[pct-l] 1st AGPLDHG&IR at the 3rd ADZPCTKO

[terri_mason@hotmail.com (terri mason)]

Okay,
I'm leaving early (in spite of the reports of snow in southern areas) and 
won't be able to make it to the gear brag session.  But - I just have to 
tell people about the cool gadget that Mark (my husband) created... hmm 
let's call it the umbrellapod

We created Jardine-style umbrellas with all of the extras cut off, such as 
handle, knob on top, spring etc.  Around the same time, Mark was trying to 
figure out the photography situation.  Photography is a hobby of his, and he 
had to have something that would work as a tripod (I'm happy balancing the 
camera on rocks... I wonder if my lower standards account for my poor 
photos??  :) ).  We originally planned on using one of the mini ones, but 
they still seem to weigh an awful lot.  This is when he came up with the 
idea of the umbrella/ tripod invention.  Because the handle on the umbrella 
has been shortened, when it is partly opened, all of the little points sit 
flat on the ground without the handle being in the way.  He chopped up his 
old mini tripod and attached the screw top portion to the top of the 
umbrella.  Voila - we have an amazingly sturdy, decent height umbrellapod.  
I don't think this will be able to save the pictures that I take... but his 
should be up to his standard.

Have fun on the trail and at the adzpctko... three more days of work and I'm 
free!!!!!!  Another month and I'm on the trail!!!!
-----------------------
On a side note, here are some funny questions I've been asked by coworkers 
and friends.....

Aren't you taking your climbing gear?  (ummm... let's see... an extra 50 
pounds so I can spend the odd rest days climbing... tough call)

How much did you pay for taking this tour?  Aren't you guided?

Do you have to read tidal charts?  (people don't believe me when I tell them 
there are mountains in CA!)

The best (from a woman that weighs close to 300 pounds)... That will be 
easy. California is flat the whole way.


>From: Bighummel@aol.com
>To: pct-l@backcountry.net
>Subject: [pct-l] 1st AGPLDHG&IR at the 3rd ADZPCTKO
>Date: Mon, 26 Feb 2001 20:44:24 EST
>
>ANNOUNCING:
>
>The First Annual Great Pacific Long Distance Hiking Gadget & Invention 
>Revue
>(of course, the 1st AGPLDHG&IR, in the spirit of the ADZPCTKO).
>
>To be held in conjunction with the 3rd ADZPCTKO Gathering at Lake Morena on
>the evening of Saturday, April 28th.
>
>RULES:
>1) None
>2) The Gadget or invention must be of your own design, construction and
>assembly, or, be a significant modification of a commercial product. STORE
>BOUGHT GADGETS OR INVENTIONS WILL BE DISQUALIFIED.
>3) The idea is to show off your cool long distance hiking inventions and
>innovations!
>4) Remember Rule #1
>
>Categories may include, but are not limited to:
>- Light weight stoves
>- Back packs
>- Modified shoes
>- Unique food preparation
>- Sleeping bag, quilt, suit, etc.
>- Eating utensils
>- Flashlights
>- Hiking poles, sticks, ice ax combinations, etc.
>- Tents or tarps
>- Mad Monte items
>- Combinations of the above
>
>AWARDS
>Awards will be given for the following categories:
>- Most innovative use of useless materials
>- Most creative multiple uses of one item
>- Most useful gadget or invention
>- Lightest weight - Most impressive design Combination
>- Best alternative use of an item
>- Grand Prize AGPLDHG&IR!
>
>PRIZES
>- Cool gadgets, of course
>(NOTE: Some prizes may not be of a weight that will be considered to be
>practical to carry on a PCT thru or section hike. Should this be the case 
>the
>winner may elect to have the prize either: mailed home or to their next 
>mail
>drop to include into their drift box, at the expense of the organizers of 
>the
>AGPLDHG&IR.)
>
>JUDGES
>The organizers of the ADZPCTKO will chose an impartial AGPLDHG&IR judge 
>panel
>consisting of trail angles and past thru-hikers.
>
>Let the revue begin!!!!
>_______________________________________________
>PCT-L mailing list
>PCT-L@mailman.backcountry.net
>http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l

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