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I will never forget my night camping without pads because I thought dirt was plenty soft for me. I mean, it was, but it was also very cold.
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Aug 21, 2022 05:25
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I remember sleeping on a beach one night with a few friends and thinking it would be comfy. Just bring a sleeping bag. It was miserable. The sand was cold and hard/lumpy. My one ground brought a pad and we all teased him but he slept like a rock. My first backpacking trip I tried a roll up thermarest foam pad and I woke up every day with sore hips, shoulders, knees, back etc. I then tried a thermarest self inflating but it was only 1.5" thick and still wasn't very comfortable. I had u insulate to full pressure to not feel the ground and then it developed a leak and I was constantly waking up when it would deflate. It was mummy shaped and I would fall off the pad constantly. The material was slick and I slid off it constantly. I tried with it inside my bag but I toss and turn too much for that to work. Then I went for a big agnes insulated q core air pad. Life changer. 4" thick and 5 r-value but it weighed 2lbs. I slept like a baby after that. It lasted about 8 years before it started leaking more than I could repair. I patched it a few times successfully but I think due to the age of the seams, they started deteriorating and it's just springing leaks everywhere. I just bought a big agnes rapide SL to replace it and it's pretty comparable in specs (4.2 r value, 3.5" thick with 4.5" outer rails, but almost half the weight and quicker inflate/deflate valves. Hoping I get the same kind of lifespan out of it plus I'm shedding another pound. Verman fucked around with this message at 20:48 on Aug 21, 2022 |
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Aug 21, 2022 20:43
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Hey, I was pointed in this direction to talk about backpacking gear! I'm going on a trip to Zion in a few weeks, stoked to be going back and excited for my first backpacking trip. My friend and I already have permits for the overnight top down Narrows hike, and we'll see if we can get another camping permit for west rim or kolob canyons when we get closer to the date. I've put together most of my gear, I'm just missing the cooking pot. I've gone through my checklist and I think I've got everything I need, but I figured I'd ask here if I'm missing anything. Let me get this part out of the way first. Yes, that's an Osprey UNLTD. Yes I know it's 5.5 pounds. Yes I know it was $700. I went trudging around today with a full pack and 13L of water to get a feel for it, and I'm feeling optimistic about it living up to my expectations and my criteria for choosing it. I'll be taking it out on a 6 or 7 mile hike next weekend in Shenandoah with a load out like what I'll be taking into the Narrows, so I'll have a better idea then if I've made a huge mistake. I have 5 Sea to Summit waterproof bags of various capacity for organization and keeping everything dry in case the river gets deep in parts. I did the bottom up day hike with my wife in 2019, and we weren't able to make it all the way to Big Spring because of a section that was ~4 ft deep. We didn't have big enough dry bags for all our stuff so we turned around. Hiking: Black Diamond poles Gonna rock the Keens and smartwool socks for this. That worked out really well when we went before. Tent & Campsite: Sea to Summit Alto TR1 and footprint Helinox Zero Black Diamond Astro headlamp Restop2 poo poo bags Sea to Summit 10L waterproof trash bag that you can put liners in for hauling poo poo out Sleeping: Big Agnes Rapide SL pad Nemo Disco 30 sleeping bag One of those compressible thermarest pillows (not a big fan, but it's what we have already from our car camping gear) Tiny Pump X Cooking: Titanium pot Titanium long handle spoon MSR Pocketrocket Deluxe & stabilizing feet for the fuel can A couple freeze dried meals, a couple clif bars, and a few packs of clif shot blocks Wacaco Picopresso & Kingrinder K4 (I'm gonna have good coffee goddamnit) 16 g of whatever good quality espresso beans I can find in Vegas before the drive out Hydroflask insulated cup Safety & Backup Stuff: 2 person 4 day first aid kit Platypus gravity filter 325 paracord Topo map & compass Extra tp Water Options: 2 3L Osprey bladders 3L Water bag 6L Water bag 32 oz Hydroflask Clothing: Quick dry shirts and shorts Long sleeve sun shirt Extra smartwool socks Fleece pants for the night Down jacket if it gets too cold before calling it a night Before food and water, my pack weighs in at 23 lbs. I was testing it out today with ~13 L of water, and I'm thinking I don't actually need that much. I'll probably only take ~10 L: a 3 L bladder, the 6 L bag, and the 32 oz bottle. Apparently the cyanotoxin levels are currently high (I expect they still will be in Sept) so I'm planning on bringing in what I need for the two days. It sounds like if I'm running low though I can fill up at Big Spring on day 2 with the filter. So, question on the filter. I bought it years ago to keep with me in my day hiking bag in case of emergency. I haven't used it at all yet. Is there anything I should do to make sure it's in working order before heading out? Soak the filter? Just run a bag full of water through it? Also, is there anything I'm missing or some other non-essential but huge QoL improving piece of gear I should bring with me? Since this is my first backpacking trip I don't really have a good idea of what is worth bringing or what is worth skipping, just kinda going off of checklist and youtube videos from more experienced folks.
