I usually add some dried berries too.

Coffee!

Starbucks Via Instant Coffee – I’ll be the first to tell you I’m not a big Starbucks fan in person. But their instant coffee packets are pretty damn good.

Bear Proof Container

Ursack Major Bear Bag – Easier to pack than a hard-sided container, this Kevlar bag keeps bears and rodents out of your food.

Personal Hygiene Items

Wilderness Wash – Biodegradable soap that’s safe for the environment.

Quick-Dry Towel –

Bamboo Toothbrush – Cut it in half for a travel-sized (and environmentally friendly) version.

Shaving Kit!

Ok, this isn’t a backpacking essential. But a simple shaving kit is part of my own personal hygiene routine. So I thought I’d include it for entertainment value!

I pack a razor, small tube of environmentally friendly shaving cream, and a camp mirror. Generally shaving my head and face every 2-3 days during a trip.

Pooping Kit

Everybody poops. But there’s a particular way to poop in the backcountry that minimizes your impact on nature in the spirit of Leave No Trace principles.

The Deuce Potty Trowel – Lightweight aluminum backpacking trowel for digging a “cat hole” to do your business.

Toilet Paper – Self-explanatory. You probably don’t need a full roll. Take out the cardboard center core to minimize weight and make it easier to pack.

Biodegradable Wet Wipes – For a fresh & clean finish!

Hand Sanitizer – To get rid of any left-over germs.

ZipLock Freezer Bag – To safely store & pack out all your used paper products…

The 10 Backpacking Essentials

These are the 10 most essential items to take with you on any backpacking adventure. From long-distance trekking to simple day hikes. They will help you survive in the wilderness during normal conditions or in an emergency situation.

1. Navigation

Getting lost in the wilderness can turn dangerous quickly. Knowing where you are, and where you need to go, is an essential part of safe backpacking.

Paper Map & Compass – Old school, but the most reliable (as long as you know how to use them).

Gaia GPS App – Amazing iPhone and Android GPS hiking trail app that works offline, even if you don’t have cell service.

Garmin InReach Mini – Personal locator beacon (PLB) and/or satellite communicator device. Alert authorities in an emergency, plus send & receive text messages via satellite.

2. Headlamp

Always pack a light to find your way back down the trail after an epic summit sunset! Or overnight camping trips. Plus a set of spare batteries.

Black Diamond Storm – Powerful, lightweight, and waterproof headlamp that has a great locking feature so it won’t turn on inside your bag.

3. Sun Protection

Many people underestimate the power of the sun, and a bad sunburn or sun-blindness can quickly ruin a great trip. I always pack a combination of wilderness-friendly sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and a lightweight Buff.

4. First Aid Kit

Some kind of first aid kit is a must on any outdoor adventure. You can buy a pre-made one like the one below, or create your own custom kit, which is what I do.

Adventure Medical Kits 7 – Covers all the basics. Bandages, pills, tweezers, blister care, etc.

5. Water & Filtration System

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Always research how much water you need to bring on a hike to stay properly hydrated, and bring a water purification system too. There are many ways to do this, my setup for long-distance hiking is:

Nalgene 32oz Bottle – I still prefer a wide-mouth Nalgene bottle so I can add re-hydration salt packets to it.

Sawyer Mini Water Filter – Tiny water filter. With the included straw, I can drink dirty water out of my Nalgene, or attach directly to a water bag (below).

Evernew Hydration Bags – Lightweight and fold-able water bladders that screw into the Sawyer Mini, plus they can stand on their own.

Aquatabs – Emergency backup water purification system.

6. Sharp Knife

A key piece of survival equipment for hiking & backpacking trips. My favorite wilderness knife is the Enzo Trapper, but you’ll also get along fine with something less fancy like a Swiss Army pocket knife.

7. Fire Kit

To help you cook food, boil water, and stay warm in an emergency situation. You don’t need to go crazy. I usually bring a pair of Bic Lighters, some cottonballs in a tiny ziplock bag for tinder, and a few water/wind-proof matches.

8. Emergency Shelter

If you’re on an overnight backpacking trip, you’ll already have a tent as I mentioned earlier. But I also recommend bringing an emergency shelter (tent blows away, burns down, etc). It’s also wise to pack a shelter on long day hikes, in case you get injured or lost and need to spend the night.

SOL Emergency Bivy Bag – This heat reflective and breathable bivy bag will keep you warm in an emergency.

9. Extra Food

Always bring at least an extra half-day’s worth of food with you on day hikes, and a full extra day’s worth of food on longer multi-day backpacking trips for unexpected situations.

