Leaving it behind.

[OwenM]

I spend most weekends during the summer doing 30+ mile hikes through the canyons in the southern Utah dessert I can usually manage to never see another person. I carry a sleeping bag, pad, bivy, a titanium kettle, small stove, compas, map, small first aid kit, fire kit, water filter, a 10 leader water bladder, extra socks, para cord, climbing rope, headlamp, snacks and food, and a 6 inch belt knife. The water is always the heaviest my summer sleeping bag is rolled up with the bivy and is smaller than a standard nalgene bottle sometimes I add a harness to the pack but that depends on the canyon some require 100+ foot repels

I swear you make me so jealous. I'm taking my dad to Utah in April, and serving as tour guide most of the time, but am hoping to solo 2 or 3 easy canyons in Zion where I'm just out for the day, or part of it. Keeping it simple, close, and familiar-maybe Orderville from the top(then up to Big Springs and back out), Mystery, and Hidden from the top. My first time, so sticking to beginner stuff, and I'll probably sacrifice one of them for an overnighter if I can make up my mind which hike I want to do. Did I mention being jealous?

 

[bdmicarta]

Weather is the big thing for me. Sometimes we hike in the forested mountains, sometimes in the Utah desert. We might carry some water bottles for Utah, we might carry raincoats for the mountains. We rarely hike more than an hour or two so we don't need to carry food and overnight supplies. I will carry maps and compass depending on the hike. I always carry my big DSLR.

That is for hiking, for car camping I will take a lot of gear but I'm usually close to the car/camp. I don't carry axes and chainsaws and shovels, but normal camping and woodcraft knives. I rarely need to do anything more than spread mustard or cut open a bag of chips, unless I'm just playing around.

I also do backpacking in which case I will carry all of the appropriate gear. I've been backpacking for over 30 years. When I started I read Colin Fletcher's book about what gear to take, etc. I made up my own list of what to carry and I've continued to update the list ever since. A list is most important for this because you don't want to find out that you forgot your backpacking stove when you get a day's walk away from your car. Weight is always an issue for backpacking so no carrying of machete-sized knives, although now I might carry a bigger blade than I have carried in the past. Sometimes I have backpacked with only my little Gerber LST but now I might carry a slightly larger blade and/or a small multitool.

 

[bdmicarta]

I also do backpacking

I forgot to add this-
When I started backpacking I had my list refined and had packed all the gear that I thought I needed. I was going with my brother in law and a friend of his, both experienced backpackers. The first thing they did before we left was to dump out my pack and go through everything. They took out a lot of things that they said I didn't need. It probably helped because we were out for 5 days and I was usually dragging behind them.

Many years later a co-worker wanted to go backpacking in Colorado and so he got me to go along since by then I was pretty experienced. My wife went too, as well as a friend of his from church. I did the same trick- dumped my co-worker's pack out and sifted through it. I took out a lot of stuff that he thought he needed such as extra tennis shoes and Pendleton wool shirts. I did not know his friend so I didn't feel like I could do that to him. All during the first day or two of our trip the friend was constantly dragging along way behind us. We would stop and rest and he would catch up, and I kept noticing him drinking from those little juice boxes. Turns out he had his pack about 1/3 full of heavy fruit drinks that we would have definitely made him leave behind if we had known it.

Also I was going to add- hiking or backpacking in Utah there is frequently no wood to even cut with a knife so even less reason to bring a big knife along with you.

 

[bdmicarta]

I spend most weekends during the summer doing 30+ mile hikes through the canyons in the southern Utah dessert

Southern Utah is my favorite place to go. I prefer going with other people but I've been there a few times alone when I was single. One time my plan was to hike down a canyon off of the Bullfrog Marina road to the shore of Lake Powell, camp there for the night, then hike back the next day. I came to a big chokestone and pouroff in the canyon, and being very conservative because of the remote location and me being by myself, I turned around and went back. I was afraid that if I was injured I would have a lot of trouble getting back out by myself. (I don't remember the name of the canyon, I think it was close to where the Burr Trail joins that road.)

