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Started By
Message
re: ***Official Hiking/Camping Thread***
Posted on 3/22/12 at 10:01 am to Boats n Hose
Posted on 3/22/12 at 10:01 am to Boats n Hose
quote:
I'd listen to these other guys about the headlight
Even when stationary (car) camping I always have my headlamp with me. So much easier being hands free. Even easier when out on the trail.
Examples for the OP:
Hiking in the night/late evening and need to confer with your map/compass.....you have two hands instead of having to hold a flashlight with one.
I also use trekkiing poles so hiking at night using a flashlight just doesn't work.
Get into camp late....setting up the tent with two hands makes for much quicker work than having to have to hold a flashlight with one or having your partner hold it for you when they could be doing something else to get camp ready for the night.
Collecting wood, nice to have two hands to minimize how many trips you have to make.
Cooking....this is getting repetitive
I almost always have a book with me to read once I'm in bed. I'd rather not have to hold a flashlight to read.
There are more examples but I think you get the point. Being hands free is just the way to go.
This post was edited on 3/22/12 at 10:10 am
2
Posted on 3/22/12 at 10:05 am to LSUintheNW
I use a small headlight hunting for walking into the woods in the morning and out in the evening. Only thing I use my handheld for is to track or to shine at someone or something like that
Posted on 3/22/12 at 10:06 am to Boats n Hose
quote:This
I use a small headlight hunting for walking into the woods in the morning and out in the evening. Only thing I use my handheld for is to track or to shine at someone or something like that
Posted on 3/22/12 at 10:08 am to AlxTgr
Makes sense to me. Why hold something if you don't have to 
Posted on 3/22/12 at 10:09 am to RogerTheShrubber
quote:
If I had known what I knew in my thirties, when I was in my twenties, I may have never gotten a "real job." Met a guy in the airport going to E. Europe to teach troublemakers how to ski. F'king jealous.
I think I am nearing that knowledge myself. Finished up at LSU in 2009 and have been living in Wyoming ever since. I love backpacking and have done numerous trips in our national parks from Yellowstone, Olympic, Zion, Smokies, Grand Teton to the wilderness areas as well. My favorite mountains have to be the Wind River Range southeast of Jackson Hole.
To Blue Velvet
great pictures. I grew up near the Smoky Mountains and have wanted to hike the AT for a while. I am fairly certain I will do it one day. I guess I am just waiting for the right time.Posted on 3/22/12 at 10:11 am to LSUintheNW
Exactly. Especially when it's hilly, I need to be able to grab stuff to keep my balance.
Posted on 3/22/12 at 10:13 am to Boats n Hose
I don't even carry my bow in hand. I generally have both hands free o the walk in and out.
Posted on 3/22/12 at 10:14 am to AlxTgr
I have a sling on my rifle, but not my bow...yet. I need to find one that will fit on it, the ones I see everybody using won't fit on mine. I think I saw a couple online that would work I just have yet to order one.
Posted on 3/22/12 at 10:15 am to Boats n Hose
I don't think mine is made anymore. I will cry when I lose it.
Posted on 3/22/12 at 10:19 am to AlxTgr
But back on topic, yea the more you can keep your hands free the better. You don't realize how much you use them til you're walking through the woods with a rifle in one hand and flashlight in the other. I used to end up putting my handheld in my mouth because I needed my hands. Using a climber with a handheld light is hell.
Posted on 3/23/12 at 7:19 am to Boats n Hose
Blue Velvet, did you meet this guy Lemur? It seems he would have been on the trail at the same time you were.
Posted on 3/25/12 at 2:25 pm to Wooly
Backpacker Magazine just released its 2012 Gear Guide and there's definitely some good hiking tips and cool gear inside. Give it a read.
ETA: I was thinking posters could add some good hiking tips to this thread.
