It's good that you are staying in shape doing miles. So, here's an idea. I know you probably already thought about it. Ditch the sticks! Here's some things to consider: 1. You're only taking 50% of the recovery time that you're therapist recommended. A disadvantage. 2 You've already drastically changed the backpack that you originally started with. 3. You already know it's the sticks killing you. Hiking with no sticks will almost guarantee a trouble free shoulder. 4. What do you lose if you don't walk with sticks? Hiking speed? You already go 3.5 miles/hr. So, now it's only 3.25 mph. Still purple wind flying. 5. Ofcourse, carry them for when you need a particularly tricky water crossing or a narrow rocky trail with hurricane gusts. 6. Give it a try. While you are resting up, do your workouts with no sticks. I remember watching a certain senior thru hiker in 2020 "bragging" about using "trekking poles". He made the distinction that he can tell the difference between a day hiker and a thru hiker. Thru hiker got sticks. Good for him, but it just means that day hikers don't need that extra advantage. If you are strong hiker you don't need them, either. Just work a little harder. In your case, it might be a matter of being able to hike or no hike. I trust you will figure it out. Keep on.
I have been giving a lot thought about that. I never use my sticks when I'm in Fresno walking. But, I do use them on most hikes in Alaska for safety and the trails are steep as hell there! lol It wouldn't be that hard for me to give it a try when I start back up next week. Even carry both of my (new) poles, my shelter system is only 2lbs 9oz. That's 10oz lighter than my freestanding tent, so why not try??? We'll see how long I last, probably depends on where I start back up???
Oh, Tuzi, a member of my tramily never used his poles. He's already thru hiked the Arizona Trail this year and 500+ miles into the PCT rarely using his poles. It can be done, for sure!
Those bands 18:32 is that to exercise your rotator cuff of the affected shoulder? Be very careful how you work them out. Keep very accurate count of repetitions and resistance set-up, so you don't over do it. The rotator cuff is one of these muscle/joints that won't tell you "when it's had enough" during motion. Only after a day or two will it be screaming, "...too much". So, it's very easy to over do it. I had some recent issues about a month ago with my right shoulder, it "hurt" even when I tried to brush my teeth. If I needed to lift that arm, I used my good arm to lift that arm. Keep on.
They're more used for lateral movement and stretching of my ligaments. I only do exercises given to me by my physical therapist and they're usually 4-6 reps. Although I tore my labrum, which is directly tied to my rotator cuff, it's my new ligaments I'm more worried and have to be cautious about. You're right about everything you said, regardless. And, the band will probably be rarely used. Lol
Hey Rob, great gear review. I wanted to share an awesome hoodie made by Ridge Merino in Mammoth California. It is called the solstice hoodie, what I really like about it is that it has thumb holes to provide better sun protection of the hands, and this thing is bullet proof, it holds up well to trail life. The weight is still in that 8 oz range. It is currently out of stock but should be available sometime this month. One way I approached the shelter weight/ packability/ protection issue was to use a Six Moon Design Wild Oasis (12 oz) and a Mountain Laurel Design super lightweight bivy (5.5 oz), total weight just over 17 oz. Others who are planning and wondering about shelter options should check this combo out. Both of these item’s pack into a very small size. I tend to hike right until dark, so in good weather I just used the bivy, and I hate rattlesnakes, so I never cowboy camp south of Kennedy Meadows. I have had this setup in all kinds of different weather and had no issues. The bivy is great on those windy nights what a tarp or tent gets thrashed around.
I have a fondness for Mammoth Lakes and checked them out. The hoody looks greats and the price is right. Too bad it's out of stock. Yeah, those ultralight set ups took a beating the first two weeks of the PCT this year. Zpacks hexamids, Six Moons Designs Havens and Wild Oasis, and standard tarp+bivy set ups all went down and/or blew away. People were hiking through the night because all of the gear was soaking wet after a hail, rain, wind storm. . And, that happened multiple times to hikers with tarp systems. I complained about the condensation in my Gossamer Gear The 2 and was seriously asked by an ulralighter if I wanted to trade shelter systems. I just want people knowing the trade off for less weight is less protection. But, I was looking at the Wild Oasis at one time. I like the bug protection and size. Too bad is out of stock right now.
