Yeah I know Denver's not in the mountains. Only been once though and it's been a while. My office is in Cherry Creek. I'll have a car so I may try to do an afternoon or something. Otherwise I'm going to book for a weekend next trip.

8/8/2012 5:58:45 PM

Nice, hit up Cherry Cricket for a burger, they're the best.

8/8/2012 6:10:16 PM

Our Denver office is really trying to get me to move out there. It's very tempting.

8/8/2012 10:00:34 PM

Just got into Denver. Pretty smoggy today. Got a rental though so I want to see if I can do an afternoon day hike with some views.

8/13/2012 3:16:35 PM

Need some suggestions for a good budget tent. Will house my Fiance and I, plus our dog. Water proof is a must, does not have to pack down as we mostly camp near our car and not backpack.

Lets say less than $100? Can it be done?

8/19/2012 6:50:07 PM

^^that's actually smog/smoke from all the western wildfires that was currently blowing through CO, much clearer this weekend and in general.

[Edited on August 19, 2012 at 8:26 PM. Reason : .]

8/19/2012 8:25:51 PM

Hiked up my first 14er on Wednesday, Mount Bierstadt. Not being acclimatized, I completely underestimated the effects of altitude. Had to stop about every 50 ft near the top.

My friend took this pic of the sawtooth traverse between Bierstadt and Evans

8/19/2012 9:42:49 PM

Quote :

"Need some suggestions for a good budget tent. Will house my Fiance and I, plus our dog. Water proof is a must, does not have to pack down as we mostly camp near our car and not backpack. Lets say less than $100? Can it be done? "

I'm going on a camping trip in 2 weeks and I'm looking at a Coleman Sundome 4 person tent at walmart for <$70. If i get 4 camping trips out of it, I'll be happy. I really want this tent and will probably pick one up this Black Friday:

http://www.rei.com/product/828567/kelty-salida-4-tent

Only other option is to keep an eye out on craigslist. I've found a few decent deals on higher end tents for the price range you mentioned, but they all required a bit of driving. :/


I suggest a 4 person tent for your guys. Here's a website I found helpful:

http://www.thecampingsource.com/item/Choosing_a_Tent/id/649/category.aspx


[Edited on August 19, 2012 at 10:28 PM. Reason : .]

8/19/2012 10:27:04 PM

Quote :

"Hiked up my first 14er on Wednesday, Mount Bierstadt. Not being acclimatized, I completely underestimated the effects of altitude. Had to stop about every 50 ft near the top. "

That's awesome, I had some friends that did Bierstadt last Weds as well, congrats for summiting, there are some who are acclimated that can still can't summit a 14'er. I'm acclimated and I have to stop every 100 ft or so near the top, so you did great! Welcome to CO!

[Edited on August 20, 2012 at 12:03 AM. Reason : .]

8/20/2012 12:02:53 AM

Thanks man. We had considered the class 3 approach, which would have been completely horrible in retrospect, haha.

8/20/2012 12:26:54 AM

These are kinda cool:

Along the Tar-Pamlico river, new campling platforms/screened in porches


http://www.reflector.com/news/camping-platforms-set-open-1182573

8/22/2012 10:24:52 AM

Sleeping on soft grass >>> sleeping on wood.

But the idea is cool.

8/22/2012 10:27:36 AM

http://gizmodo.com/5936650/the-ultimate-backpacking-outfit

Some decent recommendations in there.

8/22/2012 1:52:14 PM

^ That's $8200 worth of stuff.

8/22/2012 1:59:40 PM

Hence the "ultimate". Still a good guide. I've been watching that tent at REI for sales. I've got the smaller 60L backpack. Great bag. That water filter is awesome too. A lot of good recommendations. $400 sleeping bag is a bit much but you're going to pay if you want down and cheap.

8/22/2012 2:06:23 PM

After backpacking for 16 years I have pretty much all that gear sans bear canister, solar charger and gps beacon. Great recommendations, I'd highly recommend down pillow, LED lantern and pack towel, Light My Fire Sporks are awesome. I would skip the separate stove & pot recommendation though, for $180 I'd much rather go JetBoil, everything else is pretty spot on.

