^^the snakes are unlikely to be an issue on trails, although there is a slight chance for surface activity. The vast majority will be at stumps by now, and even daytime movement when overnight temperatures are down in the 40s is unlikely because of the risk involved with leaving a suitable shelter.

I'm hoping to maybe make it to Croatan in the spring, though I have tentative plans in line to head to Apalachicola NF in FL. Sucks that this will be the first year my friends and I won't be making our December trip to south Florida since we started going in 2004. It's been the #1 thing we all anticipated this time of year, but I got screwed with school and went broke, as one of my friends who makes the trip, and the other is less eager to go because he's in school in Alabama.

11/22/2013 1:06:10 PM

i need a new pair of light weight warm climate hiking shoes or boots. Are Merrell still the go-to in this area?

2/19/2014 9:04:00 AM

i usually don't hike the summer in anything but VFFs or chaco sandals, but my only pair of shoes (i don't like boots) are hi-tec v-lites with eVent...an older model of this: http://www.amazon.com/Hi-Tec-V-Lite-Infinity-eVent-Silver/dp/B003UESMNK/

comfortable, lightweight, very breathable (a big deal to me), and great water resistance (they might claim waterproof and they are as long as you're not submerging your foot for extended periods of time)

it looks like hi-tec is moving away from eVent to their own waterproof fabric, so this might be the updated model: http://www.amazon.com/Hi-Tec-Mens-V-Lite-Infinity-Hiking/dp/B003UESN66/

i don't know if you're set on REI (i usually am) and since they don't sell them there anymore, it might be a dealbreaker

in short: i probably didn't help you

[Edited on February 19, 2014 at 9:50 AM. Reason : links]

2/19/2014 9:47:12 AM

set on REI? like must buy my shoes there? nah, hell i'd get them on amazon before anywhere else.

2/19/2014 10:55:02 AM

I get 15% back from REI and you can't beat their return policy (even if it's only a year now). If something is outrageously cheaper than REI + my 15% dividend then I'll get it on Amazon.

2/19/2014 11:14:06 AM

^ that's why i buy from them...they're USUALLY not much more expensive when you factor the 15% dividend or if you have a 20% coupon (plus the 5% back if you have and use an REI credit card, which i have/do)

i really like knowing i can actually use the gear and return it if it doesn't work out, even if their new return policy isn't quite as generous

[Edited on February 19, 2014 at 1:36 PM. Reason : .]

2/19/2014 1:35:56 PM

Well it's 10% dividend plus 5% if you have the card. Where I was getting the 15%. And yeah it's much easier to return gear to REI on my drive home then deal with return shipping.

2/19/2014 2:26:16 PM

Has this been posted yet?

http://www.buzzfeed.com/peggy/camping-hacks-that-are-borderline-genius

2/19/2014 2:49:29 PM

Quote :

"Well it's 10% dividend plus 5% if you have the card. Where I was getting the 15%."

yeah...i just meant that the 20% coupon + 5% card cashback (since you don't get dividend on sale, clearance, or when using a coupon, but you still get the 5% through the visa) is a good deal

2/19/2014 8:31:11 PM

So I can wore chacos pretty much year round when I lived in Raleigh, but I hiked Mt. Rogers in them and wanted to cut my feet off. How do folks get their feet used to hiking in them more than just wearing them everyday?

2/19/2014 9:42:59 PM

^ Only thing that works for me is to wear them everyday. Once my soles are roughened up I can hike in them all day. Pro tip: don't get the straps wet unless you like scars on your feet.

2/20/2014 9:00:18 AM

why do people try to hike in chacos? the last backpacking trip i went on 3 of the people wore chacos and the rest of us who wore reasonable shoes had to carry their packs because their feet were so torn up by the 2nd day. what is the appeal?

2/20/2014 10:59:26 AM

For most east coast hiking it's not a huge deal. Once you start doing higher, rockier, and colder stuff you kind of need actual hiking shoes or boots.

2/20/2014 11:02:03 AM

I picked these up for $45. Hi-Tec Figaro. quagmire02 thanks for the recommendation on Hi-Tec, even though i didn't go with a weatherproof option. I wanted these more for quick, dry, day hikes and that kind of stuff. I'll let you know how they do.

vibram sole
ortholite insert
breathable mesh upper

2/20/2014 11:40:15 AM

Quote :

"So I can wore chacos pretty much year round when I lived in Raleigh, but I hiked Mt. Rogers in them and wanted to cut my feet off. How do folks get their feet used to hiking in them more than just wearing them everyday?"

