Backpacking

[GuitarMyFriend]

Who else loves it? Something about falling asleep to the sound of a river and owls makes me sleep better. Fishing for my food, and making my back stronger by carrying a heavy sack makes the days seem longer and more fun. Any how, I want to ask what you guys find important to bring besides the obvious (Water bottles, sleeping bag, tent, socks, etc.). My favorite part about planning a hike is the check list I create. I spend atleast 3 days prepping it. So anyhow, let me know what you find imperative for a- lets say- over 3 day hike. Make it serious, make it funny, just think hard about it. I'll share one of my checklists that I came up with for one of my hikes if this takes off.
OK. GO!
Zach

 

[Greyson]

I love the outdoors, but camping is usually a wet cold and muddy affair over here. I prefer to enjoy the outdoors on my own terms, and I live in a very rural area so its not that hard to find generally. But kudos to you for embracing it wholeheartedly, we definitely need more people like you around.

Edit: Sorry, somehow I managed to completely avoid your question. Well, assuming you're taking into account the essentials as obvious... I would always make sure I took a good camera with me, probably a solar cell for recharging phone / music player, sunglasses, reading material... oh marshmellows! And a dog. If you're not taking a dog, what's the point.

 

[Puff Daddy]

If you take everything on your list you'll never be able to hoist the pack and make it out the front door.

Read Kid Camping from Aaiighh!! to Zip! by Patrick F Mcmanus.

 

[Kyle Weiss]

Now you know why I love my job, Zach. :cheers: Though the downside is my pack is usually filled with 50lbs of rock samples. :lol:

8)

 

[GuitarMyFriend]

If you take everything on your list you'll never be able to hoist the pack and make it out the front door.

That's why I spend three days on my list. Weeding out what I don't need, scratching down what I forgot. Weight of everything included (Approximate of course).

 

[RonA3597]

Ray Jardine is another that has wriiten about backpacking, Beyond Backpacking. I read it but never got up the nerve to try it. :shock:

 

[Stinger4me]

I enjoy hiking, enjoy camping. Not too much fun, doing the two together. Following years of tramping around in the woods while working the back pack thing is not as enticing. I enjoy camping out and sleeping in the back of my truck. When it comes time to depart very little effort in needed to head out. Being over 60 I rarely see many folks my own age while backpacking.

 

[Kyle Weiss]

Car/truck sleeping (with the right vehicle configuration) is ace. Especially when I'm working...setting up tents sucks, and towing trailers can be irritating. Those self-inflating camp pads work well, music is close at hand, setting up "camp" is a breeze. Plus, random weather changes are easy to deal with.

8)

 

[plumbernater]

I havent been out like that in quite a while. But When I was living in the mountains of NC. I would hit the woods for a few days with my 30-30 rifle. 45 pistol. Canteen, poncho, lighter and of coarse my trusty buck knife. I also had a little fishing kit I made up that could be carried in my pocket.

 

[Wayne_Teipen]

Backpacking is one of my favorite leisure activities. I go on at least one week long trip every year. I'm getting older and I'm feeling it on the trail these days so I've gone the ultralight route. That being said, there's not much that I pack that I would consider luxury items with the exception of a backpacker's euchre deck when I hike with a group and a pipe and tobacco.

 

[deepbass9]

Did you say backpacking? Love it!


1. knives (hacker, slicer)
2. flask (Scotch or Bourbon preferred)
3. smoke (stick or pipe)
4. hiking poles (hells yeah)

and, drum roll please....

5. my hammock! (no-ache sleeping)


I used to do the ground stuff (A'dacks, Poconos, Black Forest Trial, etc), but after reading about hammocking I had to give it a try. I sleep on a futon at home that everyone tells me is like a rock, but compared to the ground on a ground pad and sleeping bag, that futon is a pillow of air. I don't have back problems to speak of, but I always ached after camping on the ground. Always.


