Hi and welcome back!
On Christmas eve, dad and I did our annual knife edge hike, although this year it was rainy and mild. We left the house around 6:00 a.m. and got to the trailhead at 6:30. We reached knife edge at 7:30 and tried to use the Esbit pocket stove, which is little more than a two-sided windscreen that holds a pot.
It was windy when we got to the ridge, and we couldn't keep a match lit long enough to start the fuel cube. So we didn't get to have breakfast on the ridge, but it was an adventure!
The next day, on Christmas morning, for the second time I got a tent! It's the Marmot Ajax 3-person, and I slept in it that night. I have to say that it's better than the Alps, and a lot roomier and more comfortable than the REI minimalist bivy that I've been using for the last year or so.
My brother, sister, and I each got some cool rock holds for Christmas, too. Mine included a leaf, a pine tree, and there were also an acorn, a tennis ball, and a few others. I can't wait to get them up on the rock wall.
On New Year's Day, Dad and I made our hike part of our first-ever "polar bear plunge"! We joined about 20 other people and walked from a friend's house to a swimming hole in the Mahoning Creek. After breaking through the crust of ice on top of the water, about 15 of us waded in, held our breath, and dunked ourselves under the water.
It was...interesting. My feet went numb almost immediately when I stepped into the water, and it took me about 30 seconds to get into deep water and submerge myself. After that I waded out and dried off as quickly as I could! The air temperature was about 37, which was good, but there was a little wind. The walk back was really, really cold, but we had a great time!
Thanks for reading!
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| Unpacking Breakfast |
On Christmas eve, dad and I did our annual knife edge hike, although this year it was rainy and mild. We left the house around 6:00 a.m. and got to the trailhead at 6:30. We reached knife edge at 7:30 and tried to use the Esbit pocket stove, which is little more than a two-sided windscreen that holds a pot.
It was windy when we got to the ridge, and we couldn't keep a match lit long enough to start the fuel cube. So we didn't get to have breakfast on the ridge, but it was an adventure!
The next day, on Christmas morning, for the second time I got a tent! It's the Marmot Ajax 3-person, and I slept in it that night. I have to say that it's better than the Alps, and a lot roomier and more comfortable than the REI minimalist bivy that I've been using for the last year or so.
 |
| The Ajax |
My brother, sister, and I each got some cool rock holds for Christmas, too. Mine included a leaf, a pine tree, and there were also an acorn, a tennis ball, and a few others. I can't wait to get them up on the rock wall.
On New Year's Day, Dad and I made our hike part of our first-ever "polar bear plunge"! We joined about 20 other people and walked from a friend's house to a swimming hole in the Mahoning Creek. After breaking through the crust of ice on top of the water, about 15 of us waded in, held our breath, and dunked ourselves under the water.
It was...interesting. My feet went numb almost immediately when I stepped into the water, and it took me about 30 seconds to get into deep water and submerge myself. After that I waded out and dried off as quickly as I could! The air temperature was about 37, which was good, but there was a little wind. The walk back was really, really cold, but we had a great time!
Thanks for reading!
