Camping and Backpacking GEAR thread

Warm sock recommendations? I typically wear the darn tough hikers the normal cushion ones not the full cushion but not the light cushion either. Honestly they just did not cut it in my 35 degree bag when it dropped into the upper 20's. Everything else was warm enough, but just could not get my feet warm. feet were cold enough to keep me tossing and turning all night

 

I like my REI heavy weight merino wool socks. but my Darn tough are the best for hiking. You can always just boil water and put it into a nalgene bottle and put that at the bottom of your sleeping bag.

 

Weird. My Darn Tough medium cushion have always been enough even down to the low 20's. Maybe you just sleep cold or maybe you don't have enough pad to put some insulation under your legs/feet? Using a warm enough sleeping bag or quilt?

 

Bag is a 35 degree bag but I sleep warm, sleep on an insulated air mattress with an R Value around 5. Rest of me was fine with some baselayer type stuff on. Not sure if it is just poor circulation or residual circulation loss from hip replacements. Feet were ok in low 40's but high 20's was too cold. Would rather just buy/carry a pair of warm socks than go out and buy another bag. The nagalene trick not always practical since I dont usually carry one in the desert

 

Sleeping hot or cold differs so much from person to person. I was tent camping at Bryce Canyon a couple of weeks ago and it got down in the high 20s several mornings. I have a North Face bag rated at 20 and I was plenty warm. Some friends in the tent next to mine have different brand sleeping bags with the same rating and they had a tough time with the cold temps.

 

First, if you didn't make sure you put on a pair of dry socks before getting into your bag. Even a tiny bit of sweat will make your feet feel cold.

Second, if that doesn't work get insulated booties. Down or Primaloft both work fine with the down being lighter and pricey. At most it will add a pound to your pack weight and for cold weather camping they can not be beat. I promise you your feet will never be cold again.

 

REI has some pretty hefty cyber Monday discounts. I realize it is 9pm on the east coast so it’s nearly over.

I just snagged a half dome 2+ for the dog and I when we go out. Been waiting for a sale like this because the Big Agnes Fly Creek UL1 isn’t quite big enough for me (6’1 250lbs and my dog 110lbs) and the pupper I barely fit in it but used it while I was guiding anyway because it packs so damn small and light

 

I picked up some big fat wool hunting socks from Cabelas that I use for truck camping. They work great for sleeping

 

Yup always have a pair of fluffy wool socks in the bottom of my sleeping bag. They only come out to get washed when I’m off trail, just to get packed right back down to the bottom of the bag. That way you’ve always got dry socks at the end of the day

 

Decided to try out some darn tough extra thick mountaineering socks. $25 not gonna break the bank, not adding much weight to the pack to carry and can double as an extra pair of cold weather hiking socks if needed. We'll see how it goes.

With the realization that the ankle is going to keep me out a lot longer than I wanted and AZT finish in 2019 is now completely out of the question. I am starting to plan some trail angel weekends to run support for the NOBO thru hiking class of 2019. Gonna pick 4-5 weekends to set up camp in the truck along the trail to provide water food beer etc to the folks coming through. Looking at heading up to CO in the summer to run the truck on the alpine loop and Imogene Pass do some camping and hopefully by then tackle a 14'er or two before I start again on the AZT next Fall.

 

Good for you! I think those folks don’t get enough credit for what they do. I’ve been watching a series of videos of several hikers that are doing, or have done, some of the major through hikes and have been really impressed that people take the time to do those things.

 

They're an interesting breed that is for sure. I'm just happy I can give back to a local community that is beyond awesome. The amount of offers for help driving and places to stay from complete strangers during my attempted section hike was beyond belief.

 

Tested out the Slumberjack tarp with poles over thanksgiving. The stakes that come with it are trash, but using some groundhogs I was able to get it pretty taught. Had a little wind, and some decent rain on Friday night that turned in to freezing rain with ice buildup early Saturday morning. It held up great, no leaks or tearing. The poles are pretty stout as well. It’s a nice addition for truck camping, wayyyyyy too heavy for anything else though.

 

Very cool. Looks like a lot of coverage.

 

It’s huge, stretched from the roof rack to almost 10 feet past the tailgate and if I had it set at its widest would be about 12 feet wide.

 

If I didn't have the Kelty Noah 16 I'd be looking at that instead.

 

Amazon has Lifestraw on sale for $11.99.

$15 LifeStraw Personal Water Filter for Hiking, Camping, Travel, and Emergency Preparedness, 1 Pack, Blue

https://www.amazon.com/LifeStraw-Pe...3508852&sr=1-1-spons&keywords=lifestraw&psc=1

 

Is that Harmon Den? Looks like one of the roadside camping spots out there.

Nice truck, by the way. Where in ENC are you?

 

Listed my Tarptent Protrail backpacking tent in the B/S/T. Used in once for a GC hike and it worked well but I prefer a free standing tent. Just an FYI!

Any suggestions on a lightweight free standing one? Was looking at the MSR free lite 2. Looking to stay under $300

 

I’ve got the big Agnes fly Creek UL1 and it’s epic!