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Camping and Backpacking GEAR thread

Discussion in 'Outdoors' started by T4RFTMFW, Aug 16, 2014.

  1. Oct 17, 2016 at 10:09 AM
    #4061
    Wolftaco0503

    Wolftaco0503 Well-Known Member

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    I always go 1 person above the recommended person for a tent for room.
    1 person = 2 person tent
    2 people = 3 person tent
    get it? ya you do.
     
    ProForce likes this.
  2. Oct 17, 2016 at 10:20 AM
    #4062
    Seabass

    Seabass Give it to me. I'll break it for you

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    Just a bunch of old crap
    I remember making those mistakes... "Buy once, cry once" is the best policy though. We all go through it. The more you backpack, the lighter and more compact you'll want to be. Plus, a 3 person tent isn't necessary when a 2 person tent with vestibules is not only lighter but provides plenty of shelter for you and your gear. Plus, you can warm up a 2 person tent faster. With a 3 person, you're not also adding weight but you're adding pack bulk. A pound of even silnylon takes up the space of warmer clothes, extra food, etc. Sometimes you also don't have the ground space for a bigger 3 person tent. It's also more of a wind catch and more difficult to stabilize in bad weather.

    Here's a few necessities you're missing from that "get into backpacking" list:
    • Stove system so you can eat more than just Clif bars and trail mix
    • Headlamp or flashlight for evening
    • Most backpacking trips require a few extra clothes items just besides what's on your back (rain gear, underlayers for cooler weather, extra socks, beanie, etc.)
    • Tools - small knife, multitool, etc.
    • If you're tent camping, you'll want a pad underneath you both for comfort and for warmth
    • Hygiene/first aid items
    • Camera, batteries, etc.
    There's more, but those things start to add up the weight pretty quick. Also, nothing makes someone hate backpacking more than:
    • Aches, pains and discomfort of too much weight or wrong clothing/footwear
    • Not bringing the right gear to make the experience a good one, or bringing wasteful things you don't end up using.
    • Eating food you don't like. Forcing yourself to eat repetitive and boring foods makes it really hard to get the calories you need.
    What I'm saying here is even new backpackers really should stick to the knowledge of experienced ones. I sure wish I did when I started out.
     
    jubei, la0d0g and Wolftaco0503 like this.
  3. Oct 17, 2016 at 10:46 AM
    #4063
    BabyTaco

    BabyTaco Well-Known Member

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    You do not need any of those things though. I know the benefit of buying quality, light gear. I have it. I bought it for hunting when I have to pack extra food and more gear. But I also know that there is no reason to go broke, or jump into something like backpacking by investing in over $1000 in gear. Experiencing lesser gear will not only give him an appreciation for the nicer gear in the future, but also teach him what he really needs. You can talk to 50 experienced backpackers. Some will tell you to cut your toothbrush in half to save weight, others will tell you to pack a lightweight cot because pads aren't as comfortable. You can't beat personal experience and the only way to get that is to start.

    If you finish a trip and all you can do is bitch about your gear, then you missed the point of backpacking.
     
  4. Oct 17, 2016 at 10:47 AM
    #4064
    la0d0g

    la0d0g Its 4 o’clock somewhere

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    Cameras are a necessity? :D

    The only thing on your list that's a necessity is knife and first aid kit. The rest is a chosen luxury.
     
    BabyTaco likes this.
  5. Oct 17, 2016 at 10:53 AM
    #4065
    Cuffs

    Cuffs Well-Known Member

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    I loved it!

    We broke it down a bit differently.
    We hiked down about half way to Indian Garden, made camp then hiked around the area. Up early and hiked down to Bright Angel/PR. Hung out at PR in the heat of the day, then left about 4pm. Made it to Cottonwood CG, over nite there. Up early, hiked to north rim. Over night in north rim then reversed our hike.
     
  6. Oct 17, 2016 at 10:59 AM
    #4066
    Cuffs

    Cuffs Well-Known Member

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    Get your pack last. If you buy a pack that too big, you'll have a tendency to fill it with useless stuff. Too small and you'll have shit dangling off the outside.

    Buy your gear. Take all your gear to store. Find a pack that fits the gear.
     
  7. Oct 17, 2016 at 11:01 AM
    #4067
    ProForce

    ProForce IG @proforce.expeditions OB#5411

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    Wow that's awesome! I can't wait til im ready. I can buy all the gear anytime but im more concerned with physical preparedness first. Need to get in much better shape first lol
     
  8. Oct 17, 2016 at 11:02 AM
    #4068
    Cuffs

    Cuffs Well-Known Member

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    I'll agree that the best thing (for many, not all) is a hammock. I refuse to sleep on the ground ever again.
    However, there's a learning curve and some expense involved. I'd get a tent, start backpacking and see if it's what you want to continue doing. Graduate to a hammock.
     
