Backpacking thread (even if I just talk to myself)

Okay . . . let's try this again.

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Re: Backpacking thread (even if I just talk to myself)

Post by A_B »

I'll stick with not having running water and having to shit in the lea like a damned Welshman as roughing it.
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Re: Backpacking thread (even if I just talk to myself)

Post by Tom 1860 »

When hiking, there are some things that really help you feel good and one of those is opening your rucksack and finding dry stuff, knowing that a simple trick led to that feels good...

Others include:

* Looking inside the freshly pitched tent and rolling out your mat and sleeping bag
* Not minding that you smell like a camp fire when you climb into your sleeping bag
* The exact moment you realise that the fire you have built has lit and will remain so
* When you have the first sip of a hot drink you have prepared having walked the entire day

Just saying...
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Re: Backpacking thread (even if I just talk to myself)

Post by DC47 »

Smoking a J with five other people inside a tent sitting in the rocks at the top of a 13,000 foot pass while a lightning storm rages all around -- including downslope -- ain't bad either.
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Re: Backpacking thread (even if I just talk to myself)

Post by tennbengal »

That does sound nice.

Thanks for the tips, everyone.

In the short term, am walking, a lot, to start to build up those muscles.

Will probably buy the hiking footwear next to break in during the training walks.
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Re: Backpacking thread (even if I just talk to myself)

Post by Sabo »

tennbengal wrote:That does sound nice.

Thanks for the tips, everyone.

In the short term, am walking, a lot, to start to build up those muscles.

Will probably buy the hiking footwear next to break in during the training walks.
I highly recommend Merrell hiking boots. Very comfortable and durable.
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Re: Backpacking thread (even if I just talk to myself)

Post by DC47 »

I've worn Vasque through several generations of boot tech and style. There seem to be many good boot companies now. Sometimes you find a company that just happens to have lasts that fit you best. That's something to treasure. And with proper care, boots last a long time unless you are a real high-miler. Decades, not years.
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Re: Backpacking thread (even if I just talk to myself)

Post by Rush2112 »

^To this my brother wears my Dad's boots, that he bought in 1962.

When you get boots, get them fitted at REI, EMS, your local shop. I also highly recommend Sno-Seal for waterproofing those bitches, if you go leather. Make sure you tell them exactly what type of hiking you intend to do, weight you'll carry, etc. so you get fitted with the right boot.

As for Merrell I can't vouch for them since they left Vermont.
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Re: Backpacking thread (even if I just talk to myself)

Post by tennbengal »

Update - have been slowly accumlating the gear, only large purchases left are the sleeping bags and mattress pads. REI has been awesome as a place to figure things out with regard to equipment and try stuff out (they were especially helpful on hiking boot purchase and sizing the backpacks). Cannot go over Memorial Day weekend like we were planning (now a soccer tournament conflict) but will aim for a weekend in early June.

Still really looking forward to it.
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Re: Backpacking thread (even if I just talk to myself)

Post by mister d »

Are you wearing full gear around the house and to work so its broken in?
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Re: Backpacking thread (even if I just talk to myself)

Post by tennbengal »

mister d wrote:Are you wearing full gear around the house and to work so its broken in?
Clearly.

By gear, I meant the packs, boots, tent and some misc. stuff like the cook stove. Have worn the boots to break them in a bit on weekend hikes. Mostly accumulating gear over time because this is expensive to start from scratch like we have and I wanted to spread out the cost and not hammer a credit card.
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Re: Backpacking thread (even if I just talk to myself)

Post by Rush2112 »

Make sure you set up the tent, try the stove, etc. before you get out. Nothing like trying for the first time when it's pouring, the kids are hungry, etc. etc.
Last edited by Rush2112 on Thu Apr 09, 2015 12:56 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Backpacking thread (even if I just talk to myself)

Post by wlu_lax6 »

Anyone have experience with the "outdoor gear lending library". I feel like for the volume of use I would benefit from borrowing/renting equipment. I own a pack, some climbing gear, sleeping bags, etc. but feel $/use is way off on owning camping gear.

I know of a few but have never tried any of them
http://www.usetheox.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.rei.com/stores/rentals.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The uber of outdoor rental gear seems like something that should be easy to find.

I know alum have access to gear at some University Outing clubs.
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Re: Backpacking thread (even if I just talk to myself)

Post by Rush2112 »

I've rented from REI and EMS and the Outdoor Club at UNM.

