First backpacking trip

Looks like a fun trip! I don't blame you at all for bringing the RC5. It's hard to limit yourself to the knives you actually need. After all, this is bladeforums.

The cold night aside, looks like you had a good time. If you're anything like me, you probably spent the whole drive home mentally planning the next one.
 
Looks like a cool area to explore.

You were a lot better equipped on your first trip than I was on mine. After each trip, look at the gear you took. If you used it, take it next time. But if there is something you have taken on a couple trips that just stayed in the pack, leave it home next time. Likewise, for gear that you used, decide what works and what could stand improvement. The improvement list will become your shopping list for the next few years.

Trust me, that shopping list never ends. I have put a lot into backpacking gear over the years, and it seems that there is always something that is a little better, or lighter, and it gets pretty expensive. Kind of like knives.
 
i live in austin & when a front moves in the temps can vary 50 degrees in a few hours. txs. for the pics & sharing your pack contents. a 20 degree bag will handle central tex. just carry some poly long johns to sleep in. i use a sock hat on my bald head.
dennis
 
Thanks for posting about your trip! Can't wait to get home and see the pics full size.
I hear you on the "military hiking". Even though time and injury have slowed me down a lot, I still catch myself trying to make a road march out of hiking, and arguing with the map about how little ground I've covered(when I don't).
Might have missed it viewing on the phone, but do you have a good sleeping pad?(edit:sorry, was posting from my phone, and missed the pics with the pad!) Makes a difference. With those layers and still being cold, sounds like it's time for a warmer bag, either way. Bags can be overrated, and different people sleep colder or warmer, so the rating isn't the whole story...
Where are you going next? ;)
 
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MarineAir, great shots of the outdoors. I bowled a PBA tournament a few years back in Corpus Christi & the only thing we had time for was walking out of our hotel at the Gulf, touring the air base & sub, & watching a horrible house fire a few miles down from the Holiday Inn. No one was home except a painter who according to the news that night said some rags had caught in the garage, & within 15 minutes the whole house was engulfed. Just glad no one was home. Thanks for letting us come along, great shots of good looking trip.
Be safe.
 
Great trip, thanks for sharing! :thumbup:
Now try and tell me you aren't addicted...:D


lambertiana said:
Looks like a cool area to explore.

You were a lot better equipped on your first trip than I was on mine. After each trip, look at the gear you took. If you used it, take it next time. But if there is something you have taken on a couple trips that just stayed in the pack, leave it home next time. Likewise, for gear that you used, decide what works and what could stand improvement. The improvement list will become your shopping list for the next few years.

Trust me, that shopping list never ends. I have put a lot into backpacking gear over the years, and it seems that there is always something that is a little better, or lighter, and it gets pretty expensive. Kind of like knives.
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I'll second what lambertiana said. Bring a waterproof notepad and a spacepen refill, and take notes while you are out. Write down, the things you wish you had, the things you wish you had left, as well as the things that you think could be improved or made lighter.
 
MarineAir said:
Thats a good idea! Having the cold metal and plastic brick of my Glock 19 in the bag with me probably had the opposite effect :thumbdn:

Thanks for the replies everyone
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I learned the hard way that big heavy guns don't cut it backpacking. After carrying everything imaginable over the years from 1911's to wimpy .22 Kit Guns, I have settled on the .357 S&W 360SC Kit Gun (no longer in production), or M&P 360 with 3" bbl, both in the 12 - 14 oz range.
 
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reconranger said:
I learned the hard way that big heavy guns don't cut it backpacking. After carrying everything imaginable over the years from 1911's to wimpy .22 Kit Guns, I have settled on the S&W 360SC Kit Gun (no longer in production), or M&P 360 with 3" bbl, both in the 12 - 14 oz range.
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Well I wouldnt really call a Glock 19 big or heavy. But I'd probably be better suited with my Glock 27 or my new snubby in the future.

Thanks again for all the comments guys.
 
MarineAir said:
Well I wouldnt really call a Glock 19 big or heavy. But I'd probably be better suited with my Glock 27 or my new snubby in the future.

Thanks again for all the comments guys.
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It's ok, you are still young so you have time to learn!
 
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Looks like a great trip! Looks so wierd to see the ESEE 5 next to a Mora...

How do you like your 5?
 
tonym said:
Looks like a great trip! Looks so wierd to see the ESEE 5 next to a Mora...

How do you like your 5?
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I love it, not great for the finer things but its reassuring to have such a thick piece of steel. I probably gave it a harder workout at home splitting firewood than I did on the backpacking trip, but its quite the knife. I'm hoping they'll let me keep it in my Airsafe vest when I deploy eventually. We can carry 5 lbs of our own gear.
 
Glock26 said:
Thanks for sharing, where was your firearm sir?
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In my pack unfortunately while I was carrying it. I don't have a fannypack/safepacker holster or anything and open carry isn't an option in Texas. I tried an IWB rig under the pack but I wouldn't have been able to put up with that for very long. I wore it on my hip when I went lookin around with the rest of my gear still at the campsite, and in good Marine Corps style I slept with it inside my sleeping bag.
 
Looks like you had a good time.

I am still in the gathering gear part of the journey and haven't actually went backpacking yet. I have went camping all of my life, just not where I walked in the whole way yet. I've got probably about 3/4 of the stuff I need so far.
 
kg4ghn said:
Looks like you had a good time.

I am still in the gathering gear part of the journey and haven't actually went backpacking yet. I have went camping all of my life, just not where I walked in the whole way yet. I've got probably about 3/4 of the stuff I need so far.
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Yea I spent quite a while getting things together. Its hard to get everything when every other purchase is a knife or gun that doesn't really do anything towards completing the kit. I spent quite a bit of time watching steepandcheap.com looking for deals. Got lucky a few times.
 
You've hit on my favorite place in Texas. I've probably done that east trail alone 20+ times and recognize most of your pics. Looks like you had yourself a good time there. :thumbup:
 
:thumbup::thumbup: on the Enchanted Rock tip. Beautiful place! I was there a year ago.--KV
 
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