Camping and Backpacking GEAR thread

What the the Buffalo say to his son when he left for College?


































Bison

 

We always carry a flask!

 

I jumped on that sale last week and ordered the tan 65 plus 2 of the wire basket food racks. Tracking shows that the racks are coming today but there's only a shipping label printed for the cooler itself. Hoping that's just a glitch and that both arrive today!

 

My group Consumes mass quantities of Booze while on a trip. I don't think a Flask would work. We usually bring bags/bottles tucked in our packs. Don't worry we only invibe after dinner and only in camp.

 

That means we will pass each other going opposite directions! Well, based on getting my permit, and based on the assumption that you start in YNP, but right now the entry at Kearsarge Pass has been wide open for NOBO hikers (taking well over a week or two to fill up any given day). As of today, there are lots of permits open for many days leading up to 8/2 so I'm expecting to have no issues getting my permit for 2 next week. If all goes as planned, we will be starting on 8/8.

Once I have permit in hand, we should plan a tentative meet for a camp and greet! We are planning to finish in YNP on 8/25 most likely (maybe a day earlier if we get the Half Dome permit via lottery). If we don't get HD, we are going to do a day at Cloud's Rest. But, I'm pushing my friend to let us add 2 extra days' time to our agenda for at least one zero day. First resupply on about 8/14 at MTR and possibly a zero there. Probably another zero at either Red's or Tuolumne, or possibly Garnet Lake.

Based on your agenda, you look to be right around Kearsarge on our start day actually. Once you have things figured out, let me know if you need me to bring a resupply to the Kearsarge bear boxes for you.

 

Fan-freakin-tastic! Yes let's plan this out! (It's not on my fb yet...so shhhhh).

Starting at Lyell/Tuolumne. Exiting Whitney Portal.

I have many itineraries already but have not really studied them as I truly wasn't too hopeful to get a permit... food drying starting later this week.

 

Excellent! Once you get closer to making a final itinerary, let me know and we'll find a way to make it work. I think the timing will actually be perfect.

I loved starting at Lyell Canyon 2 summers ago when my wife and I did our first section hike out there. It was a good first day for us to adjust to our packs and finding our pace, plus we scored a fantastic campsite not far into the first area of ascent when you're by the creek. I can't wait to go back through that section we did, but from the other direction. Everything will look completely different.

 

Well, now I'm a little irritated. I'm pretty patient, but I don't like improper information.

I ordered my 65 last week on Thursday, and I received a tracking email that same day with UPS tracking separately for both the cooler racks and the cooler itself. The racks arrived today after allegedly shipping on the same day as the cooler. My account has been debited for the full amount for both items. But, tracking for the cooler shows that only the label has been printed and it still hasn't been picked up by UPS.

So after calling RTIC just a bit ago, they said it hasn't shipped yet and will probably go out Monday due to the backlog of orders from the sale. Ok no problem. What they fail to realize is that it is technically illegal to take money for goods before the actual physical ship date (any of you ecom guys, look in the fine print of your merchant agreements with the major credit cards). Not that anyone really enforces that, it's just annoying. I'm in no hurry to get the cooler, for the most part. I'd like to have it by Friday the 17th for a camp trip though.

 

Is there any way you can measure the size of the basket when you get it? I want one for my Bison but am not paying the $50 they want. I need to be about 11" or so.

 

Acrually now that I think about, the 65 is likely too big. A 45 will probably be close enough to make it work if it doesn't fit.

I mean, it's only $9....might as well.

 

If you can wait until Sunday when I'm back in town, I'll provide exact measurements on the 65 baskets. Looks like the 45 would be a better fit since the inside depth is 10.5". The 65 has a depth of 11.75" so measure your cooler and see if either will fit.

 

The measurement I need is actually the span across, but I forgot they had measurements on their site until you mentioned the depth!

The 45 is 10.5" wide on the inside but the lip for the basket is probably 11-11.5", which should be perfect!

 

I placed an order for a few baskets and said F it and bought the small lunchbox size soft cooler since it's still discounted, and it says it will be delivered tomorrow. Not sure I believe that but it's only going Houston to Fort Worth so it's possible.

 

YETIs are over-rated. RTIC is half price?

I have a Coleman Ultimate Xtreme Marine cooler. 58 qt. Stainless steel hardware. 6 day cooler.
Made in USA... 99 list price.
I put 20 lbs of cubed ice with stuff on an October Tuesday, went to Georgia, Red Top Mountain State Park, north of Atlanta, came home Sunday night with half the ice.
I did pre-cool the cooler and all the stuff before loading it. I have a polarfleece blanket I keep it wrapped in, and it was in the car.

It was on sale at the outlets a few months ago. 30% off $75.
Note that there are several styles similar in name. Ultimate, Xtreme, Marine, but check that it has all 3 and made in USA.
http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/p...ate-xtreme-chest-cooler/16coluclr82qtxtrmodrx

http://www.coleman.com/58qt-uxtr-marine-cooler/3000003699.html

 

I still run my old maroon steelie Coleman. Walls are thin as hell, but when pre-chilled, gets me through 4 days in Arizona summer up in the woods as long as I keep it out of direct sun all day. And it was free because it was in my dad's garage when he passed away so I keep it as a sentimental piece but it still works great. Takes up so much less bed space than the RITC, but I still wanted to have a new cooler I could beat up and keep that Coleman from overuse.

 

Some of the Havasupai sites are reservable online now......but most are gone already. Should be able to still call though.

 

never knew you could reserve online, we spent hours (auto dial) to make our reservations. Over a thousand calls, finally got through. it was amazing.

What is the website to reserve online?

 

It's brand new, literally started Feb 1.

http://theofficialhavasupaitribe.com/

https://www.sunrisereservations.com/reservation/selectSiteCriteria?cgId=461#

 

The website blows. but nice try.

 

things things are money!