i was about to throw out a couple cashmere sweaters that were old and worn out and fit a little too tight now until i realized they might make good mid/base layers

i'm getting antsy, i need to get back into the woods

[Edited on January 27, 2015 at 8:45 PM. Reason : .]

1/27/2015 8:44:19 PM

Buddies and I are doing Old Butt Knob trail in mid-april. I've never done a backpacking trip before, but I have camped and hiked.

I have only camping gear, and some hunting gear. I'm a little overwhelmed at the thought of what all I need for this trip.

Is a pack really neccesary or can I get by with a backpack?

I'm thinking Convertible pants for the trip.

I already have hiking boots.

What base layer and shirts do you wear?

Fleece and rain coat?



What items do you bring that you never use. I'm afraid of packing too much and having a heavy sack of useless weight that I have to lug around.

Any tips or lists for a beginner that I should look at?

2/21/2015 8:59:48 PM

how long is your trip? a backpacking pack isn't strictly necessary, but it can make the difference between a great weekend and a miserable one...depends on the terrain, length of the trip, and the other gear you're bringing

i don't own any camping pants that AREN'T convertible...i find myself hiking in shorts in the 40s, though the terrain can dictate pants even when it's hot (brambles, poison ivy, etc)

mid-april in shining rock probably won't see you needing a base layer for hiking, maybe for sitting around at night and in the morning...were it me, i'd probably bring a poly/nylon shirt for hiking, a fleece, and a rain jacket...of course, that depends on the forecast

i frequently bring a hatchet and have used it maybe once

2/22/2015 9:16:31 AM

Crazy deals right now on camping equipment at the Neuse Sportshop in Kinston today. Just...by the way. Sleeping bags were half off along with other discounted camping equipment.

2/22/2015 5:54:37 PM

Woops. $250 REI dividend. Haha.

3/22/2015 1:07:16 PM

So I just found my new hobby. Packrafting. It's HUGE apparently. You basically backpack with your inflatable kayak. Many people do combined white water / backpacking trips but I'm more interested in one for all the alpine lakes I run into on hikes in Colorado.

Alpacka is one of the most popular brands:

https://www.alpackaraft.com/index.cfm/store.catalog/Packrafts/

Their "scout" flat water kayak is only 3lbs 3oz. I've found a 1.5 lb inflatable as well but it didn't seem very durable. Alpacka seems to make the best ones. Their standard Alpaca raft is designed for both flat and white water and only weighs 4lbs 13oz. With a light carbon paddle and inflatable life vest it's very doable with a light weight backpacking set up.

First thing I want to do when I run into an alpine lake is kayak on it. Might try and plan for this on my yearly Maroon Bells trip in July.

Was reading this guy's blog:

http://www.alastairhumphreys.com/adventures/transiceland/

[Edited on March 23, 2015 at 12:52 PM. Reason : s]

3/23/2015 12:50:57 PM

Here is the list below of what I've thought to bring so far to my camping trip mentioned above. I'm going to have a pack, fire starters, etc (the obvious stuff).


I'm bringing;

3 person tent (one person can carry the tent, one the poles)
first aid kit
hatchet
knife
gun (duh)
2 phones with a recharge pack
body glide
toilet paper
purifying water bottle
utensils
suntan lotion
baby wipes
deodorant/toothbrush
ham radio
sunglasses
trash bags


The obvious such as;

food (nuts, energy bars, jerky, 2 premade meals)
Sleeping bag and pad
matches
clothing ( 2 pairs underwear and socks, 2 sport shirts, rain coat, fleece, beanie, convertible pants, hiking boots)

Things I'm not bringing; (These are items others in the group of 7 can bring.)


shovel
bear canister
map
compass
tarp


Any modifications you would make to this list?

4/6/2015 3:58:04 PM

Why do you need a gun? Are you hunting?

Quote :

"hatchet"

I've backpacked a huge amount all over the country and internationally in various climates and never once have I felt the need to have a hatchet to cut anything. First of all you shouldn't be cutting down anything that isn't already on the ground (it's against leave no trace policy and you're not a beaver). Secondly if there's a log you want to burn that is too long for your fire put just stick it on the fire and the fire will burn it in half for you. Unless you plan on building a yurt you don't need a hatchet.

Quote :

"purifying water bottle"

Be a little more specific here. Typically you want to go with a pump system or simplify it by using iodine or chlorine (based on what you think your water sources will be). Any system that requires you to suck water through a filter means you're going to have a bad time. Just not sure which water bottle system you're referring to.

