My buddy I met on the AT and through hiked with had a base weight of ~55lbs with about the lightest sleep system/tent you can get away with. He's all of 5'10" 175.. people lost their minds at his pack. Never heard him complain once about anything the entire time Don't pack shame
Im not sure if this is directed towards me or not but I think there is a difference between getting along without complaining and maximizing enjoyment. All I can say is that I enjoy myself a hell of a lot more when I carry 25lbs. rather than 55lbs. for multi-day 20 mile hikes. If he is taking the time to weigh his pack then he is at the very least conscious of how much he is carrying. I think that is opening himself up to discussion.
Suggestions for overnight hike near Asheville? Been once before and did the Shining Rock Wilderness area of Pisgah Forest
I just overheard a report about backpackers having to be rescued due to the fires. I think it was somewhere in Oregon but wasn’t really paying attention. Anyone know where BamaNug was going? Hope he’s alright.
Spent the long weekend out in the Michigan wilderness. Ate through most of a 40 oz can of Jif. I'm in desperate need of fiber.
Yeah I’m sure he’s being safe. I have no real concept of where he is or where the fires are. Heard a snippet from the news and it was the first thing that popped in my head.
Went back and checked and he mentioned section J, which is a hike from Snoqualmie to Stevens in Washington. Didn’t see any fire issues when I did a quick google, but smoke has been traveling around a lot recently with the winds in Oregon. So hope his air quality is ok.
BamaNug is in Washington. He said he was hiking Section J of the PCT, which is from Snoqualmie, WA to Stevens, WA also DistantFactor only beat me because I stopped to sneeze
The posts I’m seeing on Facebook are wild. Evacs in the Sierra, and another guy I know is on the Colorado Trail. It went from sunny and 72 to snowstorm overnight.
I'm alive bitches. One of the most amazing experiences of my life. We saw some smoke from the fires, never in danger. Get back to Seattle and you can't see 20 ft in front of your face. wes tegg and BP were right -- we needed more food. Never in danger, but def went to bed hungry a few nights. Lessons learned. Epic posts incoming.
So totaled out at 7 days/6 nights, right around 75 miles and well over 15,000 ft of gain. We rolled 6 deep, which was less than ideal, but turned out to be awesome. Spending 7 days in the mountains, disconnected from everyone and everything, is pretty indescribable. Not happy to be back in Seattle, I could do another 7 days in the woods with a re-supply On the 3rd day we started seeing smoke from the fires. It was definitely a concern, but we asked around and just continued on. Seattle right now is insane, can't see 20 ft in front of you. It was clear AF in the mountains.
The more traditional route is Snoqualmie to Stevens Pass (South to North), but we went Stevens to Snoqualmie because it's a bit easier, and a much shorter drive to Seattle after getting off the trail. Good decision. Did right at 75 miles over 7 days. We saw maybe 5 clouds the entire time. Perfect weather. The stars every night were absolutely indescribable. Unreal. As I mentioned, we didn't bring enough food. We're dumbasses for thinking 2,500 calories/day would be enough, no excuse. We were rationing on day 4-5. Thankfully we got some supplies on Day 6... One of the dudes that came with us runs a pre-roll distributor in San Diego, so we had just unreal amounts of weed. It was not exactly a sober 7 days There were huge, ripe, fresh blueberries and huckleberries along the entire trail. I ate my weight in berries, it was amazing. We packed Everclear, dunked a shitton of blueberries in there, and caught a buzz almost every night. Day 1 Spoiler Probably the 3rd hardest day, heavy ass packs. 13 miles total, 3,000 ft up, 2,000 ft down to Surprise Lake. Def our worst campsite of the whole trip Day 2 Spoiler Hardest day of the trip--we fucked up the maps/plan and just did way too much. 15+ miles, 1,500 ft up, 1,000 ft down, 2,000 ft up, then a final 500 ft up. Initial hike into an awesome valley: Up over a ridge, then down another 1,000+ ft Ended the day hiking around Cathedral Rock, slept at about 5,800 ft. Day 3 Spoiler Rest day after doing almost 30 miles in 2 days. 7.5 miles, 2,000 ft downhill. No gain. End at Waptus Lake. Shortly after we all ate a bunch of mushrooms, the kids blew a shitload of smoke from the nearby fires in. Was a little scary, but made for an epic sunset Day 4 deserve its own post...
