Camping and Backpacking GEAR thread

Hot damn I just got lucky as hell. I checked recreation.gov to see if there were any sites at Watchman in Zion for when I am there. Magically, there were two available for a Fri/Sat/Sun right across from each other. Someone must have canceled. Grabbed one for that Saturday and Sunday. The other site is also already gone. Having to change my schedule around a bit but woohoo!

 

I finally watched this. That was great. I didn't know about the old Big Oak Flat road.

 

I hiked it last year. It's beautiful. I've heard there's been two slides this winter and harder to follow. I'll be up there shortly to report.

 

Put permits in for Glacier National Park Highline Trail as soon as the application opened up. It'll be a few weeks before we find out if we got them, but we're headed there in August. woop woop

 

Woo-hoo!! Just ordered my Garmin inReach Explorer today using my dividend and my 20% coupon. Saved me a little over $190. I'm pretty damn excited. I can use those savings to go towards a few months of service and cover me for this summer's adventures and also some testing time before I make real use of it. Now to patiently wait for snailmail...

 

Those work GREAT! Ability to send texts to family or rescuers is a big advantage. Used one for a heli rescue in July in the Weminuche Wilderness, really improved the outcome

 

I'll feel better having it on the JMT this year, especially since it looks more and more like I'll be going solo.

 

Oh look. More snow this weekend.

I ain't digging the looks of this years hiking season. There's even a meetI got next week to see about not even opening the High Sierra Camps because the season will be so short. In 2011, Tioga Road didn't open until July 23 (which means no burgers, resupply... nothing)

 

Just got lottery results for Whitney. Sadly didn't get picked. Hopefully there will be some dates open on April 1.

 

Yeah it's sure working out to be a real challenge not just for physically crossing the passes and waters, but for logistics. So far, my August start seems to be working out "ok", but I probably won't feel confident about resupply points and road conditions until July. The only glimmer of hope is that the snow moisture charts show this year lining up with 2011 conditions. Not that those were ideal by any means, but it's trending better than it was a month ago. I'm crossing my fingers for an early thaw and no more big storms, but it seems like there's always another big dump of snow in late March through early April before it starts to clear out again.

I can just imagine finishing the hike at HI, and having the 120 be closed due to new rockfalls. The only way out would be to load up with food and get back on the trail and yoyo to Mammoth. It would add another week.

 

That is a quick and smart setup. Been looking for something for my short bed to cover my feet when I sleep in the truck bed without costing an arm and a leg. I think you just solved my problem. Thanks for sharing. What size did you go with out of curiosity?

 

Dividend. Spent.

 

Sweet score!

 

Back in WV we XC'd in Canaan Valley at a really cool place called Whitegrass which generally gets well over 100" annual snow (real good for back east). Most of the warming huts along the trail have some hidden treats... (pic is taken from the site report, although I have several of my own) http://www.whitegrass.com/report.html

 

Dang, I thought you couldn't use the coupons on that. That's awesome.

 

I love the feeling of walking into REI (just did a couple hours ago) and thinking, hmm, I need nothing here. You have nothing left to offer me, REI. Farewell

 

I've done that so many times. It is joyous!

 

I did not see that. But a lot of us that had ground tents also had cots, so no ground sleeping in the rocks.

 

Does anyone have any experience with the Koolatron 12v refrigerator/warmer. I am looking to put one in the rig, just don't want to spend 500 to 900 bucks on the arb models. Have a look
https://www.livingdirect.com/p85-koolatron-52-quart-12-volt-travel-cooler/P85.html

 

Check out the Dometic lineup, killer.

Dometic CFX Portable Electric Cooler Refrigerator/Freezer

https://www.amazon.com/Dometic-CFX-65DZUS-Portable-Electric-Refrigerator/dp/B00SZ7XJ8K