let us know how it is^^ and if you stayed at the springer mountain shelter

*beatup face is only if you started at the southern terminus

10

[Edited on September 16, 2010 at 12:29 PM. Reason : d]

9/16/2010 12:29:09 PM

Just got back from hiking Crows Pass/Eagle River in Anchorage. The trail itself was awesome, but the two people I went with made the hike an absolute hell. This was their first time attempting something of this magnitude and neither one of them listened to me about preparing for the trip. After temps dropped down into the 20's on the first night and all they had to wear was a t-shirt and pair of gym shorts to go with their cheapo Wal Mart tents and sleeping bags, they were ready to get out of there as fast as they could. What was supposed to be a 4 day, 24 mile hike turned into a 2.5 day "go as fast as we can, no stops for water, pictures, snacks or regular breaks...just get the hell out trek." There was one point on the second day where we were finally resting and I was sitting on a ledge looking out at the glaciers, rivers, mountaintops and admiring how we hadn't seen a single person all day and there wasnt anything manmade in sight and my friend goes "I'm just ready to get the hell out of here so I can go back to the hotel and relax." On top of that, instead of packing out trash, both of them just burned every single bit of it (including glow sticks, plastic bags, bottles, and bug spray wipes) and kept all their food in the tent with them and tried to tell me bears can't smell their MREs because they're vacuum sealed . Next time, I think I would be better off just going on my own.

[Edited on September 17, 2010 at 1:22 PM. Reason : asdf]

9/17/2010 1:22:31 PM

i wouldn't have left the trailhead if my companions weren't prepared.

9/17/2010 3:40:30 PM

Quote :

""I'm just ready to get the hell out of here so I can go back to the hotel and relax.""

People like that get on my nerves when I bring them hiking. Happened to me a month ago. Took some people on a day hike and they were freaking out because we lost the trail for like 15 minutes.

I almost broke down and was like, are you fucking kidding me. There's like 3 trails surrounding us and they're all marked and it's next to impossible to get lost here. I know exactly where we are on the map. STFU.

Quote :

"There was one point on the second day where we were finally resting and I was sitting on a ledge looking out at the glaciers, rivers, mountaintops and admiring how we hadn't seen a single person all day and there wasnt anything manmade in sigh"

That would be the ultimate relaxing for me. I don't see how some people can't appreciate the great things in life and have to sit on a couch to relax.

9/17/2010 4:04:58 PM

Well, I was fully aware of the possibility of them not being prepared despite my numerous emails with information about what to bring and what to expect and I was fully prepared to finish alone if necessary. The benefits of going at it alone just never outweighed the risks of finishing with the two of them, they just made it much more miserable than it should have been.

9/17/2010 4:05:54 PM

tonight's episode of Man, Woman, Wild was in the smokey mountains somewhere in TN. it comes on again at midnight if anybody's interested. i just picked it up here at quarter til 10 and they're eating crawdads & salamanders

they're in a clearing w/ really old apple trees right now.

[Edited on September 17, 2010 at 9:48 PM. Reason : ]

9/17/2010 9:44:01 PM

Super score. Talked to my oldest brother and apparently he owns a cabin in Maine (part of him being to smart, too rich, and too bored) about 3 miles from Mount Katahdin.

This fueled me to berate him until he promised to come with me for the 100 Mile Wilderness.

Also plan on doing a 3 day trip into Grandfather to hopefully catch some leaves. Is Clingman's Dome too mecurial with the weather to be comfortable in late October?

9/22/2010 1:10:21 AM

damn, thats a shitty situation Rush.

^I imagine it could be pretty cold on Clingman's Dome in late October, maybe down to around freezing at night?, but you could also get lucky and catch a warm snap and it only get down into the 50s.

9/22/2010 8:26:05 AM

I want to get my fiance into camping and I was thinking we could do an easy weekend trip some time in October. Where are some good places out west to do some drive-up camping?

Basically I want to be able to leave Raleigh early Saturday morning, get to the site before lunch, set up the tents and have time to do an easy hike before sundown. Nothing too strenuous because I'm trying to break him into the idea camping/hiking is fun gradually

9/22/2010 9:35:16 AM

^obligatory Linville Gorge suggestion. seems like its been a suggestion by just about everyone in this thread, but rightfully so, its a cool spot.