^a 30'F down bag should not be $400, I have a 20'F REI 750-fill down bag, 1lb 15oz. and it was only $200 on sale.

[Edited on August 22, 2012 at 2:43 PM. Reason : .]

8/22/2012 2:38:54 PM

Yeah I've got a JetBoil. Highly recommended. Also that gravity filter is AWESOME. Especially if you're backpacking with 2+ people. Fill up 4 liters, leave it, come back 5 minutes later and you've got 4 clean liters of water. Much easier than a pump and it allows you time for a snack while gravity does it's thing.

I don't carry a separate cookset as I usually only cook for myself but it wouldn't hurt if you have a larger group.

Quote :

"^a 30'F down bag should not be $400, I have a 20'F REI 750-fill down bag, 1lb 15oz. and it was only $200 on sale. "

My current bag is a synthetic Mountain Hardware 35+. It's too hot for me even if it's 20F. I'm looking into warmer 45-50 degree down bags. I've got a cotton coolmax liner I use with them as well.


[Edited on August 22, 2012 at 2:48 PM. Reason : s]

8/22/2012 2:44:24 PM

yea, i have an egyptian cotton liner for my 20'F bag when winter camping, it adds probably another 5-8'F to the rating plus i use it during the summer when all i need is a sheet.

8/22/2012 2:53:05 PM

Was up in the Grayson highlands this past weekend. Probably got down to the 50's at night. Ended up getting in my sleeping bag with the liner but it was a little warm. Typically over the summer I just use the liner and sleep on top of the sleeping bag (kind of like a pillow top?).

Wow the highlands were crazy busy over the weekend. Last time I was up there was last October and it was empty.

-Oh yeah and REI's having their 30% off labor day sale from 24th to the 3rd!!! Get some gear!!

Big Agnes Jack Rabbit SL2 and SL3 are on sale.

[Edited on August 22, 2012 at 3:04 PM. Reason : s]

8/22/2012 2:59:25 PM

^Love the highlands. I was there over memorial day weekend (Ending my Roan to Highlands hike) and it was BUSY!

8/24/2012 9:55:21 AM

I am planning a bachelor party weekend, and the groom-to-be wants to do some camping for part of it. I have pretty much only camped at state parks, where there is "no alcohol" and families with small kids right next to our site. Usually this is fine and we just took some solo cups, but its still not something I want to think about.

I was wondering if there were any primitive sites in the mountains (either near Boone or Asheville) where we could go. Basically, we just want to have a firepit, some music, and some beers without having to worry about kids next to us or the cops showing up. We are doing the more traditional bachelor party stuff the weekend before, but thought it might be nice to get away with a relaxing camping trip.

Any ideas?

8/25/2012 11:13:21 AM

Pisgah National Forest

8/25/2012 1:10:42 PM

my bachelor party was kayaking and camping in big frog (tennessee) and it was awesome...but probably farther than you want to drive

as ^ mention, pisgah...but really, you can drink on most any federal lands and most state lands that AREN'T a state park

i'm planning a friend's bachelor party to include some intracoastal/sea kayaking and coastal reserve camping because you can drink on the state reserve lands

8/25/2012 2:19:50 PM

Anyone done the Art Loeb Trail?

http://www.hikewnc.info/trailheads/pisgah/longdistance/artloeb.html

Thinking about that for a weekend in October.

9/18/2012 11:15:04 AM

i've done the art loeb a number of times (as has MeatStick, i believe)

it's beautiful

9/18/2012 11:46:12 AM

I have that exact pair of Asolo boots from the ultimate guide there, and they are hands down the most comfortable thing I've ever had on my feet. Ever.

9/18/2012 11:48:15 AM

^^Art Loeb is my TRAIL, yo...lol. I do it every year.

If you want to do the WHOLE thing, I'd honestly give yourself 3-4 days to really enjoy it, plus some sections really do just tucker you out (I'm used to doing 15-20 miles on the AT, and Art Loeb seriously kicked my booty).

