Camping and Backpacking GEAR thread

Could be the extra 300ci. For me, that size makes a better travel bag than overnight backpack.

 

And with the cost of cuben fiber, that's the biggest discount I've seen them run.

 

Got a permit reservation for Kolob Canyon (La Verkin Creek 2), so I guess my trip is now official. Hopefully I can get a different site as a walk up, otherwise I will start at the Hop Valley TH and do an out and back.

Anyone have some other suggestions for other overnights in SW Utah, Flagstaff/Sedona, etc? Still undecided on the rest of the trip.

 

Hackberry Canyon off of the Cottonwood Road. I accessed Cottonwood road between Kanab and Page, went north about 12 miles and hiked into Hackberry.
There may be better suggestions, but without a permit, this one might be another option. Just saying.

 

Love Kolob side!

Mainly day hiking, but I also really enjoy Snow Canyon SP, just outside St. George UT. Hike up to and then down into an extinct volcano cone, petrified sand dunes, lava tubes (huge and deep, take a headlamp to explore! There's a cool Canyon off to the west in there that I want to explore more. Starts out following a dry creek bed.

 

Well, the Zpacks Arc Haul had to go back. After packing it up again and doing a true proper fitment, the top of the frame is right at the back of my head and is supposed to be lower. Had to go with a shorter torso, and decided to go with the next larger hip belt so I have a little more flexibility on adjustments. Even though I was out of the exchange window, I haven't used the pack so it's like brand new and they approved the exchange. Now the wait...

 

The replacement Tent was all good.
Marmot Limestone 4P from Campsaver.
It took more than week to make it right but these replacement poles are only slightly bent, as they should be.

 

Love backpacking there. My first backpacking trip back in the day was to Thousand island and Garnet. Got spoiled early. I've been back there several times since. Picture was in the am at thousand island eight where we set up camp. Think this was 2009.

 

Ah yes, I know that spot very well. It's right where the trail goes by that little beach. There are some rocks right to the left just out of frame. I topped off water right there. There are some amazing campsites around to the right on the west side of the lake. Garnet was still my favorite, and I'm going to spend a zero day there this summer on my northbound JMT hike.

 

Ha! That's exactly right. That spot is where I filled up my water too. TI is beautiful, but Garnet is awesome. The bridge is amazing too!

 

I'm hoping to camp in this exact same spot at Garnet this year. It had a perfect rock bench which was a great laundry drying space and overall perfect work table. Sandy flat spot off the trail just enough to keep the passing hikers at a distance. The fishing here was amazing, too, and it made a great spot to take a dip and get clean.

 

My feet are ready for the JMT. Pulled the trigger on some Oboz Sawtooth. They fit like a glove and should have great snow traction. My microspikes fit perfectly on these, too. These are built like tanks.

 

That reminds me that I should look at getting some shoes like this before I head to Big Bend... Wonder how well they would work for mtn biking as well?

 

I'm envious Seabass!
I've been itching to get back up in the Sierra Nevada mountains!
They're calling to me...

You're new shoes look pretty sturdy. Kind of similar looking to some Merrell's I've seen

 

I hope they work out as well for you as they have me, I love them! I got a pair from the rep when they first came out and put over 1k miles on them before they died.

Just got my third pair recently and saving them for the JMT also!
(Been in the SE all week and can't wait to get back home to the Sierra Nev in a few days!)

 

I've run the Merrell Moab Ventilators for years out here in the AZ heat and twice on the JMT, and the uppers have done very well with staying pliable and keeping me blister-free. However, after about 100 miles on them, the soles really flatten out and I start feeling every rock again. With big miles coming up, I need a sole that can stay sturdy for weeks in a row but also still allow my feet to breathe. I'm impressed with the Oboz for the price (only about $20 more than Merrells). The upper is very well made and reinforced in all of the common collision/impact areas that need reinforcing. I shredded every pair of Merrells on the sides from sharp rocks, but I must say that they never actually wore through. The soles on the Oboz are thick and rigid, but they support my foot like they were custom-made for me. Wider than average toe box, which I prefer as well, but fitted around the ankle without a bunch of sloppy extra padding.

 

I did take your recommendation to check them out, and they really ended up being the best option for my feet shape and for my traction/durability needs. Thanks yet again!

Now get home so you can give me condition reports in YOSE!

 

Oboz was founded by a former Merrell executive

 

Do you guys not use aftermarket insoles? Pretty much all factory shoe insoles suck for me after walking in them for multiple miles a day. I started using Superfeet green and it helped tremendously. Maybe just cause I need the support, though.

 

I find that insoles end up creeping around in my boots and drive me nuts. They tend to start creeping up the back of my heel, so I feel the bump in my heel and I feel the step-down under my toes. Drives. Me. Insane. I don't want to glue them down, either. Regardless, the Merrells end up losing enough tread that I start slipping on that damn pea gravel on declines. I'd rather just get a new pair of shoes and have fresh tread.