Backpacking, Knives, Gear, Cameras, Karate, and Bears!

B

bearthedog

Joined
May 17, 2006
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Fresh back from an overnighter. The place, Big Bear in the San Bernardino Mountains of California. I don’t often get a chance to go Backpacking with my friends nearly as much as we want to but when the chance comes up---we take it. This was a short last minute “grab some gear and lets just go” type of trip. Overnight temperature dropped down to about 40F. There was lots of gear and everyone seemed to have one or two new pieces they have been waiting to try out. One guy had never gone backpacking before and he was in for a surprise with the other two clowns. As promised, there were knives, cameras, a few karate moves, and some animals---BEARS!
Here are some pictures from this weekend’s trip. I hope you enjoy!

-RB

Big Bear, California
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We parked, geared up, and then followed the Castle Rock Trail until we got to some pristine backcountry.
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Brian’s JK Kephart did the food prep before the hike.
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View from the top overlooks the south side of Big Bear Lake.
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Camp and Gear

I sometimes think camp pictures are a little boring but I have been getting a whole lot of email, and PM’s about my Super Ultralight Gear. Most of the time this causes a pissing contest about my light gear and how it won’t work, and how it will fail me, and how it could never survive a fall off a cliff or a 10 story building, and how it won’t repel bullets or vampires, and how I suck---so I almost never post my camp pictures. I finally broke down and posted my camp gear. After all these years, I am still waiting for this crap I use to fail me!
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My pillow system. Platypus 2L ontop of my New Balance shoes.
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I love watching my friends set up camp for over an hour sometimes, while I take a full minute of my time to get out my Mountain Laurel Superlight Bivy, Gossmer Gear closed cell foam pad, and my own handmade quilt.
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Knives taken into camp
Victorinox OHT, RAT RC-3, Tom Halloran PSD 5, CRKT M-16
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My friend Brian fell in love and this time not with any barnyard animals but with the Tom Halloran PSD 5 Knife I was reviewing for Tactical Knives November 2010 issue. I let him have it and I don’t think he put it down for more than a few minutes. In fact, I saw him go into his tent at night with it and emerge from it in the AM with the Halloran in his hand. I don’t know how he does it.
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Fozzle and his only knife. CRKT M-16
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Nothing new just taking what works. A good RAT/SAK combo always fits the bill.
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Brian felt the need to give me a lesson on making fuzz sticks. The absence of fuzz stick pictures is due to his success in making them!
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Morning View
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Castle Rock was the place for a little rock climbing. Since I am deathly afraid of heights (not really, just the fall and impact part) I decided to just take the pictures.
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Karate in the forest keeps everyone in line
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After we hiked out (and made a quick trip to Starbucks) we visited the Moonridge Zoo to take in some wildlife. Nothing sucks more than taking pictures of animals through a chain link fence. Just a few that turned out ok.

I actually like the way this one came out. Everyone knows what it is.
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The view out
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Good times with good friends (and good knives)...HOWEVER, you're gear is not rugged enough and you'll fall off a cliff, freeze to death or be eaten by a rabid squirrel :D No criticism from me, looks like it works and you're still smiling :thumbup:

ROCK6
 
Great pics. I look forward to your next article. For the record I have ZERO issues with those that want to go ultralite, I saw the value of that last weekend myself. I have every issue with numbnuts who want to ultralite and then borrow gear from me and everyone else, especially a knife. :rolleyes:

Having said that can we now get a better description of your complete outfit? I can't believe you can actually sleep on that rock with no issues and no hammock. Perhaps a few more years will do it for you. :D
 
Terry Newton said:
Great pics. I look forward to your next article. For the record I have ZERO issues with those that want to go ultralite, I saw the value of that last weekend myself. I have every issue with numbnuts who want to ultralite and then borrow gear from me and everyone else, especially a knife. :rolleyes:

Having said that can we now get a better description of your complete outfit? I can't believe you can actually sleep on that rock with no issues and no hammock. Perhaps a few more years will do it for you. :D
Click to expand...

I actually love hammocks. In Peru, and in Alabama I always use a hammock, but for the woods and desert, I am fine with the ground. The key is to locate soft ground (which I am on) unlike car camps where a person is on hard compressed sandy dirt. When backpacking I have the freedom to find a better location with lots of fluff. This way my thin torso sized closed cell foam pad is sufficient. Thanks man, there is an article on "Lightening Up Your Load" out in the current SWAT Mag, if anyone is interested.

-RB
 
What is the handmade quilt made from? Handmade gear always interests me:thumbup:
 
DH1 said:
What is the handmade quilt made from? Handmade gear always interests me:thumbup:
Click to expand...

Momentum Shell (similar to Pertex Quantum)-Climashield xp fill.
Rated down to 40F and weighs 10oz. I have been using it since 2007.

-RB
 
RB, always great hearing from you. Give me a shout soon, brother. And tell your karate buddy that I am willing to give him lessons--he can trade me that knife! And I thought you were selling those quilts??
 
Great pics, and nice camera! I'm still trying to convince my friend to get out with his new 5DmkII for camping, lads weekend away type deal. I'll have to make do with my 50D :(
 
Great photos! Looks like you had a really good time.


Thanks for taking the time to post them,
desmobob
 
That Brian dude looks like he'd be hilarious to hang out with. Great pictures as usual, bear. Thanks for sharing them.
 
Sweet pics. So do you have a list of your crap...I mean gear?:D

Always looking to lighten the load.
 
Great photos as usual Reuben, in all the pictures I've seen of Big Bear it looks like an awesome area to kick around in. Like Terry said the only issue I have with ultra-lighters are the ones who don't want to carry but always want to borrow and yes especially a knife for me too. My knives are personal things to me and though I tend to love to show them I also have issues with loaning them...especially to someone who doesn't carry one. Since I'm usually alone now this isn't much of an issue anymore...but pops up now and then. I also have issues with someone who doesn't know how to start a fire trying to tend one I've started :) . The older I get and the more my life changes the more I find my self lightening my gear. Between tools for articles and tools for R&D...and the cameras... I find myself adding a good bit of weight sometimes and needing to find ways to lighten the load in other areas. So now when I go out to relax I still stick with the lighter gear so that I can use the trip as a much needed relaxing get-away. Most of my heavier knives and tools are geared more towards an urban event...the possibility of which I am constantly reminded of here through work and other family members who also spend time working on TVA and DOE projects.
 
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