Camping and Backpacking GEAR thread

Drinking and driving again, eh?

Oh that's right... you California peeps can't get good tinting like we can

 

Damn fat fingers and small phone buttons.




I'm from New Orleans. We have drive thru daiquiri shops. I'm a pro.

 

Anyone backpacked Isle Royale up I Michigan/Lake Superior?

Looking at 8 days there this summer...

 

Got a buddy that has. It is awesome. I was up there a few years ago but the wife was pregnant and not nearly as excited. Be sure to see the pictured rocks on superior. It is absolutely stunning!

 

I grew up in Michigan, I've seen and experienced nearly all it has to offer. And I'm thankful for that!!

The last remaining bucket list item from there is ISRO....

 

Hey everyone. Been a few months since Ive been in here but the time is getting near for my first backpacking trip
and I'm looking for some input. This particular trip is more of a practice run and will be a brief 6 mile moderate hike and only a 1 night stay but I want to prepare for longer more advanced treks and up to 3-4 nights max.

First off, I am a well experienced camper, including primitive backcountry camping. But backpacking is brand new to me. I have all the main gear and basics covered... Osprey pack, Merrell boots, Nemo bag, MSR Windburner, MSR tent, BA pads, trekking poles, hydration and ill be using mountain house meals. First Aid, Maps, GPS, Compass, tent and sleeping pad repair kits, sun protection, etc. is all good.

I am looking for any input on is the small things that are either essential and easily overlooked, or non-essential but worth having and not to heavy/bulky. Product suggestions, examples, tips & tricks, anything you can offer.

Specific Items I'm looking for input/suggestion on:
-Pillow (I hate inflatable and am willing to sacrifice some space/weight for a decent pillow)
-Whistle/Signal Mirror (are these necessary?)
-Fire starting? matches, zippo, striker, flint... what do you use/bring?
-Coffee options (looking at the starbucks instant packs)
-Lighting? (have a great headlamp... what about those packable solar lanterns or the BA tent led lighting kit? Is more than just a headlamp needed or useful?)
-Any need to bring paracord?
-Power Bank suggestions (to recharge phone and lighting equipment)
-Anything I am missing

Thanks in advance!!!

 

If I may add, I personally love my thermarest pillow. Having that thing with me when I go backpacking/camping really makes a night and day difference in comfort. I highly recommend them. It's only like $20 and compresses down to a small enough size where it doesn't take too much room.

https://www.amazon.com/Therm-A-Rest-6356-Parent-Therm-a-Rest-Compressible-Pillow/dp/B00HZ12DQQ

 

(My answers are in your message above. I hate replying with phone...)
Leave the repair kits. Take duct tape. Wrap about 4 feet around a trekking pole or short pencil.

 

Yeah, what she said. Duct and gauze patches make pretty good bandages. A cheap garden solar light works pretty well as a camp light. The Starbucks Via coffee packets are great. I also take zip ties and paracord. Small sandwich bag will hold most everything you need.

 

got my 20% off on some Merrell's Moab Water Proof Shoes

 

Have done alot of hiking over the years and never bothered with proper hiking shoes. Last hike we did was 80km of mountain, mud, and side sloped beaches. Wore my merrel bare foots for 80% of that trail.
This year i decided to go for it and buy a proper set of hiking boots, and ill switch between those and my barefoots depending on the terrain.

Got my self a pair of Scarpa Kinesis pro gtx boots.
Have to say they are some of the most comfortable boots ive worn, never felt like they needed to be broken in at all.

 

Got me a pair of these a few years ago

 

AZ/UT this week!

 

Quite jealous!!! Yose is hosed up with the north/120 route hosed up//closed. Tioga closed... all traffic is 41 or 140. 5 mile backups being reported on weekends...

Looking forward to you photos to bring me some relief!!

But I'm looking forward to a spectacular summer, Ranier, Isle Royale, Tetons.

 

Good lord that traffic. It was bad enough when the truck overturned on Big Oak Flat when I was there....I can't imagine a 5 mile backup.

 

Those must be as hot as Africa. I could see them being ok in cold weather, but man your feet must get swampy in any summer hiking in them. Those would be blister city for me from the moisture of my own humidity.

 

Since a few people have already mentioned duct tape, one tip I will add for packing is if you have a roll already in use at home that is about half way or less, rip out the cardboard center tube and flatten it (step on it or use a vise if you have one). Its a quick and easy way to minimize the duct tape without having to unroll and re-roll around something else. I used to work in shipping/receiving when I was younger and we used to do this with packing tape for quick hazmat labeling while out and about. It won't work with a full roll because the outermost layers will not stretch and you'll end up making a wonky mess of the entire roll that way, but a half or 1/3rd roll will compact just fine. Ends up being about the size of a cell phone.

 

FWIW, gaffer tape is really awesome. I like it better than duct tape.

 

Thank you all for the feedback. After trying 4 different pillow options, im sold on the thermarest. Its not as small as id like, but totally worth it though