Camping and Backpacking GEAR thread

I've tried on a kuiu pack and a SG frame right after one another. I really enjoy the sg pack much more. Also helps that they are only 2 hours away. And their warranty is AWESOME!

 

Yea those are epic packs.. but just beyond my price range I set before buying a pack. Had to trim some fat when i was preparing for this bow hunt

 

Just got this Ozark Trail tent. First time set up. This thing is awesome. Taking the family on a camping trip in a couple weeks to Bogue Chitto State Park in Louisiana. Bogue Chitto will be a trial run for me and my wife’s week long backpacking/camping trip in the Smoky Mountains next May.

 

Where y’all going in the smokies? I guided in western NC for years. Such beautiful mountains

 

Also, sweet tent! But camping in LA in the summer?!?! Naaaaahhhhh

I grew up in East Texas.. summertime camping was rough as a kid. Too many swamp skeeters and too hot, even in the dead of night.

 

ULA catalyst, 70L and pretty light. I always have extra space in the top. My favorite part is that it sits about level with my shoulders and not too wide, so it doesn't snag when i'm walking through heavy brush

 

That's a huge monster, looks great

 

Cammo looks very close to Marpat which I am biased in favor of.

 

Not sure yet as we're still in the planning phase. There were several points of interest that I saw online I'd like to visit, though. Since I'm nearly a year out I have plenty of time to map out my route. I've never been so any advice/tips/places to visit would be greatly appreciated. Here a few places I saw online that seemed nice: Elkmont Campground; Greenbrier Campground; Big Ridge State Park; Cades Cove; Natahala Gorge; Big Creek Campground

 

I know it! It's going to be brutal. At least there's a water park we can use to cool down. Being from the south at least I know what I'm getting myself into.

 

Elkmont is a stellar place! Nantahala gorge is absolutely stunning. If youve never whitewater rafted before, Nantahala river is a great place to get your feet wet. Its got some fun bits but its not super crazy. If you decide to do Nantahala Gorge, you are right by Lake Fontana. Theres a trail on the north side of the lake in the smokies called the Lakeshore trail. I believe its 20 miles or so and runs the edge of the lake. Beautiful hiking and the campsites in the backcountry of the smokies are super nice. Theres pre hung bear hang cables so you dont have to worry about hanging a rope for your food at night. only downside (its actually a good thing) is that you have to pre book your backcountry sites before you go out. That means that it takes a little work and costs money but it also means that you know for sure that you have a campsite when you arrive.

Another beautiful thru hike in the western part of NC is the Art Loeb trail. Its 28 miles I believe and has a little bit of everything. It starts at the base of Cold Mountain and ends up at the Davidson River campground. So you will get the 360 degree views in a couple places, youll go through some of the high elevation flat areas, and then drop down into the canopy as you wind down to the river.

If you see anything of interest and have questions, please let me know. Ive hiked just about every trail in Western NC and a decent chunk of the smokies on the border of NC/TN. As you get further into TN or further north of hot springs, NC i have little experience out there in those areas.

Also, i wouldnt waste your time doing bits of the Appalachian Trail. Its crowded, the shelters arent all that nice, and there is just so much more satisfying destinations in that area than hiking the AT

 

+1 to Art Loeb trail. I did it the other way. A beautiful trail.

 

Lol that’s a brutal climb from pilot mountain to cold mountain

 

Doin a day trip to chase Golden Trout! One of the purist strain outside of California! 1k vertical gain per mile. Gonna be brutal.

 

How much do you carry in this? I've always been skeptical about their weight carrying capabilities

 

Sounds like the Beartooths.

 

Exactly

 

traipsed around there a lot in the 60's and 70's while living in Bozeman.

 

I would have loved to been around then. Less yuppy folk walking their taco bell dogs around up there I bet.

 

I have to work September this year so no archery elk hunting for me Instead I’m settling on a rifle tag.

Anyway gear wise, I might go the bottomless shelter route this year, I made my own two person tent that’s just a tad over 2 lbs. Thinking of making a single pole one man tent tarp under a pound.

Picture is of most the gear I took last year that totaled 22 lbs minus food and water.