10. Extra Clothing

Pack a few warm layers (thermal underwear, extra socks, hat, gloves, etc.) to help you stay warm & dry if the weather turns bad, you fall into a river, or have to spend an unexpected night in the wilderness.

My Favorite Luxury Items

While you could pack ultra-light and reduce all unnecessary luxuries from your backpacking gear checklist, sometimes a little extra weight is worth the comfort. Here are my personal favorite hiking & camping extras!

Trekology Inflatable Pillow – I’ve tried many backpacking pillows over the years, this has the best combination of comfort mixed with lightweight pack-ability. It really improved my sleep quality!

Black Diamond Trekking Poles – Trust me on this one. Your knees will thank you. Especially on steep descents — and if you’re over 30 years old…

Anker Portable Battery – For recharging my iPhone, GoPro, or satelite beacon. Small but powerful. Recharges a phone up to 3 times.

LuminAide Packlite – Lightweight inflatable solar lantern for lighting up your tent or campsite area. Nice backup light to a headlamp.

Earplugs – They weigh nothing, and are very helpful if you want to sleep through thunderstorms, owls, insects, bears walking around your tent, snoring friends, and other nature sounds that are louder than expected.

Repair Kit – Miscellaneous repair gear with 50 feet of paracord, sleeping pad puncture kit, Tenacious Tape, safety pins, zip-ties, sewing kit, etc.

OR Hiking Gaiters – For those especially wet, muddy, snowy, or rough backpacking trips. Helps keep your feet and pants dry and protected.

Camp Shoes/Sandals – Something lightweight and comfortable to wear when you’re done hiking for the day. Can also be used for river crossings.

Backpacking With Camera Gear

How to Pack Camera Gear

Ok, what about hiking with camera gear? I could probably write a whole article about this subject too. For a photography-heavy day hike, I usually bring my LowePro Whistler 350 Camera Backpack.

On longer multi-day backpacking or trekking adventures, I tend to bring much less gear, and attach a simple LowePro Toploader Pro Bag to the front of my shoulder straps.

I might also use a Peak Design Camera Clip and a Peak Design Rain Cover, if I want to travel super light in regards to camera equipment.

You can check out all my photography equipment here.

FREE DOWNLOAD: Backpacking Checklist

If you’d like a simple, one-page backpacking checklist that you can print out to help plan future trips, you can download it for free below. Enjoy!

DOWNLOAD YOUR CHECKLIST NOW →

Enjoy This Post? Pin It!

READ MORE BACKPACKING STORIES

I hope you enjoyed my backpacking checklist & gear guide! Hopefully you found it useful. Here are a few more wanderlust-inducing articles that I recommend you read next:

Hiking Italy’s Tre Cime di Lavaredo

Climbing Ireland’s Highest Mountain

Kerlingarfjöll Geothermal Area In Iceland

Backpacking Through Afghanistan

Trekking Greenland’s Arctic Circle Trail

Have any questions about backpacking gear or packing for a trek? Any other suggestions? Let me know in the comments below!

This is a post from The Expert Vagabond adventure blog.

from Tips For Traveling https://expertvagabond.com/backpacking-gear-checklist/

0 notes

thecoroutfitters · 6 years

Link

Written by R. Ann Parris on The Prepper Journal.

Editors Note: Another article from R. Ann Parris to The Prepper Journal. As always, if you have information for Preppers that you would like to share then enter into the Prepper Writing Contest with a chance to win one of three Amazon Gift Cards with the top prize being a $300 card to purchase your own prepping supplies!

In some cases, modern information sharing and science leads us to throw away conventional wisdom’s – rightfully so. However, there are tidbits from history that still apply, particularly to preppers and modern homesteaders.

I’ve looked at historic trail foods, rations, and preservation methods before, from both the travel aspect and the ability to preserve harvests. This time, I want to look at the dogged insistence that soldiers required more variety to combat food fatigue starting in World War II and the items we as preppers regularly consider luxuries but that were must-have basics for both soldiers and the settlers walking beside wagons during western expansion.

Wagon Train Meals

First up, let’s poke at the typical meal schedules of the western-expansion pioneers. That’s a hot meal morning and evening (makes total sense – so does the fact that beans got served in the morning). Many backpackers follow the same trend, or only have one hot meal.

In between, pioneers had a midday meal.

They stopped in the heat of the day, and they ate. Usually it was leftovers from breakfast, or it might be just crackers, dried fruit, and jerky, but they ate. The civilians, the miners, the military, migrating natives, USGS survey teams … pretty well across the board, on the trail and once they settled in somewhere.

A lot of packers and military rations are set up for some snacking through the day, in lieu of or in addition to that midday meal, and some preppers plan for the same.

