The Hiking/Camping/Backpacking Thread

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

  1. AHebrewToo

    AHebrewToo Albino Hebrew Extraordinaire
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    Update. I didn’t take the whole month off but I did take two weeks. Climbed some in Boulder, Moab, Zion, and now spending a week in Red Rocks.
     
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  2. AHebrewToo

    AHebrewToo Albino Hebrew Extraordinaire
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    Had a late start today because the route we planned to climb was closed because the scenic route in Red Rocks was closed. So at 9:30 this morning we had to pivot to another route outside the park. We wound up doing a 6-pitch route called Birdland and topped out at sunset. By the time we scrambled down the 800+ feet of elevation it was full on dark. This is me in front of the peak we climbed.
     

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  3. Nug

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    Planning to do PCT Section K next Aug/Sept. 125 miles/25k+ of gain. All thru North Cascades Nat Park. 11 days seems aggressive, prolly 12 days. So much food.
     
  4. Fargin' Icehole

    Fargin' Icehole 50% soulless
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    Spent a couple nights in Shenandoah this past weekend. 20° with 20mph winds one night. Was p cold. Thought this was a cool pic cause it shows Skyline Drive. It runs the entire length of the park on the ridgeline so it's not common to get a look down at it.
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  5. Cornelius Suttree

    Cornelius Suttree the smallest crumb can devour us
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    my truck service appointment got pushed back to this week so still "stuck" doing stuff closer to town till next week. Spending the holidays by yourself out west :fap:

    did the Old Caves Crater loop today in Coconino NF. Shit is like 4 miles from Flagstaff, no wonder so many kids from CO and CA flock to school here

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  6. Cornelius Suttree

    Cornelius Suttree the smallest crumb can devour us
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    got up early on Thanksgiving and did some easy trails in Sedona. It's a gorgeous area and I'll keep exploring that part of Coconino NF, but I'm gonna prioritize the Flagstaff and Mogollon Rim Ranger Districts because of how much more solitude you can get in them. Way fewer people and probably much cooler temps in summer with the elevation

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    did the Mormon Mountain trail near Flagstaff a couple days after Thanksgiving and didn't see a soul, certainly didn't hear anyone walking around playing music from a bluetooth speaker. Absolutely love the feeling of being swallowed up by a huge pine forest

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    spent most of today doing the Inner Basin trail in the San Francisco Peaks. Just 12 miles north of Flagstaff, if you are in the area with a 4-wheel drive vehicle and the trailhead is open, you gotta check this out. The hike was fun and the scenery was great. But the drive up to the trailhead (which is at 8,800 feet) was so bad ass. The forest road you turn onto from Hwy 89 isn't maintained for motor vehicles so it's 3 miles of excitement with tons of potential for you to die. But the scenery was so pretty, felt like I was in Blood Meridian. I am almost positive you can see the south rim of the Grand Canyon on the drive up. Ended up a little over 10,000 feet and got so much sun, wonderful day

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  7. Fargin' Icehole

    Fargin' Icehole 50% soulless
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    Good for you brother
     
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  8. Vito Corleone

    Vito Corleone Deluxe Member
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    Currently have an Osprey Manta 28 for my day hiking/carry on

    Does anyone have the Osprey Stratos 36 or the Talon? Wanting to increase capacity for my day hiking and for carrying on planes
     
  9. BayouMafia

    BayouMafia Thought Leader in Posting
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    I have both actually

    I've found the Stratos 36 too big for day hikes. Even carrying a jacket, lunch, and water it was overkill, but I've also used it for travel and it's very comfortable to wear fully loaded. It's also durable as I threw it down a snowy mountainside before inelegantly glissading down a few months ago and it showed no wear from the fall. If you already have a 28 and want more space then maybe it's what you need.

    I recently bought the Talon 22 and took it to Sedona a few weeks ago and loved it. Perfect size for a day hike and barely felt like anything was on my back.
     
  10. Nug

    Nug MexicanNug
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    Going to be in South America for a few months for the start of 2022. Have two epic treks booked:

    -Ciudad Perdida in Northern Colombia: leave exactly 30 days from today. 4 days/3 nights through hot and humid jungle. The site is 650 years older than Machu Picchu, believed to be built around 800 CE - https://expotur-eco.com/en/tour/lost-city-trek-4-day-tour/

    -Vale do Pati in Chapada Diamintina in Brazil: Going the first week of March. One of NatGeo's top 100 hikes in the world. You don't camp and set up tents, but rather stay in indigenous homes with families that have lived there for 100s of years. Another 4 days/3 nights - https://diamantinamountains.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-discover-the-vale-do-pati/
     
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  11. Jorts

    Jorts "Ask about my Mortgage Services"
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    Booked Yosemite from Feb 12-19 & staying at The Ahwahnee. Not sure how much of the park with be open, due to snow, but need waterproof boots. Prefer something that I can be seen & worn casually, as well... Leaning Danner, for that reason. Any Recs?
     
