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

[bearthedog]

Great shots! Looks like you guys had fun. I always think I'm going to pack light and then end up with a huge pack of gear that I probably will never use. Oh well if it did turn from 85of to -20of then I would be justified in my efforts. I just wish I could get out more.

It's easy to fill your pack with a lot of "light" items then realize they all added up. Everytime I go I take notice of all the crap I didn't use. Those are the things I never need either. Remember, backpacking is not a survival situation, it is a planned event and most likely there are other campers near by or even in your group. For me that brings the oh what if this happens mentality down because I know I won't be by myself for too long before another hiker comes along.

Also I must add that in CA in the summer I don't need to worry about such a temperature change as you do or lots of other people in the country. This allows me the added luxury of going light but if I were to go to another state or country, things would change for sure.

I'm trying to learn to love the "go light" philosophy.
I've tried sleeping in a bivy sack, but it's too much like a coffin, so I'm a hammock-guy now, when weather permits.

I love hammocks, used them for years but always had to give them up in the desert due to lack of trees. I devised this system that works almost anywhere except the tropics.

Hey if you come across a hammock lighter than 11oz. please let me know. Thanks.

-RB

 

[bearthedog]

My friend just sent me this from his camera.

-RB

 

[LittleSpartan]

Wow! I always love your post!

 

[Battle Creek Knives]

hey my old stomping grounds!! Ever been to Mezanine Flats?? where everyone use to shoot... born and raised in Los Angeles I lived in Riverside 14 yrs, til about 4 yrs ago..

I don't think you're allowed to camp off of a camp ground let alone have a fire am I right?? Don't tell me things have changed for the better in cali have they?? Can you still fish there??

My wife's uncle has a cabin there off a beaten path close to the lake, but that nothing like camping..

Haven't been to BB in a fort night, thanks for sharing..

 

[bearthedog]

hey my old stomping grounds!! Ever been to Mezanine Flats?? where everyone use to shoot... born and raised in Los Angeles I lived in Riverside 14 yrs, til about 4 yrs ago..

I don't think you're allowed to camp off of a camp ground let alone have a fire am I right?? Don't tell me things have changed for the better in cali have they?? Can you still fish there??

My wife's uncle has a cabin there off a beaten path close to the lake, but that nothing like camping..

Haven't been to BB in a fort night, thanks for sharing..

There is backcountry camping (the PCT runs through Big Bear) and overnight parking. You can fish there still but there are so many rules in the so-called "Wild."
Actually, that isn't a fire. My friend is just real good at Photoshop!

-RB

 

[oruacat2]

Mine is a Hammock Bliss double, and with a couple of cheap carabiners weighs-in at about a pound and a half. The lightest I've seen is made by Eagles Nest Outfitters at a little under 13ounces.

I like the "double" because on cold or misty/light-rain nights I can sleep along the center-line and the hammock envelopes me, forming a water-resistant windscreen and a smidgeon of extra warmth.

 

[Expatriated]

As always, awesome, Reuben. Now, where is my quilt? Didn't we come to an accord several months ago about you making one for me? Would you take a bunch of honey as payment? I think I know a guy....

 

[bearthedog]

As always, awesome, Reuben. Now, where is my quilt? Didn't we come to an accord several months ago about you making one for me? Would you take a bunch of honey as payment? I think I know a guy....

Did someone say HONEY?

Roger, I've been away in Alaska and I didn't bring my sewing machine, you know how I am with extra weight.

-RB

 

[bearthedog]

Mine is a Hammock Bliss double, and with a couple of cheap carabiners weighs-in at about a pound and a half. The lightest I've seen is made by Eagles Nest Outfitters at a little under 13ounces.

I like the "double" because on cold or misty/light-rain nights I can sleep along the center-line and the hammock envelopes me, forming a water-resistant windscreen and a smidgeon of extra warmth.

I forgot, there is a lighter hammy but it's made of a meshhy type of rope and it won't keep the breeze off your back or the bugs away, if you worry about that sort of thing. It is about 6 oz. and about the size of a canteen.

-RB