I bring it up, because there are also preppers who actively plan to only eat twice a day. Addressing the “two meals a day” idea really deserves a little more focus, but I wanted to slide it in here super quick. There’s plenty of research and history to consider, from pioneers and early soldiers to pre-petrol and early-tractor farmhands.

Luxury vs. Staple

From the days before western expansion when supplies were hauled across the entire continent after crossing oceans, through the War Between the States and the days of the “greatest generation”, there was a constant. It’s a constant we as preppers most usually stick in the “luxury” category and plan to do without.

That constant is a warm brown drink.

Now, society has changed. If you don’t drink soda, tea, coffee or anything but some juice you can produce, sure, ignore this section.

If you do, remember that it was worth risking life, limb, and imprisonment to trade for or steal coffee in numerous conflicts, before and after repeating firearms. It was one of the must-have supplies on wagon trains.

Hardship survivors and grrr-tough folks throughout history became so accustomed to tea and coffee, they’ve toasted, roasted, and brewed darn near anything to create replacements when they can’t get real. (Bonus Factoid: Some of those replacements lived on in products like the LDS’s Postum, but coffee and tea were on the Mormon Trek provision lists.)

Hard to Swallow

On the page http://www.kration.info/original-k-rations.html, the author states, “The ‘frilliness’ of the ration has been defended as follows: ‘[sic]While this ration has seemed unnecessarily complex to some, the variety contained in it is deliberate. No simple ration has yet been found which did not became tiresome within a few days that the test subjects did not eat sufficient to meet their nutritional requirements’.”

The author doesn’t credit that particular quote (that I found) but very similar text can be found in letters to and the minutes of quartermaster and ration-creation commissions during WWII and in post-war years.

There’s a big takeaway there.

In the days when you ate what was in front of you from childhood up, in a period when we ate relatively regionalized foods with fewer cultural foods increasing our variety, high-activity soldiers were failing to eat enough of the available foods to maintain health and condition.

Some added context? Those study soldiers were children and young adults during the Great Depression.

The quartermasters pushing for more variety were mostly adults during those eras of shortages and outright hunger. Some of them were young soldiers in the First World War.

Variety wasn’t solely a U.S. focus. And, remember: Many nations didn’t experience the economic booms of the U.S. in the interim’s of war, or have the alleviation of the Depression that North America offered.

Those tough cookies are the ones who started waving flags about what is now defined as “food fatigue”.

Think that through for a minute.

They faced the same “bah, they’ll eat if they’re hungry” reactions we regularly see in the beans-and-rice and MRE prepper factions. But they managed to slap enough evidence in front of naysayers to expand and improve rations.

Lessons from Chocolate

Increasing the variety, ease, and satisfaction of military rations remains an issue, even in the MRE and UGR generations. It’s something other nations continue to address as well. However, we can learn a lot just from the battles quartermasters fought over rations during WWII – notably, the shape of cans (lost), better heating options (draw), and increasing unit-sized options (won).

For those curious, this page http://www.kration.info/partial-dinner-units.html lists ration items and menus for the partial-dinner “D” 10-in-1 units as they evolved, including the progression of K-rats to C-rats.

Ration candy has a slew of lessons to offer all on its own.

The original WWII chocolate came in bars so thick, they were difficult to eat, especially in cold conditions. The solution was multiple thinner bars. We can see that trend still in the “travel-soap” bars of the Italian rations and some other nations.

A requirement for small, incremental portions of other candies also goes all the way back to K-rats, 10-in-1’s, and C-rats – stipulating 5-8 individually wrapped pieces per serving. That prerequisite lives on in numerous international rations that provide handfuls of individually wrapped caramels, hard candies, and dextrose wafers, portion-able chocolate, and rolls of candies.

We also see the military’s continued focus on those points in the multiple small nougat, jelly, and energy bars some nations include, and the other small snacky bits common to modern military rations.

All of them help us evaluate our personal food storage and resupply plans.

How much is going to be difficult to get our teeth around and break off in cold weather or if we have a tender mouth? (Hello, emergency ration bars.)

Are there eat-as-is options, whether it’s prepackaged or the ability to make foods for later consumption?

Do we have options that let us eat little bits at a time, to account for quick breaks, busy hands, long watches, overfull stomachs on hot days, drowsiness, and trail fatigue?

Can we address electrolyte imbalance from sweating and pushing water, especially in get-home and bug-out bags?

Do we have some of those “luxury” items? Not just feel-goods and energy-boost sweets, but also the tea, coffee, and variety that were important in rations back in the days bracketing the Great Depression, and were important enough for inclusion not only when gear was twice as heavy in the Civil War but also when families and military units had to tightly budget their load weights to cross half or two-thirds the continent?

How much leads to blood-sugar and energy swings (highs and crashes)?

