The Hiking/Camping/Backpacking Thread

Discussion in 'The Mainboard' started by Chewie, Jun 27, 2009.

  1. Doc Louis

    Doc Louis Well-Known Member
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    Could be the wind, or reviewers were just practicing corpse
     
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  2. Fargin' Icehole

    Fargin' Icehole 50% soulless
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    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.
     
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  3. Weedlord420

    Weedlord420 Well-Known Member
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    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.
     
  4. BayouMafia

    BayouMafia Thought Leader in Posting
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    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.
     
  5. EdmondDantes

    EdmondDantes Both winner in league and apparently at life, haha
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    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?
     
  6. Det. Frank Bullitt

    Det. Frank Bullitt God Bless Texas
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    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.
     
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  7. BP

    BP Bout to Regulate.
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    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.
     
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  8. EdmondDantes

    EdmondDantes Both winner in league and apparently at life, haha
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    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.
     
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  9. Det. Frank Bullitt

    Det. Frank Bullitt God Bless Texas
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    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.
     
  10. Oranjello

    Oranjello Well-Known Member
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    Seconded
     
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  11. Cooler

    Cooler A mans gotta eat
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    Currently camping in GTNP and surprised at how good of cell service I have right now.
     
  12. Nug

    Nug MexicanNug
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    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?
     
  13. Det. Frank Bullitt

    Det. Frank Bullitt God Bless Texas
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  14. Nug

    Nug MexicanNug
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    Thank you for the Ts and Ps during these trying times
     
  15. BP

    BP Bout to Regulate.
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    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.
     
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  16. Nug

    Nug MexicanNug
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    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.
    [​IMG]

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    The lake peaked out for a bit on the way down:
    [​IMG]

    On the way down got perfectly below the clouds, made for a sweet dynamic
    [​IMG]
    Then on Sunday watch the Saints beat the fuck out of Seattle.
    [​IMG]
    Great. Fucking. Weekend.
     
    #1616 Nug, Sep 23, 2019
    Last edited: Sep 23, 2019
    Why?Pokes, UCFartz, MA and 9 others like this.
  17. Nug

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    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.
     
  18. ReadyWV

    ReadyWV New Member

    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.
     
  19. Fargin' Icehole

    Fargin' Icehole 50% soulless
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    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.

    IMG_3925.jpeg IMG_20190926_182306_359.jpg IMG_20190926_182306_375.jpg IMG_20190926_182306_373.jpg MVIMG_20190921_162538.jpg MVIMG_20190919_070946.jpg
     
  20. Fargin' Icehole

    Fargin' Icehole 50% soulless
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    Can't recommend the Helinox Chair Zero enough. Not sure how I ever backpacked without one.
    MVIMG_20190920_111448.jpg
    IMG_3918.jpeg
     
  21. BigRed

    BigRed Well-Known Member
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    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
     
  22. Fargin' Icehole

    Fargin' Icehole 50% soulless
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    If you're just gonna boil water the Jetboil is a beast. Big fan.
     
  23. EdmondDantes

    EdmondDantes Both winner in league and apparently at life, haha
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    just booked 4 nights at Canyonlands in the needles district for April. anyone ever camped there?
     
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  24. Buenos Nachos

    Buenos Nachos Palabra.
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    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.
     
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  25. BP

    BP Bout to Regulate.
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    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

     
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  26. Fargin' Icehole

    Fargin' Icehole 50% soulless
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    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.
     
  27. Nug

    Nug MexicanNug
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    I love my jetboil, got it for $99
     
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  28. BigRed

    BigRed Well-Known Member
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    I think I am going to go with it. Thank you for the recommendation
     
  29. Why?Pokes

    Why?Pokes Take me back to the kine
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    Whew! The journey was difficult but I preserved and drove all the way here. Where’s my woodsman badge?

    12B29251-596E-4976-9511-25A5288E0FAE.jpeg
     
  30. Weedlord420

    Weedlord420 Well-Known Member
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    Damn that’s a nice little right
     
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  31. Why?Pokes

    Why?Pokes Take me back to the kine
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    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.
     
    #1632 Why?Pokes, Oct 20, 2019
    Last edited: Oct 20, 2019
  32. Room 15

    Room 15 Mi equipo esta Los Tigres
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    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)
     
  33. racer

    racer Yuma, where I work in software.
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    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
     
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  34. Nug

    Nug MexicanNug
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    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
     
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  35. CoastalOrange

    CoastalOrange Well-Known Member
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  36. Nug

    Nug MexicanNug
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    I'm seeing like $15-16:




    I just took the bladder out, never use the tiny backpack.
     
  37. Doc Louis

    Doc Louis Well-Known Member
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    Thought people didn't really like using refillable water bags like that any more
     
  38. racer

    racer Yuma, where I work in software.
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    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.
     
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  39. CoastalOrange

    CoastalOrange Well-Known Member
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    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.
     
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  40. Fargin' Icehole

    Fargin' Icehole 50% soulless
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    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.
    MVIMG_20191019_111608.jpg IMG_20191020_120422_01.jpg MVIMG_20191020_121120.jpg
     
  41. Nug

    Nug MexicanNug
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    Lol, yes only meant bladders. You can stick them in lots of places in most later-model backpacks
     
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  42. Paddy Murphy

    Paddy Murphy Well-Known Member
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    Hell yeah man. That’s awesome.
     
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  43. Nug

    Nug MexicanNug
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    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?
     
  44. Fargin' Icehole

    Fargin' Icehole 50% soulless
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    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
     
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  45. BP

    BP Bout to Regulate.
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    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.
     
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  46. racer

    racer Yuma, where I work in software.
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  47. racer

    racer Yuma, where I work in software.
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    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.
     
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  48. Nug

    Nug MexicanNug
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    :respek:

    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.
     
  49. racer

    racer Yuma, where I work in software.
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    You should be able to drive it all. April-Nov is shuttle access only.
     
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