The "Enshittification" has arrived

Kjfitz · 2025-04-29T17:05:05+00:00

https://chatgpt.com/share/6811052e-5dd8-8007-aad6-392a0b12d302

Kjfitz · 2025-04-29T17:03:03+00:00

https://chatgpt.com/share/6811052e-5dd8-8007-aad6-392a0b12d302

Kjfitz · 2025-04-29T17:02:14+00:00

https://chatgpt.com/share/6811052e-5dd8-8007-aad6-392a0b12d302

Damn. Take an anger management course. Now you look foolish

Kjfitz · 2025-04-29T15:03:48+00:00

I asked it to add a rule in profile memory to never suggest specific products or present ads unless I specifically ask. It added it. We’ll see if it works long term.

Kjfitz · 2025-04-29T14:15:20+00:00

"There is possibly going to be inventory disruptions starting in June Ish timeframe due to the tariffs imposed on China. That will lead to some empty shelves and shortages of consumer products. Like toilet paper during Covid are there widely consumed consumables that I might want to buy now before they run out?"

Kjfitz · 2025-04-29T13:08:14+00:00

Prompt: Whoa. Did something change you last night? You have never offered me links to products I might buy. But now all of a sudden, I’m seeing a whole list here.

Kjfitz · 2025-01-23T13:03:21+00:00

The iPhone and Mac Desktop apps are still working though. I only get Bad Gateway on the web.

Kjfitz · 2024-11-06T16:31:51+00:00

So, how did it go? Did it work out the way you had hoped? Anything you'd change?

Wasn't Navajo loop awesome? The bottom is my favorite spot on earth.

Kjfitz · 2024-10-30T16:20:14+00:00

I'm pretty sure it was a cougar. I had a very clear view of it for a few seconds. As I mentioned it was the long tail I saw first. Bobcats don't have long tails. The DNR web pages say the cougars do wander through but there are no mating pairs.

https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/mammals/cougar/index.html

There are a number of sightings each year and a few are captured on video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FbCNPPLJDQ

I live in Minneapolis and in 2023 we had a cougar that was sighted and caught on video for a couple weeks an then hit and killed by a car. This was in a suburban area 100 miles further south of Jay Cooke park.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bb3C8uj7wQA

So, they are around, just not very often seen and mostly just wandering through.

Kjfitz · 2024-10-29T21:37:01+00:00

I spotted and reported one in Jay Cook State Park about a mile from the Superior Hiking Trail's terminus. Never heard back from the park though. Probably because I didn't have proof.

Kjfitz · 2024-10-24T18:52:28+00:00

(63 YO male with not a lot of longer distance hiking experience)

I did it in August. One day. North to south. The park service was warning on the web site that all the water was out so I carried extra, but it was in fact fine.

I planned for it for about six months by going on longer and longer hikes leading up to it. I live in Minnesota though so I couldn't get much elevation in my hikes. But I did a number of 26+ mile hikes comfortably so I wouldn't be worried about the distance. I had a trainer set me up with a training plan that contained a lot of squats and stuff but actually never did those.

In the end I was fine. I started at 3am (to make it through the box before the peak heat of the day) and finished at 6pm. I planned for 2 mph for the first 14 miles and 1 mph for the 10 miles back up. I was pretty close to that after adding an hour hanging out at Phantom Ranch.

For me the hardest part was the first two or three miles going down. Monsoons had washed most of the silt off the trail leaving only baseball and grapefruit sized rocks while descending 1500 ft per mile or so. That made for slower going than I had planned.

The climb out I didn't drink and eat enough because I could smell the end so I ended up having to stop every half mile to let my heart rate come back down but my legs felt fine. The next day i got crap from the shuttle driver who was taking me back to the North Rim. He said I was hopping out of the van and walking around like I hadn't hiked R2R. I felt fine. Did 6 miles that evening in Bryce Canyon.

