Kansas City Tacoma Crew - 816/913

Maaann I would be down for that. Gotta find another gen 1 pathfinder....

 

If you’re not sleeping in the drivers seat are you even trying? Sheesh.

 

I save that move for rest stops. You never know how fast you'll be ready to burn out when you wake up.

 

I yanked the stereo out of the taco and the Nissan almost 2 weeks ago and still haven’t gotten them back together. Being busy is fun but I’m starting to miss having tunes

 

Lol. I'm always hesitant to mess with the radios the stuff cuz I hate driving without tunes for extended periods of time. And my Nissan has the fausgate updated sound system in it. Thing is a banger

 

It was gonna be so simple, just swap them and be done. But nooo.

I’ve heard good things about the fosgate system on the nissans. Mine was just the plain Jane CD player when I got it.

 

Crowd sourcing...need trip destination. Office is closed September 3rd and 6th. Might also take off 7th and 8th.

Bringing my 15 year old son. He's had plenty of outdoor experience - last year we hiked Teton Crest in a blizzard together but too many more of those trips and he might bury me out there. He's becoming....not a fan.

Was thinking Big Bend but I can save that for when it's cold here in KC. Could do Chaco Canyon, NM before the evening desert temps drop below freezing. I've never been to UP Michigan - Hiawatha NF could be cool.

Goal is to spend time with kiddo. Backcountry preferred. Within 15 hour drive of KC. We like to visit NP/NF and places with historical significance. HELP!

 

Is one of your goals off road/ fire road driving in the area you want to explore?

How much hiking is okay to get to your camp spot? Would you rather camp next to a fire road or MVU trail?

Multi-day hike/ camp?

How cold is too cold or too hot?

Evergreens or leafy trees?

How do you feel about the desert or high elevation hiking?

 

ATR is still taking reservations....

 

All great questions

Fire roads expected. No insanely technical trails requiring 50' clearance. New truck - OR stock - no breaky. Pinstripes OK lol. Also don't want to be in heavily trafficked 4x4 rec area. Goal is peace and quiet, minimal garbage and trail destruction which depresses me, and few people (which means little help should I need any!)

Hiking in to camp also expected. Sleeping in or near truck also fine. Might be able to convince kiddo to do a multi day backpacking out & back or loop, but I'll need some awesome views/wildlife to keep him from killing me.

Fine with heat. If hot and multi-day backpacking, will need water source we can filter. I am a little over-protective of him around high concentration of poisonous/venomous wildlife. Some is expected of course, but preferably not Raiders of the Lost Ark snake pit.

He likes to stay above 20 degrees at night, including near summits.

Trees. Honestly, I'll take anything including no trees at all if you've got a cool spot. But there's nowhere I'd rather be than in a pine forest or above the tree line.

Desert hiking and high elevation both fine, subject to things mentioned above.

 

This is a pretty cool spot in New Mexico i found randomly one day driving around. Ive only ever seen one other vehicle there

Free camping and super nice sites

https://www.blm.gov/visit/angel-peak-scenic-area

It’s fairly close to shiprock nm (which is also worth checking out) and the San Juan skyway

 

RTT are dumb

If i had to have one, it would be a hard shell.

 

i disagree ive had mine for awhile and have never thought it was dumb its great.

we all dont have money for a hardshell or a gfc man so some of us do with what we can get

 

Or an entire apartment/habitat

 

Yeah I’d buy a gazelle or shift pod or oztent which is cheaper

 

i hate ground tents that was one of the big things i always hated about when camping so i wanted the rtt i wanted a hardshell but i couldnt justify the cost so i got mine for around 700-800

 

I dunno why everyone hates being on the ground so much lol not like 4’ off the ground is gonna save you from the bears

 

i always hated sleeping on the ground.... i hated it in scouts and it annoyed me so when i saw the rtt i then found a way i could enjoy camping again.

and yes i never said it would help me from a bear but i like being off the ground

 

Boog good. Toyota technical project gets a decal.

 

We can all agree there are situations where the ground blows. Sand can suck (and sand fleas), mud, high winds, and freezing temps can all make ground camping less fun. I'd rather sleep in my vehicle and recharge - save the discomfort for when I'm backpacking with my tent. I'm almost 40 and have found new ways to injure myself while sleeping. Went SofTopper route for flexibility. For example, scored a huge steel frame picnic table for free the other day while I was out but had to take it immediately. Was able to pop the topper off in under 3 minutes, throw it in my backseat, and we loaded the table in my bed.

I do suffer from occasional moments of jealousy when I climb into my bud's 23zero lol. I'll never tell him that...taking it to the grave!