Good job on cutting the food weight .. You can cold soak all those Mountain House meals in ziplock freezer bags (about +30 min cold water) which weigh alot less than the cook bags they come in .. that would also let you get rid of pot + fuel canister
I'm actually going to give the cold soak a run for a day or two??? If I can ditch the stove, I will. Giving up coffee will be hard enough. Lol Oh, I'll definitely transfer all the MH meals into freezer bags first..... Now that you reminded me that I should. Haha
Purple Wind I tried cold soaking when my gas ran out. During’19 PCT It was ok just set up your breakfast lunch dinner couple of hours earlier and when you are ready to eat so is your meal. Ramen noodles, smashed potatoes, oatmeal n fruit, saves more weight.
Sheffield Utd v Arsenal 🤷♂️I thought you said you like soccer or correctly named Football ⚽😂🤣. Loving the vids as always so I will forgive you on the Soccer comment👌🏻
I still live in Skagway. I do the Chilkoot Trail every year. I was on it in August 2019. I hope is was sunny and nice for you, but I'm sure it rained at least once? Lol
@@purplewindpct rained a little the first two days, but we had a beautiful sunny day climbing the pass.I first hiked the chilkoot in 1979 when I was 20.It was great to hike it with my daughter 40 years later!!
Great update. Keep healing. You'll be back on trail real soon.
I'm hoping! 🙂
It's good that you are staying in shape doing miles. So, here's an idea. I know you probably already thought about it. Ditch the sticks! Here's some things to consider:
1. You're only taking 50% of the recovery time that you're therapist recommended. A disadvantage.
2 You've already drastically changed the backpack that you originally started with.
3. You already know it's the sticks killing you. Hiking with no sticks will almost guarantee a trouble free shoulder.
4. What do you lose if you don't walk with sticks? Hiking speed? You already go 3.5 miles/hr. So, now it's only 3.25 mph. Still purple wind flying.
5. Ofcourse, carry them for when you need a particularly tricky water crossing or a narrow rocky trail with hurricane gusts.
6. Give it a try. While you are resting up, do your workouts with no sticks.
I remember watching a certain senior thru hiker in 2020 "bragging" about using "trekking poles". He made the distinction that he can tell the difference between a day hiker and a thru hiker. Thru hiker got sticks. Good for him, but it just means that day hikers don't need that extra advantage. If you are strong hiker you don't need them, either. Just work a little harder. In your case, it might be a matter of being able to hike or no hike. I trust you will figure it out. Keep on.
I have been giving a lot thought about that. I never use my sticks when I'm in Fresno walking. But, I do use them on most hikes in Alaska for safety and the trails are steep as hell there! lol It wouldn't be that hard for me to give it a try when I start back up next week. Even carry both of my (new) poles, my shelter system is only 2lbs 9oz. That's 10oz lighter than my freestanding tent, so why not try??? We'll see how long I last, probably depends on where I start back up???
Oh, Tuzi, a member of my tramily never used his poles. He's already thru hiked the Arizona Trail this year and 500+ miles into the PCT rarely using his poles. It can be done, for sure!
Those bands 18:32 is that to exercise your rotator cuff of the affected shoulder? Be very careful how you work them out. Keep very accurate count of repetitions and resistance set-up, so you don't over do it. The rotator cuff is one of these muscle/joints that won't tell you "when it's had enough" during motion. Only after a day or two will it be screaming, "...too much". So, it's very easy to over do it. I had some recent issues about a month ago with my right shoulder, it "hurt" even when I tried to brush my teeth. If I needed to lift that arm, I used my good arm to lift that arm. Keep on.
