Camping and Backpacking GEAR thread

Is that a GSI Dualist cookset and bowls I spy?

 

One of my bucket list hikes is to do 3 or 4 days on the JMT. Any suggestions on which part of the trail you’d recommend. I know Cuffs or Seabass have thoughts on the subject.

 

I plan on doing a section hike next year if I can not get full JMT permits. My section will be from Kearsarge to Whitney Portal from Onion Valley Trailhead.

 

I enjoy emptying my bladder usually against a tree.

 

I prefer a shrub. Hard surfaces just make my feet get wet, cuz splatter.

 

well ya I stand back a bit.

 

And that’s why I call them reservoirs.

 

Are permits required for section hikes?

 

Whaaaat! Awesome! Where will you be living?

I live in Texas and Zion is my second most visited park after Big Bend, haha. I love it.

 

If you’re doing the OML there are two designated places to cache. There’s bear boxes at the Homer Wilson Ranch and the end of Juniper Canyon Road at the Dodson/Juniper Canyon Trailhead.

 

Yes.

 

Looking at homes in Hurricane/ La Verkin area.

 

Hell yeah. Utah so awesome. I look at cabins in the Duck Creek Village area from time to time.....just dreaming. Just don’t know what I’d do for work.

 

I would change a lot of things in my life to live so close to the Sierra, so I can only imagine the separation anxiety that you feel by knowing it's not going to be in your backyard anymore. I'm sad for you that you'll be leaving it behind after a rough year of losing your home there. But, a new door is opening for you and I'm excited for your next chapter! The good thing is that you're still going to be only a day's drive away from the Sierra so you can still visit it, just not as frequently.

Wow, that's actually a really tough question. I'd have a hard time deciding on what areas I'd like to go back and see more than the others in that amount of time. Ok, here's my suggestions (routes can be done in reverse as well):

1. Tuolumne Meadows to Red's Meadow - just a great section that gives you a lot of variety in such a short span. Meadows, river valleys, an alpine pass, waterfalls, lakes, and lots of geology changes
2. Rae Lakes area - you can do the Rae Lakes Loop or the Onion Valley > Bishop Pass thru-hike to see this area in the time you're specifying
3. Onion Valley to Mt. Whitney - you get the full experience of the highest section of the JMT, and you get to conquer the highest point in the lower 48. Amazing lakes, 3 big passes, and a huge summit along this journey of river valleys and alpine terrain.
4. Muir Trail Ranch to Red's Meadow - you get to do 2 of the "lower" passes and cross through a huge variety of terrain

Consider going as long as a week on the trail, and your options open up even more.

As @Cuffs said - yes. Depending on what parts you're planning to visit, you'll get your permit from one of a few different agencies. There are quotas in place in all zones to keep the human impact low and to preserve these areas. Some of the more popular areas are hard to get permits for because they're in high demand, but if you're creative and approach entry from a less-common trailhead, you'll have a much easier time getting your permit. One of the reasons why I used Onion Valley 2 years in a row as my entry point. You get to climb a cool pass and see an amazing valley of lakes within your first 5 miles, and I've scored a permit for 2 or more people 2 years in a row on the exact dates that I wanted. Once you get in on a trailhead, you can basically exit wherever you want (with very few restrictions, but some trails have exit quotas, too).

 

I just watched your Video @Seabass amazing stuff right there. How long of (in total) hike was it?

 

It shows it on the opening slide of the trip. This year's section was 172 miles over 14 days (160 miles of actual JMT plus 12 miles of entry and side trails). The entire JMT is 210.4 but I had already done the rest of it previously.

 

Okay, campers I have another question. Have any of you had any experience with bed tents? I’m not talking about the roof top tents. They’re a little pricey and I don’t camp enough to even consider one of those. What’s been your experience with bed tents. Pros? Cons? Inquiring minds want to know.

To clarify, I meant a pickup bed tent.

 

Moosejaw has 50% back in rewards today only

 

Are you referring to a Tent Cot?

 

No. It’s a tent that’s fits on the bed of your pickup. Guess I should have thought how that sounded.