Was quite easy. Gear was in relatively good shape, etc. etc.
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Re: Backpacking thread (even if I just talk to myself)

Post by tennbengal »

Rush2112 wrote:Make sure you set up the tent, try the stove, etc. before you get out. Nothing like trying for the first time when it's pouring, the kids are hungary, etc. etc.
Will do. No kids. If we screw up, we inflict the misery just on ourselves.
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Re: Backpacking thread (even if I just talk to myself)

Post by Rush2112 »

You may also want to check what classes the REI is offering. I've taken a couple great first aid classes. They typically offer how to, identification classes and the like, usually for free, or a minimal fee.
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Re: Backpacking thread (even if I just talk to myself)

Post by tennbengal »

Already on the rei thing.
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Re: Backpacking thread (even if I just talk to myself)

Post by DC47 »

I always thought the only way to go was to bring all your gear from home right to the trailhead. Two things have opened my eyes to the ways of renting gear. First, air travel. If checked luggage costs money, then you can drop some bulky items from your packed gear and apply the money you save towards renting it on the other end. This doesn't cover the whole cost, but you also benefit from not damaging your own gear, or even not having to own it. Second, young kids. Traveling light with them is a great convenience as the young ones can't carry their own gear.

My last camping trip was in the Uinta Mountains in NE Utah. We flew into Salt Lake, rented a car, and hit the REI. Rented two tents and four sleeping pads, as well as a stove. Bought some fuel (can't take that on the plane). Stopped at a nearby grocery for food. And off we went.

Renting that stuff was quick and easy, didn't cost much, and saved on carrying baggage (kids couldn't handle much) as well as baggage fees. Dropping it off on the back end on the way to the airport was also quick and easy.

My life-long precepts of total self-sufficiency in the back country were riddled on that trip. I was once on a 30 day trip where 100% of what we took on the trail (okay, not the water) came in the van from a couple thousand miles away. I've packed a double kayak as baggage on a plane (rather than rent one on-site) and paddled back into the Everglades. But on that Uintas trip, dropping the religious dogma of complete control of your gear was exactly the right way to go. Next time, sherpas and a litter.
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Re: Backpacking thread (even if I just talk to myself)

Post by tennbengal »

15 months later, after setting this goal aside due to moving last summer, Jen and I are set for a 19 mile hike. Planning two nights for the loop. Backpack feels heavier than I would have hoped but manageable. The walk encompass nine miles of AT and another 10 or so around Micheaux state forest in Pennsylvania.

Fingers crossed.
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Re: Backpacking thread (even if I just talk to myself)

Post by govmentchedda »

Bon voyage. Have fun and take lots of pictures.
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Re: Backpacking thread (even if I just talk to myself)

Post by sancarlos »

Good luck with that, man. I hiked three miles with the dog this morning. That's enough for me. I'm going to celebrate my accomplishment by lying on the couch this afternoon, watching the ballgame and drinking a beer. I'll toast your effort.
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Re: Backpacking thread (even if I just talk to myself)

Post by Rush2112 »

Good luck my man!

I'd love to get back into hiking/backpacking. Hard, when I keep knocking the wife unit up!
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Re: Backpacking thread (even if I just talk to myself)

Post by govmentchedda »

Rush2112 wrote:Good luck my man!

I'd love to get back into hiking/backpacking. Hard, when I keep knocking the wife unit up!
You're just expanding your hike team (and delaying things for like 10 years).
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Re: Backpacking thread (even if I just talk to myself)

Post by tennbengal »

Made it!

Ended up being about 21 or so miles as we parked a bit away from where the book had the parking and also lost the side trail briefly at one point.

Really positive experience. Stayed on the AT Saturday night and hung with some thru-hikers who were just past the halfway point of their journey.

Main issue was pretty extreme soreness . Will have better idea for next time how to combat that and chafing.

Highlight in terms of wildlife was a rattlesnake right in the middle of a narrow path at one point who would not move or allow itself to be cajoled into moving. Did get to hear a sustained rattle from it, which got a primal fear response from me. We ended up bushwhacking to get around it.