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Aug 22, 2022 03:12
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You shouldn’t need to do anything with the water filter prior to use, but imo it’s a good idea to search out PDFs of the manuals for items like that and save them on your phone so you have easy access to them in the backcountry. I’d recommend testing it a time or two just so you know how it works and maybe do a filter integrity test on it just in case (filter then backflush some water, then blow into the clean tube through the filter - if you can’t blow through it you’re good, but if you see a bunch of bubbles in the dirty reservoir you need to replace it).
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Aug 22, 2022 06:13
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Valency posted:Also, is there anything I'm missing or some other non-essential but huge QoL improving piece of gear I should bring with me? portable washlet
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Aug 22, 2022 06:59
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Some flavor of moist towlette to wipe the grime off with at camp? We love to have makeup remover wipes or similar for a backcountry "shower"
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Aug 22, 2022 07:23
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Where are your knives/sharp things? SwissArmyDruid fucked around with this message at 08:09 on Aug 22, 2022 |
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Aug 22, 2022 07:23
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A basic hygiene kit would be recommended. I really like these https://amzn.eu/d/gmDEd7k, work much better than 'pre' moistened towels and you can basically store them forever in any bag/car without worrying about them drying out. Unfortunately I did not quickly find a place where they are sold in the US, but I am sure someone else makes something similiar.
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Aug 22, 2022 07:48
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Valency posted:Also, is there anything I'm missing... Who will be taking care of the cat while you are gone? It seems very concerned. I am pretty new at this too, but you seems well kitted. All I would say is make sure have used every piece of equipment at least once, and carry 2 methods for lighting your stove. I pack a lighter and a knife/flint.
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Aug 22, 2022 18:22
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Stringent posted:portable washlet I want to try one of these for my trip in September. Any specific recommendations?
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Aug 22, 2022 18:58
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Thanks for the feedback everyone! The filter seems good, no air was getting through after backflushing it. Good call on the washlet, I've got a little portable bidet thing from tushy that I'll pack along. I also picked up some of those compressed towels too, they look very useful. SwissArmyDruid posted:Where are your knives/sharp things? Cat rear end Trophy posted:Who will be taking care of the cat while you are gone? It seems very concerned.  I'll pick up a lighter in Vegas before heading out too. The stove has a piezo igniter, so I should be good between the two. And I'm just waiting for a dry afternoon here in VA to set up the tent in the back yard and check it out.
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Aug 22, 2022 19:02
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The Wiggly Wizard posted:I want to try one of these for my trip in September. Any specific recommendations? My wife and I have a couple of these for travel: https://hellotushy.com/products/tushy-travel-bidet They're fine? Certainly better than not having a butthole washer.
