Backpacking - Anyone like the backcountry?

Kit Hannah

Kit Hannah

Veteran
Hey all,
I am a huge fan of backpacking, love to go and get away, take pictures, build a fire and cook some stuff in the middle of nowhere, enjoy fresh air.

Do you backpack? If so, what type of gear do you run? I am absolutely in the perfect place for backpacking, Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks are both within an hour's drive for me, so many places to go around here. I have been camping and backpacking for awhile now (10 years), and I'm finally going to get into a better setup, going to try for an ultralight setup (or shoot for under 20 lbs).

What kind of backpack do you use? (brand, model)
Is it a toploader or panel load?
Any specific gear you like?
Any tricks?

I have learned quite a bit over the years but I always like to hear what others do.

Kit
 
I don't backpack as near as much as I would like to. Once or twice a year...usually here in the Midwest or TN/NC somewhere.

And you aren't gonna like my answer about gear...I used mostly stuff that my friend MAKES for me. I have a handmade sleepsak, stoveburners...he even made shoes! But, the pack I use is an old Patagonia Lightweight that I got on sale at Orvis back when I was in high school. For packs, it really depends what all you wanna take with you. I don't take any type of tent (never gone in the winter), but I do take my flyrod (most of my trips are backpacking for the purpose of fishing), and camera (7d).

Live near Sequoia...jerk!
 
Mike McNeese said:
Live near Sequoia...jerk!
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LOL, yeah, but that's about all there really is to do here. The whole point of living in Fresno is that it's centrally located. Nice views on clear days though :)

Hey, that's cool about the handmade stuff, everyone's got their own thing that works for them. When it comes to everything, I don't judge. Use the camera gear that you want to and the hiking gear you want to, in the end it's all the same.

I have a small rod that I take too. It's a 4 piece rod that packs up small and I have a nice little Okuma reel with some 6 pound on it that I take to drop in the water, especially when I go up to the John Muir Wilderness Area, lots of neat little lakes and streams on those trails.

I like to take video and pictures of all of it. I think i will try and put together some sort of wilderness video this summer on my trips up. Love to take pics too.

This one was of Courtright Reservoir (owned by Pacific Gas & Electric) which they use to shuffle water back and forth between Wishon Reservoir to generate electricity for central California.

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I haven't seen much or been many places since moving here, since I don't know where to look, but I used to go primitive camping almost yearly when I was a kid, and when I was older I went out for hiking and backpacking trips a bit. There's nothing quite like hiking the Kings Range, especially when you hit the totally unspoiled coastline. And few things are more humbling than making your way through a thick redwood forest, surrounded by gigantic trees that have been there much longer than our little civilization. And because there are no nearby cities and the towns are distant clear nights give you an unparalleled view of the sky. When it's not clear the fog creates lakes in the low spots, which is pretty awesome. Now I'm getting homesick, thanks.

I've never really invested in gear, though. Anything I had was simple and a lot of times not mine.
 
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i usually try to avoid activities that involve carrying around survival gear. but i am willing to roll down the window of my car and look at nature from the parking lot (provided the air conditioner remains on).
 
Love camping, but these days it is more 4-wheel it in to a base camp then day hike out of there. There are lots of old logging roads and fire roads in the southern Appalachians, so this method works well. Camp out at music festivals too.
 
You should check out some of the DIY backpacking gear. The DIY stoveburners are amazing. (http://zenstoves.net/LinksGeneral-DIY.htm)

But, like I said (I'm certainly no expert), the pack that's best for you will be the one that you are comfy with. I'm partial to Patagonia gear cuz I've had a lot of Patagonia stuff that's lasted me a very long time.

When my son gets old enough (he's 3 now), I'm dreaming of taking him with me on a full-course AT expedition. Heard too many great stories about the AT...I have to do it.
 
ugafan said:
i usually try to avoid activities that involve carrying around survival gear. but i am willing to roll down the window of my car and look at nature from the parking lot (provided the air conditioner remains on).
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Agreed. I consider myself to be an avid indoorsman.
 
I have learned quite a bit over the years but I always like to hear what others do.
Click to expand...

It helps to go into an outdoor store and try as many different backpacks possible. Your torso length and the 'volume' of the pack will be the decisive factor in a nice fit. I like Deuters, then again brand is nothing really, it is all about fit.
If you are hiking & camping I'd recommend at least 55 liters(separete sleeping bag compartment is a must); of course it really depends on how light/heavy is your camp equipment(sleeping bag, tent, clothes, stove, food etc) If you are serious about ultralight setup, you can target around a 40 liters bag. Anything less is mostly for weight-conscious mountaineers.

Originally Posted by ugafan
i usually try to avoid activities that involve carrying around survival gear. but i am willing to roll down the window of my car and look at nature from the parking lot (provided the air conditioner remains on).
Agreed. I consider myself to be an avid indoorsman.
Click to expand...