Back to the earliest point, do we have a midday meal, or something akin to the many 24-hour rations where there may only be two “mains” but there are also snacky bits to munch through the day?

Happily, they’re pretty easy and inexpensive aspects to mitigate.

Expanding Our Rations

Bags of boiled sweets and chewy candy fruit jellies, nut-brittle bars, dehydrated fruits that offer natural sugar kicks, pre-seasoned cans of beans with sauces and flavors instead of only plain, granola bars, simple powdered milk (especially in flavors), and sports drink mixes – they’re all affordable options, homemade or purchased.

They’re more expensive and have short-ish shelf lives, but other options are higher-protein diabetic drinks, meal replacement shakes, and nuts and seeds.

Another is stocking or learning to cold-smoke and air-dry jerky and meat sticks, and stocking or creating any kind of crackers-spread combo.

Even old-fashioned oats or rolled barley will soak up water in a bag or jar while we work, and make for a compact-carrying but fairly easy and fast-eating munchies. So will instant grits or couscous, cream of wheat, and most quickie pasta meals.

Rice, dehydrated corn, and wheat groats take longer, but with some pinches of powdered broth, a chunk of pocket soup, or a dollop of salsa, they also offer a meal just for time spent soaking in the sun.

Any broth base and some rice or noodles, and we’re well on the way to fast, simple sun-brewed or quickie-fire soups – a belly-filling, warming comfort food eaten by soldiers further back than the Revolution, and still included in military rations today.

If sun-steeping is an option or a stove/oven is already running, hardtack soaked in broth or tea is also a long-storied calorie food.

Dehydrated grated or sliced potatoes and any of half a dozen seasoning packets from cheese soup to gravy will turn into a meal with 10-30 minutes of pre-soak and 10 minutes in a pan, or can be made with the portable solar options. Instant mashed potatoes are even faster.

We have endless possibilities for applying the trail-food lessons of the pioneers and old-time soldiers.

Variety & Luxuries in Tough Times

Like the early settlers and military packs, many of us have limited space and weight in our primary storage and in our bags. Like many of those settlers, most preppers are further limited by financial constraints.

Maybe that’s what makes it easy to scoff off some of the “add variety” suggestions.

Or, maybe we don’t look at fort-bound soldiers’ supplies and the Civil War ration goals. Maybe we overlook what we consider luxuries but almost all of them considered must-have staples.

Maybe we forget that worldwide, the men who spearheaded the expansion of military rations were also veterans of pretty lean, hungry times.

Maybe it’s easier to check blocks, ignore the working-man origins of tea time, and move on to something sexy like rifles (so many of which do not have slings, my head might really explode – ain’t gotta be fancy).

Maybe it’s easier, but history demonstrates the challenges that arise. It also gives us numerous solutions.

A few inexpensive, easy additions and a good cookbook can be used to create variety in even simple food supplies. The histories of the Mormon Trek and western expansion provide examples. For-real cattle-drive and Depression-era farmhouse recipes are another source.

We can also research the lunch-dinner breaks of pioneers, old-time (and modern, poverty-stricken) farmhands, and soldiers of manly-man eras for pacing of meals and foods that give us continual boosts through the day, that can be consumed easily regardless of weather, and options that don’t require extra preparation or heating.

We do, absolutely, want to be sure we’re hitting the life-sustaining basics. We also, absolutely, want to make sure we get the most bang for our buck.

We don’t have to exactly replicate military rations, hit all of those luxuries, or hit them daily. However, it’s worth some attention, whether we’re preparing for a hurricane/snow storm or long-term, grid-down Armageddon.

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lesserplaces · 7 years

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Arizona’s Unit 24b is a brutal, nasty place.

Consisting almost entirely of the Superstition Wilderness, 24b is big enough and roadless enough that it’s core is seldom visited. Trails that look clear on maps are actually “trails,” canyons appear from nowhere, and springs run when they feel like it. Life is hard here.

In other words, 24b is perfect. A perfect, joyous unit where you can go days in the middle of deer season without seeing a single other person. A place where there are no tree stands, no warm nights at the hunting lodge, and no water you didn’t drag in yourself. A place where you have to earn your hunt.

Coues deer are the primary target here. They are small and gray with unnaturally good eyesight and an unbelievable ability to avoid ridgelines. They are ghosts. You are going to need good binoculars to find them. Enter the Vortex Talon HD.

