Backpacking thread

Bada0Bing

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I will be hammock camping so the thermarest pad won't be an issue. Still need to get the stove and cooking ware. I am planning on getting a Katadyn water filter but have been seeing a lot of good things about the Sawyer Mini.

I'd recommend the regular Sawyer. Not much heavier than the mini and waaay faster.
 

Bada0Bing

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My (and my brothers) goal is to hike the Arizona Trail....but we would have to do it in sections. I kind of laugh at him as he thinks 15-20 miles a day is something we can start out doing right out of the gate. I am looking at a 10-15 mile overnighter. 5-7 miles out and 5-7 back for my first trip.

My buddy and I researched the Arizona Trail a bit. I'd love to hike it, but due to the lack of water it takes a lot planning. Depending on the elevation changes 20 miles can be a long day!
 

Red Dawn

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Guilty. I live in Oregon and have been trying to hike the PCT the past couple of summers. Its hard to find the time, but I have done a few stretches between the CA border and Crater Lake.

Great stuff on gear and hiking various trails on Youtube. I have watched more videos more than I have hiked lately it seems.

Ditto on the Youtube videos, there is a wealth of knowledge there.. Dixie (YT channel Homemade Wanderlust) is a triple crowner who posts great backpacking videos and gear list/gear evaluation videos. A triple crowner has through-hiked the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), Continental Divide Trail (CDT), and Appalachian Trail (AT). Lots of hikers blog their hikes, you can find them by searching "PCT", etc. I am retiring soon and I would love to start out with the 800± mile Arizona Trail (AZT) from Mexico to the Utah border.
 

Red Dawn

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Yes. I try to backpack when I can, but I find that the lack of water sources in Southern Nevada mean that I'm carrying a lot of weight on my back. And I just don't currently have the time to do a 6 hour drive someplace and then take 3-5 days backpacking (although, West Clear Creek is kinda close).

We can discuss gear all day long, but the bottom line is that you require far less than you think you need, and I recommend that you check out ultralight backpacking tips.

The gear can get expensive, but saving as much weight on your back as possible is worth it.

FWIW, here's my general gear list: Gregory Baltoro 65L; Half Dome 2 Plus (b/c I'm long - and it's heavy - and I've been seriously considering either changing to a tarp or a hammock), mummy bag, Air Rail pad (side sleeper, and I'd like to eventually just go to a quilt), JetBoil Flash (although I've been thinking about changing); water filter, water bottle (and a roll-up Platty bottle); FAK; hat; clothes (just don't change, other than maybe have a set of socks and a bag baselayer); headlamp; external battery; groom kit; rain shell (usually just a jacket - if I need pants, I seriously consider going out at all); trekking poles.

Best endurance builder - small day pack, load it 10-15 lbs, go dayhike.

My 2 cents. YMMV.

Good tips. I'd ad a Garmin InReach, could be a lifesaver.
 

Absolute Zero

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Ditto on the Youtube videos, there is a wealth of knowledge there.. Dixie (YT channel Homemade Wanderlust) is a triple crowner who posts great backpacking videos and gear list/gear evaluation videos. A triple crowner has through-hiked the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), Continental Divide Trail (CDT), and Appalachian Trail (AT). Lots of hikers blog their hikes, you can find them by searching "PCT", etc. I am retiring soon and I would love to start out with the 800± mile Arizona Trail (AZT) from Mexico to the Utah border.


There are lots of good series on Youtube. My Fave is "Following Redbeard", who does AT, PCT, and some others around US and the globe. He works with Zpacks who has some awesome hiking gear. "Darwin on the Trail" is also good, a bit more polished, does Arizona Trail, AT, PCT. Those guys hike ALL the time it seems, have gear list videos, and Darwin even has a video on how he swings it financially. And some other fun ones like "Fish Tank", "Second Chance Hiker", and "Bart on the Trail", who are a bit fun, tackling the PCT, but not as bigtime hikers as the others.
 
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Hollywood

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Ditto on the Youtube videos, there is a wealth of knowledge there.. Dixie (YT channel Homemade Wanderlust) is a triple crowner who posts great backpacking videos and gear list/gear evaluation videos. A triple crowner has through-hiked the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), Continental Divide Trail (CDT), and Appalachian Trail (AT). Lots of hikers blog their hikes, you can find them by searching "PCT", etc. I am retiring soon and I would love to start out with the 800± mile Arizona Trail (AZT) from Mexico to the Utah border.
I have watched a few of Dixie's videos. They are good. Geared toward new hikers in that she doesnt take for granted that the viewer has a large knowledge base.

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Hollywood

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There are lots of good series on Youtube. My Fave is "Following Redbeard", who does AT, PCT, and some others around US and the globe. He works with Zpacks who has some awesome hiking gear. "Darwin on the Trail" is also good, a bit more polished, does Arizona Trail, AT, PCT. Those guys hike ALL the time it seems, have gear list videos, and Darwin even has a video on how he swings it financially. And some other fun ones like "Fish Tank", "Second Chance Hiker", and "Bart on the Trail", who are a bit fun, tackling the PCT, but not as bigtime hikers as the others.
Thanks. I will check these out. I have already seen Darwin on the Trail. I watched his AZ Trail videos. He actually reminds me of me...same goofy deep voice, half grin and other mannerisms. It's a little strange.

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Absolute Zero

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Thanks. I will check these out. I have already seen Darwin on the Trail. I watched his AZ Trail videos. He actually reminds me of me...same goofy deep voice, half grin and other mannerisms. It's a little strange.