 

[Alberta Ed]

I'm reminded of a guy packing a big chopper over the Chilkoot, in addition to his large pack -- you can't (legally) cut wood along the Chilkoot Trail. I always take enough gear in my daypack to be able to spend a night (or two) if need be: 1st aid kit, cord, a good bush knife (Ivan Capos Scandi grind), light nylon tarp, whistle, fire-making materials, water, and some snacks. That's maybe 10 lb. of stuff.

 

[collecter]

My friends do this even today. It's funny to see what your friends consider neccessary items.

I carry the least possible. I don't know why keep buying knives bacause I always just carry my Vic Pioneer and a bit bigger fixed blade that I don't really use that much.

Less is more!

I forgot to add this-
When I started backpacking I had my list refined and had packed all the gear that I thought I needed. I was going with my brother in law and a friend of his, both experienced backpackers. The first thing they did before we left was to dump out my pack and go through everything. They took out a lot of things that they said I didn't need. It probably helped because we were out for 5 days and I was usually dragging behind them.

Many years later a co-worker wanted to go backpacking in Colorado and so he got me to go along since by then I was pretty experienced. My wife went too, as well as a friend of his from church. I did the same trick- dumped my co-worker's pack out and sifted through it. I took out a lot of stuff that he thought he needed such as extra tennis shoes and Pendleton wool shirts. I did not know his friend so I didn't feel like I could do that to him. All during the first day or two of our trip the friend was constantly dragging along way behind us. We would stop and rest and he would catch up, and I kept noticing him drinking from those little juice boxes. Turns out he had his pack about 1/3 full of heavy fruit drinks that we would have definitely made him leave behind if we had known it.

Also I was going to add- hiking or backpacking in Utah there is frequently no wood to even cut with a knife so even less reason to bring a big knife along with you.

 

[suppertramp]

" I swear you make me so jealous. I'm taking my dad to Utah in April, and serving as tour guide most of the time, but am hoping to solo 2 or 3 easy canyons in Zion where I'm just out for the day, or part of it. Keeping it simple, close, and familiar-maybe Orderville from the top(then up to Big Springs and back out), Mystery, and Hidden from the top. My first time, so sticking to beginner stuff, and I'll probably sacrifice one of them for an overnighter if I can make up my mind which hike I want to do. Did I mention being jealous?"







If you have never done it check out the subway but it's hard to get the permit plan on sitting outside the window from 5pm to 6 am if you're not at least the 3rd in line go back to camp and try the next day I'm taking my nephew and younger brother and a few guys from work in early August its a great canyon with some. Minor technical stuff about 9 miles or so. Also if you don't mind primitive camping skip the zion Campground and ask a local at oscars about the couch its quite and has great views once you make it to the top

The subway. Sorry for the cellphone picks

 

[upnorth]

I don't carry much.
Part of it is because I don't need to, and part of it is that with lower back injuries, it sometimes really hurts to carry all that crap.

Ya, did a few rag doll spins off street motorcycles back in the day myself. Catches up with a guy later. I basicly see my car as they would a pack horse years ago. I carry light basics with me and leave the heavier duty stuff in the car.

 

[dougo83]

I figure as long as I pull my own weight, nobody else should care about what I'm carrying. Or come begging to borrow, either...

This. Is. Truth.

My pack rarely weight 20#. I mean, the heaviest part of it is the 3L water bladder that I would carry anyway because I don't like carrying water bottles around. So far, I have used every piece of gear attached in my "unnecessary" load-out. I don't like carrying a bunch of junk around, so I have whittled the pack down a little bit. Like another poster said, though, if I am out with less experienced folks, I may bring some extras just so I can loan/give them out. I have given away more knives, compasses, lighters, and flashlights away on the trails than I care to count. All because I had an "unnecessary" one floating around in my pack as a back-up.