Quote :

"Only thing that works for me is to wear them everyday. Once my soles are roughened up I can hike in them all day. Pro tip: don't get the straps wet unless you like scars on your feet."

Quote :

"why do people try to hike in chacos? the last backpacking trip i went on 3 of the people wore chacos and the rest of us who wore reasonable shoes had to carry their packs because their feet were so torn up by the 2nd day. what is the appeal?"

Quote :

"For most east coast hiking it's not a huge deal. Once you start doing higher, rockier, and colder stuff you kind of need actual hiking shoes or boots."

i've rarely had trouble with chacos, but the most i've done in one trip is ~50 miles on the AT in NC/VA, so the terrain wasn't that bad...my first couple of trips gave me a small raw spot on my littlest toe, but it wasn't even a blister and never bled...to this day it's a little callused (nothing you can see) and i have no trouble

saying chacos aren't "reasonable" is silly...they're perfectly fine IF you're accustomed to them and the terrain is conducive to wearing them...also, it depends on the style and the way you wear them

i don't like the ones with a big toe loop, and i get my sandals a little larger than i wear my other shoes so that it protects my toes from being stubbed if i trip or don't pick up my feet enough (usually toward the end of the day when i'm tired)

i've never had any discomfort once the straps got wet...in fact, i wear them specifically when i know i'll be hiking somewhere damp (like wilson creek) because they dry so quickly and i don't mind just walking through the water

to each their own...like most things, i assume they work for some people more than others

Quote :

"I picked these up for $45. Hi-Tec Figaro. quagmire02 thanks for the recommendation on Hi-Tec, even though i didn't go with a weatherproof option. I wanted these more for quick, dry, day hikes and that kind of stuff. I'll let you know how they do."

cool! i hope they work out for you...i've only ever used the pair of hi-tecs i have, and as noted, i don't wear them except in cooler weather, but i really like them and they've held up very well...good bang for your buck, IMO

[Edited on February 20, 2014 at 1:57 PM. Reason : quotes]

2/20/2014 1:56:21 PM

Is that spring I smell? TIME TO DUST OFF THE GREGORY!

3/10/2014 8:54:35 AM

Can't wait! I'm planning so many trips in Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming! Might have to do Maroon Bells again!

3/10/2014 11:25:31 AM

I need a sock recommendation for summer that breathes well and won't make my feet sweat

3/10/2014 11:32:38 AM

I don't have anything major planned...maybe a few quick AT trips and knock out 20-40 miles here or there...I was hoping to do the 100 Mile Wilderness, but I bought a house so my finances are

3/10/2014 1:37:03 PM

Anyone have backpacking-friendly water purifier suggestions?

3/10/2014 7:59:27 PM

Maroon Bells was awesome when I did it a year or so ago.

Going to XC ski to a couple 10th Mountain Huts this week.
http://www.huts.org

3/10/2014 11:11:47 PM

Yeah can't wait to do some hut trips. Haven't made it out this season yet. I did Maroon Bells last July and it was epic. Can't wait to do it again.

3/10/2014 11:52:42 PM

Quote :

"I need a sock recommendation for summer that breathes well and won't make my feet sweat"

dress socks

Quote :

"Anyone have backpacking-friendly water purifier suggestions?"

i'm a huge fan of the sawyer squeeze filters...they're:

cheap ($25-50, depending on model and number of bags)
small (2x5" for the full size, 1"x5" for the mini)
lightweight (3oz for the full size, 2oz for the mini)

and it has the added bonus of just filling up your "dirty" bag and filtering later on

i have the "plus" (which is 3 bags, only 1 of which i've ever used) for $50: http://www.rei.com/product/837824/sawyer-squeeze-water-filter-plus

there's absolutely no reason to buy the plus version, though, since you can get the 32oz 1-bag version for $40 (http://www.rei.com/product/858764/sawyer-squeeze-water-filter-32-fl-oz) or the 16oz 1-bag mini version for $25 (http://www.rei.com/product/866577/sawyer-mini-water-filter) and then buy additional bags for the difference:

3-pack 16oz for $8: http://www.rei.com/product/837888/sawyer-16-fl-oz-water-filter-squeeze-pouch-package-of-3
3-pack 32oz for $9: http://www.rei.com/product/837827/sawyer-32-fl-oz-water-filter-squeeze-pouch-package-of-3
2-pack 64oz for $9: http://www.rei.com/product/837826/sawyer-64-fl-oz-water-filter-squeeze-pouch-package-of-2

3/11/2014 11:32:39 AM

Quote :

"dress socks"

Ouch. Maybe I should give it a try. It just seems like the thinner socks I wear that don't have support in certain places leads to more blisters. Dress socks are good as a liner sock but I'd still recommend a heavier hiking sock paired with them to avoid blister. I typically use Smartwool socks. They're breathable and padded enough to where I don't get blisters. Truthfully though the biggest factor is your boots. Things like leather aren't going to breath as well compared to Goretex if you want waterproof or a thinner nylon if you don't.

