City Walk 2018
Here we are again. The universe is bigger than ever and that includes Saskatoon—both because of the expansion of space-time and due to the more pedestrian fact of population growth. We must make some plans.
*Stay tuned for late breaking news about direction and/or river activity.
I expect you fall into one of the categories below:
Accidental Tourist: Google brought me here by mistake... <cough>
Observer: You think the Hopefuls are idiots, but you love us anyway. In other circumstances you would consider being on the Support Team but it won’t work this year. You will observe from a safe distance in case our crazy is contagious.
Fellowship: You love the idea of this adventure. It appeals to you on some level, but you can’t commit to the whole day for reason X, Y, or Z. You will stay in touch with the Hopefuls or Support Team and come for a portion of the walk, or just to celebrate and visit at the midday meal. Your fresh energy and enthusiasm help propel the Hopefuls to victory.
Support Team: Whatever we need, that you are. Do you like applying bandages to blisters, driving take out coffee to the edge of town at strange hours, or making delicious food to share with others. Consider a job in this category. You should coordinate with Leora who is heading up the Support Team this year.
Hopefuls: You fools. You crazy fools. For some reason you want to walk until you drop, or until you reach the final destination. You... Have... Got... This! You will require some/all of the following equipment...
Water: We will be hours between civilized stops. Pack 1 litre of water, minimum.
Food: You can make due with energy bars, but I get sick of the same thing all day. Consider a variety of dry, calorie dense foods that are easy to eat while moving (or during our hourly 3-5 minute breaks) and don’t take up much space. There will be a provided mid-day meal.
Worn or carried in pack:
Keep it small and light. Carry only what you will need for the next several hours. We have access to limited “on call” deliveries en route if we require changes of gear or additional supplies (such as coffee or a complete change of clothes).
◦ Hat
◦ Sunglasses
◦ Long-sleeve shirt
◦ Short-sleeve shirt
◦ Pants
◦ Socks x2
◦ Hiking boots/shoes
◦ Water bottle (with liquid)
◦ Food/Goodies
Other Backpack Options:
◦ Money (for coffee breaks, etc...)
◦ Cell phone (for photos, mapping, music, tapping out...)
◦ Sunscreen
◦ Mosquito repellant
◦ After bite
◦ lip balm
◦ Vaseline (for your feet (unless you are David))
◦ Bandages
◦ Moleskin
Bin/Duffle Bag/Etc...
This will be stored in Leora’s support vehicle and should hold all of your extra equipment/food/clothes that you don’t want to carry for 18 hours, but will possibly need during the day.
◦ Comfy shoes (for some of the easier parts of the walk)
◦ Extra/Alternate food
◦ Socks x ?? (My waterfall feet will use 6 pair throughout the day)
◦ Wind/rain shell
◦ Shorts
Personally, I like to struggle. Some call it “hard fun.” The reward for hard fun may come in the moment, but often it is only “fun” on reflection. When you are comfortable in front of a fire, with a kettle just beginning to sing and you think about how crazy you were to try at all... but there is a smile on your face.
I like to know my limits. Failure is one of the best ways that we come to know what our physical limits really are. If you don’t fail, you never really know.
Anyone who walks out the door at 4:30 am can claim victory over their own doubts, at least.
The Plan:
Saturday, July 14th, 4:15 am at David and Bri’s house (if you don’t know, ask someone). 4:30 am departure. It is my plan to walk counter clockwise. This means no wet river crossing*. Leaving from a new location means that I don’t quite know where the lunch should happen, but I suspect somewhere out past the Shaw Center in the early afternoon.*Stay tuned for late breaking news about direction and/or river activity.
I expect you fall into one of the categories below:
Accidental Tourist: Google brought me here by mistake... <cough>
Observer: You think the Hopefuls are idiots, but you love us anyway. In other circumstances you would consider being on the Support Team but it won’t work this year. You will observe from a safe distance in case our crazy is contagious.
Fellowship: You love the idea of this adventure. It appeals to you on some level, but you can’t commit to the whole day for reason X, Y, or Z. You will stay in touch with the Hopefuls or Support Team and come for a portion of the walk, or just to celebrate and visit at the midday meal. Your fresh energy and enthusiasm help propel the Hopefuls to victory.
Support Team: Whatever we need, that you are. Do you like applying bandages to blisters, driving take out coffee to the edge of town at strange hours, or making delicious food to share with others. Consider a job in this category. You should coordinate with Leora who is heading up the Support Team this year.
Hopefuls: You fools. You crazy fools. For some reason you want to walk until you drop, or until you reach the final destination. You... Have... Got... This! You will require some/all of the following equipment...
Preparation:
Clothing: Dress for the weather of the day, but consider light layers. The way is long and it will be best if you are as comfortable as you can be.Water: We will be hours between civilized stops. Pack 1 litre of water, minimum.
Food: You can make due with energy bars, but I get sick of the same thing all day. Consider a variety of dry, calorie dense foods that are easy to eat while moving (or during our hourly 3-5 minute breaks) and don’t take up much space. There will be a provided mid-day meal.
Worn or carried in pack:
Keep it small and light. Carry only what you will need for the next several hours. We have access to limited “on call” deliveries en route if we require changes of gear or additional supplies (such as coffee or a complete change of clothes).
◦ Hat
◦ Sunglasses
◦ Long-sleeve shirt
◦ Short-sleeve shirt
◦ Pants
◦ Socks x2
◦ Hiking boots/shoes
◦ Water bottle (with liquid)
◦ Food/Goodies
Other Backpack Options:
◦ Money (for coffee breaks, etc...)
◦ Cell phone (for photos, mapping, music, tapping out...)
◦ Sunscreen
◦ Mosquito repellant
◦ After bite
◦ lip balm
◦ Vaseline (for your feet (unless you are David))
◦ Bandages
◦ Moleskin
Bin/Duffle Bag/Etc...
This will be stored in Leora’s support vehicle and should hold all of your extra equipment/food/clothes that you don’t want to carry for 18 hours, but will possibly need during the day.
◦ Comfy shoes (for some of the easier parts of the walk)
◦ Extra/Alternate food
◦ Socks x ?? (My waterfall feet will use 6 pair throughout the day)
◦ Wind/rain shell
◦ Shorts
Mindset:
Why are you doing this? Think about it. Sit with yourself in the quiet dark of your room and wonder why? The reason you are doing this may inform what you want to accomplish. Do you want to walk 10 km? 21 km? 42 km (full marathon distance)?Personally, I like to struggle. Some call it “hard fun.” The reward for hard fun may come in the moment, but often it is only “fun” on reflection. When you are comfortable in front of a fire, with a kettle just beginning to sing and you think about how crazy you were to try at all... but there is a smile on your face.
I like to know my limits. Failure is one of the best ways that we come to know what our physical limits really are. If you don’t fail, you never really know.
Anyone who walks out the door at 4:30 am can claim victory over their own doubts, at least.
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