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Backpacking in Chaco Sandals

John — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 15:42:43 +0000

Backpacking in Chaco Sandals

I present several slideshows on both our Mississippi River Expedition and Appalachian Trail thru-hike every year. I love these presentations and especially enjoy the question and answer sessions. Each time I give the Appalachian Trail talk, I always know I’ll spend some time talking about footwear. Some folks hike in boots, some in trail runners, but I ended up hiking in Chaco sandals for the entire 2,170 miles.

Backpacking in Chaco Sandals

Before my Appalachian Trail thruhike, I scoured the Internet for any info I could get my hands on for information. One site I often visited was Michael McCormick’s Ultralight Backpacking page (now defunct). Michael was one of the first folks that turned me onto the idea that yes, it was possible to backpack in sandals as long as you kept your pack weight down. I had to try it out for myself to see what the fuss was about. At this time in my life, I only owned 3 pairs of shoes – my Chaco sandals, running shoes, and one pair of rarely used dress shoes. 95% of the time I wore my Chacos – not out of some misplaced sense of asceticism, but because I simply loved how they felt.

I was also working for Blue Ridge Mountain Sports at the time, and as luck would have it, I ran into the Chaco representative about a month before leaving. We talked a bit, and once he learned of my plans to hike in Chacos, he offered me the chance to prototype a new type of sole they were playing with. It was a win-win for everyone – Chaco got the data from a long hike, and I got 2 pairs of sandals for the trip. Excellent. Because we were starting in Maine and going south, I did bring a pair of ruining shoes with me in case I decided make a last minute change. Just before leaving the motel to head to Baxter State Park, I decided once and for all to go all the way in sandals, so my shoes were left behind. The first day was a little scary, but I made it up and down Katahdin without killing myself or twisting anything.

Chaco Sandals on right had 1,200 miles on them

I only needed two pairs of sandals over the course of six months, and the first pair made it over 1,200 miles. After that thru-hike, I don’t think I’ll ever go back to hiking with boots, with the rare exception of winter hiking. For what it’s worth, I never had a blister the entire time I was out. Everyone has to find what works for them, but I’m sold on my sandals.

Advantages

Highly breathable
Long lasting

Disadvantages

Less ankle support
Less protection against rocks, sticks, and thorns

More info:

www.chacousa.com

My personal favorite I’ve always had good luck with the Z/1 model.

www.keenfootwear.com

First came out in 2003, but have expanded rapidly. Lots of shoe/sandal hybrids available.

www.teva.com

One of the originals on the market. Thousands of feet are running around in Tevas.

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Neuse River Kayaking Gear List

John — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 02:19:15 +0000

Here’s a list of the kayaking gear I’ll be taking on the Neuse River Expedition. I’ll be doing video gear reviews while out on the river and posting them when I get back so make sure to check back with us!

Paddling Gear

Hurricane Kayaks Santee Expedition model
Astral Designs V-Eight PFD (life jacket)
Sea to Summit Big River Dry Sacks
Werner Kalliste paddle
paddling gloves
20′ line for securing kayak

Communication / Photography / Writing

Apple iPhone 3G
Pentax W80 waterproof camera
4 GB SD cards (3)
8AA backup charger for phone (homemade)
2 extra camera batteries
AC Chargers for phone and camera
Mini-tripod
velcro straps/suction cups for mounting camera
Moleskine Plain Pocket notebook
Pilot G2 pens

Camping Gear

Eagle’s Nest Outfitters hammock / Slapstraps
Tarp (homemade)
1/2 length blue foam pad
down quilt (homemade)
3′x7′ groundcloth

Water Treatment and Supply

Platypus Clean Stream Gravity Water Filter
Platypus 4-liter water tank (2)
assorted 1-liter water bottles
Aqua-mira water treatment drops

Clothing (worn)

Columbia long sleeve fishing shirt
Nylon shorts
sandals
sunglasses
Columbia Bucket hat

Clothing (extra)

synthetic t-shirt
shorts
bandana
homemade silnylon rainjacket
Outdoor Research Seattle Sombrero

Repair / Misc bag

small roll duct tape
needle / synthetic thread
3′ wire
zipties

Personal Kit

sunscreen
travel toothbrush / toothpaste
first-aid (alleve, anti-diarreal tablets, band-aids)
Headlamp
50′ cord
mini-carabiners (4)
Victorinox Classic knife
lexan spoon
lip balm
tweezers
hand sanitizer
toilet paper

Cooking

2-liter pot
alcohol stove (homemade)
windscreen
wood stove (homemade)
fuel bottle
pot cozy
spare ziplock bags
stuff sack

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Paddling the Neuse River to Promote Water Quality Awareness

John — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 20:02:44 +0000

As North Carolina’s population continues to increase, the need for adequate protection of its water resources become more acute. Riparian zone restoration, land trusts, enforcement of environmental regulations, and sustainable development are all key components to providing clean water for generations to come. Elevated nitrogen and phosphorous loads from runoff and development and numerous Pfiesteria outbreaks helped put the Neuse on American River’s Ten Most Endangered Rivers List as recently as 2007.