TL;DR

WHAT IS IT? Vortex Talon HD 10×42 Binoculars

HOW LONG HAVE YOU OWNED IT? Six months

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST? Around $400

PROS? Razor sharp center, closed bridge design, wide field of view, excellent color fidelity

CONS? Heavy, noticeable sharpness drop off near the edges

WHO SHOULD BUY IT? People who want excellent glass without breaking the bank, people who love closed bridge designs

WHO SHOULDN’T BUYT IT? People who have more money than common sense, people who really want a 15x binocular

DID SOMEONE GIVE IT TO YOU FOR FREE? No, I bought these binoculars with my own money. This post does contain affiliate links, however, which do provide a small kickback to us if you purchase through them at no additional cost to you.

The Vortex Talon HDs are the last of a dying breed. To make an absurd oversimplification, there are essentially two ways to design a set of binoculars: open or closed bridge. Open bridge binoculars are what you are used to seeing every day, with a single central hinge connected to the focus knob. Closed bridge binoculars have two sets of hinges, one on the back and one on the front. This makes closed bridge systems stronger at the cost of being longer and slightly heavier.

Make that longer, slightly heavier, and less sexy. Unfortunately closed bridge systems just look a little clunky relative to their open bridge brethren. I’m sure somewhere there is a grumpy old man screaming about how looks shouldn’t matter when you are in the field, but the fact of the matter is that no one wants to look like a goob. Paired with the fact that some people find open bridge designs more comfortable to hold, this has led closed bridge systems to go the way of the dodo (Editor’s note- to that point, technically this model has been discontinued by Vortex, though they are still available from many sources such as Amazon).

And that is a shame because closed bridge systems also have an incredible advantage to those who glass from a tripod. When a tripod adapter is attached to a pair of binoculars, it (generally speaking) screws in at the bridge. In open bridge systems, this single bridge is centrally located, which means that the stalk of the tripod will be directly in line with the center of the binoculars, with the eye pieces fairly close behind. On the other hand, in closed bridge systems the attachment point is on the front bridge, which has the effect of moving the eyepieces back toward you, the user. This means less leaning forward and more breathing room between your face and the tripod stalk, both huge positives when you are going to be glassing all day.

Onto the glass itself, the Talon HDs are better than anything in this price range has any business being. They are very sharp in the center with a reasonably large sweet spot and spotless color rendition. I have not not noticed any chromatic aberrations to speak of. As you would expect, the tubes are argon purged, the glass is high dispersion, and the lenses are fully coated.

If you made me pick nits, I’d say that the focus throw is far too slow (a full 540 degrees from close to infinity) and that the sharpness drop off near the edges is noticeable. The focus throw problem is a cheap, easy fix that Vortex should be sure to resolve if these binoculars are every redesigned. The sharpness drop off is probably something you will have to live with unless you want to spend thousands and thousands of dollars on binoculars.

It is also worth noting that the Talon HDs do not come in higher magnifications, such as the increasingly popular 15x. While 15x binoculars certainly have their place, I’ve always found their field of view too small and their mass too great for the type of light and fast backpack hunting I prefer. When I’m going to spend a week in the backcountry hunting in diverse conditions, from dense canyon bottoms to long open ridge lines, a single versatile solution is the only real option. 10x42s are hard to beat in this regard.

COMPARED TO THE COMPETITION

TALON HD vs. VIPER HD

Vortex’s main alternative in this price range is their classic open bridge Viper HD. I have a few years of experience behind these, as they were my go to pair of binoculars before an unfortunate house robbery removed them from service. On paper, the Viper’s have a lot going for them. First of all, they are lighter, nearly two ounces lighter. Now, two ounces might not seem like much, but when they are slung around your neck all day, ounces add up. Second, the Viper’s are a little sharper, especially around the edges. Lastly, eye relief is just a touch longer and the close focus distance is just a little bit shorter.

So why not just buy the Viper HDs then? Most important to us normal folks, though prices vary a little day to day, the Viper HDs have historically been about 25% more expensive than the Talon HDs. 25% is a lot! Second, though the Viper HDs are a little sharper around the edges, they also have a slightly narrower field of view. To me, any reasonable tradeoff between field of view and edge sharpness is a good one– better to have the subject in frame than miss the subject entirely.

Some reviewers have made a big deal out of the fact that the Viper HD frames are made of polycarbonate while the Talon HD frames are made of magnesium. Ignore these people. Modern plastics are excellent, and you almost certainly would do irrevocable damage to the optics long before you break the frames of either.

Last, but certainly not least, is the fact that the Talon HDs are a closed bridge design while the Viper HDs are a open bridge design. I spend most of my glassing time behind a tripod, and as discussed above, I am in favor of literally anything that moves the eyepieces of my binoculars away from the tripod stalk. Closed bridges are not as sexy as open bridges, but they just work better for the type of glassing I do.