Id also look into Stone Mountain state park, its probably a little closer too. They have car camping and Im pretty sure they have bathrooms with showers at the campground. If the leaves are starting to change it would be pretty awesome to hike to the top of of stone mountain. Its strenuous because its steep, but you are hiking on a huge rock face with good views all the time, so its worth it. They also have a pretty good waterfall in the park.

9/22/2010 10:00:11 AM

Man, I haven't been to Linville Gorge since I was a kid. Then we could check out the caverns too. I'll check out both those suggestions. Thanks

9/22/2010 10:40:11 AM

A few pics from when I was in Utah over Labor Day Week


Moab





A cool Tree






Little Cottonwood Canyon, Wasatch






Rock Creek Basin, High Uintas





On the summit ridge. This was our highpoint at like 11,500ft. We had to turn back because of time and some storms looked like they could roll in.





Overall Utah is a beautiful state, with a lot of variety!

Lessons Learned: The value of an "alpine start." If you have a goal that you really want to achieve that day there is just no excuse not to be up early and on the trail quickly, it will pay off later somehow! We didn't quite reach our summit goal because of getting started a little late. Its just too easy to stay in the sleeping bag sometimes

9/24/2010 4:04:49 PM

^ that's AWESOME! Having lived on the east coast my whole life, going to Moab and Arches was like seeing another planet.

9/24/2010 6:12:26 PM

Anyone want to purchase a bear vault?

11/30/2010 2:54:26 PM

if it's not broken, i'll buy it for 20% whatever its new price is

11/30/2010 3:40:33 PM

om nom nom nom nom

12/1/2010 11:01:32 AM

^^I was looking for around $40 for the BV500. I'll probably just list it on Amazon.

12/1/2010 4:54:08 PM

i think we're doing wilson creek wilderness over milk weekend

should be appropriately freezing

12/2/2010 8:27:08 AM

Submitted my wish list for hiking goodies to Santa and my vacation check should be in on the 15th at which time I will likely buy my hammock, sleeping back, pack, clothes, stove, poles and shoes. A hell of a time to start hiking.

12/2/2010 10:50:30 AM

elaborate! what stuff are you getting? I have a hookup and I'm considering dropping a couple hundred on Western Mountaineering.

PS ... you could try making your own alcohol burning stove. it takes about 10 minutes to boil water, but it's fine in the summer. (there are tons of designs out there but the pepsi-guiness one is really popular)

12/2/2010 7:55:14 PM

12/2/2010 8:15:41 PM

^pimp

so did you end up slaying that chick or what? (sorry if thats too forward haha)

also


Is macu picchu the highest point on that trail? (does the trail end there?) how high is that? It looks like you guys have a lot of gear, were you camping along the way?



^^what are you getting from western mountaineering. I had never heard of it so I just cruised to the website and saw that a lot of it is made in the USA, pretty awesome.

Anyone got a list of outdoor gear manufacturers that are made in the USA?

12/3/2010 9:10:33 AM

bttt, panning a hiking/camping/flyfishing trip somewhere in western NC

is march a good time for this? Coworkers are thinking Wilsons Creek. Ive never been camping and never been to WC. March will be the earliest because I think in February me and my lady are rollin to Hot Springs and stayin in a cabin, and traveling up and down the blue ridge parkway.

Is it possible to rent camping equipment? is there an "off-season" where rates maybe cheaper to camp?

I dont know how long things stay cold in the west or if this place we are campign would be at the base or the top of a mountain.

im afraid of being the guy that slows the pace, because 1) ill be stopping to fish 2) ive never hiked and even though I am extremely in shape im not so naive to think that it will be relevant in hiking because its totally different

[Edited on December 3, 2010 at 11:31 AM. Reason : f]

12/3/2010 11:29:55 AM

Quote :

"elaborate! what stuff are you getting?"