If you want to hike the entire thing (roughly 30+ miles) here's some tips:

1. Get a shuttle. They run about $125 if you use any of the local outfitters, but the one I used was timely, really nice, and gave great advice
2. Park at the Camp Davidson grounds and hike from the start of the Cold Mountain side. It's less uphill and Camp Davidson parking area is less likely to get your car broken into. Plus they have bathrooms.
3. Bring some warm warm shit. Art Loeb is like 95% ridge walking, and the first few days is all Wilderness, so no camp fires. On those ridges the temps are at least 20* colder than anywhere else on the damn mountain, and you're going to get covered in Dew.
4. Water is always a little iffy. There's some good water day 1, but once you start coming out of Shining rock, the water can be a little off.
5. Spend some time at Black Balsam. It's lovely.
6. Take the time and do the extra trail up Cold Mountain.

OH, random note...the trail maps (I have several on this trail) really stink. One I have is a mirror image of the trail (East is west, west is east, lol), so pay more attention to the Topography and SERIOUSLY BRING A COMPASS. Shining rock has NO markers since it's wilderness, and there are some areas where there are like 5 "trails" all heading in different directions. The best advice, it's all ridge, so stay on the ridge.

If you insist on only doing a weekend, I'd highly suggest parking at the Black Balsam spur trail area off the parkway, and hike towards Camp Davidson. The section is nicer, a little less rough, and the views are a tad better.

ALSO, if you have the time...dude...totally do some tubing on the river and grab some icecream. And get a sandwich at Poppies. They're the bomb diggity.

[Edited on September 19, 2012 at 9:41 AM. Reason : yeah trails!]

9/19/2012 9:38:07 AM

Planning on taking a half-day on Friday and doing it across 2.5 days. I've seen plenty of GPS waypoints online so I'll just throw those in my GPS. We were planning on taking 2 cars so we don't have to use a shuttle. Thanks for the extra tips!

9/19/2012 9:43:46 AM

Has anyone done McAFee's Knob? I was hoping to drive up early on a Saturday and come back late Sunday. Is there a shelter or parking around the area for a quick trip?

9/20/2012 3:37:35 PM

i did mcafee knob back in march...it got COLD up on the knob

parking on either end is plentiful and easily accessed (right on main roads)...in fact, one end is in a shopping complex

we did (roughly) this trip: http://bp2.trimbleoutdoors.com/ViewTrip.aspx?tripId=48012

9/20/2012 3:44:24 PM

So doing a one nighter on Grandfather mountain next weekend (6th) and Art Loeb trail the weekend of the 20th. Yay fall weather!

9/28/2012 4:11:44 PM

So grandfather was really foggy. Great hike though. Glad we set up camp THEN did the hike though.

Picking up a Big Agnes UL2 from REI later today with the 20% off discount. Excited. 2lbs 2oz!

[Edited on October 8, 2012 at 12:17 PM. Reason : Fly Creek version]

10/8/2012 12:17:12 PM

Quote :

"I'm going on a camping trip in 2 weeks and I'm looking at a Coleman Sundome 4 person tent at walmart for <$70. If i get 4 camping trips out of it, I'll be happy. I really want this tent and will probably pick one up this Black Friday:"

Just saw this and I know it's old, but I do want to comment on it. I have a Coleman tent that I've had for 15-20 years now. It's heavy and it doesn't pack down very small, but it got the job done on tons of camping trips through high school and college. I still use it 75% of the time because it erects (lol) in about 30 seconds. The only damage it's seen so far is some fading from the sun and a torn zipper on the carry bag.

Several years back I bought a REI Taj 3 at their garage sale for $80 or so. It is my choice for camping in heavy winds (much more sturdy) or backpacking (lighter/smaller), but the Coleman still goes with me if I'm just going to be camping out of my car.

A lot of the benefits you're paying for when you buy a nice tent won't make any difference unless you're camping in extreme conditions or you're willing to pay a lot more money to save a pound or two. There are certainly situations that call for the nicer products, but don't discount cheap gear for your basic needs; especially if you can afford to carry a few extra pounds on your pack.

10/8/2012 2:29:09 PM

3 of my thru-hiker friends are sitting at the bottom of katahdin right now...they won't let them up!

