Sunday, December 29, 2013

Nights 361 and 362 - 3 nights to go!

Hi and welcome back!

Friday night: 21 degrees
Saturday morning: 24 degrees
Saturday night: 34 degrees
Sunday morning: 34 degrees

My dad posted a link to my blog on reddit tonight, and when I looked a minute ago there were 1100 people here!  Thanks for stopping by!

REI Garage Sale
Yesterday dad and I went to the garage sale at the REI store in Conshohocken.  We got there an hour early to make sure we could get some of the best deals, but we counted over 80 people in front of us.  There were more than 30 behind us when they let us in, so we weren't too bad.

There were some really good deals left when we got in.  We bought three things--a Sierra Designs Zissou 12 dridown sleeping bag (50% off), a Big Agnes insulated sleeping pad (65% off), and an REI Minimalist bivvy (93% off).

When we were waiting in line outside "the corral," we saw quite a few people pick up the bivvy and then put it back, and I realized it was probably because there was no tag telling you the price and what was wrong with it.

Dad and I asked one of the REI staff how much it was, and he said he would check.  He came back and told us we could have it for $8.00--it's normally $110!

All that stuff fits in my 18 liter pack, with room left for a hat, headlamp, and emergency survival kit!  Together, all of that weighs just about five pounds, and I think it would keep me warm down to almost 0 degrees.

I'm about to go out and bivouac on the hill behind our house.  We had a lot of rain today, so I'll have a chance to check how waterproof the bivvy is.  I'll let you know in my next post.


Sir Edmund

I know I told you before that I would post a picture of the portrait my grandfather drew of Edmund Hillary.  Here it is.  I'm also going to post the original that he used to draw it.  I think he did a good job!






Thanks for reading!


19 comments:

  1. Awesome! I came here via reddit and I am amazed. My son and I have been camping in our tent in the backyard every night since September! He is 7 and we are planning on doing a part of the AT next year. I am bummed that I missed the garage sale! I also go to the Conshohocken store, I guess I will wait for the in Marlton NJ, or SOHO, NY.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for commenting! That's great that you and your son are camping out every night. Maybe we'll see you at the next garage sale!

      Delete
  2. Also came from reddit. Congratulations man, that is quite impressive. I have been living outside with the exception of a handful of nights for the past 3 years and it can get rough! I use an outdoor research advanced bivy which I highly recommend by the way as I was not satisfied with the REI minimalist bivy (but at 93% I would buy just about anything.)

    Anyways keep it up; it is clear you are bound for an adventurous life and there is so much to look forward to!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for stopping! The OR Advanced bivy was one I looked at, but it was sort of expensive. We'll see how the minimalist does.

      Delete
  3. Just wanted you to know how impressed I am with you every time I read your blog. You have ambition, perseverance, and quiet dignity far beyond your years. I don't think I can name a single person (myself included!) who could accomplish what you have done. I know there are more great things to come from you and will be thinking of you as we ring in 2014!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, KD! I'm sure you could do it if you tried!

      Delete
  4. LRC, what is the exact date of your last night out? I'm going to camp out to be with you in spirit.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey, Mark! Lyle's dad here. Tonight is THE NIGHT! We'll be thinking about you!

      Delete
  5. Okay, I'll be out there! I'll take a selfie and send it off to you tomorrow.
    I'll be thinking of you too!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Way to go LRC! You are the "man"!

    The Dougherty's

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Rich! Dad said you need to come sleep out with us sometime.

      Delete
  7. So proud of you LC. Stay warm and enjoy the last few night.

    From the WII lady

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
    2. Thanks! And mom did give me the hug from you.

      Delete
  8. Hey LRC! I hate to admit this but somehow 364 days have gone by and I am just learning that you did this. Huge congrats! There aren't many children who would do what you have done. Heck, there aren't many adults who could do it! You should be very proud of yourself, as I'm sure your Mom and Dad are. Enjoy your last night out, and even more so, enjoy your first night in! Congrats from the Laviolette Family!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Mrs. Laviolette! I'm sorry you didn't hear about this sooner!

      Delete
  9. Congrats LRC on achieving your goal! I am looking forward to hearing about your new adventures in 2014.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Mrs. Gerber! Check out my latest post to read about my next project!

      Delete