That's convenient. Hopefully a little less crowded, too. Will the water be so high that some places will be inaccessible? Guess it depends on how winter goes
https://www.wildlandtrekking.com/blog/zion-narrows/ Looks like you should be ok, save for a wet winter. The entire Colorado system has been bone dry for a decade, so I’d feel good about the chances.
The park will be dead compared to the high season. You can walk to the Temple which is the end of the traditional Narrows hike but the beginning of the day hike. It was ankle to knees when we did it at the bottom. But you can go up as far and you feel comfortable and then turn back but your mainly walking in the Virgin river, so it'll be cold.
This is good to know. A friend just mentioned to me the other day the idea of flying into there for a few days before Thanksgiving to spend a couple in Zion but I know nothing about that area
The town is fine and really clean. I just got such a weird empty feeling. There were police pickups everywhere, especially when we drove by their temple. I just like being dramatic about it. I could actually live there most comfortably. They have a Culver’s and Chick fil a, which was the closest one to Vegas when I lived in LV. The bar stuff is 100% accurate as of 2016. The One and Only is where we went.#BarAndGrill was the other game in town. https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/st--george-temple-closing-november-4--2019
Weird question but what underwear do y'all wear when hiking? Currently I am using the same type underwear that I use when running but they don't have the pee flap which is incredibly annoying to me.
All Duluth trading. Currently a mix of armachillo, buck naked, and armachillo bull pen. The armachillo bullpen are my favorite. Used to go just UA compression shorts, but they would sometimes slip and leave a very small chafe spot that would suck after some miles.
I'm gradually replacing my UA and ex-officio's with these. Have 4-5 pairs already. I don't find the "chill" feature to be very useful but I really like the way they fit
Basically my current ones chafe in a not-so-great area and I want to buy some new ones that I can use on longer hikes when there is some sweating going on.
I go commando, Nike dry-fit running shorts, challenger line. They’ve got a comfy spandex-brief liner, no chafe, work equally good on land as at sea. Great option for warm-weather hikes. No pee hole though if that’s a deal breaker for you. Personally I like going over the top.
Urethra squeeze sucks, and I’m generally not a big fan of full fupa and balls out. Thinking about trying birddogs. Only wear them casually right now.
Yeah especially as you get older, I’ve fallen for the “oh shit I thought I emptied it!” too many times. Which is why I go waistband-below-cheeks. Side benefit of the dry fit: if you do have a clean up a rogue tinkle, all it takes is a quick dip in the river/lake/ocean and you’re ready to go almost as soon as you hit the shore. The challenger model has a flat profile, similar to bird dogs. I don’t like wearing running shorts w/o a liner because it can look fairly obscene once you work up sweat.
I feel like I always chafe with the brief liner, including in bathing suits and whatnot. It's terrible.
I have all these items and concur. I’ve got Kammock straps for my hammock, however, as they’re 1.5” or 2” wide so a little easier on tree bark. I’ve been wearing my Osprey running vest for most of my hikes lately and prefer it to a daypack when I’m out for shorter hikes (5-7 miles), any longer and I’m bringing extra shit and I don’t have the storage. Have a Kestral 38 for longer day hikes too. Ospreys the best in the biz IYAM water will be cold af in March, rent a dry suit from one of the outfitters just outside the park. Exofficio give-and-go boxer briefs are titty city. I prefer the 9” inseam, never ride up, never chafe. I’ve had pairs for years and they’re still going strong. Literally don’t have anything else.