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Ya, I know what you mean. He creeps me out a little, lol, but I envy the way he has been able to manage his affairs in such a way to become a full time hiker. Basically sold everything, set up some websites, etc. and there you go.

I think "Fish Tank" got his trail name for taking a serious unplanned "dive" with his gear on in a river in the Sierras. One of the videos is the aftermath and he explains it.

"Second Chance Hiker" is a big guy that set out on the PCT and lost over 50 pounds on the way. One of the last videos I saw was him getting escorted off the trail by a medical team on a helicopter when he was in Oregon. Not sure if he has fully recovered yet. Pretty cool that he made it as far north as he did.
 

Red Dawn

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Ya, I know what you mean. He creeps me out a little, lol, but I envy the way he has been able to manage his affairs in such a way to become a full time hiker. Basically sold everything, set up some websites, etc. and there you go.

I think "Fish Tank" got his trail name for taking a serious unplanned "dive" with his gear on in a river in the Sierras. One of the videos is the aftermath and he explains it.

"Second Chance Hiker" is a big guy that set out on the PCT and lost over 50 pounds on the way. One of the last videos I saw was him getting escorted off the trail by a medical team on a helicopter when he was in Oregon. Not sure if he has fully recovered yet. Pretty cool that he made it as far north as he did.

IB TAT is another hiker doing the PCT this year, he's a colorful character who edits some great videos. He cusses a bit, you've been warned lol. IB TAT is an acronym for Ive been to a town, a quote from the movie Jeremiah Johnson.

I think Second Chance is back on the trail, but he has skipped some major sections so I don't think he will finish this year. Suzanne's Adventure journal is a good series on the AZT, she finished it this past spring.

I just got back from a 4 day car camping trip to Knoll Lake, that place is beautiful. I hauled a couple kayaks there, but didn't bring my fishing rod. I will make sure to bring it next time. I got some bad reception trying to listen to the game on the way home Sunday.
 

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IB TAT is another hiker doing the PCT this year, he's a colorful character who edits some great videos. He cusses a bit, you've been warned lol. IB TAT is an acronym for Ive been to a town, a quote from the movie Jeremiah Johnson.

I think Second Chance is back on the trail, but he has skipped some major sections so I don't think he will finish this year. Suzanne's Adventure journal is a good series on the AZT, she finished it this past spring.

I just got back from a 4 day car camping trip to Knoll Lake, that place is beautiful. I hauled a couple kayaks there, but didn't bring my fishing rod. I will make sure to bring it next time. I got some bad reception trying to listen to the game on the way home Sunday.


Excellent, thanks I will have to check those out.

Never been to Knoll Lake, sounds pretty nice
 

Absolute Zero

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IB TAT is another hiker doing the PCT this year, he's a colorful character who edits some great videos. He cusses a bit, you've been warned lol. IB TAT is an acronym for Ive been to a town, a quote from the movie Jeremiah Johnson.

I think Second Chance is back on the trail, but he has skipped some major sections so I don't think he will finish this year. Suzanne's Adventure journal is a good series on the AZT, she finished it this past spring.

I just got back from a 4 day car camping trip to Knoll Lake, that place is beautiful. I hauled a couple kayaks there, but didn't bring my fishing rod. I will make sure to bring it next time. I got some bad reception trying to listen to the game on the way home Sunday.


I watched a bit of IB TAT on youtube, the guy is hilarious, definitely has some language.

I just wonder how these guys do all these videos on these through hikes, clearly they are solid hikers with extra energy. When I am out there on the shorter hikes, I am trying just to get through the hike, sure I take a few photos, but wouldn't want to have to be worrying filming, getting the right shots, editing, mixing in the sound and video etc, and uploading from the trail. Some of these guys in including Darwin and IB TAT are setting up their cameras in front of them on the trail, hiking back, then hiking past the camera to film themselves in action, then I presume hiking back to get the camera.... Crazy!
 

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I watched a bit of IB TAT on youtube, the guy is hilarious, definitely has some language.

I just wonder how these guys do all these videos on these through hikes, clearly they are solid hikers with extra energy. When I am out there on the shorter hikes, I am trying just to get through the hike, sure I take a few photos, but wouldn't want to have to be worrying filming, getting the right shots, editing, mixing in the sound and video etc, and uploading from the trail. Some of these guys in including Darwin and IB TAT are setting up their cameras in front of them on the trail, hiking back, then hiking past the camera to film themselves in action, then I presume hiking back to get the camera.... Crazy!
thats how one of the survival shows on TV were, found it weird. I would think you could just hike with 3 people, two camera men and the mouthpiece of the show.
 

LVG

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thats it!

I should clarify; Les was a one man show. No support and actually spent nights out in the field.

Grylls usually had a camera crew and was known for packing up when the sun got low to go to more comfortable accommodations.
 

BigRedRage

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I should clarify; Les was a one man show. No support and actually spent nights out in the field.

Grylls usually had a camera crew and was known for packing up when the sun got low to go to more comfortable accommodations.
yeah hes the one that did everything himself. I always thought it wouldnt really matter if he had two camera men so he didnt have to hike to a spot, set up a camera, hike back and then hike to the same spot on camera.
 
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Hollywood

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Looks like my backpacking trip is over before it ever began. I turned my ankle at work today and went to urgent care. The Dr. initially thought it was broken or was the worst sprain she had ever seen.

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Dback Jon

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Ouch!

injured at work?
Lerner and Rowe is the way to go!
 

puckhead

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Could your ankle be pregnant?






OUCH! Sorry, HW!
 
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