TALON HD vs DIAMONDBACK

When you forget your adapter you have to adapt

On our most recent coues deer hunt, I got the chance to spend a ton of time behind Curry’s pair of Diamondback 10×42. For the price, around $200 (half of the Talon HDs), I was impressed. The Diamondbakcs are a reasonably sharp, well built pair of binoculars that any beginning hunter would be happy with for a long time. The fact that, through the magic of globalization, you can buy glass this good this cheap is a wonder in and of itself. We are a spoiled bunch, modern hunters.

That being said, going to the Diamondbacks is a significant step down in quality from the Talon HDs. The Diamondbacks are not HD glass, and it shows. While sharpness isn’t bad color fidelity is a problem, with everything taking on a slightly warm hew. Colors matter, especially when trying to differentiate between a grayish coues deer and a slightly less grayish bush from hundreds of yards away. If you can afford to jump to the next price level, do. If you can’t, buy the Diamondbacks and give them to your kid when you have the money and need an excuse to upgrade.

What does it take to hunt a place like this?

Patience mostly.

Well, patience and reliable gear that does everything well. Yes, in a perfect world, you would have a few different pairs of binoculars with you, covering all the magnifications from 8x to 15x. But this isn’t that world. When you are going to be carrying everything you need on your back for days on end, you will need to pick one set of binoculars that are durable, optically excellent, and comfortable to use.

The Talon HDs are just that. Light enough to carry, sharp enough to use, and with a comfortable closed bridge design to boot, the Talon HDs have already become one of my most beloved pieces of gear. They get used. They get used all the time. I can think of no better endorsement than that.

You can follow Lesser Places by email, or on Twitter, Tumblr, and Instagram using the menu at the top of the page. Or, you could click the links below to share with your friends directly. Or, copy and paste the URL someplace you think people will find it useful. Or, print the story, place it in a nice envelope, and send it to one of your friends. Basically we support any way you want to share. No, we aren’t above begging.

Max Wilson is a graduate student studying ecology at Arizona State University. He writes here at Lesser Places, occasionally for Backpacker.com, and even more occasionally for scientific journals. You can follow him on twitter @maxomillions.

Vortex Talon HD 10×42 Review Arizona's Unit 24b is a brutal, nasty place. Consisting almost entirely of the Superstition Wilderness, 24b is big enough and roadless enough that it's core is seldom visited.

#binoculars #birding #gear #hiking #hunting #Review

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ktkski2017-blog · 7 years

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Mount Kenya

February 21, 2017

On Saturday, after rounding in the morning on male medical ward with Janet while Clark battled the credit card/debit card/cash/bank/chip-card debacle, Luke and I prepared to leave Chogoria to hike Mount Kenya. If you read our safari adventure you might have heard of our hired guide, Dunsten. So long story short, we had already given him a downpayment to take us up Mount Kenya prior to going on safari – and this guy had been recommended by Sergei from a hike he went on the previous month – so we went with it. His company was called something like mountain trekkers so we figured it had to be better than the safari. And it was – I can glowingly recommend Dunsten and his crew for mountain trekking as we had a great weekend.

Day 1

We met Dunsten and his six porters/cooks/drivers/what have you in the grass in front of Clark’s house. They had a safari vehicle (go figure) that was a bit worse for wear, but ran. The whole group of them watched as Luke and I walked up (joined by Clark who came to see us off) and then I proceeded to talk business with Dunsten and debate costs (details not important). We eventually agreed (in front of everyone) and jumped in the vehicle, fitting all eight people and our gear inside - two in the boot with all of the backpacks. We picked up someone in town who wanted a ride to the National Park, so now there were nine of us. The road up the mountain was similar to the one we had taken with Leonard to find the waterfall a few days ago – at times narrow with potholes and obstacles. At another time, the road was newly made and completely smooth with water pipes running alongside it in the dirt as if the road was not yet finished. The car did not have power steering so the driver wrangled the steering wheel back and forth. The door that I was sitting against did not seem stable so I spent the ride gripping the seat in front of me as we also didn’t have seatbelts. All of the “the guys” debated loudly about various topics in Swahili so Luke and I just watched the sights go by. Once we reached the Mount Kenya National Forest (the electric fence wire strewn to the side allowing open driving to and from the forest), the road was graded and relatively well maintained but pretty steep. At one point Dunsten got out and did something with the engine before we went up a large slope. The forest on either side of the road had a lot of bamboo and we saw several small animals scamper to the sides, including monkeys. Dunsten said that the forest had water buffalo, hyena, some predators (but few and far between), birds, elephants, etc. At one incline the car stopped and Dunsten said that Luke and I were to get out to hike the last few kilometers for acclimation to the altitude. We hopped out and met Elijah – one of the crew that had been riding with us (turns out he is Dunsten’s brother-in-law) – and we hiked up the remainder of the distance to the cabin we were scheduled to stay at overnight at “the Bandas.” Luke and I had started taking dexamethasone the previous day – this is a generic steroid that people with lung diseases or inflammatory conditions take when they need a boost to their systems and can be used to combat altitude sickness. We did okay with the altitude – we were certainly huffing and puffing but as soon as the ground levelled out our breathing and heart rates slowed to normal (without the acclimation we would likely have higher resting heart and breathing rates to compensate for the decreased oxygen available at higher altitudes – this makes your body work harder just to maintain status-quo).

