Did some day hikes the George Washington National Forest this weekend with my kid. We got into some chiggers. Haven't had them since I was a kid. I literally have about 150-200 bites. Look like I got hit with birdshot. So miserable. Little specs of evil they are.
Has anyone used mountainsteals.com? Reputable website? They’ve got a 65L pack I was considering for travel and 5+ day hiking trips for 45% off.
I have a work retreat in early October just outside of Gatlinburg, TN and the wife is joining me at the end of the week to do some hiking in/around the National Park. Suggestions on day hikes and a place to stay as a base for the weekend would be appreciated. Not really feeling the Galinburg/Pigeon Forge vibes. We're flying home from Knoxville but no issues with driving a few hours.
BFF and i are planning a weekish long camping trip to Utah this spring. we will likely spend at least 3-4 days of this in the Moab area and then im bouncing around the idea of spending the rest of the trip in the Kanab/Zion/Bryce area. will be tent camping the entire trip. Does anyone who has camped in these areas have recommendations for the best campgrounds in and around these national parks? or just any other recommendations in general for what to do/see while we're there?
Book in advance for as many of the nights as you can. Arrive early if you don't have a rez..that was my experience.
Camping inside of Zion is nuts if you don't have a reservation. At the South campground, every morning its a line of cars and its a one for one, as one car leaves they let one in. There a few places outside the park that won't be a problem and aren't very busy.
was thinking of trying to reserve a spot at Watchman's campground in Zion, any experience with that one? i'm hoping to be able to get every single night of camping reserved once the 6 month rolling window opens in a few weeks. im driving from too far away to play the first-come-first-serve game.
Good to see you're on top of it. Worst case scenario, there is dispersed BLM camping in the broader Moab area. Dead Horse Point State Park is also a great spot. Dramatic vistas in that small park that doesn't have the recognition of Arches or Canyonland.
Anybody ever hiked with a bum Achilles? Mine has been messed up for about 2 weeks, and is slowly getting better -- but not near 100%. Have been icing it every night, and it doesn't effect my walking, it just is a shooting pain when stretched to the max However, I have some big hikes and overnighters coming up the next 2 weekends, and they are basically my last opportunity before the long PNW winter comes up, so I'm going regardless of how dumb it may be. Plan on wrapping it really tight, because that's basically the only thing I can think of. Maybe some CBD before starting. Any other tips and tricks?
If possible It'd probably be a good idea to try to replicate the intensity one day before you go. Only way to know, especially when you start doing big days back to back.
Did Hidden Lake Lookout on Saturday, an old fire lookout built in the 1930s. Gain about 3,750 feet (I say 4,000) over 4 miles (8 miles roundtrip), was a burner. Highest vert was 6,900 ft. Was the first time I had been literally "above the clouds." You saw the clouds as you were walking up, then got right on top of it. Was a scramble for the last 1/4 mile/500 feet, just climbing on boulders to the top, so much fun. Spoiler The lake peaked out for a bit on the way down: Spoiler On the way down got perfectly below the clouds, made for a sweet dynamic Spoiler Then on Sunday watch the Saints beat the fuck out of Seattle. Spoiler Great. Fucking. Weekend.
Was going to go to the Cascades this weekend, but there's a huge snowstorm hitting most of Washington this weekend...in fucking September. The Olympic Peninsula has good weather, so we're heading out there to scramble Warrior Peak. 5,000 feet of gain over 9 miles from trailhead to summit, highest point is 7,300 ft. Plan to do about 3,000 feet on Saturday and leave the last 2,000 feet for Sunday: https://www.mountaineers.org/activities/routes-places/warrior-se-summit https://www.summitpost.org/warrior-peak/816121 Leave Friday after work, sleep at trailhead. Hike into camp on Saturday, summit on Sunday AM. Pretty much my last free weekend until November, so also will be my last non-snow hike of the season.
What about those people who pack as many kitchenware as possible? Or even portable cookware like this? Some of my friends can't stand eating food from the bonfire. They'll definitely need a bigger backpack.
Did 5 nights in the San Juans including a 14er. Air is so thin up there, felt like such a pussy. Amazing place though. Everything is just massive including the open space. Spoiler
Looking into getting a decent backpacking stove. Any suggestions? I’m considering the Jetboil, Pocket Rocket, Solo Stove, and my buddy recommended Optimus. Trying to keep it under $100 if I can. TIA
2 weeks ago did an overnight on the Chesler Park loop (Needles district). Incredible scenery and hiking. Take TONS of water. I ran out and got pretty dehydrated - kinda scary. I had campsite 5 and it was awesome - close to an old cowboy camp that’s cool to explore.