Quote :

"trash bags"

If you pack your food intelligently any spare plastic food wrappers you have can just go back inside themselves.

i.e. you bring two backpacking meals that are already in bags. Just put your additional trash in those. Usually I put the majority of my non-prepackaged food in big 1-2 gallon zip lock bags (bread, cheese, meat, etc). Any trash just goes back in those. Additional trash bags will just add unnecessary weight and room.

Quote :

"utensils"

You really only need one utensil. If you get a titanium or plastic camping spork (~$1-2) with a serrated edge that will be all you need. I'd recommend a long one as many of the backpacking dinners are in tall bags. Bringing a metal fork, spoon, and knife will just add more weight to your pack.

Quote :

"suntan lotion"

Remember don't bring the entire bottle. Squirt as much as you think you'll need into a zip lock bag. Even if you have a small container it probably weighs more than the actual sunscreen inside it.

Quote :

"baby wipes"

Quote :

"body glide"

Unless you feel like you need these on a daily basis from walking they'll just add extra weight. If you don't walk on a daily basis and think you'll need them then bring them. Humans were made to walk. Your body shouldn't have an issue walking all day.

Quote :

"ham radio"

No idea why you would need a ham radio. You have cell phones and you'll be with other people. You'll be in a very popular area and very close to your car. Even if you don't have cell reception if one of you gets hurt then you can easily walk out and get help. If all 7 of you get hurt and can't walk out then you probably can't operate a ham radio in the first place.

Quote :

"bear canister"

I doubt all 7 of you will be able to fit everything you have that has a scent in 1-2 bear canisters. Remember it's best practice to put everything you have with a scent in one (food, tooth paste, deodorant, sun screen, etc). I'm not a huge fan of bear canisters in the first place. Learn how to hang a proper bear bag. You just need a ~30-50 foot cord/string and a bag (easy to use a stuff sack).

However if you don't want to go to the trouble of learning how to hang a bear bag (correct distance from ground, distance from tree, etc) then go with a bear canister but you're going to need at least 2-3 for a group of 7 depending on how many scented ideas you bring.

Quote :

"tarp"

I assume this is so all 7 people can hang out if it rains? This is going to be a huge amount of weight unless you find a lighter weight tarp and you'll only use it if it rains in the first place. Usually it makes sense to hang out in your tent until it stops raining or just put on your rain gear.

The things you don't have on your list:

head lamp
booze
rain pants (your pants and boots will get soaked if it rains even if you have a rain coat on)
footprint (do you have one for your tent?)
camping stove (or are your premade meals cold?)
coffee, tea, etc
camping chair

I like to think I camp in luxury with my hammock, camping chair, french press, and camping beer and I can fit all that in a 28-36 liter pack in under 12-15 pounds (without water).

If you end up having a 50 pound pack you're going to hate yourself and you're never going to want to do it again. Then again it doesn't sound like you're hiking very far so you can always bring more (I've hiked 3 miles to a campsite with a beer cooler). If you want any specific product links for stuff just ask.

4/6/2015 8:43:39 PM

replace the hatchet with a decent full-tang knife that is strong enough to baton if you really feel the need to be able to process wood, it will cut weight and be a lot more useful

4/7/2015 7:47:11 AM

Lightweight foldable camping saws work well too. Hatchets are just too heavy for anything other than car camping.

4/7/2015 12:10:22 PM

^Yeah that's what I'd recommend. If you really want a saw (I've never felt the need to cut up wood) then get a fold-able camping one. Like so:

4/7/2015 12:17:08 PM

Let me ask this, what other 10-15 mile hikes (something we can do from Sat morning till Sunday lunch-ish) would you guys recommend in the Asheville or surrounding areas? We are up for anything, but it seems more and more like the Butt Knob trail may be out of our league.

4/7/2015 4:44:25 PM

Can you link to that one? I've tried searching for it and have found references to 4ish to 8ish mile loops. Not sure which one you're referencing.

4/7/2015 4:55:26 PM

Its a combination of old butt and shining rock best I can tell.

4/7/2015 8:03:53 PM

Anyone have a yeti? I'm considering one for car camping/beer.

http://www.rei.com/product/878417/yeti-hopper-30-cooler

I've got a $250 REI dividend and 20% off an item so it would be practically free.

4/11/2015 1:20:11 PM

I'd get one of their hard-shell coolers instead of that thing

4/11/2015 5:15:16 PM

I've got a Yeti 20 and a Yeti 45. I fish and car camp all the time, plus I drink allot of beer away from my house so I feel I could justify $500 for both of these.

