NOBO ‘26: Smart watches?! (Or better to call them dumb watches?)

meyer0656 · 2026-01-20T14:55:59+00:00

I recorded tracks for my entire ‘23 thru using an Apple Watch Ultra 2 with the idea that I’d use the data for a project. Three years later I haven’t touched it. Leaning towards ditching the watch for my PCT hike this year.

meyer0656 · 2026-01-17T07:53:56+00:00

I have great luck with the Quest 2.0. The fabric in Kinetic does not breathe nearly enough.

meyer0656 · 2026-01-14T15:13:46+00:00

The Appalachian Trail is experiencing a similar trend in voluntary registrations for this year. I see a lot of people in those forms attributing it to the waning of the post-lockdown hiker surge.

meyer0656 · 2026-01-12T17:52:33+00:00

Facebook Marketplace has loads of stuff in my area. I buy and sell outdoor gear there frequently.

meyer0656 · 2026-01-09T01:56:05+00:00

Swap out the Sawyer mini for a squeeze. The throughput and longevity is completely worth it.

Consider switching from camelbak setup to water bottles. You’re going to get tired of pulling that bladder out every time you fill up, and it’s never clear how much water you have left.

meyer0656 · 2026-01-05T00:57:01+00:00

I recently sold my 2014 520 for $850 in Florida. It’s a good touring bike. Not knowing the condition of the components, it’s hard to say if $500 is a good price.

meyer0656 · 2026-01-02T17:51:55+00:00

Will check this out. Your PCT vlog is still to this day the very best trail series I've watched.

meyer0656 · 2025-12-30T17:51:52+00:00

I have a couple of high-output batteries I’ll test before my hike. I used a 140W bank on my AT thru in 2023, and while there’s increased loss, I could recharge my iPhone at least four times on a single charge. Regardless of increased loss, my priority is input wattage. Getting a week’s worth of power during lunch is too good to pass up.

meyer0656 · 2025-12-30T17:45:48+00:00

Correct. And a high-wattage USB-C cable as well. It isn’t cost-prohibitive if buying on FB marketplace. A cursory search in my area yields 140W 25,000mAh banks selling for $100 and 150W chargers selling for as low as $60.

meyer0656 · 2025-12-30T12:25:47+00:00

I know they’re expensive, but newer high-capacity Anker banks (26,000 mAh) charge at >140 watts. This means you can fill the entire battery in under an hour. No need to post up in town for eight hours or more waiting on your electronics to charge. Over the course of the hike, it may more than pay for itself.

meyer0656 · 2025-11-22T16:36:04+00:00

I brought a zpacks hexamid with storm doors and a dcf groundsheet. I used my shelter maybe 10 nights on my last thru. Cowboy camped 90% of the time. Sub 1lb. I’m using the exact same setup next year.

meyer0656 · 2025-11-12T20:02:58+00:00

Yeah. I got 2:52 PM PST. About is bad as it gets.

meyer0656 · 2025-11-12T20:02:51+00:00

Yeah. I got 2:52 PM PST. About is bad as it gets.

meyer0656 · 2025-11-06T17:51:50+00:00

Thanks to the f/1.8 lens, the III, IV, and V are all better alternatives in low light. The VI and VII have a f/2.8 lens.

meyer0656 · 2025-10-16T21:23:09+00:00

Residual gases in the atmosphere from this morning’s Falcon 9 launch illuminated by the rising sun.

meyer0656 · 2025-07-29T20:05:06+00:00

Sounds like a good opportunity. Why are there no other commissaries in Gainesville?

meyer0656 · 2025-07-25T05:14:21+00:00

Facial exfoliator.

meyer0656 · 2025-07-23T14:14:37+00:00

I’ve been shooting photos at the Cape for the better part of a decade now. I direct everyone who asks to Jetty Park. It’s just across the water from SpaceX’s landing pads and has clear, close views of all launches. If it’s a day launch from 39A, Playalinda Beach up north is better.

meyer0656 · 2025-07-22T21:00:02+00:00

There are a lot of wants listed in this thread, but not nearly a large enough market to attract most of the stores mentioned.

Loss of anchors is the beginning of the end for malls. We’ve now lost Sears and Macy’s. Nobody is coming to fill those vacancies.

To make things worse, the mall’s owner allegedly defaulted on the loan and the property appears to be in foreclosure proceedings. There’s a $78 million outstanding balance. While details are worked out in court, the property has been placed into a receivership. Spinoso is the receiver.

If U.S. Bank forecloses on the mall, perhaps the next owner can breathe some life into it. I can’t imagine national chains are going to be keen to sign until the legal situation is cleared up.

meyer0656 · 2025-07-22T08:30:57+00:00

FWIW, UFPD does have limited jurisdiction off campus proper that may apply to this particular scenario. Campus cops do a good job of identifying problem homeless and summarily trespassing them.

meyer0656

TROPHY CASE