Camping and Backpacking GEAR thread

I have an Alps collapsible table and it has served me very well. Pretty light and a great height for my old collapsing double camp chair. So far I'm happy with Alps.

 

Fair enough. Weather doesn't keep us inside and I actually enjoy camping in the rain. Fewer people and makes whiskey by the fire really enjoyable. But drying a tent sucks. I am in the Rogue Valley (Southern Oregon) now so definitely less rain than when I lived in Portland but we still get it. Would just hate to spend that $$ for a mediocre rain proof tent when I already have one. The I have is 14*9 is tall. Over 6 ft at the corners and probably 7' in the middle if not taller.

 

I love rain, but now that I have 2 young kids (2 year old, 2 month old) - sitting in a tent all day isn't a real option, and neither is getting soaking wet.

I also hate drying tents, and don't really have the space to dry one this size either.

 

Going with DCF (formerly called cuben fiber) is probably the only way you can ensure 100% waterproof use without ongoing treatment because it's a laminated fabric. But, you're not going to find a huge tent made from that material unfortunately (unless you make it or have one custom made, and prepare to spend some $$$$$)

 

Back in the day, at least, cuben was kinda sensitive to UV exposure. Has that changed?

 

Very well done I enjoyed it. I was there about 30 years ago.

 

Gotcha well that is good to know thanks for the info. You seem to know your sh*t about gear so thanks for all the other input here as well and that video was awesome. I will probably limp along with the massive cabin tent until I get a trailer then. Thanks!

 

Any laminate is, to be honest. UV is tough on plastics, period. That's why proper storage is so important. My DCF tents only get stored clean and indoors where it's climate controlled and in a room that is usually lights-off. DCF should last for many years if properly taken care of.

I've lost many a nylon tent/awning/tarp to poor storage out in my garage. The AZ dry heat destroys those synthetics quickly. Only time will tell how my DCF gear holds up.

 

• Alpackaraft: now-12/31. 10% of entire order when purchasing a packraft.
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I think you just inspired me to finally get my shit together and do this. Great vid.

 

Hey, all you backpackers and hikers, I have a question. I’m looking at some hikes next year that suggest you cache water in case water sources have dried up, or in case there are no water sources. So, do you just leave some water bottles alongside the trail for when you hike out, or what? What’s the procedure? Is there ever a problem with other hikers taking your water?

 

Where ya headed this time?

Most popular trails like the PCT have known caches and usually you will find several dozen gallon jugs at a junction. Many times its also done by trail angels.

typical of the PCT:

 

This time we’ll probably go to Big Bend. It’s a little closer to home and I’ve never been there. But I’m looking at retirement in the next 6-8 months, so I’m also looking at Bryce Canyon and Zion, which means there may be water, but if it’s a dry year, maybe not.

So many places to hike. My “to-hike” list just keeps getting longer.

 

Well.....

since its about to go public, and none of y'all know me IRL or my friends...

















Go to Zion. I'll be there and take care of the water for ya. Yes, we are moving! End of the year and we will be loaded up and changing parks.

 

Well congrats. I hope the move goes well and you enjoy your new digs. I’ll look you up when I come that direction.

 

Woohoo! Inside connection!

 

@BKill
Location dictates the need. There have been some that leave water in Grand Canyon for the return, up hill in dry areas, like the Tanner Trail, for a camp or pickup on the way out. Some have used milk containers, and others have used more secure containers. Some have hidden them, marked them with name and date, etc.

Ken in NC

 

Much appreciated. I hope it will be a useful resource to future hikers of the JMT to see how conditions were even in late summer after a heavy snow year. Most videos that people make don't label the details, which I did as best as I could.

 

On the AZ Trail, I've done a couple caches now. There are some parts of the trail that are accessible by vehicle, so I've driven ahead and stashed water somewhere just off-trail and then marked that spot on my GPS. Hidden behind logs, covered by rocks, etc. I want to be sure that my water is there when I really need it. In other parts of the trail, there are cache boxes at junctions where trail angels and the passage stewards keep them stocked up with gallon jugs of water. Some sites like the one for the Arizona Trail will list the name and contact info of the stewards for that passage so you can actually reach out to them and let them know when you're coming through (especially in the off-season). They are usually readily available to help out their hikers.

 

Ain’t gonna lie, when I watched this, I was sobbing.

It was my reality check that told me I was really leaving Yosemite. Up until then, I was going about my days planning packing, planning, moving, house hunting... at the time I watched it, it wasn’t public info that we were moving, so I didn’t say anything...

Seeing your images really hit home that Yose won’t be my backyard playground any more. And it kinda hurts. A lot. I know Zion has much to offer and we are really excited about it, but there’s just something about the Sierra...