They're more used for lateral movement and stretching of my ligaments. I only do exercises given to me by my physical therapist and they're usually 4-6 reps. Although I tore my labrum, which is directly tied to my rotator cuff, it's my new ligaments I'm more worried and have to be cautious about. You're right about everything you said, regardless. And, the band will probably be rarely used. Lol
Hey Rob, great gear review. I wanted to share an awesome hoodie
made by Ridge Merino in Mammoth California. It is called the solstice hoodie,
what I really like about it is that it has thumb holes to provide better sun
protection of the hands, and this thing is bullet proof, it holds up well to
trail life. The weight is still in that 8 oz range. It is currently out of stock
but should be available sometime this month. One way I approached the shelter weight/
packability/ protection issue was to use a Six Moon Design Wild Oasis (12 oz)
and a Mountain Laurel Design super lightweight bivy (5.5 oz), total weight just
over 17 oz. Others who are planning and wondering about shelter options should check
this combo out. Both of these item’s pack into a very small size. I tend to
hike right until dark, so in good weather I just used the bivy, and I hate
rattlesnakes, so I never cowboy camp south of Kennedy Meadows. I have had this
setup in all kinds of different weather and had no issues. The bivy is great on
those windy nights what a tarp or tent gets thrashed around.
I have a fondness for Mammoth Lakes and checked them out. The hoody looks greats and the price is right. Too bad it's out of stock.
Yeah, those ultralight set ups took a beating the first two weeks of the PCT this year. Zpacks hexamids, Six Moons Designs Havens and Wild Oasis, and standard tarp+bivy set ups all went down and/or blew away. People were hiking through the night because all of the gear was soaking wet after a hail, rain, wind storm. . And, that happened multiple times to hikers with tarp systems. I complained about the condensation in my Gossamer Gear The 2 and was seriously asked by an ulralighter if I wanted to trade shelter systems. I just want people knowing the trade off for less weight is less protection. But, I was looking at the Wild Oasis at one time. I like the bug protection and size. Too bad is out of stock right now.
Good job on cutting the food weight .. You can cold soak all those Mountain House meals in ziplock freezer bags (about +30 min cold water) which weigh alot less than the cook bags they come in .. that would also let you get rid of pot + fuel canister
I'm actually going to give the cold soak a run for a day or two??? If I can ditch the stove, I will. Giving up coffee will be hard enough. Lol Oh, I'll definitely transfer all the MH meals into freezer bags first..... Now that you reminded me that I should. Haha
Cold Coffee tastes good on a morning walk. You don't need to cook it.
@@paganed You're right. Tbh the Nuun was sale. I'll go to cold coffee when they run out.
Purple Wind I tried cold soaking when my gas ran out. During’19 PCT It was ok just set up your breakfast lunch dinner couple of hours earlier and when you are ready to eat so is your meal. Ramen noodles, smashed potatoes, oatmeal n fruit, saves more weight.
I'll try.... Lol Unfortunately I cannot do any type of instant potatoes. They're disgusting and yes I'm tried then all. Lol
Keeping busy in your gear garage! It's interesting to see what you're switching up.👍
I'm really hoping I'll sleep better now. But, my food is really so much lighter. I'm gonna have to compare what I had to what I have in food weight.
Good stuff. Heal up.
Sheffield Utd v Arsenal 🤷♂️I thought you said you like soccer or correctly named Football ⚽😂🤣. Loving the vids as always so I will forgive you on the Soccer comment👌🏻
Hahaha I'm a huge EPL fan. I played 'soccer' for half of me life, I've never played football! 😂
Would love to talk with you on your stay in skagway, my daughter and it hiked the chilkoot trail in 2019.
I still live in Skagway. I do the Chilkoot Trail every year. I was on it in August 2019. I hope is was sunny and nice for you, but I'm sure it rained at least once? Lol
@@purplewindpct rained a little the first two days, but we had a beautiful sunny day climbing the pass.I first hiked the chilkoot in 1979 when I was 20.It was great to hike it with my daughter 40 years later!!
Thanks for the update! I see you didn’t mention the lovely lampshade hat...jk! 😀