Meet the real Me.

First day (Partial) back to work this week - after nearly 5 weeks off with workplace injury. Glad to be getting out of the house, and glad of course to be getting back to earning income, while I work with a "mostly" good bunch of folks I have really enjoyed the limited human interaction (interaction completely under my control) that I have had to participate in while off work. I recently said that to someone I trust and I think I was viewed as being more than a little odd for even thinking it. I'm not anti-social I just prefer to be not very social, too much experience with people, there are great folks out there doing great things but there just seems to be so many more that are all about themselves stepping over whomever they can to get MORE. It's tainted me for a long time, I think I've got this talent/curse where I can see people for what they are, I am also totally unforgiving once a trust is breached no matter if they are in my inner circle, family or acquaintances - I am sure it is sort of a character flaw (? or strength?) of mine, an ability to write anyone or any relationship off, then never look back or feel regret about doing so. I've done it with my entire family, sick of one-way relationships where either myself or my Wife have to put in all the effort - just not worth it for me, so out comes the inner me that goes well F*** You, you're not worth it and I no longer want you in my life. Poof done! Don't let the door hit you in the @ss on the way out. That's me... no apologies - no regrets. 

Planning a multi-day backpacking trek later this year, not really sure of destination (Mt Albert Edward, Forbidden Plateau, Garabaldi  or?) just to get back into what I used to really enjoy - -  the soothing solitude of the wilderness and nature. I believe it's what's really missing from my life, something that kept me on an even keel and unstressed. It will add to my health regime that I began over two years ago now. So I have started to pre-train, coming off a leg injury (Tear in the calf muscle) mentioned above, I have been into the physio world for the past few weeks, and have begun a return to my normal weights, crunches and planks. Now time to strap on that pack and begin using the treadmill to strengthen the legs, back and shoulders. Working back slowly, but making great progress (42 Pound pack, 2.25 miles @ 3 mph increasing/decreasing inclines (max %12) for 46 minutes. 3 days on 1 day off). Once I feel ready I will introduce some running and cycling to increase the cardio, also the pack's final weight will be about 50-55 Pounds. Research online says the average distance travelled in a single day of hiking is about 6-8 Miles, so extending my training to support that and adding the gear to both the pack and myself (hiking boots, EDC's, emergency kit and so forth) until I am comfortable with my performance.

Speaking of research the other thing I am doing is to develop a meal plan for the trail, being Vegan this is a first for me, ensuring I have proper nutrition and caloric intake to support burning 2500-3500 calories per day. Pleasantly surprised that the Internet (All Hail Google!) has so many resources available for Vegan backpacking, and some wicked tips to help keep the costs down. Things like bringing dry beans put them in a empty peanut butter container with water, by the end of the day's hike they are no longer dried and can be cooked with your meal. Going to have to remember lentils too -  they're huge protein plus - easy to transport dry and cook from dry. TVP is another one, just tried some of this at home. Easy!

Some Vegan Backpacking Sites:

Gossamer Gear

Outlandian

Alone - kind of Les Stroud 2.0

"I went to the woods because

I wished to live deliberately...

and see if I could not learn

what it had to teach."

-- Henry David Thoreau

History channel just started broadcasting this new show called Alone , a survival show - 10 guys placed on various remote location on the North West Corner of Vancouver Island, just as the rains are approaching and temperatures are dropping in amoungst the cougars, bears and wolves. Each are allowed to bring up to ten items from a list provided by the producers, and have to film themselves using an array of camera's, and yes they are alone. This is something that really appeals to me, I think I would do great at it, but without the cameras. Each has an emergency Satellite phone if they want to "Tap-out", Don't want to give too much away, but it's interesting to see who taps out and for what, as well as seeing how each of them handle both the environment, getting the daily needs taken care of and the emotional separation (lonesomeness).Last man standing gets $500.000 US. and while the cash would be good, I think the bigger prize coming out of it is what you would learn about yourself. I'd love to try it, but again without the requirement to film myself.

Worth checking the show out if like the Les Stroud type of shows.

EOF -- LC

and we're back!

Like the Phoenix rising from the ashes, back to avenge the wrongs, so is my Blog, well without the drama of a Bird rising from the ashes on a mission but otherwise identical.

Decided to come back put some thoughts down, perhaps only for myself or for reflection at a much later date - ah who knows. Maybe it's just the fact that I have a bit of cabin fever (although wish I was in a cabin in the middle of the wilderness) been primarily home-bound for the past 4 + weeks with a torn Calf muscle, about halfway through the expected full recovery - just gave up the walking stix, am now much more mobile. It was a workplace injury - but of course WorksafeBC (WCB) does not wish to cover it, so I am having to fight them. I understand this is just the way they work, deny first (even though they never received the Doctor's reports). Thankfully I have enough banked sick time that it is covering this for the moment - I will have to repay the employer if I can get a reversal of Worksafe's decision. Anyways healing...and predicted to have a full recovery, that's what is important.

Beginning planning and training for a escape to the woods with a friend this fall, unsure yet of the actual destination, maybe Mt Albert Edward in Strathcona Park here on the Island or maybe Garibaldi near Whistler and Pemberton? Perhaps somewhere else? Wherever it is I am sure it is going to be a blast. Been a long while since I have hiked in for a multiple day hike way off the beaten path. Have of course done many day hikes (3-8 hours), but really forgot how heavy a pack is until the last couple of days when I started a basic load on it. It's 36 pounds without food, water, fuel bottles, clothing and some other incidentals. I've only got about 7 weeks to train/gather/plan, kind of unusual for me as I am a planner and like lots of time to do this, but as long as the safety-health issues are covered it might be cool to go outside my comfort zone.

I am going to plan some serious day hikes around here with the pack - work out the bugs while exploring some new turf. MEC offers some refresher courses for free so will be attending some of them as well. Glad we have one locally. I wish REI was up here to, as they have a great selection too. Robinson's also has some great gear, and staff and are local.

I am looking forward to getting back into this, with a couple of places I want to see eventually or revisit again, places like NWT, Yukon, Northern BC, Jasper, Wells Gray, Waterton Lakes-Glacier....No shortage of places to see.

EOF - LC