Akoni Sailing and Hiking

Saturday, May 11, 2019

Lovingston Spring Trail – Hog Camp Gap to Seely Woodworth Shelter – Appalachian Trail

My better half joins me out for a section hike to pick up some Appalachian Trail that I missed last time I was out this way. We also looked for the swing at Hog Camp Gap. Unfortunately, the swing appears to have gone missing… This is an easy loop on the Appalachian Trail from Hog Camp Gap to the Seely Woodworth Shelter (7.7 miles) and then return via a loop on the Lovingston Spring Trail (6.4 miles). The Lovingston Spring trail (2.7 miles) is a shortcut to the Seely Woodworth Shelter with a few springs along the way (Lovingston Spring and Twin Springs). There is a tricky turn when heading North on the Lovingston Spring trail near an old hunter camper – don’t miss the left turn immediately after the camper and accidentally stay on the forest road.

Nerding for Nature – Last Grownup in the Woods:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuS52O9gRYXNZoLByaGNpjQ

Hiking Upward Description: https://www.hikingupward.com/GWNF/TarJacketRidge/

Thursday, April 25, 2019

Grays Arch - Star Gap Arch - The Living Wall – Red River Gorge Arches Hike

This is part 2 of a two part video of a group hike in the Red River Gorge. Red River Gorge is located in the Daniel Boone National Forest near Slade Kentucky. I was kindly invited by local Kentucky hiker “Backpacking With Jason” to attend this YouTuber hike / meetup. On day 2, Saturday, we shuttled over to the Grays Arch parking area and hiked the roughly 5.6 mile loop. The parking was very crowded on Saturday. The loop was very interesting and traversed a short section of the Sheltowee Trace Trail, the Rush Ridge Trail, the Rough Trail, and the Grays Arch Trail. We took a side trail off to the east of the Rush Ridge Trail to see Corrosion Cove and then continued on to Grays Arch. After descending steeply down the Rough Trail, there was quite a bit of water and the forest was damp and had lots of hemlocks. Very different compared to the trails along the ridges. After visiting Grays Arch, we went back to the Auxier Ridge Trailhead and hiked off trail West to see the Star Gap arch and Living Wall. Hiked 11.7 miles on day 2.

Collaborators at the hike:
Backpacking With Jason: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCobwtnc4-EUkVZzo1RaaLrA
Dragon Roams: https://www.youtube.com/user/Don2realign
SkinnyGPanda: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrPTDQckVa4M5ekLU8nL7tg
Kurt Zitzelman Outdoors: https://www.youtube.com/user/KurtZitzelman
Hike Life: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHo3Kr0a4kYW4InE8ylbSGA

Grays Arch Trail Map: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd491194.pdf
Auxier Area Trail Map: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd491186.pdf
Trail Summary: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5276793.pdf
Guides and maps: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/dbnf/maps-pubs/?cid=stelprdb5389641
Red River Gorge Scenic Byway: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/dbnf/recarea/?recid=39552
Pass info: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5294940.pdf
More Pass Info: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/dbnf/recreation/?cid=stelprdb5332558

Friday, April 19, 2019

2011 Ford Taurus Rear Wheel Hub and Bearings – Caliper Removal – Bearing Replacement (moderate)

This video shows how to change the Rear Wheel Hub and Bearing Assembly in a 2011 Ford Taurus SEL. To get the hub off, you need to remove the wheel, the brake caliper, the disc rotor, and then pull the bearing assembly using an axle puller. The job was not all that hard, but did require tools I did not have. Fortunately the local auto parts store has loaner axle pullers.
Jack, Jackstand, ½” Ratchet, ½” 3/4 Socket, ½” 15MM Socket, 15MM angled box end wrench, 3/8 Ratchet with adjustable angle head, 13mm Socket, 18mm Shallow Socket, 8mm Socket, ¼ Ratchet, ¼” Long Extension, ¼” 5/16 socket, Flat Screwdriver, ½” Torque Wrench, 3/8 drive #40 Torx, Anti-Seize, Brake Quiet, PB Blaster (penetrating oil), Wire Brush, Slide Hammer, Axle Puller, Hammer, Loctite Blue, Rod for hub block.

Detroit Axle Rear Wheel Hub and Bearing Assembly: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00I44VZKI/

Watch my other Taurus 2011 Videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfkEsaQ3XSo&list

Watch my other hiking videos and gear reviews: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdxYynz7DmRoLfGNWYRI5wsvPi-WJ_OIa

Subscribe for more: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqAEjJfJjG43FBo_nLIbZoA?sub_confirmation=1

#nosmallcreator #fordtaurus #fordbearingreplacement

Auxier Ridge – Courthouse Rock – Double Arch – Red River Gorge Hike

This is part 1 of a two part video of a group hike in the Red River Gorge. Red River Gorge is located in the Daniel Boone National Forest near Slade Kentucky. I was kindly invited by local Kentucky hiker “Backpacking With Jason” to attend this YouTuber hike / meetup. On day 1, Friday, we parked at the Auxier Ridge Trailhead and hiked the roughly 6.8 mile loop. The parking was not crowded on Friday but was absolutely jam packed full on the weekend. The loop was very interesting and we saw distant views of Double Arch, up close views of Haystack Rock and Courthouse Rock, and many interesting ridges. After Courthouse Rock, the trail descends steeply through the gorge and then climbs steeply back out. We set up camp out on a beautiful ridge about 1.5 miles from Double Arch. After setting up camp, we hiked the 1.5 miles in and out to see the beautiful Double Arch.

Collaborators at the hike:
Backpacking With Jason: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCobwtnc4-EUkVZzo1RaaLrA
Dragon Roams: https://www.youtube.com/user/Don2realign
SkinnyGPanda: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrPTDQckVa4M5ekLU8nL7tg
Kurt Zitzelman Outdoors: https://www.youtube.com/user/KurtZitzelman
Hike Life: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHo3Kr0a4kYW4InE8ylbSGA

Auxier Area Trail Map: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd491186.pdf
Auxier Ridge Trail Summary: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/dbnf/recarea/?recid=39476
Red River Gorge Scenic Byway: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/dbnf/recarea/?recid=39552
Pass info: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5294940.pdf
More Pass Info: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/dbnf/recreation/?cid=stelprdb5332558

#nosmallcreator #redrivergorge #CanonM50

Winter Collabathon 2019 – YouTube Creator Meetup – Baltimore Inner Harbor – Canon M50

Saturday, February 16, 2019

Parkers Creek Trail and Raft – American Chestnut Land Trust (ACLT) – Hiking in Calvert County

We spent the afternoon exploring some of the trails at the American Chestnut Land Trust. There are over 22 miles of trails across this 3,000 acre preserve in Southern Maryland’s Calvert County. This park is easily accessed from Prince Frederick, MD and has ample parking. There is an outhouse on site, as well as trail maps and other resources. One of the interesting fun features in this preserve is a primitive raft to get across Parkers Creek to access the trails in the southern section of the preserve. Sorry for the video quality, I had issues with the camera (settings), dirty lens, and the editing software version was acting up. Figured I'd post it anyway.

Their website is very good and describes the park better than I can here:

https://www.acltweb.org/

@0:57 – Parkers Creek Trailhead and Parking
@2:44 – Double Oak Road Trail
@3:29 – Trail Junction
@4:09 – Map
@5:45 – Raft

#americanchestnutlandtrust #nosmallcreator #hike365challenge

Monday, February 4, 2019

Secret Luxury Gear Items – Backpacking Gear I Bring for Luxury and Comfort – Confession Time!