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Aug 22, 2022 19:06
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Valency posted:My wife and I have a couple of these for travel: Probably quite a bit heavier and bulkier than the bottle toppers I've seen.
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Aug 22, 2022 19:23
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Re: The Narrows This kind of thing gives me nightmares. I am a strong swimmer, but being swept downstream among churning water and debris, I'd be screwed. This search can only result in a body. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/family-of-missing-zion-hiker-shares-video-they-believe-shows-her-being-swept-down-river/ar-AA10TnT3 Pay attention to the flash flood warnings. According to other articles she IGNORED an active flash flood warning and went anyway. We were out there last year during a heat wave. No flash floods, but many hikers in distress due to lack of water. Any outdoors death is usually caused be a series of errors/choices, and the changing of any one of those choices usually can prevent the disaster. The Southwest has been under some near record monsoonal conditions and even if it is not raining near you, flooding is possible if it rains upstream.
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Aug 22, 2022 19:35
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Valency posted:Gear for 1st backpacking trip A few comments: 1.) If cyanotoxin levels are bad enough that you can't expect to treat water, I'd honestly just go either another place, another time, or faster, because hauling in a minimum of ~6-8 kg of water for 2 days is gonna suck poo poo. There should be some safe places to fill up along your route, though, so I would carefully research those and try to come up with something more reasonable. If you ever need to be carrying more than a few liters, I would just do the narrows as a day hike since then you only need to carry like 2 liters of water, and plan a different route for your first backpacking trip. 1b.) Seriously 23 lbs + 13L water + food is going to be like 54 lbs. That is not a great introduction to backpacking, imo. And the lower narrows can be awkward to walk on even without a pack. 2.) You're carrying like 2 lbs of coffee bullshit, there are (much) lighter alternatives if you really want coffee. 3.) You don't need an insulated cup for the conditions you are going to be in. You can take a cheap plastic cup (or just drink out of your pot) and that will save a bit of weight and volume. 4.) I think a synthetic jacket (not down) or some kind of warmer clothing in case things go not as planned would be a good idea. If you end up soaking wet, in the evening, with a turned ankle or something, your clothes might not be warm enough. 5.) Pre-packaged first aid kits tend to be really overbuilt. You may want to look at some lightweight backpacking DIY first aid kits online and just take what you need. Some basic medicines, bandages, athletic tape, blister pads, tweezers...maybe a SAM splint if you want to really go wild. It shouldn't weigh more than like 12 oz total. 6.) Adding up the listed weight for your tent, chair, pad, bag, coffee bullshit, cup, filter, backpack, stove, estimated pot weight...I get something like 15-17 lbs. So not clear how you are getting up to 23 lbs before water/food. Maybe I'm missing something, maybe there is a bunch of misc crap that weighs way too much, but I think you should be coming in much lighter. Morbus fucked around with this message at 00:14 on Aug 23, 2022 |
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Aug 22, 2022 22:33
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They make some pretty fancy instant coffee now.
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Aug 22, 2022 22:56
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Fitzy Fitz posted:They make some pretty fancy instant coffee now. as an outrageous coffee snob, i don't bring a coffee setup, i bring this stuff when I travel. one 2g stick per 6oz cup. it's got a bit of cinnamon sweetness, mild acidity, very low bitterness - it's genuinely lovely coffee. at home I have a decent espresso machine, and I've done the hand grinder and aeropress or v60 routine in past travels, but you can get reallll good instant nowadays. also that's an insane amount of water to carry. I would definitely try to reach out to park staff and see what they advise since ten liters is a hell of a lot of water, and if you really need to carry that much I would make it an emergency to cut down weight any other place I could.