I'll start with some cold weather tips:
-When it's cold out you can put boiling water in your bottle and then put your bottle at the foot of your sleeping bag to keep your feet warm. Also, if in fear for your life do the same thing but put the bottle between your thighs and clinch it to warm your femoral artery.
-Another tip is to eat a large meal (preferably high-energy) to keep your body working and the extra fuel will help your body stay warm.
-Leave the tent flaps/zippers vented a bit. This cuts down on interior condensation and frost.
-Piss & crap before bed because having to go in the middle of the night when it's cold will make going back to sleep much harder and will lower your body temp.
-Stuff your sleeping bag with all your extra clothes.
-Hot meals!
ETA: I was thinking posters could add some good hiking tips to this thread.
I'll start with some cold weather tips:
-When it's cold out you can put boiling water in your bottle and then put your bottle at the foot of your sleeping bag to keep your feet warm. Also, if in fear for your life do the same thing but put the bottle between your thighs and clinch it to warm your femoral artery.
-Another tip is to eat a large meal (preferably high-energy) to keep your body working and the extra fuel will help your body stay warm.
-Leave the tent flaps/zippers vented a bit. This cuts down on interior condensation and frost.
-Piss & crap before bed because having to go in the middle of the night when it's cold will make going back to sleep much harder and will lower your body temp.
-Stuff your sleeping bag with all your extra clothes.
-Hot meals!
This post was edited on 3/25/12 at 2:34 pm
Posted on 3/25/12 at 2:33 pm to Boats n Hose
quote:
I use a small headlight hunting for walking into the woods in the morning and out in the evening. Only thing I use my handheld for is to track or to shine at someone or something like that
Headlight is really all you need. Handheld is something else to carry. Most of our hikes are in the summer when it doesn't get totally dark at night though. I REALLY hate packing anything that isn't 100% necessary, not so much for the weight factor but I don't care to spend much time keeping up with crap.
Posted on 3/25/12 at 2:34 pm to LSUintheNW
quote:
I also use trekkiing poles so hiking at night using a flashlight just doesn't work.
I know a handful of people who use these, but just can't get into them. Again, something else to keep track of.
Posted on 3/25/12 at 2:41 pm to RogerTheShrubber
I didn't use em for the longest time and always thought those people were pansies Now they go with me always.
Now they go with me always.Posted on 3/25/12 at 4:41 pm to LSUintheNW
For long distance hiking like the AT it is mandatory. I had never used them before the trail but bought a pair anyway and it made a huge difference. You don't need any for a weekend hike.
Posted on 3/25/12 at 4:49 pm to Blue Velvet
quote:
You don't need any for a weekend hike.
Eh....I hiked some very steep trails regularly and coming down they help with the pressure on my knees.
Also use em for climbing where I'm on snow or dealing with sometimes knee deep scree.
Eta...just comes down to personal preference imo.
This post was edited on 3/25/12 at 5:14 pm
Posted on 3/25/12 at 5:56 pm to LSUintheNW
quote:
I didn't use em for the longest time and always thought those people were pansies Now they go with me always.
I have friends who use them, but haven't found them to be necessary though I am sure they are beneficial at times. I am a scrambler and will be on all fours finding handholds if necessary in steep terrain. Seen people using them successfully in the upper part of the Chilkoot Trail a couple of times.
Posted on 3/30/12 at 4:58 pm to Blue Velvet
Just had a question come to mind.
Do you wait for your tent to dry before packing in the morning? Wet tent would add plenty of weight. Or just pack it wet, because I wouldn't think you would want to wait that long before hitting the trail.
Do you wait for your tent to dry before packing in the morning? Wet tent would add plenty of weight. Or just pack it wet, because I wouldn't think you would want to wait that long before hitting the trail.
Posted on 3/30/12 at 7:35 pm to Nodust
Shake it off and pack it. I hate packing wet tent but it's usually necessary. However, nothing is worse than waking up to wet shoes and clothes everyday for a week. Tents dry quick.
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