Here's what I submitted to the parents for Christmas consideration:
Therm-a-Rest ProLite Plus Sleeping Pad - Regular http://www.rei.com/product/780992
Snow Peak Titanium Mini Solo Cookset http://www.rei.com/product/668926
Snow Peak Titanium Spork http://www.rei.com/product/660002

For me, I am looking at:
Ultralite Backbacker Asym Classic - Hennessy Hammock http://hennessyhammock.com/specs-ul-asym.html
Sleeping bag: TBD but I am certainly going to go with down as per the ever so helpful suggestion of TheBullDoza whom I totally need to get back up with.
Pack: While I need to make sure the size is right I am really liking the Granite Gear Vapor Trail 3600 Pack http://www.rei.com/product/699831
Footwear: I am going to tinker with the neoprene socks and hiking sandals idea and see how practical it is for day/overnight/multiday outtings.
Stove: TBD. I've read all kinds of reviews and I don't know enough about their construction to risk building my own contraption.

That's just the super quick, totally not anywhere resembling complete list of goodies I am need to amass.

12/3/2010 12:15:07 PM

^^march could be pretty cold, or possibly rainy and wet, but as long as you are prepared for it I'm sure you'll be fine, especially if its just for one night.

If you are fishing wilson creek make sure to look up the regulations before you go. I'm pretty sure it's catch and release, artifical lure with one hook only but you prob wanna double check.

Unless your coworkers are ultra marathon speed hikers I'm sure you'll be able to keep up.

[Edited on December 3, 2010 at 12:16 PM. Reason : arrews!!!]

12/3/2010 12:15:58 PM

Quote :

"so did you end up slaying that chick or what? (sorry if thats too forward haha)"

No

Quote :

"Is macu picchu the highest point on that trail? (does the trail end there?) how high is that? It looks like you guys have a lot of gear, were you camping along the way?"

Machu Picchu is the end of the trail, but it's not the highest point. The highest point is 13,800'. We did camp for 3 nights along the way.

12/3/2010 2:58:43 PM

Quote :

"^^what are you getting from western mountaineering. I had never heard of it so I just cruised to the website and saw that a lot of it is made in the USA, pretty awesome."

I'm trying to decide between a 20 or 10 degree sleeping bag (the Ultralite or Versalite). The company is famous for making the lightest, warmest, best quality down products. degree ratings for sleeping bags are notoriously unreliable, but a Western Mountaineering rating means "warm at 20 degrees," rather than "probably won't die of hypothermia at 20 degrees." I don't really need a bag now, but I figure I should take advantage of my hookup because their stuff NEVER goes on sale.

Quote :

"Stove: TBD. I've read all kinds of reviews and I don't know enough about their construction to risk building my own contraption."

an alcohol stove is very simple to make! the one I posted is made out of 2 pepsi cans (no kidding!) the only materials you need are a razor blade and something to poke holes with. In fact, there's one called the Fancy Feast stove that is just a 4oz cat food can with holes punched in the sides. that's it!

advantage - weight, size, and price. mine weighs less than an ounce and cost zero dollars. fuel is relatively easy to find (many hikers use an additive called HEET available at bigger gas stations, I've always been able to find it)
disadvantage - takes longer to boil, flame is invisible during the day (safety hazard), needs a wind screen

here are some good instructions, give it a shot!

http://www.thesodacanstove.com/stove/

http://www.andrewskurka.com/advice/technique/fancyfeaststove.php

12/3/2010 4:11:56 PM

if you decide to go the cheaper and lighter route and make your own stove, realize that it's also less durable

it (and other ways of saving money while backpacking) have been discussed before in this thread...i do not like the made-yourself stoves because they're comparatively fragile and you generally can't control the heat output, so simmering is out of the question

if you're asking for gear as gifts and/or you aren't dirt poor and plan on camping quite a bit, i love the trangia: http://www.rei.com/product/657906

i also really really REALLY like my vargo triad (http://www.rei.com/product/761903), but you can't control the output on it, either, so it's only better than a homemade one in that it's more compact, more durable, and more stable (due to being a tripod)...its design also holds the pot for you...i wouldn't have spent the $30+ on the vargo myself, but it was a gift and i use it more than the trangia because it IS lighter and smaller

it all comes down to preference...a lot of people pride themselves on how thriftily they can backpack, and i have a lot of respect for that...i, for one, can afford (and am willing to spend the money on) solid gear that will last longer and perform better (i don't mean that sarcastically in regards to those who are thrifty, either)

12/3/2010 5:06:11 PM

durability? wtf, how hard are you going to use your stove? mine has lasted well over 500 miles, and I know hikers who have used the same one for two entire thru-hikes. it's really hard to break something that doesn't have moving parts.

