GORUCK Ascent (and other 14er) Tips

A few people have asked if I had any tips for the GORUCK Ascent. I attended the first two years they did it and have certainly learned a few things. I wanted to share some info I've come across and articles I found useful. Your mileage will vary but it's probably worth your time to check this out if you're interested in either doing the GORUCK Ascent or just summiting your first fourteener.

Fun Stuff

• GORUCK 2012 Photos [Kit Klein]
• GORUCK 2011 Photos [Foster Huntington]
• Sunrise on the mountain [360 Panorama]
• Resting on the summit [360 Panorama]
• Nearing the descent [360 Panorama]
• Getting into the draw [360 Panorama]
• Sunday morning from high base camp (with other teams on Columbia) [360 Panorama]

GORUCK Ascent Specific Info

• GORUCK Ascent Loadout: 100 Hours in the Rocky Mountains [ITS Tactical]
• GORUCK Ascent AAR: Altitude is Everything [ITS Tactical]
• Ascenting at the Ascent [GORUCK]
• Fieldcraft at the Ascent [GORUCK]
• Priorities of Work at Basecamp [GORUCK]
• Cadre Tips: Dan’s Ascent [GORUCK]
• GORUCK Ascent 2014 Photos [John Gray]
• [GORUCK Alumni Private Group] GORUCK Ascent 2014 AAR [Aaron Sarnovsky]

Packing

• An Introduction to Lightweight Backpacking [ITS Tactical]
• Lightweight Backpacking Step 1: Weigh Everything! [ITS Tactical]
• Lightweight Backpacking Step 2: The Big Three [ITS Tactical]
• Lightweight Backpacking Step 3: Multi-Function Gear [ITS Tactical]
• Mountain UltraLight: Breaking the 7 pound barrier [Mountain Ultra Light]
• Lighten Up your Backpack: Eliminating Non-Essentials [Section Hiker]
• What to leave home/preparation for a thru-hike [White Blaze]
• Adventure Alan's UL Backpacking [Adventure Alan]

DIY Tips

• DIY Single Use Packs for Antibiotic Ointments and More [ITS Tactical]
• Trimming Weight with Toothpaste Dots for Lightweight Backpacking [ITS Tactical]
• DIY Rite in the Rain Field Notebook Hack [Pig Monkey]
• Fisher Space Pen Refill | Ultralight Hack [Brian Green]
• DIY One Micron Water Filter [YouTube]

Physical Prep

• How to Make a Sandbag Pill for Weighted Ruck Runs [ITS Tactical]
• Training for Ruck Marches [Military.com]
• Marching Cadence and Speed [ITS Tactical]
• The Woodsman Workout [Art of Manliness]
• Rucking [GORUCK]

Gear

• The Best Hiking Sock Review [Outdoor Gear Lab]
• Ultralight Backpacking Clothing System [Eric the Black]
• Ultralight Makeover: Redux Pt. 8 - Dress Down [Backpacking North]
• UL Backpacking Water Purification - [YouTube]
• Gossamer Gear Pack Liners [Gossamer Gear]
• Polycryo Ground Cloth [Gossamer Gear]
• Small Pens for Backpacking [Brian Green]
• Hiking with GR2 and Brick Bag Attached [GORUCK]

Skills

• 6 Part Series: LandNav 101 [ITS Tactical]
• Refresh Your Navigation Skills [ITS Tactical]
• Calculating your Pace Count [ITS Tactical]
• How to Tie 7 Basic Knots [Art of Manliness]
• High Elevation First Aid [Climbing High]
• Measuring Angle and Distance with your Thumb [Farmers Almanac]

Mountain Related

• Taking the High Road: Acute Mountain Sickness Exposed [ITS Tactical]
• High Altitude Hiking [Hiking Lady]
• Ten Non-medicated Ways to Cope with Altitude [Body Results]
• High Altitude Illness and Mountain Sickness [Mountain Zone]
• Altitude Adapt | Reader Testing Results [Brian's Backpacking Blog]
• How Altitude Sickness Affects Your Body And How You Can Beat It [IndefinitelyWild]
• Mountaineering Safety Tips [14ers.com]

Misc.