For filters I LOVE my Platypus Gravityworks systems.

http://www.rei.com/product/849794/platypus-gravityworks-water-filter-system-reservoir-kit-2-liter

The whole thing weighs 11.5 oz and it's probably the easiest and fastest way to quickly filter water (assuming you want to filter instead of just straight iodine or something).

It works best when you have 2+ people. It comes in a 2 liter and 4 liter version. The 2 liter has 2 2 liter bags. One is dirty and one is clean. You simply fill it up let it hang and it does all the work. Works great for snack breaks. No pumping involved.

[Edited on March 11, 2014 at 12:17 PM. Reason : s]

3/11/2014 12:16:44 PM

Quote :

"Ouch. Maybe I should give it a try. It just seems like the thinner socks I wear that don't have support in certain places leads to more blisters. Dress socks are good as a liner sock but I'd still recommend a heavier hiking sock paired with them to avoid blister. I typically use Smartwool socks. They're breathable and padded enough to where I don't get blisters."

i've used dress socks as liners for several years now, on the few occasions that i wear boots instead of sandals/VFFs

i have a friend who has well-fitting low boots that he uses in the summer and swears by wearing ONLY dress socks...a google search suggests that this is not uncommon

i have no experience using ONLY dress socks, though

Quote :

"Truthfully though the biggest factor is your boots. Things like leather aren't going to breath as well compared to Goretex if you want waterproof or a thinner nylon if you don't."

this

3/11/2014 12:27:11 PM

I used 2 pairs of thin dress socks (formal black only, please) and Chacos when I thru-hiked the AT. By far the best sock combo I've found, even/esp using trail runners and running shoes. Cheap as hell, dry super fast, and you look like a Florida tourist.

Here's a write up I did on them a looong time ago. Still holds up though.

http://sourcetosea.net/worlds-best-hiking-socks/

3/11/2014 12:57:10 PM

1. sawyer squeeze is awesome. there is nothing better at its cost, weight, and capability

2. if you want shoes/boots that breathe, you don't want goretex. It's better to just get wet and dry out than deal with goretex i think. unless its cold out obvi.

[Edited on March 12, 2014 at 4:54 PM. Reason : .]

3/12/2014 4:53:45 PM

My Goretex boots breathe great. There's nothing worse then getting wet feet/socks and having to hike another few hours. That's death for your feet. There's a reason the army emphasizes keeping your boots/socks dry. With the variable terrain in the Appalachian mountains it's much nicer to have something waterpoof. In Colorado though I've seen less and less a need for Goretex especially because everything dries so fast although I still do plenty of creek crossings just not as much mud.

Thicker socks with padding are just more comfortable. I don't hike for weeks on end so I'm not going to adapt to something minimalist. A decent pair of hiking boots and padded socks with a thin liner sock is usually the best way to go. Obviously with exceptions to conditions and frequency.

3/12/2014 5:06:09 PM

i prefer eVent to gore-tex...but my experience is limited to a single pair of each

i'm fairly certain it's an accepted fact that eVent breathes better than gore-tex, but gore-tex is more waterproof

again, in my limited experience, my feet haven't gotten so wet that eVent has failed to keep them dry from external moisture, so i prefer the better ventilation (after all, sweaty feet isn't much better than wet feet, IMO)

3/13/2014 9:16:17 AM

^^that's because their boots don't breathe. If you're using well ventilated trail runners or boots and synthetic and/or light wool socks, they'll dry out pretty quickly. Goretex keeps the moisture in as well as it does out. This is a backpackinglight.com philosophy I've adopted.

^Yeh, Goretex is also more windproof. I was on top of Mt. Washinton in the winter and i swear the wind blew straight through my Even bibs. Goretex Pro shell upper felt perfectly windproof, but i also had an extra layer on compared to the bottom. I also wear the same bibs and shell skiing and on a freezing windy chairlift, i always feel the wind through my legs.

For most conditions, though, Event is probably the way to go. Waterproof enough, windproof enough, and the breath-ability is appreciated quite often since you're normally moving when you wear it.

3/15/2014 12:40:51 PM

A couple pics from the hut trip:

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-

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[Edited on March 17, 2014 at 1:34 AM. Reason : .]