  12. Jorts

    Jorts "Ask about my Mortgage Services"
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    Feel like I'll need more than a trail runner with goretex, but could be wrong
     
  13. Fargin' Icehole

    Fargin' Icehole 50% soulless
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    I agree with Danner for the dual purposes you want from them. I have a pair of Keen that I use for the same purposes. Can wear off road and then to dinner.
     
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  14. Randy Dangus

    Randy Dangus Invigorated after sunning my butthole
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    Feel like any full grain leather boot will do the trick here. I’ve posted before but I’m vehemently anti-waterproof in any footwear for the most part. This could be an exception however and frankly there’s few boots made anymore with a leather liner. Most brands will make something that fits what you’re looking for though. Zamberlain, Lowa, Asolo, etc.
     
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  15. Iron Mickey

    Iron Mickey a guy who posted here like five years ago hates me
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    frankly I prefer trail runners to boots fwiw
     
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  16. Jorts

    Jorts "Ask about my Mortgage Services"
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    I'm also anti-waterproof, and agree this might be the exception... it might be the only occasion that I'm in this scenario.

    Same... considering splitting the difference & grabbing a Gore-Tex trail runner, for this reason
     
  17. Iron Mickey

    Iron Mickey a guy who posted here like five years ago hates me
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    If you haven’t hiked in snow and ice before but like light shoes, I’d get micro spikes and gaiters. If you aren’t staying out overnight and plan to keep moving, cold wet feet aren’t that bad and you get plenty of traction.
     
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  18. Jorts

    Jorts "Ask about my Mortgage Services"
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    Day hiking & photo ops, on trail only
     
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  19. Iron Mickey

    Iron Mickey a guy who posted here like five years ago hates me
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    then fuck a boot imo
     
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  20. Jorts

    Jorts "Ask about my Mortgage Services"
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    The wife will likely drag me somewhere where I'll be mucking through the snow (tubing, or something of that nature)...
     
  21. Iron Mickey

    Iron Mickey a guy who posted here like five years ago hates me
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    I’d skip the Goretex tho. Gonna pay a premium and they’ll still get water logged. I like Altras for hiking and Hokas for running. The former often have built in gaiter and spike attachments. And they’ll be dry by morning.
     
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  22. Iron Mickey

    Iron Mickey a guy who posted here like five years ago hates me
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    haha but zero chance you go tubing without snow in your shoes regardless of size or material so get some that will dry out overnight.

    :twocents:
     
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  23. Jorts

    Jorts "Ask about my Mortgage Services"
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    Sounds like I'll be bringing my Salomon Ultra 3s & saving $200.
     
  24. BP

    BP Bout to Regulate.
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    Team trail runners. Unless you need the ankle support
     
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  25. Cornelius Suttree

    Cornelius Suttree the smallest crumb can devour us
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    Was on a short stretch of the AZ Trail this morning/early afternoon. Missed hiking on trails packed with snow so much. I've gotten an absurd amount of sun the past few weeks :ohgosh:
     
  26. wes tegg

    wes tegg I'm a Guy's guy, guys.
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  27. wes tegg

    wes tegg I'm a Guy's guy, guys.
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    Poles help your ankles just as much, unless you’re carrying a huge pack and need both.
     
  28. wes tegg

    wes tegg I'm a Guy's guy, guys.
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    Get some gaiters and you’ll be fine.
     
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  29. Cornelius Suttree

    Cornelius Suttree the smallest crumb can devour us
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    My folks gave me a REI gift card for Xmas and I am definitely gonna KOP some poles with it
     
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  30. Randy Dangus

    Randy Dangus Invigorated after sunning my butthole
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    I don’t feel like ankle support is a real thing with footwear. You can destroy your ankle in hard-sided mountaineering boots same as a trail runner. Watch where you walk and avoid apathetic hiking when you’re tired and hungry. Something like 70% of athletic injuries happen near the end of one’s day.
     
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  31. wes tegg

    wes tegg I'm a Guy's guy, guys.
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    I dint remember the model name, but I have some REI brand poles with cork handles that have been great. Once you get used to them, they’re a game changer.
     
  32. Weedlord420

    Weedlord420 Well-Known Member
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    I wish it was socially acceptable to use poles in normal life I love them so much for hiking
     
  33. Nug

    Nug MexicanNug
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    Still go no poles. I'll grab a stick if it's a steep decline. Probably being stubborn.
     
  34. Fargin' Icehole

    Fargin' Icehole 50% soulless
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    Same. I love having my hands free. I'm well aware of the benefits of them but for now I have no problem doing what I want without them.
     
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  35. Cornelius Suttree

    Cornelius Suttree the smallest crumb can devour us
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    My right knee is fucked, basically bone on bone coming down on a hike with big elevation changes, which makes poles super appealing
     
    #2835 Cornelius Suttree, Jan 9, 2022
    Last edited: Jan 9, 2022
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  36. THEBLUERAIDER

    THEBLUERAIDER Well-Known Member
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    What are the best light weight spikes? I’d like some for running and the Kahtoola nano spikes seem appropriate.
     