The cabin was simple wood with concrete footers and a concrete fireplace – we were given a bedroom with twin beds and a bathroom that was no frills. The shower leaked all day (which perhaps kept it from freezing in the cold temperatures on the mountain) and the toilet didn’t have a seat – which is common in public bathrooms in Kenya. The temperature was cool - maybe in the 60’s –but I was comfortable in a t-shirt with a thin long-sleeve over shirt and running pants. Luke was in shorts. The porters/cooks set up in the next room to cook dinner and brought us out some tea. Elijah gathered us to go for a walk around the Bandas to see some of the animals. He walked us up to a fish hatchery, however there was no one around to show us the place – so we wandered a bit around the large cement drums that supposedly held 1,000 fish each and I snapped some shots of a large grey heron that must find some way to get past the hodge-podge wire coverings. We went to a few overlooks and saw waterbuck. At another overlook we heard loud noises in the woods so we sat down to see if any large animals would emerge. Several water buffalo descended out of the forest but the noises continued and we highly suspected an elephant (known for chomping down trees for a snack). While sitting on tufts of dried grasses, the weather changed and a rain cloud appeared overhead. I remember saying “looks like a rain cloud” but we continued to wait for the suspected elephant. We felt a couple of drops and decided to start walking back. Shortly thereafter, the sky opened up and it began to downpour so we ran for cover under one of the other cabin porches. Eventually we figured we needed to run the rest of the way in the rain as it did not look like it was going to stop anytime soon. Soaked, we returned to the cabin to be chuckled at by the other porters. We changed our clothes and sat around in the small sitting room next to the kitchen as people came and went all speaking Swahili. The temperatures dropped with the sun and Elijah lit a fire in the fireplace. Dinner was soup for appetizer with mashed potatoes, a vegetable stew, and fresh fruit for dessert. Initially, we didn’t know that the soup was only an appetizer – so we were stuffed by the end of dinner as we had eaten dinner portions of soup. The evening was spent sitting around the fire – Elijah joined us for some of the time and Dunsten for another portion. They were taking turns between their own meals. In the kitchen next to us was a constant discussion and people kept coming and going – it was like a clown car once we realized how small the room actually (there was only 1 chair we realized the next day). Eventually the party left the kitchen and the cabin was left to Luke and I. We hung up our wet clothes to dry by the fire and eventually went to sleep as we hadn’t thought to bring any entertainment with us (to lighten the load of hiking). The night was cold and the rain kept coming and going – so loud on the tin roofed buildings.

Day 2

Morning came early and the cook came at 6am to start boiling water and making food. We got up, packed our hiking bags (to be carried by the porters) and sat down for breakfast, which included fried eggs, toast, and a kind of pancake vs thick crepe. And tea, of course. Once we were all packed and ready, Dunsten led Luke and I toward the next destination. The day was cloudy with patchy sun. I kept switching from being too hot to too cold depending on whether the sun was out or we were going uphill. We walked through some pretty varied landscape – from dried grasses to green forest with huge trees dangling what looked like Spanish moss. There were fragrant bushes lining many of the roads that smelled kind of like rosemary and spearmint. I tried to figure out what many of the plants were but they were all strange and Dunsten only knew the names of a few, which he would share when he knew them. The large trees were “argoria”? And looked like huge Cyprus trees with thick wide spanning branches. At one point we made a turn off to go view a scenic lake and headed uphill. The climb was steep and slow – at one particularly steep area we realized a SUV with a small fishing boat on top of it was coming up behind us. Several guys got out of the vehicle and walked up the hill as the driver of the vehicle somehow drove that SUV up some of the most rugged and steep road that I have ever seen. He even waved at us out the window as he passed and then quickly put two hands back on the wheel. We met the guys as they walked past us – some ex-pats from Scotland/New Zealand/Canada was the vague explanation that I got. They were adventuring this weekend. Sounded like they had previously summited the mountain and were here for what I would assume is ‘bro’ time. We continued the slow climb after they had re-entered the car once it had passed the worst of the bad road. The lake was very picturesque in the dried grassy fields. Luke and I ate a snack and tried to enjoy the nature (minus the car load of guys across the way setting up for fishing camp). Dunsten the led us onward instead of back towards the way we came, saying we were going to take “the scenic route” to the camp. We walked farther along the lake, past some designated camping sites, and up around the hill next to the lake. The path was at times easy to find and other times was non-existent and so we bushwhacked through some of the foliage. The dried grass tufts were tricky to walk through as the ground was obscured by the grass – you never knew what lay beneath. A hole? A rock? Sometimes you would trip yourself with the grass if you stood on the end of it and tried to pass your other foot, hooking your toe. If you stepped on the dried grass tuft your foot would fall off the edge of the very sturdy tuft. I got far behind Luke and Dunsten several times trying to maneuver my path. We bushwhacked down a slope and I almost fell several times, grabbing on to various bushes to stabilize myself. We walked along a river for a while and my arms got sore from brushing against the bushes that stood on either side of the animal trail path – I felt like I was training to be a linebacker by the end of the trip from the number of times I had to push past the branches. As my hangry level rose we continued to bushwhack toward lunch. At one point Dunsten had us jump across a river at a arbitrarily chosen point after winding along the edge of the river, stepping in mushy spots and falling over tufts of dried grasses/avoiding thistles. Luckily we reached the camp shortly thereafter and they had lunch ready for us (or at least tea). They had set up a tent for us as well as a picnic table-ish area covered in a masai cloth. After lunch we set up our sleeping bags and mats (borrowed from Cyrus and Christina- thank you!) and set things up assuming it would rain during the night.

