This is how we learn, there is no teacher like experience. Most of the lessons you are taking from this hike are ones that we all discovered the same painful way. It was because I admired your ambition and didn't want to dampen it that I didn't chime in with several of these concerns sooner. Well do...

Thank you so much! As much as I’d love to just put together my entire kit immediately, monetary constraints (being a student) keep me from doing that. I’m currently getting into rev war reenacting, but I used to belong to a group that did several periods including the Civil War. I'm not a huge fan ...

That's some really smooth work Iodo, I love how your gear is always working and evolving and you never hesitate to push your boundaries.

Your progress photos are much better than mine too. I usually start quite well but miss all of the Middle stages as I become engrossed in the work.

Non-English derivation yes, but known and used. Michael is* carved on the Coffin of St. Cuthbert. * was? It's attested in 19th c. books, but not listed in current inscriptions on the coffin. Are you looking for a name inscription? The archangels Michael and Gabriel are depicted on one end so that c...

I am away from my books but if I recall correctly most of the Breelanders had horticultural surnames? Harry Goatleaf, Matt Heathertoes, and Bill Ferny spring to mind. Actually, thanks to a digital copy I found the passage just now. The Men of Bree seemed all to have rather botanical (and to the Shir...

Welcome to the forums Ryan! It certainly sounds like you'll fit in here. I like your approach to beginning with soft kit, so many are tempted to get into the hard kit straight up. What period of time do you re-enact? I do a lot of hiking and camping in my early middle ages kit (which fortunately for...

Of course, it will be a month or so as I finish up some other business I'm engaged in but it won't take long once I am home.

I grew up in an Eastern European household and everything is better pickled, I have a whole fridge shelf for pickles. Pickle juice is used by elite atheles as a natural cramp remedy. It supposedly has many of the same benefits as a sports drink. I will drink the juice just to make my wife squeal wit...

So the bedroll weighs about 5 pounds. Bedroll, blanket, tarp, rope, stakes, etc, I'm looking at about 15 lbs for my camp setup. Not exactly ultralight. I should note, I'm not doing a snapsack, but rather an adventurer's pack. This one. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09YXXJ34K/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_se...

Welcome Barandir, may your stay be long and productive!

Welcome to the forums!

We've already chatted about your persona goals but just to cast the dwarven cat amongst these numenorean pigeons there are four dwarf houses that we know very little of that originate in the east.

It could be something for you to explore.

The book is still available for a reasonable price but I have a pdf copy if you want a more in depth look before choosing to buy one.

Have you considered burning it out Greg?

I even keep a few in my everyday wallet as I get so much interest in our group from day to day conversations.

Thanks for replying Manv, I was dreading having to put my grumpy Eofor hat on for another review.