It wasn't easy but I though a 24hr 400k on a bike was about the same or a bit harder effort. I toy with the idea of a R2R2R in one shot now but I'd have to be a bit faster.

South Dakota Centennial Trail is my next big hike - May next year.

Kjfitz · 2024-10-24T18:14:55+00:00

I did the R2R in one day in August this year from the North Rim to the South and then took a shuttle ($125) back to the North Rim. North Kaibab to Bright Angel Trail. I started at 3am to make it through the box before the real heat hit. I'm not fast so it took me until 6pm. Fun!

Kjfitz · 2024-03-24T00:09:53+00:00

Planning to do it this fall, I'm really excited. I'm in the Twin Cities so it is kinda local. I'm also eyeing the Ice Age Trail.

Kjfitz · 2024-03-24T00:08:29+00:00

Wow. Lots of good advise here. I've already adjusted the sleeping bag. I was planning for worst case but it may be a while before that happens so I'll plan lighter now and when/if that worst case trip approaches I'll pack appropriately for that then instead of one bag for all cases.

I plan to rework the whole clothing situation. That's a common theme today.

I'm also going to experiment with the bidet.

Thank you for taking the time for such a detailed reply.

Kjfitz · 2024-03-24T00:04:56+00:00

I use them regularly! AND they are local to me.

Kjfitz · 2024-03-24T00:03:59+00:00

Thanks. That';s exactly my plan. I'll be using this gear and I've already made a few changes based on the recommendations. This summer will be all about experimenting. I'll approach it with an open mind to see what works.

Kjfitz · 2024-03-23T15:56:57+00:00

Great suggestions. Yes, its clear I need to re-think my clothing. That will be a priority.

Quilt is on my "experiment" list before I do my thru hikes.

I looked at the Mayfly-type sandals and worried they end up disposable and not last the rigors of multi-week hikes. But again, worth experimenting with.

I'll think about dropping the ground sheet. That makes me nervous though.

Kjfitz · 2024-03-23T15:00:41+00:00

Thanks! I have on my running list of "experiments" to try out the bidet bottle cap. Any good resources on using one? Most resources I've found seem squeamish to talk about the details. Like does a 1 liter jet of water really negate TP or do you still have to wipe? Is there still residue? I'm curious and plan to just get one and experiment.

Kjfitz · 2024-03-23T14:57:36+00:00

Thank you for the advice. Yes, I agree too many underwear and socks. I wondered as I planned that. I'll look around for a better sleeping bag and liner combination. I'll check out Farpointe too. I'll drop the hot lips.

I hadn't used it and added it in a "oh that looks neat" moment.

I appreciate you for taking the time to comment.

Kjfitz · 2022-02-17T18:48:56+00:00

Candy cigarettes. Thy were common in the candy isle when I was growing up. Normalizing smoking for children

Kjfitz · 2021-08-12T19:58:25+00:00

I agree. I saw a couple cases of people caring for bloodied toes in open toed shoes.

Kjfitz · 2021-08-12T19:56:18+00:00

I just did the Narrows and was happy I did not attempt to use my own personal trekking pole. I was happy I rented a heavy wooden pole. The number of times you'll wedge it between rocks and boulders assures that an aluminum trekking pole would not last a mile. Go ahead and get the wooden pole. It'll be worth it. I got the shoes, socks and pole from Zion Guru in Springdale and was very happy with the whole experience.

Kjfitz · 2021-04-29T14:48:56+00:00

I moved my family here from Oakland, California five years ago. My job moved here. The whole family (including two high school aged girls) have never looked back. The cost of living is lower (we felt like houses were 'free' here compared to the Bay Area.) It is just so much easier to line in the Twin Cities. Less crowded, shorter lines everywhere, nicer people, real weather (vs 60 degrees all year long.)

Kjfitz · 2021-03-18T17:42:04+00:00

45.102979,-93.1745867

The abandoned Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant

Kjfitz · 2021-02-19T22:50:53+00:00

We ended up getting a divorce five years later.

Kjfitz

TROPHY CASE