They WILL NOT keep ice for 10 days straight. I've tried cooling the liner down with a sacrificial bag of ice, not opening the lid etc and I cant get it to keep ice more than 7 days. That being said, if I just grab it out of the garage, stick some ice and beer inside I can get that one bag of ice to last a weekend. Others are constantly buying more ice for their shitty Igloos, but I'm fine.

I love mine, but at $500 for both of them they are a pretty stupid purchase.

4/12/2015 8:50:41 AM

for the price of a yeti, just get a 12v fridge (compressor style, not thermoelectric) for your car. I leave mine on all the time and use it to keep cold water in the car all the time and when camping i like having both a refrigerated section and a frozen section.

or if you need portability, get hard sided something and not that bag.

[Edited on April 12, 2015 at 12:07 PM. Reason : .]

4/12/2015 12:06:38 PM

is there still enough room (and plugs) for your microwave and TV?

4/12/2015 12:45:28 PM

i don't understand why having a fridge is too wimpy when you are car camping. if you are car camping, that's already wimpy camping so you might as well make it convenient

Edgestar and Whynter fridges are often on sale for around $400, you can spend a little more and get an ARB/Enngel/Luna if you want a fancy one. You can safely run one of the stock battery/charging system is as long as it has a voltage protect setting, when running mine only draws about 3 amps.

[Edited on April 12, 2015 at 2:45 PM. Reason : .]

4/12/2015 2:44:29 PM

We hiked a mile into a campsite yesterday. I would still consider it car camping as it was only a 20-25 minute walk. I just want a nice shoulder cooler bag that keeps beer, cheese, meat, etc cold for a weekend. Car camping to me means not backpacking all day to get to a site but it still may involve hiking in a few miles to a site. That's why a big cooler box isn't practical and why that bag was appealing. I have a cheap $30 Igloo shoulder bag that does the job especially in Colorado where it may get close to freezing even in the summer but I doubt it'll last more than 10 trips and it doesn't keep things as cold as I'd like.

-Also would want to use it for rafting and kayaking where it's much easier to have a soft beer bag attached to your ducky than a cooler box.

[Edited on April 12, 2015 at 5:44 PM. Reason : s]

4/12/2015 5:40:00 PM

Make no mistake, I want the cooler bag for all the reasons you listed above. I'm thinking of selling the 20 and getting the bag.

4/12/2015 9:42:25 PM

the REI 20% off will work on more than 1 purchase

4/14/2015 2:52:00 PM

Thought it was only one item. Either way it's over now. Couldn't find anything I really wanted and I couldn't apply it to the Garmin watch I wanted (coupon doesn't work on GPS units for some reason).

--literally just received an email saying they extended the coupon through today. Haha.

[Edited on April 14, 2015 at 3:14 PM. Reason : s]

4/14/2015 2:56:17 PM

it's supposed to be 1 regular item and 1 outlet item, but i just bought another item and the coupon worked

4/14/2015 3:25:23 PM

Nice.

4/14/2015 3:36:18 PM

Anybody camping at the Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival this weekend?

4/15/2015 11:03:41 AM

My friends who area camping this year say lots of rain forecasted.
I camped there a couple years ago (Mr. Sparkle camp)

4/15/2015 12:17:31 PM

Bit the bullet and used my 20% off before it expired last night

http://www.rei.com/product/847401/nemo-nocturne-30-sleeping-bag

4/15/2015 1:12:12 PM

Nice!

4/15/2015 2:41:06 PM

if my wife asks, all of my camping stuff cost about half of what it actually cost.

4/15/2015 6:24:34 PM

Question for hammock campers: Do you guys use a sleeping pad?

I'm doing some overnight kayaking and will be trying out hammock camping for the first time next month.

4/20/2015 10:50:02 PM

I originally used a pad but it took a while to get comfortable in it. A larger wider pad will be more comfortable in a hammock as your shoulders and arms won't get cold. Ideally the best solution for a hammock is an under and over quilt. I bought both from these guys:

http://www.hammockgear.com/

They're handmade in the US and simply awesome. They're 1000% better than a pad as the under quilt wraps around the entire hammock body and feels like a heat blanket. It's so nice.

Regardless unless it's over 70-75 degrees you'll need either a pad or under quilt due to heat loss from convection beneath the hammock.

4/21/2015 11:06:12 AM

How well does the quilt pack?

4/21/2015 12:15:16 PM

Far better than a sleeping bag + pad.

I bought the 40 degree (with 2 extra ounces of down) under quilt and over quilt. I can compress both into a small compression bag. The end size is maybe the size of a football? Keep in mind both quilts replace your sleeping bag AND pad.

Along with my hammock I think my entire sleeping system is under 4 lbs.