Your main problem with doing the narrows in March is that it may not be open. The park service closes it until the water slows down enough for people to walk though. I was there this summer on the first day it was open, June 24, and it was over my waist for more than 1/3 of the hike. I turned around in the Wall Street area with water up to my arm pits for about 200 yards and I had another 200+ yards before I was going to hit land again. The water was also running hard enough that I was having a hard time moving forward against it at that point. You can easily do Angels Landing in a morning. It is one of the neatest hiking experiences I have done anywhere in the country and would highly recommend. I did not do it on this trip, but a few years ago it was mildly dangerous on the way down in the chains section because so many people were coming up. This was in the summer and I was on the first shuttle in the morning to start the hike. I would not have wanted to start any later. In March I assume it won't be nearly as bad. In the article Racer linked I would highly recommend the East Mesa Trail to Observation Point. It is a really easy hike, and the view at Observation point is awesome. The last half mile of the road to was very rutted and sketchy. You would need an SUV or truck, or you could walk an extra mile. I might suggest doing Angels Landing first so you appreciate even more how much higher you are than Angels Landing. (The valley up hike to Observation Point is supposed to be really good, but it was closed this summer) The Hidden Canyon Trail was also closed when I was there because of a rock fall, but if I ever get back it will be high on my list. The Watchman trail is ok, good views at the top, but it doesn't compare to Observation Point/ Angels Landing. The Taylor Creek trail is also solid, but not great. It is neat to see the Kolob area of the park. This trail involves several creek crossing and may it may be too cold to tolerate that in March.
One off the beaten path thing I would highly recommend is the Cathedral Valley Loop in Capitol Reef NP. It's a 50+ miles dirt road with some great views. In the high season this summer I think I saw five other cars in the 50 miles. There are a few short hikes off of it as well to some beautiful overlooks. You will need a high clearance vehicle because to get on the road you have to drive through a river. Capitol Reef as a whole is vastly underrated compared to the other Utah Parks, much quieter and equally great scenery.
Don’t have anything against Osprey—they’re solid bags at a good price, but I feel like they’ve become a bit overrated due to the ubiquitousness of their distribution network. They’re simply everywhere and often the best value on the rack/website next to overpriced north faces, Patagonias, etc... It’s a B+ brand with an A+++ marketing and supply chain behind it. I’d encourage anyone who likes their Osprey to give Marmot a try. Pound for pound I think they’re the best “amateur” bag on the market. They match if not beat Osprey on price while being a much lighter carry. They tend towards minimalism in the design, so if you require a gazillion compartments it might not be for you, but what they lack in frills they more than make up for in function. You get Arc’teryx-level gear at Osprey-level dollars.
Disagree with this post pretty much in full. While packs are going to fit everyone a bit differently, Osprey is hands down better designed that Marmot and it’s not close. Marmots 3 packs, the Eiger, Kompressor, and Graviton have all gone basically unchanged for a decade. That doesn’t negate personal preference, or overall fit for an individual, but there’s no question that Osprey makes superior backpacks overall. Not sure what the amateur comment is in reference to. That is not to say that Marmot is a bad company. I’ve got a TON of Marmot gear. I have 3 of their soft shells they’re all fantastic. Have 2 Matmot backpacking tents and another couple sleeping bags. They make nice stuff, I just don’t consider their backpacks as top tier. Thing with brands like Osprey and Gregory is that those two companies only do two products; packs and luggage. And they do they very, very well. Same with Dana Gleason of Dana Designs/Mystery Ranch fame.
Ex officio and after a while you will come to your senses and realize that you should wear them every day and not just for hiking. After having a couple in the drawer for years (some are going on a decade of service and have signs of wear but still do the job) I closed my eyes earlier this year and bought 12 pairs and now wear them every single day and it’s 100% worth the cost I refused to look at.
I also wear ex-officio 100% of the time. Best decision ever. Buy 2-3 new pairs every 6 months, keep everything fresh. Being so easy to wash makes them easier when traveling, too. For hiking, if it's an average, I'll do some briefs. For some gnarly stuff I do Under Armour compression shorts.
Your first paragraph contains information that is simply not accurate factually. Marmot has released new models in Kompressor line within the last couple years. I tend to agree that the Eiger and Graviton are getting a little long in the tooth, but they also started from a great point, are very affordable, and weren’t the type of pack that was being discussed. Take, for example, one of Ospreys standard day packs that was mentioned earlier. Compared to Marmot’s Kompressor Meteor 22, the Osprey Talon 22 is: -$35 more expensive -6oz heavier -lacks an internal frame sheet Within the 20L daypack range, Marmot offers multiple sub-pound packs. Osprey has none. What Osprey has a lot of is overlap and marketing—multiple packs at the same size, separate lines for men women and kids, packs for targeted activities like riding a chairlift, etc... Again, Osprey is good gear, good value, and a smart buy, but it’s not the be-all end-all of entry level (my comment about “amateur”) backpacking.
