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On that note, I laugh every time I look at my picture from Zion when I got into camping again. I've upgraded almost every piece of gear I have (except the pack itself) but I still had my best national park experience carrying this (I'm on the left)
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Jul 22, 2013 02:18
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mastershakeman posted:On that note, I laugh every time I look at my picture from Zion when I got into camping again. I've upgraded almost every piece of gear I have (except the pack itself) but I still had my best national park experience carrying this (I'm on the left) Zion is heaven on earth you could have packed two Walmart sacks and had fun.
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Jul 22, 2013 02:47
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Received an invite to do Four Pass Loop with a great group of ladies in a few weeks...as an overnight trip.  I'm both looking forward to it and actively dreading it all at the same time!
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Jul 22, 2013 02:58
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I really need to invest in a topography map for the areas I hike in. I ended up on some nameless ridge between several mountains with no way to traverse them without tons of downclimbing. On the other hand, I now have plans to hit up both the mountains I missed in one weekend. Though Kane Peak looks like one a hell of a hike.
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Jul 22, 2013 03:20
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A good map probably has the highest ratio of usefulness to price of any hiking equipment.
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Jul 22, 2013 04:22
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I.G. posted:A good map probably has the highest ratio of usefulness to price of any hiking equipment.
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Jul 22, 2013 04:26
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JAY ZERO SUM GAME posted:Until you remember you have a condom in your medkit just like everyone told you to Finally, someone who isn't afraid of bears.
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Jul 22, 2013 05:01
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Levitate posted:oh I'm not! I'm just trying to tell someone who is looking into buying equipment for the first time that if they can't afford ultralight gear, that it doesn't mean they're doing it wrong or something like that. Light gear definitely makes things better (as long as you're not stupid about what weight you're cutting) but not everyone has the money to invest in that stuff when they're first getting started and they shouldn't feel like they're getting "crappy gear" or something because they can't afford to get the best. I think you're absolutely right here, and would add that this us where research can pay off. Not that heavy gear is usually a showstopper, but depending on the budget a moderate increase in price (like $50) might allow for lighter or better gear. Just as an example, comparing the proposed sleeping bag at $140ish to the MH Ultralamina 15 ($190ish on sale) can save more than two pounds. Of course, not a deal breaker, but doing the research and shopping around can find some great deals on good gear. This is especially true if you have plenty of time to wait for sales. But then again I love learning and talking about gear, but I know not everyone has the patience or inclination for that!
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Jul 22, 2013 06:12
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Maps rule. I have stacks and stacks of maps that I always study before I do anything new. I like to be able to name mountains as we go. Sometimes I go onto a government site and check out the geology maps to see if I'm getting into any interesting rocks or fossil-heavy beds, and also so I can tell my buddies on the trail: "This shale is approximately 70 million years old. Isn't that loving cool?". I also just completed my minor in geography, which should tell you: I loving LOVE maps! On a side note, my friend has now decided she wants me to take her backpacking in Waterton/Glacier. There's a really high chance we're going to see some bears. I hope we do, even though she is super afraid of bears. But then she'll get to learn that black bears are no scarier than a big dog, really.
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Jul 22, 2013 10:35
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Picnic Princess posted:Maps rule. I have stacks and stacks of maps that I always study before I do anything new. I like to be able to name mountains as we go. Sometimes I go onto a government site and check out the geology maps to see if I'm getting into any interesting rocks or fossil-heavy beds, and also so I can tell my buddies on the trail: "This shale is approximately 70 million years old. Isn't that loving cool?". Send me her address I will forward her a copy of "night of the grizzlies" for her to read before you go 
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Jul 22, 2013 14:38
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Erudite Sybarite posted:My boyfriend and I broke up, and I have decided that I want to get the gently caress out of town and go to Gatlinburg to walk this off. I have been hiking pretty much only on day trips through the wetlands and grosser parts of central Florida, and I know the Rockies are completely different terrain. Has anyone been to Gatlinburg? I'm not really that concerned with the money aspect of it, but I'm really excited to see a different part of the south. I haven't been to Gatlinburg itself, but do you mean the Smokies, not the Rockies? Appalachia in general is not the most dangerous place. I mean, any deep backcountry can be dangerous, but at least Appalachia has plenty of water, its mountains are comparatively gentle (e.g. compared to this), and the weather, though it's definitely weather, is not as intense as I've heard it is in, say, Colorado. Anyway, ease your way into it and be smart about it, but I think you'll be fine. Appalachia is beautiful. edit: vvvvvvvvvvvv I've done a few really nice (dry-season) hikes in florida, and everyone thought I was crazy. Even when I got TO a state park, the park employees themselves didn't know how to answer my questions about hiking and seemed very confused that I was here to hike around 
alnilam fucked around with this message at 15:38 on Jul 22, 2013 |
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Jul 22, 2013 15:17
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Picnic Princess posted:But then she'll get to learn that black bears are no scarier than a big dog, really. I can shove my entire hand into the mouths of both of my pit bulls. I don't think a bear would take kindly to that. Today I don't work until 5, so I'm going on a mudwalk. The one underrated thing I love about Florida is the vast amount of gooey, gooey grossness here. ^^^ Yes! I meant the Smokies, but thanks! I've been doing full gear day hikes for the past two weeks and will be doing a few over nights before I leave next month, but I found your post encouraging. I won't be there the entire time, but I wanted to be prepared. Most of the time people think I'm crazy when it ones to the mud, but there was a bunch of field trips I remember doing as a kid that revolved around them so I guess I have some fond memories. Erudite Sybarite fucked around with this message at 20:32 on Jul 22, 2013 |
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Jul 22, 2013 15:19
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BeefofAges posted:Finally, someone who isn't afraid of bears.