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Aug 22, 2022 22:58
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we brought these on our last backpacking trip and they were great: https://www.olympiacoffee.com/collections/coffee/products/steeped-big-truck-organic
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Aug 22, 2022 23:02
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Dick Ripple posted:A basic hygiene kit would be recommended. I really like these https://amzn.eu/d/gmDEd7k, work much better than 'pre' moistened towels and you can basically store them forever in any bag/car without worrying about them drying out. Unfortunately I did not quickly find a place where they are sold in the US, but I am sure someone else makes something similiar. Wysi Wypes! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001NWVBPC Yesss, those things are fantastic, they're a gamechanger for sure. I carry a pill bottle vial of them in my cook kit, they're stupidly useful and pretty durable as a wash cloth. Valency posted:Hey, I was pointed in this direction to talk about backpacking gear! I'm going on a trip to Zion in a few weeks, stoked to be going back and excited for my first backpacking trip. My friend and I already have permits for the overnight top down Narrows hike, and we'll see if we can get another camping permit for west rim or kolob canyons when we get closer to the date. I've put together most of my gear, I'm just missing the cooking pot. I've gone through my checklist and I think I've got everything I need, but I figured I'd ask here if I'm missing anything. With any hollow tube membrane filter, don't forget to pre-moisten it a few days before hand, eg run it under the sink for a few seconds. This opens up the pores and allows the filter to work. Otherwise you'll get out and think your filter has clogged. A few tabs of something like Aqua Mira is a great backup to keep on you as well, in case the filter fails or the source is sufficiently questionable. 10L is probably sufficient, I usually plan minimum 1 gallon a day, a tad bit more for a dry camp. It'll be heavy as poo poo, but it'll lighten up as you go. I like the sawyer squeeze bags for toting clean water if you want to shave some weight and make it easier to distribute weight through your pack. A million things you can do for food, but Packit Gourmet has some of the best tasting meals, with the best portions, packaging, and least water rehydration demands. If you're doing Mountainhouse, the propack meals are much better portion sizes, but the cheese they use turns into cement on your spoon. Speaking of, I see you already got a long handled spoon - that's a pro choice buy Also I see TP, but I don't see a poop trow. I highly recommend the Deuce of Spades. Ultralight, ultra strong, works even in rocky soil with the narrow end making a fine pick to get the hole started. You already have dry bags, but Dyneema is a great waterproof material for dry bags as well. I have a big one for a pack liner, and smaller ones for my quilts. It's an upgrade option sort of thing. Oh, speaking of bags! If it's a bear area you'll need a canister to store your food. Otherwise rodents are a huge issue, and I would recommend a Ratsack + Odorproof ziplock bag or an Ursack Minor chew proof bag + odorproof bags. I have both and prefer the Ursack Minor, and can confirm it works against hungry raccoons fighting over the contents. I bought a ratsack for my last trip out west after being told how voracious the mice were, and it worked great, no complaints there. I suspect the Ursack Minor would've done the trick. It seems like your pack might be heavier than you anticipate. If you can, try loading it up with water and everything else, and go for a short hike and see how it feels after a mile or so. You may wish to trim some weight based on that. Catatron Prime fucked around with this message at 23:14 on Aug 22, 2022 |
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Aug 22, 2022 23:03
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OSU_Matthew posted:Also I see TP, but I don't see a poop trow. I highly recommend the Deuce of Spades. Ultralight, ultra strong, works even in rocky soil with the narrow end making a fine pick to get the hole started. I've never backpacked in Zion, but I wouldn't be surprised if you are required to pack out human waste. I'm pretty sure you do for day hiking The Narrows, anyway. Definitely something to research ahead of time. And if so, wag bags should maybe be on OP's list? I admit I've never done a trip that required them, so I can't offer much guidance there.
