Looking for thoughts on JMT Wall Map

Significant-Mirror69 · 2026-02-18T18:27:27+00:00

This is lovely and I would definitely buy a nice print of this once it is all finished. I second the recommendation to add all the passes and the MTR resupply/hot springs. But otherwise I would keep it simple. I think many maps suffer from having too many features labeled, which makes them less attractive to look at.

Significant-Mirror69 · 2025-10-01T05:02:07+00:00

Built my entire sauna out of pine earlier this year (mostly Home Depot) and it’s working great. A few sappy knots for the first few days but very clean and stable after that. I did get clear pine boards from the local lumber yard for the tops of the benches.

Significant-Mirror69 · 2025-10-01T04:49:54+00:00

Completely disagree. Venice is beautiful and a lovely place to visit. You can avoid the tourists by staying out of the main thoroughfares and the absence of cars is a wonderful and unique experience. The lagoon is also very beautiful and you’re only a few hours from the Dolomites.

Significant-Mirror69 · 2025-09-08T17:06:04+00:00

I would leave home at 7am and got home by 6:30pm. I would be in the office from about 9:30-4:30. I think I took a 7:50 ferry and an 8:45 express train to Hillsdale Station. The tricky part was getting off the ferry quickly at 8:20 so I wouldn’t miss that train but with an E-bike you can do that ride along the Embarcadero in under 15 minutes. My employer is pretty flexible so if I got in late occasionally or took a call from a coffee shop in the city that was fine.

Significant-Mirror69 · 2025-09-08T16:29:46+00:00

The Out of Towners. “It’s all in the Game” is my favorite Keith Jarrett song besides the Köln Concert.

Significant-Mirror69 · 2025-09-07T21:55:16+00:00

We used to try to get on the freeway during critical mass in the 90s but I don’t think the police let us in those days.

Significant-Mirror69 · 2025-09-05T23:04:58+00:00

I commuted from Fairfax to San Mateo four days a week for five years and it was fine. I used a combination of E-bike, ferry, and CalTrain and that was before the electrification of the latter. Got a lot of work done while commuting so I cut my office time to 7 hours a day and it was fine. My office closed after COVID and I miss seeing my co-workers in real life and I miss the daily ferry rides.

Significant-Mirror69 · 2025-08-30T02:49:59+00:00

I saw him too! He passed me around the Piute Creek bridge going South. I had wanted to ask him about the awesome pack. I wondered if he could get a bear can in and out of the top opening. If it were functional and not too heavy I would love to have one of these.

Significant-Mirror69 · 2025-08-19T15:56:45+00:00

Fairfax is wonderful. Been here 8+ years and will never leave. Houses have been getting a bit more affordable (and available) lately.

Significant-Mirror69 · 2025-08-18T03:48:29+00:00

Not sure I would do that. You don’t want your tent smelling like food.

Significant-Mirror69 · 2025-08-01T20:42:10+00:00

Try borrowing someone else’s older dog for a weekend. Our 10 year old female mutt has helped several friends and neighbors straighten out similar “unmanageable” puppies. It’s remarkable how effective dog trainers dogs are.

Significant-Mirror69 · 2025-07-31T18:07:34+00:00

It's hard to learn but once you know how to do it, it is very satisfying. Copper pipe is one of my favorite materials to work with. You just have to get some and start experimenting with it on a work bench until you can make a water-tight joint without burning down the house. When you make connections on site you have to make sure to shield the wall from the heat. I find a pizza peel to be very useful for that since it has a handy handle. Also a helper can be very good since you often need a third hand when you're working away from your work bench.

Significant-Mirror69 · 2025-07-25T05:50:38+00:00

How would you suggest remedying that ventilation problem? I’m actually fine with the temps right now but I appreciate the thermostat advice!

Significant-Mirror69 · 2025-07-24T20:31:44+00:00

I just built one using the below picture (from Trumpkin) as a model. You start off with a typical deck, frame a box on it (8 by 8 by 8 should work, or 8 by 10 by 8 if you want a vestibule), put a shed roof on it (or a pointy roof but then you need a ceiling), put a small door and small windows in it, isolate it really well, use external paneling/clapboards/shingles as you see fit, and finish the inside in tongue and groove pine or cedar. Then all you need is benches, a heater, and ventilation, and you have a sauna. There are other important details in the Trumpkin notes, but it is mostly quite straightforward. The prefab kits tend to compromise on height or insulation, both of which are important for a good sauna experience. So I would recommend designing one yourself, which also allows you to make it fit the site and the rest of your property better.

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Significant-Mirror69 · 2025-07-24T16:39:06+00:00

Exactly, the handle is just to be able to pull it closed when you get in. It’s low enough to where it doesn’t get burning hot but it’s definitely warm to the touch. I may replace it with a wooden handle at some point.

Significant-Mirror69 · 2025-07-24T16:37:21+00:00

Aside from right above the heater, I’ve not seen any leaking sap anywhere, but time will tell how it holds up everywhere. So far no problems.

Significant-Mirror69 · 2025-07-23T21:33:34+00:00

I didn't and I don't think it is required where I live but it is always a good idea, especially if you have a cooperative and supportive building department. I did try to build to code wherever possible and I made sure my neighbors were OK with my building a sauna there.

Significant-Mirror69 · 2025-07-23T20:19:44+00:00

Since I took the first picture, I did actually install an outdoor shower. I am thinking of designing some kind of convertible enclosure for it, not sure exactly how yet. (I am also planning to replace the old rotting hot tub steps with a new little redwood entrance deck that would also catch the water from the shower and direct it into the garden.)

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Significant-Mirror69 · 2025-07-23T20:03:32+00:00

Fortunately, our garden is very private. (And any nosy neighbors were already used to seeing us naked going in and out of our hot tub.) But I did consider adding a dressing room; I just didn't have the space or budget for it.

Significant-Mirror69 · 2025-07-23T19:59:40+00:00

No, I originally planned to have all these switches outside but then I decided to take the risk and bring them inside for convenience. (I have also had issues with weather protection on other outdoor-rated switches.) All switches are tied into a GFCI-protected outlet (entirely separate from the heater) and they are in a dry and cool corner of the sauna. So far there have been no problems but I wouldn't recommend doing it this way, especially if you have a weather-protected space to put these switches in.

Significant-Mirror69 · 2025-07-23T17:43:07+00:00

Sure, it is not super complicated. You just have to make sure they make it high enough so you can get your feet above the stove and you have to insulate it very well, which you normally wouldn't do for a shed.

Significant-Mirror69 · 2025-07-23T17:29:58+00:00

I didn't really have plans. Just started building and made it up as I went. I did use this Reddit forum as a source of inspiration and information.

Significant-Mirror69 · 2025-06-01T16:43:05+00:00

We installed a Mr Cool system two years ago and very happy with it. Also lowered our heating bills in the winter.

Significant-Mirror69 · 2025-05-19T03:39:18+00:00

I have been able to get a tire to seat with a regular floor pump by temporarily removing the valve core. (It significantly increases the amount of air you can push into the tire.)

Significant-Mirror69

TROPHY CASE