Camping and Backpacking GEAR thread

My entire shelter system is UL. I have yet to find a tent system that would beat my weight. I have found equal weight, but then I'm sacrificing comfort. That ain't happening.

I've still not had a place that I can't hang. Or find a suitable ground location. And after all that, I'm still lighter than a tent setup.


Even IF I ever found a tent system that was lighter, I wouldn't do it. It's not worth the discomfort.

No one here is telling you that you must sleep in a hammock. It's just a suggestion to try one. Don't like it, don't use it. Pretty simple.

 

My wife got me this great dry sack from Big Agnes for Valentine's Day. Not only is it a dry bag, but it is also a mattress inflator. The nozzle on the bottom will fit over even my Klymit inflation valve, which is one of those twist and pull types. Catch some air in it, and squeeze. Also is a true dry bag which I carry my clothes in. To really get a good seal on the nozzle end, I just twist it up a bunch of times and fold it and then wedge it into my pack or cinch it closed. Keeps a vacuum seal until I take it out of my pack. Makes a good water carrier, too, and it's very lightweight.

Specs on the REI site are wrong for capacity (shows it only 3.8L). It's about 20L when compared to the other dry bags I have.

https://www.rei.com/product/846714/big-agnes-pumphouse-pad-pump-dry-sack

 

I love my hammock and prefer it. Just stating that there truly are popular places where they just can't be hung. Mostly that's not the case though. Best to just have both setups and pack accordingly

 

Guitar Lake
South side of Forester Pass (long stretch before the treeline)

I guess if you put on extra miles in your hike, you could get to the trees. I'm fat and slow, and will require stopping above treeline to either finish my day or be set up for a shorter next day.

 

They "aren't allowed" at Big Bend either, but if you used completely man made hang points they probably wouldn't care.

 

And that's precisely why I wouldn't go there.
4 million visitors a year here in Yosemite. As gorgeous as it is, there's days I really dislike it. Namely May to October.

 

Yeah that's too many folks. I figure the other end of the JMT is a much more conducive spot for me.

 

I've only been for 2 nights at a time. But in july I will be going for 3 nights so that I can reach the Colorado river. With 2 nights you can see Havasupai Falls, Mooney Falls, and Beaver Falls. But I think 3-4 nights would be perfect.

 

3 mil a year in Acadia as well. It's nice to visit between October & May, but not vice versa.

 

Big Bend gets about 300-400k. Not much since it is way out there. But you really do get that feeling of being secluded. This year has been super busy too. It makes it challenging when permits are first come first served.

 

Washington has lots of places you can go anytime of year and not have a bunch of ding dongs around.

 

Everybody I met in WA was a ding-dong.



Except for the locals. PSYCH!

 

We are a unique bunch out here in the PNW for sure.

 

Yeah. I was trying to be nice, but some of the folks I met in Chelan were downright unusual. Pleasant, but very unusual. And walking through downtown Seattle was...entertaining.

 

Oh you'd love Austin then!

 

Probably not. I don't like the heat. The perfect day is 26 and sunny, with no wind.

 

This weekend in Mojave:


I took my hammock in the hopes I could anchor to my roof rack and find at least one anchor point. No luck and was in my tent for the trip. Joshua trees wouldn't hold me.

 

Haha, I was being facetious. But it's like the Portland/Seattle of Texas. At least it used to be. It's all big city now.

 

That's why I pack climbing cams.