I gave the pocketmail a shot and found the keyboard is too small to allow my thoughts to flow freely. Can anyone recommend a good pen for the trail–ink flows, doesn’t freeze. Any other writing suggestions are helpful too.
gumwood
Looking for a perfect pen
system
#5
my perfect pen was the um gillette or bic roller ball gel ink pen. the gel ink didnt freeze; was waterproof; they lasted forever; were nice and cushiony for long writing; and they were light. and cheap. about 2 bucks. variety of colors for the creative minded; although i stuck with basic black. or also pilot makes a P3 roller gel ink pen that is compareable.
and write everyday. i didnt at the beginning. so my beginning journal is piecemeal. i wish i wrote more in 02. will this year.
Big Boy
system
#6
Here’s a little journaling tip for those of you that have pens that work. Monty turned me on to a square of MSR wind screen and a parafin candle. Put the square, about 4", behind the candle and all is brighter for writing your nightly, and fridged, whimsies while lying in your bag. Warm your fingers over the flame, the bright light is nice to stare into and reflect on the days events. Two of these will light a shelter so everyone can set up shop without head lamps on.
Bushwhack
system
#7
great idea- I’ll have to try it. What is a parafin candle? I usaully carry a tea light. By the way, I always use a pencil, UNLESS I’m using a waterproof pad, then I use a fine point sharpie, but they don’t do so hot upside down.
Tha Wookie
system
#8
what is a parafin candle. is it those little round candles in tin that are about 1/2 inch high and come in packs of 12
Head
system
#10
no wookie i was asking the same question. don’t know what a parafin candle is and am asking if its the same as those round little candles in tin sometimes called tea candles (cause theyre so light if you drop them in a cup of tea they’ll just float without going out)
Head
system
#12
i saw this written in black magic marker pen on the rafters of icewater spring shelter- A.M.R. was here 1979 and lit 186 farts in 5 hours. He used 25 books of matches and is now being treated for third degree burns on his assh*le
Head
system
#13
Sorry, tired from work when I wrote that. I use the bigger ones that go in a candle lantern. About two inches long, inch thick. They make a half in flame a half inch high and last for ever. A three pack out the outfitter is a few bucks. They’re also dripless for the most part. Tea candles?, yeah, those little tin cup thing. I get ones like these, fifth line down on the link. http://www.jgwhyte.com/candles.htm The pic are out of scale.
Bushwhack
system
#15
I remember seeing this written on the inside of a shelter “Yesterday was history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift”. I think it was a shelter between Hot Springs and Erwin? Maybe the shelter before Bald Mountain?? Anyone else see this? Quite possibly a shelter near the Civil War monument?? My memory is a bit fuzzy.
Ross
Ross
system
#16
Mo, who thru hiked in 1999, gave me her pen which is a ball point pen with a built in light. It runs on one AAA battery and lasts a long time. The ink has never frozen up on me, even when it’s been so cold my water bottle froze. Saves my head lamp as it provides all the light you need to journal in the dark. Wasn’t this a lovely gift? I hope to use it on my thru in 2005. It’s called an Autopoint Nitespot and can be found in some office supply store in Chicagoland area and who knows whereelse.
Kathy
system
#17
Ross: It should have read
Yesterday is History
Tomorrow a Mystery
Today is a Present
John Lincoln
system
#18
The way that I have heard it is: “Yesterday is History, Tomorrow a mystery and Today is a Gift, that is why they call it The Present.”
Back on topic: I have heard that Newspaper Reporters are urged to write with a pencil since it will write in all kinds of conditions. A pen may have ink that “runs” or smears in wet conditions. A pen’s ink may freeze or run out at unexpected moments. With a pencil you always know how much lead is available (unless it is a mechanical pencil – I have had poor luck with those) and as Km suggested one can sharpen the point with a pocket knife.
Skylander
Skylander