I wouldn't commit to an under / over quilt until you know you really like hammock camping. I'd maybe give a pad a try the first time and if you like it and sleep well then upgrade to an under / over quilt because they're an investment.

One option is just getting the under quilt and bringing your normal sleeping bag too. You'll be carrying a little extra weight with a full sleeping bag compared to just a down blanket (over quilt) but it wouldn't be any more weight than a pad + sleeping bag.

4/21/2015 12:59:23 PM

2-day section hike last weekend: Amicalola Falls State Park --> AT Approach Trail --> Springer Mountain --> Cooper Gap

5/15/2015 11:21:57 AM

Heading out for a 15 day section AT hike in July - Mass through Vermont. Anyone done this section? Any tips?

5/15/2015 8:22:04 PM

Going to Great Sand Dunes National Park this weekend:

5/18/2015 3:06:00 PM

As much of a hard core backpacker I am my GF is more of a car camper so just purchased one of these:



REI's 6" thick inflatable mattress. Comes with a hand pump. Fits perfectly in my Copper Spur UL3 with a few inches of clearance on each side. Was 25% off at the sale this week.

5/20/2015 6:23:57 PM

FYI, Shining Rock Wilderness (and maybe other areas of Pisgah?) now require bear canisters. And there were people checking for them on the trail.

5/21/2015 12:59:54 PM

That sucks. I hate bear canisters. One reason I prefer wilderness areas over National Parks. If you can't properly hang a bear bag then you shouldn't be camping in the back country in the first place.

5/21/2015 1:41:21 PM

Couple photos from Great Sand Dunes and Lost Creek Wilderness Area the past few weekends. A real camera is on my bonus list this summer so I'll have more than crappy phone shots.

Hike to Zapata Lake:



Dunes before the hail:



Dunes after the hail:



Found a new use for my trekking poles:

6/9/2015 6:12:02 PM

^ we're flying into denver on thursdaythis weekend...so stoked to do some hiking...right now it's looking like:

sky pond in rocky mountain national park
maroon bells
north vista in black canyon of the gunnison national park (and maybe curecanti)
garden of the gods

[Edited on June 9, 2015 at 6:20 PM. Reason : i wish we had more time ]

6/9/2015 6:18:25 PM

Let me know how the snow is in Maroon Bells and Rocky Mountain National Park. Last I heard there was still a bit of snow in RMNP. In fact I might ski this weekend at A Basin as it's their closing weekend. Haha.

6/9/2015 6:26:22 PM

i'm hoping it's safely passable...i'm relying on http://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/trail_conditions.htm to guide my decision to hike

Quote :

"5/31/15 Sky Pond from Glacier Gorge There is a lot of snow past The Loch. Melting snow makes the hike very wet. Gaiters highly recommended. Snowshoes are not helpful in the wet snow. Timberline Falls still completely covered with snow, very steep and slippery. Use caution! By Park Ranger"

6/9/2015 6:32:23 PM

Ohio teen mauled by bear in Great Smokey Mountains
http://wdtn.com/2015/06/09/ohio-teen-mauled-by-bear-in-great-smokey-mountains/

6/10/2015 9:19:01 AM

^I don't get the relevance. This is the lounge, brah.

6/10/2015 9:52:02 AM

you don't get the relevance of a story about a kid who was pulled out of a hammock in a north Carolina National Park in an established campground in a thread about camping?


i assumed the story was familiar, the link i posted had an update that the bear was euthanized. Here is a WRAL link:
Smokies close trails, campsites after teen attacked by bear
Read more at http://www.wral.com/smokies-close-trails-campsites-after-teen-attacked-by-bear/14696230/#qgfZhRVRYcWuoq10.99

[Edited on June 10, 2015 at 10:06 AM. Reason : .]

6/10/2015 10:05:04 AM

I just think that's more chit chat material but whatevs.

6/10/2015 10:37:58 AM

Why I hate camping in established campgrounds. People don't know how to properly store their food. Especially in the Smokies bears know exactly where to search for food because people leave scrapes and food out. Although this is kind of strange as black bears aren't usually that aggressive.

Another reason I like camping with a dog. They'll wake you up if there's anything nearby.

Don't think it's an issue in the Rockies. I doubt there's been more than 1-2 bear deaths in the last few decades and they were probably due to idiots trying to play with bears or camping with a bunch of food. One reason you don't cook or store your food near where you sleep.

-Also even though bear and other wild animal attacks are very far and few between it's nice to have a big can of bear mace on your person at all times. Works on people too.

[Edited on June 10, 2015 at 10:45 AM. Reason : s]

6/10/2015 10:43:12 AM