3/17/2014 1:34:13 AM

Quote :

"^^that's because their boots don't breathe. If you're using well ventilated trail runners or boots and synthetic and/or light wool socks, they'll dry out pretty quickly. Goretex keeps the moisture in as well as it does out. This is a backpackinglight.com philosophy I've adopted."

No my point was my Goretex boots breathe great compared to non-goretex boots I've used. My feet/socks are rarely if ever sweaty. I haven't tried Event but it sounds like living in Colorado I'm mostly concerned with wind and some breathability. It's dry enough out here where the breathability is sufficient enough.

I see the value in a lot of the points on backpackinglight.com but I'd still rather backpack with true backpacking shoes in tough terrain (maybe not in NC). There's been many an occasion where I would have rolled my ankles pretty bad if I hadn't been wearing backpacking or hiking boots. They've saved me quite a few times and I see myself as pretty agile as I do a decent amount of train running.

I also have a Goretex shell summer raincoat and it's quite breathable. My ski outfit is also Goretex. With that I'm mostly concerned about keeping out the wind though. I don't even ski with much underneath the shell and non-insulted pants.

3/21/2014 1:39:59 PM

Quote :

"i'm a huge fan of the sawyer squeeze filters...they're: cheap ($25-50, depending on model and number of bags) small (2x5" for the full size, 1"x5" for the mini) lightweight (3oz for the full size, 2oz for the mini) and it has the added bonus of just filling up your "dirty" bag and filtering later on i have the "plus" (which is 3 bags, only 1 of which i've ever used) for $50: http://www.rei.com/product/837824/sawyer-squeeze-water-filter-plus there's absolutely no reason to buy the plus version, though, since you can get the 32oz 1-bag version for $40 (http://www.rei.com/product/858764/sawyer-squeeze-water-filter-32-fl-oz) or the 16oz 1-bag mini version for $25 (http://www.rei.com/product/866577/sawyer-mini-water-filter) and then buy additional bags for the difference: 3-pack 16oz for $8: http://www.rei.com/product/837888/sawyer-16-fl-oz-water-filter-squeeze-pouch-package-of-3 3-pack 32oz for $9: http://www.rei.com/product/837827/sawyer-32-fl-oz-water-filter-squeeze-pouch-package-of-3 2-pack 64oz for $9: http://www.rei.com/product/837826/sawyer-64-fl-oz-water-filter-squeeze-pouch-package-of-2"

Thanks for the filter suggestions. I'm checking out the Sawyer Mini and trying to determine if it'd work for me. All of the instruction videos show them filling up the squeeze bags from a running waterfall. I've often been in the situation where the only source of water I can find is a small puddle from a dripping spring. Without any kind of pump, would there be a way to get the water into the squeeze bag to filter? Especially without disturbing any silt and dirtying up the water even more?

3/23/2014 1:52:25 AM

I found a dive boat that leaves from Key West and takes you 30-something miles over to the uninhabited Marquesas Keys and Dry Torgugas for SCUBA diving. You set up camp on the islands and stay overnight, then dive some more the next day before coming home.

http://www.tripledive.com/camp_and_dive.html

3/23/2014 11:05:19 PM

Quote :

"All of the instruction videos show them filling up the squeeze bags from a running waterfall. I've often been in the situation where the only source of water I can find is a small puddle from a dripping spring. Without any kind of pump, would there be a way to get the water into the squeeze bag to filter? Especially without disturbing any silt and dirtying up the water even more?"

i've never run into any trouble, as every time i've had to fill it up, it's been from the "waterfall" (which usually means just a trickle of water ) or from a pool that's deep enough for me to just dip the bag into

while i realize it's possible, i really can't imagine i'll ever run into a situation where the water isn't some sort of gravity drop AND doesn't have a pool deep enough to dip a bag into...the overwhelming majority of reviews and trail reports regarding the filter indicate that this is the case (at least as far as i'm concerned)

that said, if it's something you're worried about, you could always pick up a bulb pump/siphon and carry that with you: http://www.amazon.com/Python-Squeeze-Starter-Aquarium-Adapter/dp/B0017JHPA6/

i just posted that one as an example, as there may be better options out there, but you get the idea...depending on the pump itself and amount of tubing you carry, it probably adds another 2-3 ounces

3/24/2014 9:47:16 AM

Picked up a pair of these:

http://www.rei.com/product/864429/salomon-xa-pro-3d-trail-running-shoes-mens

Going to give them a try later in the week when it warms up.

