Haven't seen anyone mention hammocks itt but I have the Clark jungle hammock and love it. If for whatever reason you're not around trees it can be used in a pinch on the ground. The top is lofted to give a cocoon effect that gives you breathing room to read and even change if need be. I've tied into rock out croppings and been above slopes you'd never consider or be able to throw a tent on top of. Some downsides to consider - after windy nights you might experience a similar rocking feeling like the one you get from being in the ocean for extended periods.. I actually like this but doubt most do. Maneuverability inside the tent and especially once you're in your bag is much more difficult so you're not going to be banging your girl in it, or be laying your shit out like you can with a typical tent. It all depends what you do in/with your tent but I don't see myself going back to sleeping on the ground more than I find myself in my hammock
had these a little over a year. They are outstanding - super lightweight compared to others. Good choice
sleeping bag recs? I've been using a tattered golite bag for a while and an army extreme cold bag for winter camping. Been eying montbell's stuff because you can supposedly sit cross-legged inside the bag, but am looking around also on that army bag I can't get the zipper closed. what to do?
colonelrascals - would these do the job for a hike to Camp Muir? My dad and I are heading up there late July early August.
Ordered. I'll let you know what I think. I ordered a .5 size bigger than normal shoes, so we'll see how it goes.
Question for those with experience. Wife and I are planning at Yellowstone/Tetons trip. About 7-8 days. Always prefer to avoid the super touristy shit. Any "must see/do" from those who've been? Gracias!
In all seriousness, if you want to get away from the crowds, go to Yellowstone and ask a ranger for a good hike, away from the crowds. We did that and still encountered people but got to get up close to smaller geysers and hike to see some vistas. I don't remember the hike though. Hike the tetons. Wifey and I did a couple day hike and didn't encounter anyone and to this day, my wife still talks about that hike as the best ever. I'll get the trail for you tonight.
are you looking for backcountry or day trips/camps? Grand Teton: Death Canyon, Cascade Canyon, and Paintbrush Canyon are all great hikes that won't be accessed by a ton of tourists. Potential to go as long or as short as you want for these. There's a huge boulder on the north side of Phelps lake that you can jump off into the water - usually some locals hanging around here in the summer. Good day trip. Another good day hike is Two Ocean Lake For a true off the beaten path experience, leave the park and take the Gros Ventre road up to the Red Hills Campground, stay up there and hike to Blue Miner lake. Just awesome. Yellowstone: If you don't backcountry here you will run into crowds. No real way around it. Heart Lake is a good overnight loop. Mary Mountain is a nice out and back to see some geysers I've found that most (longer) trails in the northwest section of the park are fairly open I used to live out there, let me know if you need more recs
We did Paintbrush Canyon to Cascade Canyon Lake. This is the hike...http://www.backpacker.com/trips/wyo...rush-canyon-to-cascade-canyon-loop/#bp=0/img1 A great hike. I can still remember finishing the hike while we walked slowly around parts of Jenny Lake, trying our best to make the hike last even longer because it was superb.
Perfect distance! The wife likes the 1-2 days overnight, but nothing longer. I can sell this! Thanks g!
My wife is the same way. One overnight is great, 2 is pushing it and she refuses to do a 3-nighter. We have 3 kids now, so we aren't doing any overnighters anymore until the kids are older. Before kids we caught the hiking bug and have hiked all over the country, focusing mainly on the national park areas and state parks. We even trained and completed the rim to river and back in a day in the grand canyon. I set an insane pace coming up from the river and paid the price at the end of the hike, was never so tired in my life.
Would love to do a rim/rim someday. Similar scenario here, 3 kids and hard to get away! But when we do our annual vaca, it's usually in the parks. Might have to hit you up with a few other questions soon - thanks again!
i was just clicking around TMB, got distracted with something else, and then came back and saw your comment for a brief moment, before i realized what thread i was in, i pictured something like this
Sure man, no problem. We've hit a ton of National Parks, some of my favorites are Glacier, Bryce, Big Bend, Acadia, Rocky Mountain and Mt. Ranier. We circumnavigated Mt. Ranier over 2 separate 5 day hikes over 2 years and the second one was miserable and hence why my wife won't go overnight for more than 2 days. Still, Mt. Ranier is a beaut.
Thanks for the info! Will be camping with the gf for 1.5 months starting in the beg of sept and plan to be up by Yellowstone, glacier and the PNW by late September, early October. Will prolly pm some of you around then.
+2 for REI igneo, great for any occasion minus some cold summit sleeps, whereupon I picked up an REI expedition and was perfectly fine at -15 or so.
Curious what didn't you like? I've used it several times in the White Mountains and has served me well. Is a bit heavy though.
If I'm spending 500 + on a -20 I'm going to spend a little more for better design (ie. open baffles) and better down. I also think the dual zipper is kind of bleh.
Just ordered mine. I went a tried them on in the store 1st. .5 size bigger than normal was exactly what fit best. Came home and ordered online and saved $70.
I've been wearing these for summer hikes - they are literally, bar none, the most comfortable shoe I've ever owned, and the traction on loose soil is outstanding.
I have some Keen Targahee's for now, but really like the trail runner idea. I might give them a try for my next pair. I did the Lost Coast back in April and have the Rae Lakes in the Sierras coming up in a couple weeks. California's drought sucks but it means all the passes are already snow free.
What online resources do yall use to find good/interesting trail to hike and camp? Work has me stuck in north Florida so I'm not exactly in a popular area for it.
have you checked out the Florida National Scenic Trail? runs through some awesome spots, especially on the panhandle. Florida National Scenic Trail Map
I recommend the stretch through St. Marks NWR and Apalachicola NF - both have nice, established campsites and the scenery/wildlife is great. watch out for pygmy rattlers this time of year though. they love to sun on the trails before noon.
I don't get the dude where's my car reference at all, but will award another like because my feet feel so much better than my calves right now,
I have this pack and I absolutely love it. I would recommend Gregory to anybody. I also have a ton of MSR gear and have never had an issue.