After a short break, Elijah took us on a walk to visit the nearby sites. First we visited a waterfall. We stood at the top of the waterfall – mere feet away from our shoes – and watched the water gush over the top. The path to the bottom of the waterfall was immediately next to the waterfall – meaning if you veered off the path a few inches to the left and stepped on the soft grass that “edged” the path – you would find yourself immediately at the base of the waterfall. At one point a cedar tree that had its roots at the base of the fall was a left sided hand-hold toward the top third of the tree. We clambored down roots, back and forth along the edge, and made it to the bottom in one piece. The waterfall was so lovely with the spray moistening the surrounding foliage and making it lush. The sun was out for the time being and lighting up the greenery. Once we had taken some photos and enjoyed the scene, we scrambled back up the slope and headed to “the caves.” The pathway to the caves was also exciting but less vertical. I will mention here that Mount Kenya was originally a volcano – not currently active – so the rock is all post-lavaflow. The caves consisted of crumbling lower lava flows that were pulled out of the cliffs by water flow. One cave had a small waterfall at the back of it with a large vertical crack through the roof – we did not explore this cave for fear of falling rock. The larger cave was dry but had a huge chunk of the roof that had fallen down that now created an island in the floor of the cave. People camp in the cave as evidenced by their trash left behind as well as old burned coals. Luke and I wandered up through a crevasse in the mountain cut by a small river/waterfall and enjoyed its wind tunnel effect on our hair. We slowly made our way back to camp, enjoying the temporary sunshine warming us up.

At camp, and at various points on our trip, we met several other travelers like ourselves. There was one group of French-speaking ladies who were taking breaks from their families for a ladies weekend on Mount Kenya. They are ex-pats living in Johannesburg, South Africa that met each other through their children, who all attend a French-speaking school while their husbands work/are stationed there. They were very friendly and surprisingly loud by French-people standards, and would often provide most of my entertainment during the trip. Another couple included a pair of friends – one had a South African accent (white) but was living in a nearby town here in Kenya and her companion was a Jordanian man that was visiting her for the time being. The French ladies had a group of porters, cooks, and a guide similar to us, whereas the friend couple had just hired a guide and a porter – and were otherwise doing their own cooking etc.

After dinner but before bed, Luke and I joined our porters/cooks next to a small fire that they made to keep warm. The temperatures were likely in the 50’s. We didn’t speak Swahili so the two of us sat there for about an hour listening to the group chat without us – but everyone can appreciate a warm fire silently and we had been welcomed over by Elijah, no one seemed concerned that we were there and not participating in the conversation. The stars were out and beautiful before we went to bed.

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j0sgomez-blog · 5 years

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Testing the Osprey Exos 58 backpack in Glacier National Park.

Ultralight Backpack Osprey Exos 58 and Eja 58 $220, 58L/3,539 c.i., 2 lbs. 11 oz. (men’s medium Exos) Sizes: men’s Exos S-L, women’s Eja XS-M Moosejaw.com

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Osprey Exos 58 front.

Osprey Exos 58 harness and back panel.

Osprey Exos 58 hipbelt.

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Testing the Osprey Exos 58 in Glacier National Park.

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