• Wilderness Medicine and Survival Tips [ITS Tactical]
• The Moscow Rules [ITS Tactical]
• Sample Gear List - Along The Wild Coast (20 lbs) [Pig Monkey]
• 101 Ultralight Backpacking Tips [Steve Green]
• A lot of general tips, forum posts, blog posts... [Backpacking Light]
• Tips & Tricks from Gossamer Gear - http://bit.ly/pAiqun
• Ranger TV [GORUCK]
• Taking Care of Your Feet: Preventing Blisters with Leukotape [ITS Tactical]
• Camping Tips and Tricks from True Outdoorsmen [Gear Patrol]

Cedar Ridge Preserve - Almost 1 Year Ago

// Cedar Ridge Preserve //

Fresh Snow, Bear Tracks, & New Peaks

A buddy of mine has been itching to go camping and with my newfound time off, I figured it was the perfect time to go. I was needing a bit of a recharge and spending time outdoors always helps.

We've both climbed Old Rag Mountain before but this time I wanted to try something completely new. We set our sights on Robertson Mountain.

As we left town, it started to flurry and when I called the National Park Service to check conditions, I was informed that they already had 2 inches on the ground in some parts and were closing sections of Skyline Drive.

We pressed on.

Before long we were on the trail looking for a suitable spot to setup camp. It was still snowing as we set the tent up and climbed in to warm up and dry off and finalize our plans.

The only snag was that my buddy brought his wife's sleeping bag which was made for indoor sleepovers but we improvised and neither of us froze to death. 

Getting up around 6 am was great though. The sun was started to brighten things up and we were eager to start the day. After boiling some water for oatmeal and coffee, we were ready to hit the trail.

There was still a lot of snow on the trail and before long we finished the Corbin Hollow Trail and were starting the Robertson Mountain Trail. After a short time on the trail we saw some bear tracks and these were super fresh. Luckily the area is only home to black bears and they are generally scared of people so we weren't too alarmed. It was neat to see the prints up close and each paw was the size of my entire hand.

After a quick summit we headed back down.

I strongly encourage you to take some time away from your desk and spend the night outside. You'll thank yourself for it.

But wait, there's more...

Photos on Picasa.

Short URL: http://goo.gl/QuSWW

My First Fourteener

I'm actually excited, just fighting an AMS headache.

On September 1st, I summited my first 14,000 foot mountain (Mount Belford). This was a monumental experience for me even though the photo above may not convey my joy. I was developing quite a nasty headache and a bit of nausea at that point. Yeah, Acute Mountain Sickness. Luckily we didn’t stay long and started our descent at which my headache began to subside.

I’m only writing this blurb to let you know I’ve been successful in reaching a life long goal of mine but now I have the desire to go bigger. I have decided to set some new goals and given the time and money, I’m sure they will be completed. Stay tuned for a post on my buddies site, ITS Tactical, which will include a full debrief of the GORUCK Ascent.

Thanks for all of your support. I couldn’t have done it without you.

GORUCK Ascent

Soon I hope to be embarking on a challenge that will test both my physical abilities and mental resolve. The challenge is called the GORUCK Ascent.

Just recently, I completed the GORUCK Challenge with Class 031. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done, by far. It took an amazing amount of mental strength to even sign up but I’m here to tell you that it changed my life.

I am no longer bound to a world where things are impossible. I learned that whatever I pour my heart into, I will accomplish.

What’s next on my list? The GORUCK Ascent. It will be a 100 hour team building event combined with classes taught by some of our nations top special forces operators, the Green Berets. We will be summiting multiple 14,000 foot mountains in a short period of time.