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Aug 23, 2022 00:02
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There are a lot of perfectly reasonable coffee options for backpacking nowadays. Kuju Coffee has these individual pour overs made of paper so they’re easy to dispose of (no loving around trying to get grounds out of a “camping” pour over funnel), but when we don’t want to deal with packing those out I find one stick of Alpine Start and one of Trader Joe’s instant is drinkable. You’re already in the woods making GBS threads in a hole and eating dehydrated mac and cheese, it’s silly to get precious about your caffeine delivery system in the backcountry imo
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Aug 23, 2022 00:57
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Have you thought about going in the complete opposite direction and being as pretentious as possible while out in nature? We’ll then have I got the doodad for you! https://briping.com/ 
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Aug 23, 2022 01:24
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nothing weird, you’re just briping
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Aug 23, 2022 01:29
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ABB: Always Be Briping. Seriously, there are perfectly acceptable instant coffee options out there these days. Turns out instant stuff isn’t terrible as long as you don’t start out with terrible coffee.
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Aug 23, 2022 01:31
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withak posted:ABB: Always Be Briping. Honestly, even Nescafe instant hits the spot. Where you're drinking > what you're drinking
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Aug 23, 2022 02:45
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Ok, I'm ditching the coffee bullshit, that saves almost 3 pounds. With that gone I'm coming in at 19 pounds before food and water. The Restop2s are the wag bags, gotta pack it all out in Zion, so I'm not going to bring my trowel. As far as water goes, we can refill at Big Spring on the second day, and it looks like it's about 2 miles from our camp site. It also looks like the rangers recommend filtration and chemical treatment, so I'll pick up a thing of chlorine dioxide to bring with me. I could probably get away with carrying 6 L, but I was just thinking I'd be more comfortable mentally with having all the water I need for both days with me. I'll be doing a test hike this weekend with a full pack, and I'll give 10L a try and see if I can manage a day of that.
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Aug 23, 2022 03:36
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Yeah even mediocre instant coffee is godly on a cold mountain backcountry morning, but you better believe that once i get home that stuff stays in the cabinet until the next camping trip
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Aug 23, 2022 04:38
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I don’t want to discourage anyone from carrying water if it makes them feel safe, but that extra 7 liters is 15 lbs on your back and you have a guaranteed source of fresh water at Big Springs. I think you’ll wind up being a lot more comfortable without the full 13 and will be just fine at 6, but eve if you split the difference it’ll be an easier hike.
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Aug 23, 2022 04:58
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Valency posted:What kind of sharp things should I consider? I've got a basic pocket knife and/or leatherman that I can pack up, and the first aid kit has medical shears. I don't think I need anything more substantial than that? Campfires are prohibited, so I won't need to cut branches or anything. That should do fine. Obviously you don't want to have to dig your first aid kit out and open it up just to get the shears every time you want to open your freeze dried meals or anything, because now your first aid kit is going to be sitting out on a rock or whatever until you get done with the shears until you can put them back. Which opens you up to the possibility of forgetting to re-pack the shears and/or first aid kit. I have something heftier, but at the bare minimum, a pocket knife or leatherman will do. SwissArmyDruid fucked around with this message at 10:37 on Aug 23, 2022 |
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Aug 23, 2022 10:35
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I tried some instant coffee a few years ago and it tasted like poison. I’ll have to try some of the local small batch artisanal free range instant coffee they’re selling these days but I’m highly skeptical it’s worth it to leave the aeropress and 100g or so of recently roasted, fresh ground coffee at home. There’s something about getting (almost) the exact same cup of coffee in the backcountry as you do at home that just feels amazing in the morning. I think I’ve said this before, but if I were a participant on Alone, a v60, hand grinder, and 10lb bag of beans would be three of my allotted “personal items.” waffle enthusiast fucked around with this message at 17:44 on Aug 23, 2022 |
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Aug 23, 2022 17:41
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alnilam posted:Yeah even mediocre instant coffee is godly on a cold mountain backcountry morning, but you better believe that once i get home that stuff stays in the cabinet until the next camping trip Same... nothing beats fresh ground beans. I have found that with a lot of the instant coffee, doubling up the number of packets you put in helps out significantly. Also, drat there's a lot of stuff out there that wasn't before... going to have to see if I can track down a variety pack to sample some new stuff.