 

[silenthunterstudios]

For barely all of three minutes, a hiker from Colorado was on the radio yesterday afternoon. He talked about what he carried when out hiking, which consisted of a small firekit, a Vic classic, something to carry and boil water in, among a few other items. He basically said that people bring too much crap with them when they go hiking, whether for the day, or an overnighter/long weekend.

http://www.wbal.com/article/87002/1...g-Tips-From-Man-Voted-Adventurer-of-the-Year-

 

[Skrapmetal]

For barely all of three minutes, a hiker from Colorado was on the radio yesterday afternoon. He talked about what he carried when out hiking, which consisted of a small firekit, a Vic classic, something to carry and boil water in, among a few other items. He basically said that people bring too much crap with them when they go hiking, whether for the day, or an overnighter/long weekend.

http://www.wbal.com/article/87002/1...g-Tips-From-Man-Voted-Adventurer-of-the-Year-

He is a different type of hiker than we have here. This is BF, we don't consider a knife as a survival-only tool. Just about everyone here will carry a 4" fixed blade at a minimum, not just a small SAK, and they don't look at the knife as a "only if I need it" thing. It is a tool that we use, period.

 

[dougo83]

For barely all of three minutes, a hiker from Colorado was on the radio yesterday afternoon. He talked about what he carried when out hiking, which consisted of a small firekit, a Vic classic, something to carry and boil water in, among a few other items. He basically said that people bring too much crap with them when they go hiking, whether for the day, or an overnighter/long weekend.

http://www.wbal.com/article/87002/1...g-Tips-From-Man-Voted-Adventurer-of-the-Year-

A few critiques: I don't believe on relying on the weather reports because of inaccuracy. Also, he talks about some carrying all kinds of stuff, but then he is very vague on what to carry. Not really good advice at all.

He is a different type of hiker than we have here. This is BF, we don't consider a knife as a survival-only tool. Just about everyone here will carry a 4" fixed blade at a minimum, not just a small SAK, and they don't look at the knife as a "only if I need it" thing. It is a tool that we use, period.

Exactly. I carry a knife because I like to. I probably wouldn't be on BFC if I didn't like knives. I use mine daily and I work at a church. It only makes sense to carry them everywhere else.

 

[silenthunterstudios]

Wasn't agreeing with him, just posting about the stereotypical hiker that wants to shave weight. I think jackknife mentioned in this thread that Chuck Yeager only had a Vic classic with him on a big hike. I'd like to have a larger knife . To each their own though.

 

[dougo83]

Wasn't agreeing with him, just posting about the stereotypical hiker that wants to shave weight. I think jackknife mentioned in this thread that Chuck Yeager only had a Vic classic with him on a big hike. I'd like to have a larger knife . To each their own though.

Agreed. Those were just thoughts floating around in my head while I was listening.

 

[CellerDrummer]

Last year was the first time my family actually went hiking a good distance...The four of us (wife,12 yr old daughter) and our dog did 6-7 miles in one day...We were actually pretty deep in the woods in Northern PA..We LOVED it, and this summer have several planned...This is what I carried last year..
Backpack
3 Steel water bottles filled (the 24ox ones at Wally world)
Lunch,,,extra lunch,,,apples,peanuts,crackers,oranges and bananas..
I carried a S&W 38 on me and my usual two knives..
I'm the pack mule and my wife and daughter take care of our high strung dog..65 lb BlackLab/mix whose very protective...I want them to have as much fun as possible because I actually love wearing a pack with gear in the woods...The only issue was WATER...I had to conserve my drinking because I was worried about running out...Problem solved for next year...My next post will be what I'm carrying next year..

