Hiking at night...

[Norse_Nightcrawler]

I've always considered myself to be somewhat "nocturnal". There's something about the night that just apeals to me. The silence, the smell, hell the air even tastes better.
So, i decided a night time hike in the woods around here seems like a good idea, and anyways i know these woods well enough to find my way with a blindfold. Or so i thought.
It was a fun hike, just 3-4 hours, but man do the landscape change when you're out there alone and it's so dark you can't see your own hand in front of you if you turn off your flashlight.
Places that are usually are landmarks for me to navigate by changed so much in the lack of propper light i would have had to wait for daylight to be able to find my way back home if i were to get lost.

Not that it was dramatic in any way, and i finally got to confirm that at least two of the ponds in these woods, and the little stream between them are full of trout. (Gotta have a look at the legal issues about fishing here)

Pics. Not the best pics because they're cellphone pics, and like a said it was daaark, but they show pretty decent on my screen at least.
Some trees, a couple of rocks, the trail, a buttload of darkness and whatnot:


Was able to do a little catch and release fishing by hand. The catch was one tiny trout:


Aaaand, mandatory becker content. My trusty 15. Nocturnal hiker needs a nocturnal becker.


Sorry about the crappy pics. I need a better camera

 

[cschol]

Sounds like quite an adventure.
I prefer fishing at night. Mainly because it is cooler and I catch bigger fish after dark. Some of the sounds along the river will scare the hell out of you, but that all part of the experience.

 

[Norse_Nightcrawler]

No argument about the sounds. On more than one ocation i've been cursing like a sailor because some deer, bird or badger has scared the crap out of me leaping/running out of the bushes...

 

[Tdhurl1103]

I used to do a lot of frog gigging growing up and I can say for certain, nothing freaks me out more at night than a nasty ass river or swamp.

 

[grinter]

I work a lot at night in the forest. Funny thing is, I often get disoriented if I visit the same spots during the day.
I really good headlamp helps a lot at night (I've been using a Fenix HP10 as my primary.. which I love. The newer model unfortunately is not as durable, and doesn't like to swim), as does a cheap compass to help orient your mental map.
Paying more attention to sounds (running water, crashing waves, frog chorus at ponds, nocturnal birds, distant roadways) than you would during the day is also helpful.
Don't forget to put a retro-reflective lanyard on that BK15!

 

[SideTracked]

Growing up we used to love night hikes, for obvious reasons full moons and clear skies are ideal for this activity. You learn to read the trail by its shadows (where to step, where not to) and rely heavily on sound.

Where we stay for our annual fall trip, I usually wander off alone at night to the top of the nearest mountain (again only if the moon is full), my reward for all my hard work comes when I reach the peak and am greated with an expansive grassy meadow and a night sky that is lit up with stars. The walk back into the woods on the way down is usually a sensory shock as your field of vision diminishes greatly and the sounds of the forest are on top of you again. One can learn a lot about ones self while on a solo night hike.

 

[Norse_Nightcrawler]

I used to do a lot of frog gigging growing up and I can say for certain, nothing freaks me out more at night than a nasty ass river or swamp.

Well, animals tent to be drawn to water, so i guess you never know what's out there.
Luckily large predators are rare here in Norway, but i remember a dog was killed by wolves a couple of miles from here about 5 years ago.

 

[Norse_Nightcrawler]

I work a lot at night in the forest. Funny thing is, I often get disoriented if I visit the same spots during the day.
I really good headlamp helps a lot at night (I've been using a Fenix HP10 as my primary.. which I love. The newer model unfortunately is not as durable, and doesn't like to swim), as does a cheap compass to help orient your mental map.
Paying more attention to sounds (running water, crashing waves, frog chorus at ponds, nocturnal birds, distant roadways) than you would during the day is also helpful.
Don't forget to put a retro-reflective lanyard on that BK15!

I guess it's just a matter of what you're used to. At least i didn't recognise anything out there in the dark.

I've been snooping a bit at a Led Lenser H7 headlamp, but i guess i'll have a look at the fenix to. A small led flashlight and a compass is allways on my keychain

 

[Norse_Nightcrawler]

Growing up we used to love night hikes, for obvious reasons full moons and clear skies are ideal for this activity. You learn to read the trail by its shadows (where to step, where not to) and rely heavily on sound.

