Mugu Peak Hike via Chumash Trail – Flag at Top – Point Mugu State Park, CA

Parked in the lot at the base of the Chumash Trail along the Pacific Coast Highway to do this short 2 hour hike. The lot holds 18 cars or so and is heavily used. It is free. Although not long, about a mile or so to the top, the trail is very steep. The views are outstanding and well worth the effort. Great spot to watch the sun set from.

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#americanflag #chumashtrail #nosmallcreator

Boiling Springs Parking – Alex Kennedy Shelter – Rock Maze – Appalachian Trail Pennsylvania

This was a quick but long “in and out” from Boiling Springs Furnace parking lot to the Alex Kennedy Shelter, through the Rock Maze, and then to stay the night at the James Fry Shelter. I parked at the Boiling Springs Iron Furnace lot for this hike. To do this, you must get an overnight pass from the ATC Mid-Atlantic Regional Office around the corner. The farm fields can be a bit muddy…thankfully I was dry by the evening. The Alex Kennedy Shelter is super nice and has one of the nicest privies I’ve seen so far on the trail! 

Happened to meet up with “Sweeps” at the James Fry Shelter for the evening, which was super cool. We’ve been crossing virtual section hike paths with our YouTube videos for a few months now. It’s about time we ran into each other. 
Sweeps at “SectionHiking The AT: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCrrdXZ4LU_OD_JPXjG2mDA

@1:29 – ATC Mid-Atlantic Regional Office (AT Mile 1122.7)
@2:01 – Parking at Boiling Springs Furnace (AT Mile 1122.5)
@4:00 – Backpacker Campsite
@6:47 – Center Point knob (AT Mile 1119.7)
@8:35 – Alex Kennedy Shelter (At Mile 1118.8)
@11:34 – Alex Kennedy Spring
@16:41 – More rock Maze (AT Mile 1116.3 – 1115.9)

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#optoutside #AppalachianTrail #nosectionleftbehind

Reeds Gap to Rockfish Gap – Ice Storm Aftermath – Appalachian Trail Virginia

This was a 2 Day planned section hike from Reeds Gap to Rockfish Gap with a stay at the Paul C. Wolfe Shelter. This would have been an easy 19.1 mile hike if it had not been for severe ice damage to the trees from a recent ice storm. I was not aware that the damage had been so bad. The video and pictures do the damage no justice at all. The trail was nearly impassible in many places with downed trees every 100 yards or so on the back (North) side of Humpback Mountain all the way to Rockfish Gap. I had to crawl on my hands and knees a number of times and there was a whole lot of bushwhacking to get around the giant mess. My average trail speed was about 0.7mph. I had many mixed emotions along this hike, from pretty low lows as darkness approached and I was nowhere near the shelter in a tangled pile of trees to some feel good views and the happy greeting of the Gnome Village around AT mile 861.1. Apologies for the shaky video - this was the 1st time I used FILMIC Pro and I left the stabilization off...any tips on best setting for an iPhone 6 would be appreciated.  :)

Light Weight Backpacking Sleep System – Appalachian Trail

I’ve been asked a number of times what my sleep system is for hiking and never really show it in any of my videos. I figured I'd do this video to show where my system has evolved to. I’m very happy with it and it serves me well down to about 30F. There are a few options that can be left out for warmer weather and I’ll indicate those below:

Black Rock Gear Down Hat: 22 grams (0.8 ounces)
https://www.blackrockgear.com/hats

Enlightened Equipment Enigma-H.E. Custom:  436 grams (15.4 ounces)
30 Degree/Regular/Regular/850
https://enlightenedequipment.com/enigma-h-e-custom/

Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm (regular) R-Value 5.7: 422 grams (14.9 ounces)
Therm-a-Rest Pump Sack: 52 grams (2.0 ounces)
https://www.thermarest.com/neoair-xtherm

Sea to Summit Aeros Pillow Premium:  85 grams (3.0 ounces)
https://seatosummitusa.com/collections/inflatable-camping-pillows/products/aeros-pillow-premium

Darn Tough Wool Socks: 72 grams (2.5 ounces)

If it is going to be warm, I drop the down hat and switch to the women’s NeoAir Xlite. It is a little shorter and only weighs 322 grams (100g less than the XTherm)
https://www.thermarest.com/mattresses/fast-light/womens-neoair-xlite

I also leave all the stuff below behind if it is going to be warm and just sleep in a dry set of underwear.

Russell dri-power 360 base layer top: 179 grams (6.3 ounces)
Russell dri-power 360 base layer bottom: 158 grams (5.6 ounces)

Blue Balaclava: 114 grams (4.0 ounces)
https://www.amazon.com/XINGZHE-SWEET-506-Heavyweight-Motorcycle-Protection/dp/B0756YRRVX/

Eddie Bauer Down Puffy: 305 grams (10.8 ounces)
https://www.eddiebauer.com/product/down-jackets-for-men/10112119?showProducts=111&color=045