For the avid indoorsman, you are covered too:
http://flightybug.com/zencart/index...oducts_id=41&zenid=t12i4o873cr8v4npt5g6dqtvi1
 
VGurcu said:
It helps to go into an outdoor store and try as many different backpacks possible. Your torso length and the 'volume' of the pack will be the decisive factor in a nice fit. I like Deuters, then again brand is nothing really, it is all about fit.
If you are hiking & camping I'd recommend at least 55 liters(separete sleeping bag compartment is a must); of course it really depends on how light/heavy is your camp equipment(sleeping bag, tent, clothes, stove, food etc) If you are serious about ultralight setup, you can target around a 40 liters bag. Anything less is mostly for weight-conscious mountaineers.



For the avid indoorsman, you are covered too:
http://flightybug.com/zencart/index...oducts_id=41&zenid=t12i4o873cr8v4npt5g6dqtvi1
Click to expand...


Haha, love the link for the indoor survival gear!

Yeah, I'm pretty familiar with most stuff that's out there, I was just thinking that maybe I would catch someone on here that favored certain gear over others and could explain why. I'm not an amateur, I go quite a bit (3-4 times per month in season), but most of the people I go with are not going up to take pictures or video and that could potentially change some things. I have seen a few packs made specifically for DSLR Cameras, in the 40-50 liter range but those don't look great. I dunno, doesn't hurt to ask.

As far as ultralight stuff is concerned, I'm a huge Mountain Hardwear fan and will most likely go woth one of their packs, the South Col. its a 70 Liter top loader that can be compressed down pretty well and is only 3.5 lbs. I pretty much have to have somethin in that range because many of times, where I go, a bear canister is required, so the bigger the pack the better. I'm going to aire on the larger side just to be safe. It will still be smaller than my current pack which is an 88 Liter Jan-Sport that I got on clearance 10 years ago. It's held up very well, but ready to make the switch.
 
That is the practicalty of the DSLR cameras, you can carry them anywhere, I d only consider a dedicated bag if I was carrying more related equipment(especially lenses etc) And I would carry it on my front to balance myself.

88 liters? You must be quite tall, I thought the 70 liters were huge ;)
As far as MH goes, they do efficient stuff; especially clothes, tents and bags. I never tried their bags though. My reason of going with Deuters is that they are light weight, highly durable, and have a great mesh back panel system that really keeps your back cool.
 
Yeah, I have had a MH tent for a long time and purchased another one last season. Great, great tent. I hear great things about the Deuter stuff and I will look into those more. I will be packing in my 60d in a separate small hip case where I have quick access to it. I will be taking only a minimum setup, 1 lens (Tamron 10-24) and I will take off the Grip to make it even lighter. My main purpose initially will only be to take pics and handheld video or set it somewhere for video.
 
I go out backpacking once a year and then some less intense group camping trips a couple times a year as well. I've done trips in the Smokies, Dolly Sods, Porcupines, Black Hills, and Shenandoah, among others.

I use a Gregory bag that's been OK but I'd like to upgrade as it's not as weatherproof as I'd like. My tip would be to bring a large garbage bag for a makeshift rain cover on your pack. Lots of non-deet bug juice, sunscreen, and spend money on great boots if nothing else.

My friend that I hike with is a big foodie, he bought a food dehydrator last year and we take out our own meals instead of buying that expensive Mountain House stuff. We've made some amazing pasta dishes and stews from dehydrated food recipes. One guy brought the sausage, and kept it cool for a day and a half by wrapping it with dry ice.

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Another food trick I've learned is that you can core an apple, put some honey/cinnamon in the middle, wrap it in foil to make a cherry-like shape (the handle is important) and put it in your campfire for about 30 minutes. It will turn to warm apple mush if done right and is amazing.
 
I hike in the Adirondacks, but it's more of a survival thing for me. A simple daypack, compass, knife, hatchet, magnesium fire starter, small plastic tarp, flashlight, 20 gauge pistol-grip pump w/6 slug shells (bears)...and believe it or not, my original Pocket Fisherman! That pocket fisherman is well over 30 years old now and I can't even tell you how many fish I've caught with it...best invention EVER. (thank you Mr. Popeil). A day or two on your own as a hunter/gatherer is good for the soul and helps keep things in perspective...although it tends to worry the family members. :happy:
 
ZazaCast said:
I hike in the Adirondacks, but it's more of a survival thing for me. A simple daypack, compass, knife, hatchet, magnesium fire starter, small plastic tarp, flashlight, 20 gauge pistol-grip pump w/6 slug shells (bears)...and believe it or not, my original Pocket Fisherman! That pocket fisherman is well over 30 years old now and I can't even tell you how many fish I've caught with it...best invention EVER. (thank you Mr. Popeil). A day or two on your own as a hunter/gatherer is good for the soul and helps keep things in perspective...although it tends to worry the family members. :happy:
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Haha, I would say so! I was gettin worried there for a second. Preparing & training for the zombie apocalypse? ;)
 
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