10/15/2012 9:20:57 AM

Art Loeb Trail this weekend! Cutting down on my weight. Took advantage of REI's sale and picked up a Big Agnes Fly Creek UL2 (2lb 9oz). Finally upgraded to a real down bag from my synthetic. Got a Mountain Hardware Phantom 45 (19oz). I sleep really hot so that should be sufficient down to freezing. If not I'd got a liner that adds about 9-10 to the rating of the bag. Then adding my Thermalrest to that (19oz).

So tent, bag, and pad come out to just under 5 pounds. Should leave room for all my winter clothes. Going to be chilly on the ridge.

10/15/2012 12:39:07 PM

^Have tons of fun! I am very jealous... definitely my favorite trail...after the AT of course!

10/16/2012 9:24:51 AM

My new goal:

Fit everything in my 25L Osprey daypack like this dude:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3A3mvDxOYHM

Has a 22L Camelback:

http://www.rei.com/product/830534/camelbak-rim-runner-hydration-pack-100-fl-oz

Might be a little challenging in the winter with the extra clothing and I usually like to bring my hammock for being lazy in during the evening. Think it's totally doable though.

10/16/2012 10:30:01 AM

Hey has anyone found the crashed B-25 bomber 200 feet from the summit of Cold Mountain? There's apparently a book about it. I can't find any coordinates or information. It doesn't appear anyone has found it - or it's not there anymore. The rumors I've read say the plane is still there but the government markers have been removed.

10/16/2012 11:47:04 AM

Is anyone a sandal hiker? How does that work when it's wet/slippery on the trails? I'm tired of heavy boots, constantly damp socks, and the WORST blisters on the sides of my heels....

10/18/2012 1:25:11 PM

Why are your socks wet? Why don't you get different boots? I can't remember the last time I've gotten blisters from a hiking boot. I'll get them from sandals all the time if I try to hike in them. Plus I'm scared of rolling an ankle which hiking boots typically prevent.

10/18/2012 1:34:11 PM

Last AT trip it rained for 4 days straight. It was impossible to keep the rain out of my socks...they got wet and stayed wet...and b/c my boots were goretex...those boots didn't dry either.

10/18/2012 3:54:30 PM

Ah - sounds like you need some gaiters or just wear light weight rain pants:

http://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/gaiters.html

I've got a pair of light weight rain pants that are great even in the summer.

10/18/2012 4:16:58 PM

Camping Closed at Shining Rock Wilderness Area
http://www.blueridgenow.com/article/20121017/NEWS/121019780/1042/news?p=2&tc=pg

Anyone know if this is only for campgrounds, or if it includes backpacking as well?

10/19/2012 8:02:45 AM

I just called the Ranger's station, and there is no camping at all in Shining Rock. Anyone have any Plan B suggestions for a overnight trip in that area?

10/19/2012 10:36:27 AM

You can just put in a longer day and go onto the border of shinign rock, black balsam is like 12 miles in from the beginning of the art loeb.

10/19/2012 12:23:24 PM

Thanks, but we were going to start on the Investor Gap trail and camp near the Cold Mountain summit. I don't see too many alternatives. I think we're going to do Grayson Highlands instead.

10/19/2012 1:44:26 PM

Ha! We did the hike up from Daniel Boone late Thursday night (got in around midnight) and camped at the base of Cold Mountain. Did the Cold Mountain hike Friday morning. We ran into a ranger an hour after leaving Cold Mountain and we told about the closings. We ended up camping Friday night at the edge of the wilderness area (right before the Blue Ridge Parkway). Saturday night we camped at Butter Gap with a boy scout group. Haha.

Thursday night:


Friday:


Saturday:


Sunday:




So glad we did it north-south. South-north would have sucked royally.

Weather was BEAUTIFUL! Did the entire thing in shorts and a t-shirt. Little chilly in the morning on Friday and Saturday. I'll post a couple pics later.

10/21/2012 9:28:51 PM

So how did you like the Trail???

10/22/2012 1:12:46 PM

^^What program did you use for the last overlay?

10/22/2012 7:55:52 PM

I use a Garmin 62s on the trail then import into Basecamp. Then there's an option to view your current route in Google Earth.

^^I enjoyed it! I really want to go back in November when there's less leaves so the views are better and it's colder!

10/22/2012 10:34:08 PM