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Jul 22, 2013 15:27
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A Kpro posted:I really need to invest in a topography map for the areas I hike in. I ended up on some nameless ridge between several mountains with no way to traverse them without tons of downclimbing. On the other hand, I now have plans to hit up both the mountains I missed in one weekend. Though Kane Peak looks like one a hell of a hike. Maps are excellent. Even better, get foldable laminated maps and/or a good waterproof map case. Makes navigation in the rain a breeze.
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Jul 22, 2013 18:54
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I am looking at going on a weekend backpacking trip somewhere in the White Mountains. I have only ever gone to the Whites for day trips. Anyone have any suggestions for 2 night, 2.5 day trip? Peak bagging isn't required, but I'd like to go ~10-15 miles. I have a topo map. We'll be doing low impact LNT, and I was hoping to camp in an area where they allow camping in non established sites. Any areas I should focus on?
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Jul 22, 2013 23:28
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Grizzleys seem scary but black bears dont really look all that scary. I should be fine hiking by myself in yosemite right? as long as i take the proper bear precautions?
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Jul 23, 2013 09:19
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Aliass posted:Grizzleys seem scary but black bears dont really look all that scary. I should be fine hiking by myself in yosemite right? as long as i take the proper bear precautions? Definitely. Just make sure you follow other common sense safety rules, like telling your friends and family your itinerary.
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Jul 23, 2013 14:06
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BeefofAges posted:Definitely. Just make sure you follow other common sense safety rules, like telling your friends and family your itinerary. And bringing a sharp knife, preferably with a saw ... you know, just in case.
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Jul 23, 2013 15:33
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Aliass posted:black bears dont really look all that scary. The ones in Appalachia are practically scared of their own shadow; they'll run up a tree at the first sign of pretty much anything.
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Jul 23, 2013 17:05
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So I bought a Passage 1 last summer (in mid-July), used it twice , but now am thinking about the Passage 2. Does REI's new return policy prevent me from switching out? vvv I thought it was a 1 year policy, hm I'll re-read it. mastershakeman fucked around with this message at 22:16 on Jul 23, 2013 |
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Jul 23, 2013 22:09
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No. e: the new policy is only for things bought AFTER they enacted said policy. I've returned things more than a year old since they enacted the new policy. No problem. JAY ZERO SUM GAME fucked around with this message at 22:29 on Jul 23, 2013 |
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Jul 23, 2013 22:11
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mastershakeman posted:So I bought a Passage 1 last summer (in mid-July), used it twice , but now am thinking about the Passage 2. Does REI's new return policy prevent me from switching out? Technically they say that its a year return policy now but I bet that if you go in they will probably do it for you even if its a few days "late".
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Jul 23, 2013 22:18
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You're going to return a used tent that has nothing wrong with it because you want to upgrade without losing money? You realize you're the reason they had to change the policy, right?
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Jul 24, 2013 02:21
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Is it weird to be apprehensive about hiking alone because of bears?
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Jul 24, 2013 02:34
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WYA posted:Is it weird to be apprehensive about hiking alone because of bears? There are a multitude of good reasons to be apprehensive about hiking alone, and the threat of bears is one of them.
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Jul 24, 2013 03:11
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I hike alone and I am apprehensive of bears.
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Jul 24, 2013 03:26
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I hike alone all the time. There's nothing to be afraid of.