  37. Jorts

    Jorts "Ask about my Mortgage Services"
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    #2837 Jorts, Jan 9, 2022
    Last edited: Jan 9, 2022
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  38. Jorts

    Jorts "Ask about my Mortgage Services"
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    There was a brand that Costco carried for awhile, that were top-rated & cheap as hell. They've been really durable & Wife & I still use them
     
    #2838 Jorts, Jan 9, 2022
    Last edited: Jan 9, 2022
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  39. racer

    racer Yuma, where I work in software.
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  40. BP

    BP Bout to Regulate.
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    Obviously if it’s bad enough it’s still gonna do some damage. But boots that go up to or above your ankle and tied correctly will absolutely give you more support or help to lessen the severity more than low top trail runners. Now amount of support could be argued.
     
  41. Randy Dangus

    Randy Dangus Invigorated after sunning my butthole
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    Negligible imo
     
  42. Cornelius Suttree

    Cornelius Suttree the smallest crumb can devour us
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    Did the Elden Mtn Lookout Trail for the first time since it snowed a good amount a few weeks back. Was so much fun, some snowy stretches where it was nice and soft and then a lot of ice which made coming down pretty fun. Clouds cleared off the peaks like 20 minutes after I started to head down. If you're in Flagstaff and have 5 hours to spare, well worth it iyam

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  43. Nug

    Nug MexicanNug
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    Returned this afternoon from 4 days in the Colombian jungle hiking to Ciudad Perdida ("lost city"), constructed in the year 700 (so 700 years older than Machu Picchu). Hell of an experience -- deep in the jungle, about 85-90 degrees the whole time and incredibly humid. I'm not sure I've ever sweat so much in my life. Legs are absolutely chewed up from bugs. Pulled two ticks off in the shower.

    You also pass by two indigenous tribes on the way there, and they consistently pass you on the trail once you're about halfway thru -- saw probably 15-20 people per day. Super small people, all BAREFOOT, and like 4-5 year olds riding mules to and from the houses. Really fucking cool. We were told in no uncertain terms do NOT take pictures of them. They would just pass by you and look straight ahead, barely make eye contact. But my GF also has pink/purple hair so they were giving her a second look and it was quite humorous.

    After reading online, I didn't think it would be that hard. You don't have to carry food or tents/sleeping bags because the tour company provides all of that, so you only need clothes, water bottle, and toiletries. Holy shit was I wrong -- it kicked my ass. Overall covered about 30-35 miles, but with much more gain than I thought -- like 9-10K ft total over 4 days, just up-and-down all day. Wake up at 5 AM every day, eat breakfast, and hike from 6 AM until about 3-4 PM.

    Day 1: leave at about noon, hike 5-6 miles and 2,000 ft of gain to first camp.
    Day 2: hardest day -- 12 miles and almost 4,000 ft of gain. Fucking A this was hard in that heat and humidity.
    Day 3: visit the lost city, definitely the easiest day. Climb the same original 1,200 stairs that were constructed in 700, but only about 500-600 ft of gain, and then walk around the city the whole day. It goes from 3,900 - 4,100 ft of elevation.
    Day 4: second hardest day -- 10 miles out, gain 3,500 ft.

    Hiking to the lost city
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    We didn't camp, but there are camps/dorms every 10 or so miles that host all the tour companies. So it's 5-6 tour groups, each with 8-10 people, all sleeping in the same dorm and eating every meal together. This sucked, me and the GF caught Covid, so we're now quarantining in Santa Marta, Colombia. Still worth it.
     
  44. Nug

    Nug MexicanNug
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    Ciudad Perdida
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  45. Oranjello

    Oranjello Well-Known Member
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    Looks beautiful
     
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  46. Juke Coolengody

    Juke Coolengody One name. Two men?
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    Fucking awesome man.

    The coco part is particularly brutal though. Hope not too much of an inconvenience.
     
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  47. Nug

    Nug MexicanNug
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    I'm fine, just a bit of a scratchy throat. GF is in pretty bad shape, hoping that a good 10-12 hours of sleep can help.

    We both tried to get our fucking boosters in Seattle before flying down and couldn't get an appointment anywhere -- we're conveniently scheduled for the first week of February.
     
  48. BayouMafia

    BayouMafia Thought Leader in Posting
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    I didn’t realize they had such nice golf courses 700 years ago
     
  49. Nug

    Nug MexicanNug
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    little known fact I learned: golf was invented by the indigenous tribes of Colombia and brought to Europe by the Vikings after they visited the lost city.

    Who would've thought!
     
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  50. TC

    TC Peter, 53, from Toxteth
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    Not sure I’ll ever actually try it, but I’ve gotten hooked on the climbing books and documentaries
     
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