    BabyTaco likes this.
  9. Oct 17, 2016 at 11:04 AM
    #4069
    ProForce

    ProForce IG @proforce.expeditions OB#5411

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    Good call. I thought about this. I was actually gonna ask that exact question. I dont plan on more then 3 nights tops. Was looking at an Osprey 65. Ill take your advice and get gear first, but would i be on the right track with a 65?
     
  10. Oct 17, 2016 at 11:05 AM
    #4070
    Fulton246

    Fulton246 Well-Known Member

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    A flashlight and/or headlamp is essential as well.
     
  11. Oct 17, 2016 at 11:10 AM
    #4071
    la0d0g

    la0d0g Its 4 o’clock somewhere

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    I disagree but to each their own.
     
  12. Oct 17, 2016 at 11:12 AM
    #4072
    pittim

    pittim mittip backwards

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    Head lamps are nice because you have light and both hands free to set everything up.
     
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  13. Oct 17, 2016 at 11:18 AM
    #4073
    Cuffs

    Cuffs Well-Known Member

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    That's tough for me to tell you. I sold all this gear at a major retailer for years. For me personally, 65 is too much, depending on your hiking location.
    In the east, Maine to Florida, I never needed more than 55L. Here in the Sierras, I have a 62ish but that's because it's mandatory to carry a bear canister. If it wasn't for that, I'd be in a 55 for shoulder season and winter. I can get down to 35 for summer.

    BUT. It's taken me years to get gear down to where I want it. I went XUL for a time. It was good. But I've learned that some luxuries are worth their extra weight.
     
    AK 08TACO and ProForce[QUOTED] like this.
  14. Oct 17, 2016 at 11:25 AM
    #4074
    AK 08TACO

    AK 08TACO Well-Known Member

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    I agree I can do a 10 day hunt sub 40# with a 3300 cubic inch bag. The bigger you get the more useless shit you tend to pack
     
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  15. Oct 17, 2016 at 11:29 AM
    #4075
    Fozie

    Fozie Active Member

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    Old school back packer or maybe just old. My opinion only not enough emphasis on boots, shoes, and first aid. My feet sweat like crazy, I have to use sock liners and we always bring first aid esp for feet. Learned the hard way, Had to walk 6 miles with a full pack and my feet with multiple blisters. All my own fault, walking in the desert without sock liners. Spend time picking out the hiking shoes best for you, don't let the store rush you. Oh maybe this is a lesson you only learn in the south. MAKE SURE you have enough drinking water. Some parks in Texas do not have potable water on hiking trails. Practice go on day hikes with a full pack. Talk about pruning gear. Final thought go with people you like and have fun.
     
    AK 08TACO likes this.
  16. Oct 17, 2016 at 11:40 AM
    #4076
    Seabass

    Seabass Give it to me. I'll break it for you

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    Just a bunch of old crap
    I MUST capture my adventures on camera. That's a necessity to me, not a necessity to survival. Cold weather clothing isn't a necessity? Insulation from the ground isn't a necessity? Maybe if it's desert camping. You could say lighting is a luxury, but I'm not bringing an open-flame torch into my tent.
     
    Cuffs likes this.
  17. Oct 17, 2016 at 11:57 AM
    #4077
    BKill

    BKill AKA Threadkiller

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    Thanks for the input guys. I've found that this is one of the more helpful threads on this forum. I leave next Monday evening, along with two of my friends for our "manventure" to the Grand Canyon. South Kaibab trail down to Bright Angel Campground for two nights, the back up Bright Angel Trail and spend a night in Indian Garden campground. I'm excited. I'll post some photos when I get back.
     
    ProForce, Both Tacos, Fozie and 2 others like this.
  18. Oct 17, 2016 at 12:01 PM
    #4078
    la0d0g

    la0d0g Its 4 o’clock somewhere

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    I wouldn't advise doing that either :D :burningbanana:
     
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  19. Oct 17, 2016 at 12:17 PM
    #4079
    Noelie84

    Noelie84 What Could Possibly Go Wrong?

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    FTFY
     
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  20. Oct 17, 2016 at 12:23 PM
    #4080
    Adventurer_Alex

    Adventurer_Alex Generic mall crawler

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    Thats odd, I'm using the 64gb version of that same card and mine practically froze on 30 shots. It was fine on anything shorter.
     

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