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Aug 23, 2022 20:46
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Since COVID I hit I haven't shared my halfdome 3+ with anyone and have gotten a bit sick of hauling it around. Rather than buying a smaller tent, I opted for an Amok Draumr, since I can use the additional pad for tent camping as well, and because it's really cool. Set it up twice now in town and my first impressions are very positive. Looking forward to sleeping in it, and especially excited about how much nicer storm days will be in a hammock over a tent
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Aug 23, 2022 21:03
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waffle enthusiast posted:I tried some instant coffee a few years ago and it tasted like poison. look at this waffle enthusiast. gonna try to bring a whole rear end volvo w/ them an instant coffee tip i stumbled upon on tiktok a while ago but never tried was to first rehydrate the crystals with a little bit of room temperature water, then add hot water up to the appropriate volume, to avoid scorching something. or something. Bloody fucked around with this message at 21:19 on Aug 23, 2022 |
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Aug 23, 2022 21:17
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Math You posted:Since COVID I hit I haven't shared my halfdome 3+ with anyone and have gotten a bit sick of hauling it around. Rather than buying a smaller tent, I opted for an Amok Draumr, since I can use the additional pad for tent camping as well, and because it's really cool. Huh, that is interesting! I think I've seen those before but never really thought much about it. I'm just watching some viddyas on it now... What led you to go with this vs say a bridge hammock? It looks quite comfortable and seems like you have more flexibility in tree placement
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Aug 23, 2022 21:43
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Freaquency posted:I don’t want to discourage anyone from carrying water if it makes them feel safe, but that extra 7 liters is 15 lbs on your back and you have a guaranteed source of fresh water at Big Springs. I think you’ll wind up being a lot more comfortable without the full 13 and will be just fine at 6, but eve if you split the difference it’ll be an easier hike. I'm not sure what water levels in the narrows will be like in september, but I cannot imagine any way that a novice backpacker walking through a river on slippery rocks with 10-25 lbs of water on top of an already 20 lbs pack, can possibly be described as "safe". Just dunking your head in the river and taking a big, untreated gulp whenever you are thirsty is objectively less likely to injure you.
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Aug 24, 2022 01:42
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Oh yeah, that's the exact place where someone just died.
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Aug 24, 2022 02:53
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OSU_Matthew posted:Huh, that is interesting! I think I've seen those before but never really thought much about it. I'm just watching some viddyas on it now... What led you to go with this vs say a bridge hammock? It looks quite comfortable and seems like you have more flexibility in tree placement Chair mode seems like it will be super nice for reading, soaking in nice views, etc. For the same reason it's pretty forgiving if you don't hang it just so. You can make small adjustments with the interior straps if you feel you are on an angle. It also seems like it will be dryer under a tarp since you are quite flat and close to the ridge line. The fact that some of the bridge ones include rain flies seems to support that theory, and being able to look out is one of the better perks of hammock camping imo.
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Aug 24, 2022 04:42
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I didn't recognize the brand name at first, but yeah, those Amok Draumr hammocks are super rad. I have an extra, lovely knockoff of a ENO hammock that was shipped to me when I ordered what looked like a Amok Draumr knockoff from an IG add. I got my money back, but still grumpy I have ANOTHER ENO hammock instead of something better.
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Aug 24, 2022 21:05
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Ive hung in an Amok. They're like a bridge hammock to me. Dont mind them but prefer gathered end. Totally a personal preference for people, but they were too cot like for me. Getting ready to get some special winter hiking gear. Ordered poles from SkiPulk for my UHMW siglin pulk. Only other thing I'm eyeballing is a beaver fur hat. Hoping to get one at this years Winter Camping Symposium in October.
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Aug 24, 2022 21:20
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The nice thing about carrying 10-13L of water is that you can always dump it out when you realize that’s an absolutely bonkers amount to be carrying on a two day trip with water source(s).
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Aug 25, 2022 03:27
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