3/24/2014 11:06:02 AM

Planning Four Pass Loop again for July!!!!!!



My photos from last year (taken from my phone - bringing a real camera this year):

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10101331864539699.1073741828.11804760&type=1&l=028cb25046

4/7/2014 11:55:18 AM

kicking off the camping season by spending a few days at Shakori Hills next week! should be a nice relaxing start.

4/9/2014 4:16:05 PM

canoe/fishing/camping trip on the roanoke at the end of the month...Got our platforms reserved!

4/9/2014 4:32:30 PM

Have any of you camped with a toddler? Any tips? We haven't done any camping or backpacking since she was born & I wanted to try car camping with her this spring.

4/9/2014 5:03:10 PM

I grew up camping with my parents. You get to a point where you just let them go wild and try not to worry. We had a large group of family friends we camped with though. I never did any like backpacking trips growing up but we camped a bunch. Once they get past the basics they'll never thank you enough once they're old enough to appreciate it.

4/9/2014 5:11:40 PM

I'm gonna buy a sleeping bag soon. Are any of them any different from another one? Obviously it's not going to be super cold anytime soon, and I probably won't use it often at all so real expensive isn't a good idea, but I'll be up in the nc mountains some in the next few months.

4/10/2014 8:53:31 AM

Welp, that's a can you just opened up.

4/10/2014 9:26:14 AM

Eh, the biggest difference you are going to find within pricing tiers is the packability and weight. The super expensive bags are filled with down and can pack down the size of a softball and are super light. The cheaper bags are filled with synthetic.

Remember too, that the temperature ratings are considered survivability ratings. So although a bag may be rated for 0 degrees, it's generally not going to be comfortable at 0 degrees. Probably add 10-15 degrees to any temperature rating depending on how hot/cold natured you may be.

I bought this one. It comes with a compression sack and that helps it pack small. I have been pleased with it and have slept in ~10 degree windy weather in it and been perfectly comfortable. They also come in higher temperature ratings as well.

http://www.amazon.com/Ledge-Sports-FeatherLite-Compact-Sleeping/dp/B006Z9VN2E

4/10/2014 9:35:04 AM

^That all depends how you sleep and what you're wearing. If you've got layers on in the sleeping bag you can sleep a lot colder than the sleeping bag rating. Or if you're just a cold sleeper in general. I a huge Marmot fan:

http://www.amazon.com/Marmot-Hydrogen-Down-Sleeping-Long/dp/B0012R9X3A/ref=sr_1_9?s=outdoor-recreation&ie=UTF8&qid=1397143233&sr=1-9&keywords=marmot+sleeping+bag

850 fill down and 1lb 9oz. It's kept me warm down to the single digits.

Now that I'm hammock camping I'm looking at over and under quilts as I hate sleeping with a pad. Something like this:

http://www.hammockgear.com/incubator-20/

Then a top quilt:

http://www.hammockgear.com/burrow-20/

I'm sick of using a pad in the hammock. It's a pain in the ass shifting it around.

4/10/2014 11:23:59 AM

i bought an REI downtime +20 for ~$80 on clearance after 20% off a couple of years ago

it's only 600-fill and is just shy of 3lbs, but it was only $80...add a $15 silk liner and wearing some cheap C9 "under armor" and i have only once or twice actually felt cold...and when i have, it's been in the teens and it wasn't bad enough to keep me from sleeping well

4/11/2014 8:09:59 AM

i was checking out the REI outlet for some random things and came across the men's 48L crestrail pack for $84 after 20% off coupon SAVE20: http://www.rei.com/product/865320/rei-crestrail-48-pack-mens-special-buy

it's a solid entry- or mid-level buy if anyone's in the market

4/11/2014 9:17:44 AM

^^Yeah REI always has great deals on their down bags. They're on the heavier side but work great.

My new sleeping system will be:

Under quilt: 17oz
Top quilt: 12oz
Hennessy Hammock (hammock + rainfly + bug net): 31oz

For a total of 60oz OR 3lbs 12ozs. Hoping to get my entire pack closer to 10 pounds without food so I can still have my luxuries (camp chair + lots of whiskey).

4/11/2014 11:19:04 AM

REI's outlet sale ends today. Can pick up my primary backpacking bag for $85:

http://www.rei.com/product/871714/osprey-stratos-36-pack-2013-closeout

4/13/2014 3:11:39 PM

Got this one for ~100 before dividend

http://www.rei.com/product/871716/osprey-exos-46-pack-2013-closeout

Should be a little bit bigger than my old Dana Design Bomb Pack and a little lighter

4/13/2014 11:00:59 PM