#nosmallcreator #AppalachianTrail #nosectionleftbehind

Sawmill Run Spring - Old Site of Shelter (REMOVED) - Shenandoah National Park

When I was looking at my GPS topo map I noticed a marking on it that suggested there once was a shelter at this location and a spring. I checked the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club AT map of the area (Map 11: https://www.patc.net/PATC/PATC_Trails/Hike/PATC_Maps.aspx) and it has a tiny indication (blue squiggle) of a spring there but no words. USGS has a great resource to look at maps here: https://ngmdb.usgs.gov/topoview/viewer/#15/38.1080/-78.7880 where I was able to verify where the shelter used to be.
https://ngmdb.usgs.gov/img4/ht_icons/Browse/VA/VA_Waynesboro%20East_187152_1997_24000.jpg
So, on my latest hike, I decided to check this site out. Just North of Sawmill Run Overlook on Skyline Drive, at mile 95.3, the AT crosses the road. About 0.2 miles North on the AT the trail makes a sharp bend at the top of the hill. The old access trail is at that junction.
Google coordinates here: https://www.google.com/maps/place/38%C2%B006'49.1%22N+78%C2%B047'13.8%22W/@38.11365,-78.7871667,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d38.11365!4d-78.7871667
After a nice 0.3 mile walk down a somewhat overgrown and obscured trail, the spring can be found along with the site of the old shelter. There is a flat spot carved out of the hill where the shelter used to stand, along with an old fire ring. Fires are NOT allowed in SNP except at designated areas...this is NOT a designated area. The spring was actually pretty nice and flowing well.
Google coordinates here: https://www.google.com/maps/place/38%C2%B006'52.6%22N+78%C2%B047'19.7%22W/@38.1146,-78.7888167,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d38.1146!4d-78.7888167
Sawmill Run Shelter was built in 1941: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjnHg_-hbxOkfXLVv71M9wL5UFp6s3j3lD0XNmjSOhJcbg6LrpVNM1lIZjTveSUeLI7LO0hAx0pgdyDFocxQo973NcAej3UohuPmtqn92FjZ8r4K3u2ySfd2HlELDjgZ-dC6R8AtbDiWg/s1600/Sawmill+Run+shelter.jpg
Sawmill Run shelter was removed from the AT in 1980 because of overuse.
Of interesting note, in 1984, PATC builds Calf Mountain Shelter from the remains of Rip Rap Shelter (not on the AT) and Sawmill Run Shelter.
Some photos from my trip: https://photos.app.goo.gl/W7p5pBAv4e11aLZg6

Here are a few links that mention the site, as well as some other info:
BLOG that mentions some history: http://www.wanderingvirginia.com/2016/01/shenandoah-national-park-former-at.html
cspitler's vid of the area: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XueH6V1U52Y
National Park Service Cultural Landscapes Inventory (interesting read):
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=14&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjwo7n_66neAhUFw1kKHarnAkwQFjANegQICBAC&url=http%3A%2F%2Firmafiles.nps.gov%2Freference%2Fholding%2F450499%3FaccessType%3DDOWNLOAD&usg=AOvVaw3kDkzBwY6mAMZlQ-Ji3YwQ
THE MANUFACTURE OF FIRE-BRICK AT MOUNT SAVAGE, MARYLAND: http://www.mountsavagehistoricalsociety.org/brick%20yard/manufacture%20of%20firebrick%20at%20Mt%20Savage.htm

2008 Ford Explorer Blower Motor Resistor Replacement (easy) – Fan Switch Repair

The climate control fan motor stopped blowing on several of the switch settings – this is usually the blower motor resistor that goes bad. The resistor unit is located behind the glove compartment and is attached with two 5/16” hex screws. 
This job is extremely easy and only requires a few common hand tools to do. 
1/4" drive ratchet, 5/16” Socket, Pry Tool.

Motorcraft YH-27 A/C Blower Motor Resistor
Part #: 7L2Z-19A706-A 4827930
Part from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0080DX902/

Spy Rock – Seely Woodworth Memorial Shelter and Rock Spring – Appalachian Trail Virginia

This was Day 1 of a planned three day hike on the AT South, from The Priest Shelter, where I left off on my southbound trek. On day 1 I hiked from the upper parking at Crabtree Falls on Meadows Lane (4x4 recommended) and hiked the last 0.5 miles up to the junction with the AT. From there I hiked south 3 miles to Spy Rock. Spy Rock has a number of very nice campsites (no water or privy) and a rock scramble up to an outstanding viewpoint. This is well worth the hike and can be done as a day hike. There is closer parking down the hill about 1.1 miles from the junction with Spy Rock Road near the Fish hatchery. From there I continued South 1.6 miles to Porters Gap and Rock Spring. There are great campsites at this very cool spring. It is another easy 1.1 miles to the Seely Woodworth Memorial Shelter. There is a small stream crossing on this part of the trail and it was enveloped by cool mist when I hiked through. The shelter is nice and has a privy and spring at the location. There are a number of good tent sites and places to hand a hammock as well. The next day (2) I hiked from Seeley Woodworth Shelter back to The Priest Shelter, and then hiked back to the upper parking of Crabtree Falls on Meadows Lane (4x4 recommended). From there I drove around to Hog Camp Gap on USFS 48 (another 1 lane dirt road but passable with a normal car) and hiked South to Cow Camp Gap Shelter. The views on Cole Mountain are outstanding and can be seen as a quick day hike and are well worth it. The shelter is quite nice and has a good spring. The link to Day 2 is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szqbIylRuMs. Mileage in and out from Meadows Lane was 7.9 miles, including Spy Rock. Total for the trip was 24.3 miles.     

@0:26 – Crabtree Falls Upper Parking
@1:00 – AT Crossing at Hog Camp Gap
@1:53 – Woods Walk
@2:10 – Spring at Hog Camp Gap
@3:11 – Spy Rock Trail Junction
@3:39 – Spy Rock campsites
@4:20 – Spy Rock Ascent and Views
@6:57 – Porters Gap / Rock Spring
@9:29 – Seely / Woodworth Shelter
@10:44 – Privy at Seely / Woodworth Shelter (exciting B-Roll!)
@11:31 – Spring at Seely / Woodworth Shelter
@12:02 – My CoyotePack Hammock System

Hemlock Mountain Outdoors: https://hemlockmountainoutdoors.com/

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