The osprey i posted absolutely has an internal frame. Regardless, if you spend around $100, and do some research, you're going to get a good backpack. It comes down to aesthetics and preference. The technology has gotten so damn good that most anything at that price point will perform well. IMO
Are you sure it’s a frame and not just thick padding? Osprey’s website states that the frame is only available on the +40L models. Edit: I see, the 22l has a frame sheet but the 40l have a more robust frame. My mistake. So it is simply more expensive and heavier than the Meteor.
Marmot makes subtle tweaks to dated designs and calls them new. 6oz differentiations in a daypack are inconsequential. If you’re concerned about carrying 2lb v 2lb 6oz, you prolly are 65 and over or concerned with irrelevant shit. The Kompressor line is as stale as it was 5-7 years ago. The Talon is getting there, and I’d imagine there’ll be a new and improved model out since it too hasn’t changed much in the last 4 or so years. It’s a very popular pack though. Only the talon 44 comes with an internal aluminum frame. The 33 and 22 both have frame sheets and are meant for light and quick trips. At the end of the day, light packs don’t need internal frame to effectively transfer weight. Most fit folks don’t need sturdy hip belts and frames for 10lbs or less of gear, which is one of the reasons I’ve been using my Duro for day hikes when I only need water, map, and little else. I’ve worked with both companies, Marmot packs aren’t in the same stratosphere as other pack makers. Osprey “overlap” is an amateur take. If you can’t differentiate between a cycling pack, backcountry ski pack, backpacking pack, or a daypack, I guess you’d consider that “overlap”. Those in the industry can and do differentiate. To be sure, sales will tell you the same. They’re successful in all of those segments. come at me bro. In all seriousness, I’m very knowledgeable about both companies, and have worked with them both. At the end of the day, if the pack fit, that’s really all you need.
I will readily admit I probably over-prioritize lightness, but I don’t think that’s such a crazy stance to have on a backpack, as weight becomes a pretty big choke point when you start getting into longer hikes and/or big elevation gains. 6oz on a 1lb pack is a 37.5% difference, which is fairly substantial. Marmot tends to be lighter across the board, cheaper, and IME, more durable than Osprey, although Osprey’s quality has increased over the last couple years as the brand has grown (although they’ve also gotten more expensive). The overlap I mentioned extends both intra- and inter-segment. Osprey offers multiple lines of day packs, multiple backpacks, multiple hybrid climbing/hiking packs, multiple “women” packs that are more or less identical to the men’s but come in different colorways, etc... Is that because you actually NEED 20 different packs in your arsenal, or because it makes Osprey a lot more money? But again, we weren’t talking bike packs (in which case, I wouldn’t choose Osprey or Marmot) or ski packs (lol), we were talking simple daypacks. What objective criteria, in your opinion, is so inferior about Marmot that it’s not even in a similar “stratosphere?” I get that you think the designs are a bit dated, but how does that actually affect the function of the pack? And why is it that Marmot’s dated Kompressor is still significantly lighter than anything Osprey offers? I stated in my first post that Marmot falls short on all the frills, bells, and whistles of most other brands, and if that minimalism isn’t to your taste, you’d be better off looking elsewhere. I also said you can’t go wrong with an Osprey. You’ve yet to provide a single substantive reason behind why you disagree, beyond the age of the design and sales numbers. Out of curiosity, what is your work experience with the companies, are you on the sales/marketing side or the performance side?