Where we stay for our annual fall trip, I usually wander off alone at night to the top of the nearest mountain (again only if the moon is full), my reward for all my hard work comes when I reach the peak and am greated with an expansive grassy meadow and a night sky that is lit up with stars. The walk back into the woods on the way down is usually a sensory shock as your field of vision diminishes greatly and the sounds of the forest are on top of you again. One can learn a lot about ones self while on a solo night hike.

The thing last night was that there was a total lack of natural light. No moonlight at all, so even with my Led lenser L7 it was actually really hard to navigate through the woods.

Hiking to a mountain top at night was a good idea. There's a little mountain overlooking the woods i tend to hike in that's not too long a walk. I usually have lunch and coffee up there when i'm in that area.
Looks like i'll have to take a night time hike up there when i have the time again.

 

[Chameleonbear]

On Wednesday night my brother and I went out for a short night hike and we went fishing. It was a lot of fun, but at the same time, I really wish he would have brought his own flashlight and that I had my bigger one. All I had was my Microstream so it worked out ok but still...

Looks like you enjoyed yourself though which is good.

 

[Norse_Nightcrawler]

Sounds like fun. But yeah, a good flashlight is essential.

How are you liking that microstream? I've been wondering about picking up one of those for edc.

 

[Bobber]

Good times Norse, don't want to hijack your thread, but where in Norway are you from?
I'm from Oslo, good.to see a fellow Becker loving Viking in here...

 

[Norse_Nightcrawler]

Good times indeed. I'm located in Kristiansand. I have some family in Oslo, but i haven't been there for 10 years or so.

Also nice to see i'm not the only Norwegian who can appreciate good steel. Becker loving vikings is a rare breed.

 

[Bobber]

Trying to convince more people every tome I'm out, already got.three friends and possibly some army colleagues on the way to get.the bug too, hehe

 

[Norse_Nightcrawler]

I'm pretty much in the same situation. Trying to get my friends and family to understand that the crap they buy from DX and netthandelen is just, well, crap.

 

[Bobber]

Once they try it out they understand why I have 4 different and two.more on thewat, haha...
Its addictive I tell you....

 

[grinter]

LED lenser makes some great headlamps. I spend a lot of time in the water or in severe rain; so I've been buying Fenix recently for the better waterproofing. As I said before, though, I'm not happy with the durability of the new Fenix HP11 (I'm waiting until they come out with an update).
I recently bought a Zebralight H51 for someone else... I'm impressed with it, and I think that would be the perfect backup light.

I guess it's just a matter of what you're used to. At least i didn't recognise anything out there in the dark.

I've been snooping a bit at a Led Lenser H7 headlamp, but i guess i'll have a look at the fenix to. A small led flashlight and a compass is allways on my keychain

 

[MAURICE]

There is a state park nearby that I like to camp at. A buddy of mine and I have been known to hike up to an overlook waaaay late at night, packing a twelve pack. Great hike during the day, even better at night (with a little something to keep us warm). Devil's Den, Yellow Rock trail in Arkansas if you are interested. Very cool spot. Love hiking out there at night. One of my favorites. For light, I often use a cheapy four dollar wal mart headlamp.

 

[Norse_Nightcrawler]

LED lenser makes some great headlamps. I spend a lot of time in the water or in severe rain; so I've been buying Fenix recently for the better waterproofing. As I said before, though, I'm not happy with the durability of the new Fenix HP11 (I'm waiting until they come out with an update).
I recently bought a Zebralight H51 for someone else... I'm impressed with it, and I think that would be the perfect backup light.

Well, in my mind water is for drinking and cleaning yourself But i guess heavy rain could be a bummer though. Like i said i'll have a look at the fenix light's to see if i like them.

 

[Norse_Nightcrawler]

There is a state park nearby that I like to camp at. A buddy of mine and I have been known to hike up to an overlook waaaay late at night, packing a twelve pack. Great hike during the day, even better at night (with a little something to keep us warm). Devil's Den, Yellow Rock trail in Arkansas if you are interested. Very cool spot. Love hiking out there at night. One of my favorites. For light, I often use a cheapy four dollar wal mart headlamp.

Sounds like a pretty decent hike. Especially with the right beverages.
I'm having trouble trusting cheap lights though. I've used a lot of them at work and they tend to crap out at the worst possible moments.