 

[CellerDrummer]

I've upgraded lots of my gear for this year because we had so much fun last year..Plus I'm a gear Ho and just love buying great equipment..
Better Backpack,
Adding a water filter because everywhere we are going this summer is close to water...
6X8 tarp and one of those lite weight fleece sleeping bag liners.(We'll actually use both of these when we take rests/breaks..Its my picnic blanket/emergency shelter all in one)
50 ft of paracord
first aid kit forgot to add I packed it last year.
Two freeze dried camper meals (Emergency only because we take plenty of fresh food).
Glock 29 10 mil
Santa left me the BG ultimate knife so I'm throwing that in the pack...
No overnighters planned but I want to be prepared just in case...This year our hikes will be longer than last year and I can't wait...
CD

 

[upnorth]

I have seen dialog stating that the more skills you have, the less gear you need to bring. That may well be because I have moderate skills and refuse to carry something like a SAK only in isolated bush. Maybe some of you guys can get away with it, but I doubt that I can. Some of my gear is oriented to ''I'm screwed and this is my last ditch back up''. I must have complete confidence in my emergency back up gear. Which for me means a minimum of a 4 inch fixed blade knife. Better and more likely for me, that knife and a hawk, they are light weight. I have gotten myself into and out of a few spooky situations up north that stay as a constant reminder to learn more and bring realistic (for myself) survival gear. But the big bag o' crap mind set does bug me so I am discerning. I get closer to my gear balance every year.

 

[Erasmus]

I hike, backpack and hunt where if you break a leg, they'll never find your body. 20 miles to my right (near Death Valley), the local motorcyclists insist to me that if you break down by yourself, you're simply a dead man. Those guys never ride alone.

People die of thirst our here, occasionally. I don't want to end up in the newspaper for that. Tho I've had a couple of chances. I did finally learn, at least.

I go on the assumption that "Yer on your own. Nobody's coming. You have to get yourself out, no matter what, no excuses." If we get crowded by an influx of peeps, that may change. But that's how it is, right now.

The places I habitually go, they'd never even find you. So, I'm ready for it.

Must be nice to always be 2 miles from a paved road. Last time I broke down out in the desert on Highway 14, people laughed and hooted while throwing empty beer bottles. The motorcycle cops couldn't have cared less if I lived or died.

So "yes", I'm prepared.

 

[Ferrousknight]

I've been whittling down my pack down as much as possible in preparation for an AT thru-hike in about a month. I think I come in a bit heavier than some thru-hikers, but less than others. I don't really have the money to throw at a nice tarp-tent, so I will carry my relatively lightweight Big Agnes Seedhouse SL-1 (about 3lbs when complete). I have my clothing layering down pat, which cuts a lot of excess weight, and I invested in a nice western mountaineering sleeping bag which weighs in at only 1lb, 9oz for 30F.

Knives...you just don't need a big knife, period. I carry a leatherman charge TTi, and the saw is fantastic for cutting moderate sized wood. The straight edge blade is great for cutting all sorts of stuff. The scissors are great. Some of the things on it, I rarely use, but they don't offer a slimmed down one with just the items that I am likely to use.

My base weight is going to roll in at under 20lbs, but I drink ludicrous amounts of water, so we'll see how much I actually end up packing.

 

[dougo83]

I've been whittling down my pack down as much as possible in preparation for an AT thru-hike in about a month. I think I come in a bit heavier than some thru-hikers, but less than others. I don't really have the money to throw at a nice tarp-tent, so I will carry my relatively lightweight Big Agnes Seedhouse SL-1 (about 3lbs when complete). I have my clothing layering down pat, which cuts a lot of excess weight, and I invested in a nice western mountaineering sleeping bag which weighs in at only 1lb, 9oz for 30F.

Knives...you just don't need a big knife, period. I carry a leatherman charge TTi, and the saw is fantastic for cutting moderate sized wood. The straight edge blade is great for cutting all sorts of stuff. The scissors are great. Some of the things on it, I rarely use, but they don't offer a slimmed down one with just the items that I am likely to use.

My base weight is going to roll in at under 20lbs, but I drink ludicrous amounts of water, so we'll see how much I actually end up packing.

Just a correction: you may not need a big knife, but some, actually plenty, really do.