Day 4 was insane. So remote. 8-9 miles, 2,500 ft of gain, no loss, but into the most remote part of the trip. Incredible. Spoiler I have fucking dreamt of campsites like this. And I got it. Some assholes walked thru my campground the next morning] Spoiler My view when I woke up on the 5th day:
5th day was down to the burn-field into Spectacle Lake, which I did 2 months earlier. Still amazing. We got the EXACT SAME camping spot. Spoiler
That’s awesome man. Backpacking wind river in Wyoming in two weeks with a guy who hiked the pct in 2019. Gonna a be a great time.
6th day was probably the second hardest -- 11 miles, 3,100 ft of gain, 1,000 ft down. But absolutely the most beautiful. It was fucking unreal Spoiler We traversed this whole fucking ridge. It was surreal Spoiler
Prior to the trip, we met with friends and went over logistics. 2 friends that did not join us had discussed meeting us on the last day, bringing a bunch of beers, etc. They did -- 2 friends brought lbs of beef jerky, a whole pizza, 18 beers, 2 bags of wine, and a ton of Jameson for our last night. We got rowdy as fuck last night and it was amazing So after day 6 of 3,500 ft of gain, we had our friends with beers. Got a dope campsite: Spoiler [/spoiler[]
Anybody got kids that hike and want these? Been used about 5 times. Perfect condition, kid out grew them and just got him some Altras on sale. All it'll cost you is a label.
More pics w/ context: Spoiler Campsite on night #2: Sunset in night #4 Coolest fucking campsite ever About 1,500 ft above Spectacle Lake, on day 6 (we camped at the very tip of the peninsula, in the middle of the lake, on night 5): Buddy's campsite at the lake on night #5: Spectacle Lake is on the other side of this ridge -- so we walked up above Spectacle, traversed the entire side of this ridge for 4-5 miles (right-to-left), down 1,500 ft, then up another 1,500 ft: Day 4: Day 6:
I know if I were you I’d be definitely looking to get some of these pics printed and framed. I have used the below for several outdoors photos I have taken and love every single one. Have gone with the simple black frame every time. https://www.whitewall.com/us/acrylic-prints/ultra-hd-print
I've been there in late September and the Deer Flies, biting flies, and mosquitos were awful. Got pics where you can see them swarming around our heads. Also have a white shirt that still has blood stains on it from the bastards.
What’s up jabroni’s, long time backpacker / camper here. Haven’t spent a ton of time in the thread but am going to moving forward. Trying to get the new GF introduced slowly, she’s not the type but says she’s willing. We’re doing a two week drive through Arches, Salt Lake, Tetons, Yellowstone in my FJ Cruiser. Think I’m going to buy a rooftop tent, GF will be more comfortable with it and I can reuse at music festivals and what not. Anyone use a rooftop tent before? Recommendations? Also - any thoughts on bringing a woman camping? What am i getting myself in to BamaNug
Start smaller with a few short day hikes to get her used to the idea of being outside before all that.
She’s gone on day hikes. We’re committed, Ive got buddies in Salt Lake and Jackson Hole who are going to host us and break up the drive / sleeping in tents. I foresee us getting an Airbnb / Hotel for a night or two to break it up as well. I just want to invest in the tent because I know I’ll use it at other places
I bought some new Hokas today. They are the ugliest shoes I've ever put on my feet, but I bought into the hype. They're crazy light and comfortable.
Really liking the Speedgoat 4. Challenger looks a little wider in the toe box, which would be my only minor complaint.
Yeah, I went in wanting the speedgoat. They didn't have any. The challenger is a little wider in the toe box, which is why I went with it. I have narrow feet, but they're v-shaped with the toes being the widest part. I also tried on the Stinson, which was just too much padding. It felt like those 1990's moon shoes. Edit: I don't know if I tried on the Speedgoat 3 or 4.
They’re pretty fantastic. Have that pack too, it’s great. I’d venture to guess your about at its limit for weight at 51lbs
Haven’t gotten out for much this summer since it’s been so fucking hot in Arizona but got my wife out to the GC before everything closed down due to covid. Took her canyoneering too And spent a little time up near Silverton, CO with my gal Fern.