I’ll be paddling the 193 miles from the Fall’s Lake Dam (Raleigh, NC) to New Bern to raise awareness of water quality issues within the Neuse River watershed. The trip will begin August 27, 2009, and I plan to take about 10 days to reach New Bern and the beginning of the Pamlico Sound. On September 6, I’ll also be working with the Neuse Riverkeeper Foundation with a public paddling session in New Bern. Details will be posted to the website as they are finalized.

Along the way, I’ll be posting podcasts, photos, and journals to our website. To receive these up-to-the-minute updates of the trip, make sure to subscribe to our website by email or RSS.

Education and Outreach

A number of agencies and organizations will be involved in this effort. If your agency, group, media outlet would like more information, participate in the expedition, or schedule a slideshow after the trip, please feel free to Contact Us.We are also available to talk to your school and organization about water quality issues, our expedition down the Mississippi River, or John’s thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail.

Groups involved in this Effort

Schedule

Leave Raleigh: Aug 27
Smithfield: Aug 29 (resupply)
Goldsboro: Aug 31
Kinston: Sept 2 (resupply)
New Bern: Sept 4

Neuse River Expedition Sponsors

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Cape Fear River Sponsors: Thanks again

John — Sun, 19 Nov 2006 16:17:24 +0000

I just want to thank everyone who emailed, called, and visited the website during the recent Cape Fear River Expedition. Your support really meant the world to me when I was wandering “what possessed me to be out here freezing my tail off?”

A few special thanks need to go to the following folks. Thank you again for your continued support.

Jessica Robinson – the most patient fiancee’ a guy could every wish for
Betty and Kelly Fields – my folks, who may think I’m nuts but rarely say anything about it.
Larry and Candice McGuire – future in-laws, who also may think I’m nuts but rarely say anything about it.
Donald and Britt Woolley – patience by the bucket
Great Outdoor Provision Company – long-time sponsor extraordinaire
Astral Buoyancy – keeping me afloat
Eagles Nest Outfitters – great hammock to get some rest
Level Six – our new Canadian friends. Awesome paddling jacket, eh?
Pacific Outdoor Equipment – keeping my gear dry
Native Eyewear – sunglasses permanently attached to my face
Wake County Department of Environmental Services
Cape Fear Riverwatch
Pine Environmental Services
Cape Fear River Assembly
Cambellton Landing and Riverside Sports Center
Greensboro News and Record

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Cape Fear River Expedition

John — Wed, 15 Nov 2006 18:21:10 +0000

The Cape Fear River is formed by the confluence of the Deep and Haw rivers in southeastern Lee County. The Cape Fear Basin (watershed) is the largest North Carolina, containing over 9,000 square miles. The watershed is under tremendous development pressure, with over 100 acres of forest and cropland lost each day.

As North Carolina’s population continues to increase, the need for adequate protection of its water resources become more acute. Riparian zone restoration, land trusts, enforcement of environmental regulations, and sustainable development are all key components to providing clean water for generations to come.
John paddled nearly the entire Cape Fear River to raise awareness of water quality within the Cape Fear Basin. He began on November 1, 2006, and took 10 days to paddle the 180 miles to Wilmington, NC. A number of agencies and organizations were involved in this effort as well. If your group or media outlet would like more information, please feel free to contact us for more information.

Education and Outreach

The Wake County Department of Environmental Services donated a water quality meter for use during the journey. During his paddle, John tested several parameters (dissolved oxygen, turbidity, etc) and posted results from the river. He also worked with several middle school classes before, during, and after the trip via email and class discussions. While in Wilmington, he helped lead a Community paddling trip and gave a presentation at the Cape Fear River Watch office

We are available to talk to schools and organizations about water quality, the Cape Fear River, or our expedition down the Mississippi. If your class or program would like more information, please feel free to contact us.

Groups involved in this Effort

Haw River Assembly

Cape Fear River Assembly

Cape Fear River Watch

Cape Fear River Expedition Sponsors

Astral Buoyancy
Eagles Nest Outfitters

Level Six

Pacific Outdoor Equipment

Native Eyewear

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Source to Sea Sponsors

John — Thu, 14 Apr 2005 21:37:47 +0000

The following companies graciously donated products and services to the Source to Sea Expedition down the Mississippi River. We’d like to thank them for their continued support and commitment in this effort.

Great Outdoor Provision Company

Canoe, camping and paddling gear, and major logistics support. I can’t possibly thank Chuck, Danny, Lin, and the crew at GOP enough for their support of this expedition. We couldn’t have pulled this off without your help.

Stolquist Waterwear

Personal Floatation Devices (PFD’s) to keep us afloat. Worn every day of the trip, and still going strong.

Pocketmail

Portable email device. Works from any phone!

Pacific Outdoor Equipment

Sleeping bags, inflatable flamingos, and most importantly, the world’s best drybags. No leaks after 2,150 miles of abuse.

Native Eyewear

Supplied the sunglasses worn every day of the trip and then some.

Crazy Creek

Folding camp chairs for after-paddle relaxation.

Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps

Peppermint soap kept us smelling fresh, at least some of the time.