I guess if you stepped on it then it would break, but that would break any brand of stove.

12/4/2010 2:42:44 PM

sure most lightweight gear is fragile, the backpacks especially are easy to tear and need a little babying. but a stove isn't like a backpack or a jacket that gets exposed to the elements and beat up. you use it for about 10 minutes a day, and you put it away the whole rest of the time. if anything the canister stoves are less durable because of the tiny metal pieces that can get bent.

[Edited on December 4, 2010 at 4:21 PM. Reason : eee]

12/4/2010 4:21:13 PM

Quote :

"I guess if you stepped on it then it would break, but that would break any brand of stove."

not at all true...are you really trying to say that a BRASS trangia or a TITANIUM vargo is just as fragile as an ALUMINUM-can homemade stove? that's ridiculous

realize that i'm not knocking the homemade gadgets...they're great for what they are (cheap and easy), but in terms of features and durability, they're inferior...both my trangia and and my vargo hold bigger pots more stably than a homemade version...the trangia allows for flame control and is less messy considering the alcohol is stored IN the stove instead of in a separate container

i'm not sure why so many people take it personally when you point out the obvious facts...i'm really not saying anything bad about them FOR WHAT THEY ARE

Quote :

"sure most lightweight gear is fragile, the backpacks especially are easy to tear and need a little babying. but a stove isn't like a backpack or a jacket that gets exposed to the elements and beat up. you use it for about 10 minutes a day, and you put it away the whole rest of the time. if anything the canister stoves are less durable because of the tiny metal pieces that can get bent."

"a little babying" is exactly what i (personally) like to avoid...i don't always stick to the blaze and i find it to be a waste of my time and energy to worry about fragile gear...of course durability comes with a cost, but i'm not poor and i'm not some tiny guy who can't carry a few extra pounds, so i've deemed the cost worth the benefit

do realize that i didn't say anything about bottled-fuel stoves...just pointing out the obvious that homemade units aren't as good as the ones you buy for any number of reasons

this is really a silly discussion when it comes down to it...anyone who claims alcohol stoves are ALWAYS better is an idiot...most stoves/fuel have their advantages and disadvantages...in terms of ease-of-use, alcohol is probably only better than unleaded gasoline...white gas is my favorite because it's more efficient than alcohol and i can cook for more than one person effectively and efficiently (yes, i'm aware of the fact that you CAN cook for more than one person with an alcohol stove, because i have on multiple occasions, but you'd have to be lying to say that it's efficient compared to the other options)

do whatever makes you happy, i guess...i've grown out of my grassroots stage and i'm happy to have commercially-made equipment that is easier to use, has more features, and is more durable

12/5/2010 2:14:41 PM

JUST DON'T CALL ME A GEAR WHORE, OKAY!!!!

12/5/2010 2:48:57 PM

pfft, wuss...that's my usual weekend pack

seriously, though, my last 4-nighter was 34-35lbs, which is heavy, i admit...but it was comfortable for me

12/5/2010 4:18:09 PM

ah wilson creek is a class 3 rapid...

12/7/2010 5:18:19 PM

sooooo...

I'm all for the toilet seat that you can pack into the woods with...my only problem is its weight.

Are there any out there that might be nylon...kind of like a hammock with a a hole in it supported by some sort of fixture....I've searched a little, but no luck.

I'm also trying to get one b/c i just feel like people will make fun of me if i'm carrying around a toilet seat.

12/7/2010 7:39:51 PM

^sounds like you need to patent that idea










http://www.freepatentsonline.com/5307526.pdf

[Edited on December 7, 2010 at 8:01 PM. Reason : ^damn just found this though]

12/7/2010 7:57:09 PM

has this site been mentioned?

http://www.steepandcheap.com

may be as old as Methuselah, but it was new to me this weekend. seems like a good place to get a great deal on some nice equipment if you're lucky enough to catch it when a good item is available. i saw some nice gregory packs for less than a hundred bucks yesterday. each item runs for 30 minutes and the good stuff goes pretty quick

[Edited on January 2, 2011 at 6:04 PM. Reason : .]