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Jul 24, 2013 04:05
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I came face to face with a black bear hiking alone and wasn't scared. Even when it approached me, I just sternly told it get back; it stopped advancing and went back to eating berries. I went camping alone in grizzly country at the end of berry season. It was a major wildlife corridor with cougar stalking and attacks in the past. I didn't really sleep that night.  still glad I went, it was beautiful, as well as completely peaceful and serene since a blizzard tore through the area that day and there was no one else around. But all the clumps of snow falling out of the trees sounded like footprints. Hopefully with more solo experience I'll just get used to it.
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Jul 24, 2013 04:16
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Hiking solo can be riskier, but as long as you work to lower them normally its fine. Im just asking beacuse, im from australia so i know bugger all about bears.
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Jul 24, 2013 10:52
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Your odds of even seeing a bear aren't all that great to begin with(depending on where you are, but my brother in-law during his through hike of the AT has seen exactly one bear and it was on his last day in the Shenendoah's, which are kind of filthy with bears) so being alone probably isn't much of a difference. I suppose you might be likely to make more noise to alert them if you're with another person, or you might be more intimidating if there are more of you, but black bears probably aren't going to bother you anyways. Grizzlies...maybe more likely to "bother" you but also probably less likely to see them. Carry bear spray if you're worried.
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Jul 24, 2013 11:43
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Today had my first chance to try Polartec Neoshell, and I have to say I was impressed. Moderate to light rain, muggy, 80° F. I was pleased by how breathable the jacket was; I stayed at least as comfortable as I would have with just a wind shirt, but with full waterproofing (and no pit zips). I still sweated, but at 80° and 100% humidity, that was a given during a vigorous walk in any case. But I could feel the fabric breathing, which helped dry the perspiration even while still moving in the rain. The stretch of the fabric gave the hardshell a softshell feel, which was welcome. I don't know that Neoshell is the game-changer it is marketed as, but I can recommend it for someone looking for a very breathable, but still fully waterproof, shell layer.
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Jul 24, 2013 12:34
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Amazon has cheap Beta AR's again: http://www.amazon.com/Arcteryx-Mens-Beta-AR-Jacket/dp/B005CB7G1I/ref=sr_1_1?s=apparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1374675104&sr=1-1 Medium Cardinal is $315.
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Jul 24, 2013 15:14
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I'd say the threats of hiking alone are generally not bear-related. They're more first-aid/medical/rescue related. So I guess if you end up needing first aid from a bear, you might be sorry you had hiked alone, but that's sort of an indirect consequence of bears.
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Jul 24, 2013 16:50
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I'm doing the John Muir Trail next month, and one of the things I'm not sure about is a jacket. My current outdoors jacket cost maybe $160 at REI. It's two layers: an outer water- & wind-resistant shell and an inner puffy jacket for warmth. I've kind of racked up a significant bill buying ultralight backpacking stuff, so I'm not sure whether to upgrade this one to some sort of fancy softshell. On a similar note, do you think upgrading my inexpensive point-and-shoot camera to one with GPS would be worthwhile?
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Jul 24, 2013 16:58
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How much do you really care about knowing the exact coordinates where you took your photos? I have a ruggedized point and shoot with GPS and the GPS just feels like a pointless gimmick.
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Jul 24, 2013 17:10
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Don't care about the specific GPS coordinates, I just want to easily figure out what & where I've shot when I get home.
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Jul 24, 2013 17:35
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gently caress, bear cans are heavy. gently caress bears 
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Jul 24, 2013 18:28
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Levitate posted:gently caress, bear cans are heavy. gently caress bears But they're so cute  gently caress humans who have been careless with bears and taught bears that humans carry insanely tasty food.
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Jul 24, 2013 18:36
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Is there anything wrong with your current jacket that would warrant upgrading for any reasons other than wanting new gear? Price has nothing to do with performance, so if your jacket keeps you dry and warm when it has to then it doesnt NEED replacing. If its starting to soak through rather than repel, try waterproofing it to see if that helps. I had my mountain hardwear rain shell for the better part of about 5 years and I replaced it when I realized I was having to reapply waterproofing every other time it got wet. As for GPS cameras, its the sort of thing that if you are already looking at buying a camera and you find yourself constantly taking photos outdoors and putting them to a map then it would be convenient but as far as going out of your way to buy a new camera just for the GPS feature that you might not use, that just seems like burning money on unnecessary stuff. If you are carrying a gps, just take notes of the coordinates when you take certain photos. If you look at a map after you return, you can probably retrace your route fairly easily and mark your photos pretty quickly.
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Jul 24, 2013 19:25
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Verman posted:Technically they say that its a year return policy now but I bet that if you go in they will probably do it for you even if its a few days "late". I called and was up front about wanting a bigger tent, and they said it wouldn't be under their satisfaction guarantee. No big deal. Anyone want to buy a barely used passage 1? 
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Jul 24, 2013 20:39
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