I picked up a cheap ENO hammock and the rest is history. Now, I take two with me; the gear all gets stowed in the ENO right underneath my sleeping hammock (this also doubles as an extra sleeping hammock, if needed). My sleeper is a No-Net from Mosquito Hammocks. It has two-layers, so in winter (high 20's thus far is my lowest) I slide my ground pad in between layers, snug the bottom of my equipment hammock with my backpack in it underneath my torso, climb into my sleeping bag and drift off to dreamland. Most nights, I wake up too hot and have to take my hat off. A more comfy night's camping, that first time, seemed never to been had by man. Future camping trips have proven it works and it's oh so comfy. Rain fly above and you have nothing on the ground...a seat during the day (if you stay at one site)...some are strong enough to seat two!

There's also the "total" route...no cobbling of equipment required with a Clark Hammock...just some extra Benjamin's laying about...

Like most things today, you can nerd-out easy w/hammocks, too.

 

[Wayne_Teipen]

I've been a hammock camper too for over a decade now, deepbass9. I use a modified HH Asym. It's old but it still works. I use a Speer Snug Fit when it's cool and a homemade sil nylon caternary rain tarp. I converted from straps and ring buckles to whoopie slings a couple years ago and man did that drop some weight.

The body aches from ground sleeping is precisely why I started hanging. It would take me half the day just to get my body to loosen up from the stiffness and aches.

 

[GuitarMyFriend]

Hammock camping! I've never done it but would Love too. For a long time, a hammock was my bed in my room. Strung from the ceiling... I tend to use a 1 person lifted tent. Awesome, and light weight. Now snow camping is my favorite. I will take a 2 or 3 person tent. take a shovel clear out a tent sized square, put the tent up. Build up snow/ place pine bows on the side. Leave a entrance flap side. After sitting in there for an hour, you gotta take your jacket off. It gets like 50 degrees! Perfect for sleeping if you got a -20 degree sleeping bag like I got. I've also never used hiking poles. I will pick up a stick for a day or two. I'm glad it's a popular hobby amongst you guys!
Zach

 

[loneredtree]

Well Zack, you can use the hiking poles when you reach a lofty age. I thought that they were geeky when my companions insisted I use some. They save my knees and have kept me upright many a time. I hike in the Sierra Nevada doing 8-15 mile day hikes and at least one 7 day outing each year. I do not think there are enough trees close together to string a hammock in the SN. It is great to know you folks are hiking and enjoying the outdoors.

 

[Kyle Weiss]

I love the Sierras so damn much. :cheers: I don't work in 'em, but they're a fantastic getaway.

8)

 

[deepbass9]

Well Zack, you can use the hiking poles when you reach a lofty age. I thought that they were geeky when my companions insisted I use some.

Which lead to my "hells yeah" comment.

First trip I took my one bud on was the Black Forest Trail (look it up...wee bit o' elevation). I told him repeatedly to get sticks, but he wasn't buying it. After 1 day into the 3 day trip, I gave him my poles while my other buddy and I used a pole and branch each. We also had to lighten his load by 10 lbs. between us.....


Nice guys that we were, we didn't rub his nose in it............until later. No one likes to be another's pack mule after having given the proper precautionary advice!!!

 

[loneredtree]

Ok Kyle here is last summer's BP On the John Muir Trail

 

[deepbass9]

I use a modified HH Asym.

Yeah, I bought their rain fly...the asym cut and size (I got the big one) allow me to use it in many ways. They would be my first 'package' deal, if I go that route. It was that or the ENO when I was shopping, and I wanted a hammock with either a zip-out or no bug netting installed. I want to see the stars!

Can't beat their price. Oh, wait...I did! But my cobbled shelter ain't as purdy as theirs!

 

[deepbass9]

On the John Muir Trail

Toto, we ain't in Pennsylvania any more...

 

[Wayne_Teipen]

I use a modified HH Asym.

Yeah, I bought their rain fly...the asym cut and size (I got the big one) allow me to use it in many ways. They would be my first 'package' deal, if I go that route. It was that or the ENO when I was shopping, and I wanted a hammock with either a zip-out or no bug netting installed. I want to see the stars!

Can't beat their price. Oh, wait...I did! But my cobbled shelter ain't as purdy as theirs!

Yeah, the biggest downside to the HH at the time I bought mine was that it was only bottom entry which really sucked so I got the zipper mod. I think Hennessy is selling them with the zipper these days. I haven't looked at what gear is available in a long time so my setup probably looks like a dinosaur compared to what's available now.