Since it's for backpacking the Pocket Rocket is great and way smaller than the jetboil. I also have this one: Etekcity Ultralight Portable Outdoor Backpacking Camping Stove with Piezo Ignition (2pack), Survival Kit for Emergency, Hurricane, Earthquake
Looking for a high desert trip for my next Backpacking destination. Seclusion and dependable water sources are the 2 main wants. I understand that 2nd one is a bit of an oxymoron when talking about desert hiking. Any suggestions are appreciated.
Whew! The journey was difficult but I preserved and drove all the way here. Where’s my woodsman badge?
They haven’t stopped since we got here, gonna have to make a fool of myself on the inflatable. It’s a really consistent spot but I’ve only ever seen one dude on it cause it’s a bitch to get to.
I'm tossing together a christmas list and am looking for some gear. Anybody passionate about anything in the following categories: Hammock Water/River shoes A pack for day-hiking (preferable with a camelbak)
I have an ENO doublenest that I really like. Atlas XL straps, no other add ons at the moment. https://www.rei.com/product/104715/eno-national-park-foundation-doublenest-hammock https://www.rei.com/product/159043/eno-atlas-xl-hammock-suspension-system I have about 4 Cotopaxi Luzon 18 day packs. Drawstring top. Has a camelback sleeve, super light, and has been durable for me. Plus I like the company and the look neat. https://www.cotopaxi.com/products/luzon-18l-daypack-del-dia camelback bladder: https://www.rei.com/product/108365/camelbak-crux-3l-reservoir-3-liters
It's really hard to beat the Enos hammock in terms of price/durability/lightweight. https://www.rei.com/product/754773/eno-doublenest-hammock Have chocos for my water shoes, love em. I have a 22L osprey for my daypack, love it. It has a separate compartment for the camelback. You can buy one on Amazon for $10 https://www.osprey.com/us/en/product/talon-22-TALON22_669.html
Idk if I’m behind the times, but that’s the only kind of camelback-style systems that I know of? also, I think BamaNug meant you can get the water bladder for $10, not the $100+ osprey pack. I’d have 20 of those for sure if that was the case.
Glad I'm not the only one that read it that way. I was so confused for a second when he posted the bladders then realized my mistake.
Total Dad brag post. My boy turned 9 and for his birthday asked to be in a tent ON his birthday. It was important to him to be camping on the actual day and not just around the time. He didn't want a party or anything else. Did 2 nights and stayed in a cabin built in 1936 on night 1. It's kept up by the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club and a short hike off Skyline Drive in Shenandoah. Night 2 in a tent deep in a hollow and it rained from midnight until...shit it's still raining actually. Hiking out was all uphill in the pouring rain. Kid didn't complain once, beast. Spoiler Spoiler
3 days/2 nights in Zion confirmed for March. Looks like we'll have time for 1 big hike, thinking a longer one into the Narrows. There are several options, correct? Any recs? Also, the plan is to wake up early Saturday, knock out a hike, then drive to Vegas for Saturday night (flying out Sunday midday). How feasible would it be to do Angel's Landing that morning? Or too crowded?
Planning a trip to SE/South Central Utah for next fall. Trying to avoid the high traffic areas though. This was pretty cool and helpful https://www.outdoorproject.com/travel/15-beaten-path-adventures-southern-utah
I did the Narrows with a permit, but I believe you can hike up as far as you can for a day hike. Youll need wet or dry suit pants/socks for that time of year.
I’ve never done angels landing or the narrows because of wait times. Shuttle should still be off in March. this article seems to have some good ideas. https://www.freshoffthegrid.com/4-hikes-beat-crowds-zion-national-park/
Side note, St George is eerie AF. It feels like there is an omnipresent Mormon watch force. They have like 1 bar in town and it was empty on a CFB Saturday night last I was there. The only patrons were other Vegas locals in town for some reason or another.
When you say shuttle should be off, does that mean we can drive? It's a birthday gift, so we're "glamping" right outside the entrance, will be renting a car. Only day hikes. Looked at Alltrails last night, had this: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/utah/zion-narrows-trail-to-imlay-temple-and-big-spring -- but didn't even take into account the water and river hiking. I'm guessing the water level will be pretty damn high in March. Looks like I need to do some more research.