1/2/2011 6:02:49 PM

I used to love camping and backpacking. Then I went to IBOLC. Fuck the woods.

On a slightly related note, anyone know of any good climbing places in Georgia/Alabama?

1/3/2011 8:38:06 PM

what's IBOLC?

1/3/2011 8:43:58 PM

Google, brah.

1/3/2011 8:50:07 PM

just picked up a new mountain hardwear sprite 1 for $50...i've been using heavy painter's plastic for my ground cloths, but i'm thinking about trying something else...i've considered tyvek, but i'm leaning toward polycryo (gossamer gear's name for it)...it's window shrink film, which you can get pretty cheaply:

indoor ($9): http://www.amazon.com/Duck-1299529-Indoor-5-Window-210-Inch/dp/B000NHY1P0/
outdoor ($8): http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/R-202262329/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053

anyone have any experience with this stuff? it comes pretty highly recommended: http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?t=59363



[Edited on January 3, 2011 at 9:06 PM. Reason : stoked about this tent, btw!]

1/3/2011 9:04:36 PM

where'd you get that tent for $50?

1/3/2011 9:24:23 PM

REI...they've been out of stock for over a month (they went on clearance in early december) and i randomly found one at the crossroads store...it was actually $50.83

they weren't THAT expensive to begin with...i'm fairly certain they were something like $170 MSRP

1/3/2011 9:38:20 PM

anybody have any experience w/ rei's sleeping bags? i'm looking at getting the halo +25 that's on sale right now. i was wondering about quality/durability/etc when compared to marmot, mtn hardwear, etc.

1/3/2011 10:12:27 PM

That's a sweet deal! Let us know how you like it.

I think if I were going to get a single man tent, I'd go for the MSR since it is free standing...or a hammock

1/3/2011 10:17:02 PM

I'd love to get a hammock, but I'm not sure it'd be very warm in the colder months...

1/3/2011 10:33:25 PM

yeah, I probably wouldnt use one for colder months unless the terrain wouldnt allow for a regular tent. you can still have a sleeping pad in them though, so it might not be that bad.

I'll have to ask a buddy of mine who used one during cold months

1/3/2011 10:36:45 PM

Quote :

"I think if I were going to get a single man tent, I'd go for the MSR since it is free standing...or a hammock"

well, the main criteria for this purchase was "best bang for my buck"

it's not even that light, really, weighing in at just under 3lbs without a groundcloth

however, the reviews are great and for the money, there simply isn't anything as good (i already have a hammock and i've used it for ONE cold-weather trip...i'll never do THAT again )...the other requirement is that it needed to have room for my dog, and that little alcove near my head is perfect for her (except that i'll be smelling her all night long )

i'll take pictures and report back after our trip to wilson creek in 2 weeks

1/4/2011 7:33:21 AM

Hammocks are fine as long as you used insulation under you. Try an underquilt with a hammock in cold weather and you'll be warm and cozy.

1/4/2011 7:57:20 AM

how much extra weight does that add? i'm thinking:

hammock (1lb with rope) + underquilt (1lb?) = UL tent (2lbs)

my grand trunk tree sling is 12oz and the rope kit is 5.6oz...picked them up from REI on clearance for less than $20...i can't find any that are lighter with rope

the big agnes fly creek is hot at 2lbs (but i wasn't willing to drop $300 on it)

you don't get the benefits of a tent (specifically rain protection) if you use a hammock unless you add a fly, which then increases the weight and cost...of course, a hammock is pretty cool in and of itself, and pretty versatile (assuming you have trees available to you!)

if you assume that all things are equal (it won't rain and so you don't need a fly), a hammock system is better if for no other reason than it's cheaper than a truly lightweight solo tent

[Edited on January 4, 2011 at 8:26 AM. Reason : .]

1/4/2011 8:04:15 AM