Will definitely be aiming for more hikes.
Last edited by tennbengal on Mon Jul 04, 2016 10:48 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Backpacking thread (even if I just talk to myself)

Post by govmentchedda »

Awesome! Go read Grandma Gatewood's Walk. You'll love it.
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Re: Backpacking thread (even if I just talk to myself)

Post by tennbengal »

govmentchedda wrote:Awesome! Go read Grandma Gatewood's Walk. You'll love it.
Thanks for the heads up, will put that on the reading list.
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Re: Backpacking thread (even if I just talk to myself)

Post by Sabo »

tennbengal wrote:Highlight in terms of wildlife was a rattlesnake right in the middle of a narrow path at one point who would not move or allow itself to be cajoled into moving. Did get to hear a sustained rattle from it, which got a primal fear response from me. We ended up bushwhacking to get around it.
This. The first time I encountered a rattlesnake in the wild, I stopped in mid-stride as soon as I heard the rattle. My hairs raised up as well. My friend and I stopped dead in our tracks and waited at least five minutes to determine where it was. It sounded like it was just off the trail, so we slowly walked past it on the opposite side of the trail. It probably wasn't the smartest decision but we came out of it unscathed.

Glad you had a good trip, TB. Please share some pics if you're inclined.
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Re: Backpacking thread (even if I just talk to myself)

Post by mister d »

tennbengal wrote:15 months later, after setting this goal aside due to moving last summer, Jen and I are set for ... two nights ... of ... s...e...x ... in Pennsylvania.

Fingers crossed.
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Re: Backpacking thread (even if I just talk to myself)

Post by rass »

mister d wrote:
tennbengal wrote:15 months later, after setting this goal aside due to moving last summer, Jen and I are set for ... two nights ... of ... s...e...x ... in Pennsylvania.

Fingers crossed.
Thoughts of what you could do to/with his after-report just triggered a primal fear response in TB.
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Re: Backpacking thread (even if I just talk to myself)

Post by wlu_lax6 »

Not exactly backpacking but did a fun hike in New Paltz, NY this weekend. Great bit of rock scrambling and climbing.

http://hikethehudsonvalley.com/mohonk-m ... n-squeeze/
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Re: Backpacking thread (even if I just talk to myself)

Post by tennbengal »

Yes on flinching over what the editing would do to the post...

Also, 11 miles a day for our two days. Felt pretty okay about that.

But just looked up quickest to finish the entire 2190 mile Appalachian trail... Last year, someone did it in 54 straight days - unsupported (no outside help, no cars meeting her with supplies). That means she was averaging 40.5 miles a day. That's nuts.
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Re: Backpacking thread (even if I just talk to myself)

Post by mister d »

But she didn't have her husband slowing her down.
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Re: Backpacking thread (even if I just talk to myself)

Post by tennbengal »

mister d wrote:But she didn't have her husband slowing her down.
Key, I am certain.
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Re: Backpacking thread (even if I just talk to myself)

Post by Steve of phpBB »

That's fantastic, TB.
And his one problem is he didn’t go to Russia that night because he had extracurricular activities, and they froze to death.
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Re: Backpacking thread (even if I just talk to myself)

Post by brian »

Bandwagon fan of the 2023 STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS!
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Re: Backpacking thread (even if I just talk to myself)

Post by Shirley »

Pretty crazy story about a handicapped woman who claims to have hiked the AT and the PCT. She didn't.

http://deadspin.com/how-did-no-one-noti ... 1818647235
Totally Kafkaesque
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Re: Backpacking thread (even if I just talk to myself)

Post by govmentchedda »

A good friend of mine's wife, son and daughter are in the midst of an AT through hike moving south. They passed into NJ just the other day, which is getting close to the half way point.

My son's Boy Scout Troop does a week long hike every year on the AT, and one of these years I'll do that with the boys.
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Re: Backpacking thread (even if I just talk to myself)

Post by Shirley »

govmentchedda wrote:A good friend of mine's wife, son and daughter are in the midst of an AT through hike moving south. They passed into NJ just the other day, which is getting close to the half way point.


Just got into NJ? Isn't that kind of late? I would think that they're headed for some potentially hard, cold nights in the Appalachian mountains.
Totally Kafkaesque
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Re: Backpacking thread (even if I just talk to myself)

Post by govmentchedda »

Yeah, it'll be chilly for them for sure. They decided to start in the north and head south. Apparently only a tiny percentage of through hikers go that way. I can't remember exactly why they started when they did. Looking back through my friend's FB feed, they started for Maine on June 21, and hit mile 800 a few days ago.
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Re: Backpacking thread (even if I just talk to myself)

Post by rass »

bump
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Re: Backpacking thread (even if I just talk to myself)

Post by Sabo »

rass wrote: Thu Aug 16, 2018 2:11 pmbump
Thanks, rass.
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