Camping and Backpacking GEAR thread

Aw jeez. Well, I have two weeks before I leave, and 2.5 before I hit Zion. We will see.

 

Not sure if it was last year or the year before, but a boulder crushed a house in Rockville and killed the couple living there. Pretty sad and very random.

Quite a few years back there was a mudslide that completely blocked the road into the main canyon. In fact, I saw a pretty cool article somewhere recently that the canyon itself was likely formed by a massive slide and the resultant damming of the Virgin River. Cool stuff.

I'm biased, but Southern Utah is absolutely worth making time for. Between the North Rim of the Grand Canyon and Moab, you have some of the most amazing country anywhere, and a whole bunch of National Parks. I miss it badly.

 

Ive been using this leer cap camping set up all summer.

 

REI gave me a $75 gift card (well, a 25 and a 50). Need a small stove, someone recommend one under $125? Need to be able to boil water and whatnot, as well as make coffee (in percolator), cook small cans of food, etc.

 

It will be worth it when you do! Zion in particular is amazing in the fall, and much less crowded.

 

How's the weather in October or so?

 

I am but do not use it much. I will try and use it on the trip more. I will have my 7D and I am renting some lenses so I should have many good pictures as well.

You can give me a follow though!

@JordanFiveOh

I am so stoked for this trip. I have not been there yet but it is the kind of scenery I love. The American Southwest, Abbey's country, in all it's majesty is something I know never forget.

Side note, everyone here should give Desert Solitaire by Edward Abbey a go. It's a must-read.

 

JetBoil MiniMo or MSR Windburner.

 

Perfect. Not blazing hot and not too cold. Not the best time to do the Narrows, but everything else is available. And you're not likely to have to worry about iced up trails. I wouldn't do Hidden Canyon or Angel's Landing if it's anywhere near freezing. The exposed sections are no joke.

 

Absolutely.

 

I may go back in December!!! Yay!!!

 

I've been all over that site haha. I LOVE his photos. I'm going to take a Tokina 11-16 2.8 II and the 24-105L. I've never used the 24-105 and it's super cheap to rent so I am adding it. Both of these lenses actually are relatively inexpensive to purchase (24-105 is used, at least) and I'm interested in both, so I am renting them. I've used the 100-400 for my motorsports stuff before and like it also.

 

Adding onto this some more, looking at all of his Zion canyoneering photos has really got me interested in canyoneering. Not now, but maybe in the future. Anyone do that kinda stuff?

 

Had a kickass summer, but haven't posted any pics yet.

Took a Roadtrip from Phoenix > Salt Lake City > Eastern Idaho > Jackson Hole / GT / YS for 4 days between the area > Bozeman MT > Couer D'Alene Idaho > Seattle > Portland > Crater Lake > Donner Lake > Vegas > So Cal > Vegas. 3.5 weeks total.

Then made another trip to Alaska for halibut fishing.

Thanks @MTgirl for all the info in the YS thread, we had a blast up that way!

Headed to Hawaii on Sunday, will prob post a bunch of pics of the roadtrip when I get back.

Anyways, finally got my RTT, hoping to do Zion or the north rim in early Oct depending on the weather and what's open road wise.

 

WHEN you go

I like it there during spring and fall because of the rain. It's pretty amazing when it's raining. If you have enough time, check out the Kolob section. The entrance there is only maybe an hour or so from the main Springdale entrance.