yes, I suppose 6oz in a 1lb pack is a SIGNIFICANT amount as compared to the overall weight of the item, but at the end of the day that doesn’t change any results in usage. If you’re backpacking and everything you carry is 6oz lighter, yes, this is insignificant. Not in 99.9% of day hiking scenarios. Ospreys durability hasn’t changed better or worse over the last couple years and usual wear and tear is due to user error more so than the actual product. Osprey actually owns the factories that they use overseas and takes great pride in the way they treat their employees and the construction of their product. Additional offerings with low, medium, and high price points differentiated by feature sets seems like a good strategy for a company that focuses only a small line of products. You’re lack of understanding as to what differentiates a men’s v women’s pack highlights your unfamiliarity with the product. First and foremost, the suspension system. It’s non-adjustable. This is a stuff sack with a shoulder harness. That’s where you get your weight savings. Does that mean a pack is going to be more comfortable? Absolutely not. I mean, literally the product image on Marmots website shows a poorly fit backpack. There shouldn’t be a gap at the shoulder. Ever. There’s also not a proper hip belt, which means the weight of the pack is purely on your shoulders. Not great, Bob. Both of those things are available in the Talon, among other Osprey offerings. if you want a stuff sack with shoulder straps, you’ve found a winner. Bells, whistles, whatever. You can find this same pack made by Sea to Summit for lighter weight, REI with a different look and cheaper, and to a certain extent, Osprey, although it’s meant for travel. Considering fit and the end user, Osprey clearly has an advantage. And I’m sure many other outdoor companies. Osprey designs a better pack, with more thoughtful features. Marmot doesn’t put anything into the design of their packs and I’d argue is more durable with better customer service. The segment has aged for Marmot, and their sales suck/show it. They’re hard to find in stores because of the clear design advantages other companies offer. Was in sales and marketing for both, worked both wholesale and retail selling and fitting all types of packs/brands, and have been a outdoor guide and outdoor instructor for OB. Also a NOLS graduate. Doing this for the last 15+ years. This is fun, poke. Love arguing about gear haha
I have no qualms with Marmot. Have a Sleeping bag and a few other items. I used to think the same about Osprey but I have an Exos 48L I use for traveling abroad and love it with its compartments. But IMO they're better options for actual backpacking. Have a Granite Gear atm but looking at a Hyperlight MG or an Atom pack.
Have a 9 y/o Marmot 15° bag that sleeps warmer than my brand new REI 10° bag. My every day winter jacket is Marmot down and is older but still awesome. Have an Osprey sack bag, travel bag (Porter 40, great for carry on on planes), and my kid's pack is Osprey too. Have zero complaints for either brand. That's all I have to add.
Didn’t know a good spot for this but thought it kinda fits here. Pendleton Wool partnered w my college roommate for one of their art blankets. Excited for my buddy. https://www.cowboysindians.com/2019/10/first-look-pendleton-blanket-design-by-artist-judd-thompson/
I wear a Pendleton shirt almost every day so this is cool to me. I want one of their blankets but I keep changing my mind which one. Oh, and the alpaca hoodie sweater looks like something I’d live in on the weekends. I did get the Mickey blanket for my son last time i was in Minnesota but I’ll not steal that just yet.
Stayed down near Mount Rainier Nat Park this weekend, it was gorgeous. Woke up Sunday and hiked a little bit past halfway to Camp Muir, about 8,000 feet. Rainier was the clearest I've ever seen it, awesome Spoiler
yes yes yes thinking of doing the REI-guided hike to Camp Muir next summer. Just trying to convince the wife
I'll guide you for a case of beer. In all seriousness, if you're comfortable with snow/ice, it's not terribly gnarly -- just long. 4.5 miles up and 4,000 feet of gain, top out at 10K feet of vert. You start your hike at approx 5,500 feet. Crampons/spikes and poles are a must because it's covered in ice year-round. But that also means you can glissade down, which is super fun.
I’ve got this one: https://www.greatfallstribune.com/s...77-chief-joseph-custom-commission/1521554002/ The guy who designed it was very close with my father in law when they both worked for Pendleton. He gave it to us as a wedding gift.
I like their jackets and have a tshirt or two. Cold day in heck before I give up a Gregory or Mystery Ranch pack though.
Yeah not much experience with I’ve and have never used crampons, which is why I was thinking a guided hike.