The NEW Post Your Campsite/gear/knife/hiking/anything Outdoorsy Pic Thread!

[OwenM]

I guess I'm just used to seeing warning signs everywhere, but it kind of surprised me that there weren't any at that first overlook, especially at a park that has posts with numbers every half mile so you can tell the rangers where you're at if you get hurt(I don't know how-I didn't have a cell phone signal, but that's supposedly the idea).
Anyway, you get some young people to go up that side trail, and they're not gonna be satisfied with staring at the back of a big rock when they get to the top.
Here, I uploaded a video while I was changing my oil
[youtube]Zd-W2vWBx8Q[/youtube]
Maybe I'm in sissy mode today, but it just seemed to have some really bad potential to me.
'Course the kid who signed me in was telling me about the mountain bike trail having serious technical sections resulting in a lot of broken legs and collarbones, etc.
They do say most accidents happen close to home!

 

[baldtaco-II]

Any of you guys mountain bike?........

Not in the sense I suspect you're plotting up on. I had Peugeot and Puch road bikes that were great for bombing round the West Country or central London but hopeless when I started spending more time in Sussex. The place is built on chalk and flint and I got punctures galore. And when I wasn't getting them from that I was getting pinch punctures from banging them over stuff there weren't intended to take, with a bunch of load on. Someone gave me a simple MTB frame and I stuck butterfly touring bars on it, some low rolling resistance wheels, panniers and whatnot and that's what I'm using now. It's a lump in every way, from the gonad relieving Rido R2 on it through the panniers to the video camera and lights. But I've never had a puncture on it, yay! It's master of nothing though. Whilst it'll easily roll over that stuff in your pictures it doesn't take much to wrong foot it off trail, especially with the Schwalbes and those bars. And I still can't get more than 32mph from it no matter what, and I average about 18mph on road. But I've come to enjoy the reliability of it and I can cover a lot of road in a day with a fair amount of comfort, and I don't baulk at a bit of cross country on it. As a platform for about 30lbs of gear and water I get some good overnights and picnics out of it...................For your purposes I recommend joining here. There's an amazing amount of knowing to be had there on all things tredder related.

 

[HikingMano]

The MTB forums looks like a good place to be if you're a biker :thumbup:. I've ridden a trail or two, but I'm no mountain biker. If I'm not mistaken, JV3 does a fair amount of biking (road and mountain I'm thinking). Mtnfolk Mike and j_williams are avid mountain bikers.

I have an old Schwinn Rocket 88 with a Fox Float in the rear and Marzocchi MX Comp in the front. I picked it up from a local guy thinking I'd get into MTBing... but haven't gotten into it yet, 5 years later . I can only afford a few money-sucking hobbies at a time....

It's awesome you have such good stuff so close to your home, allowing you to get out everyday should you wish. I commute RT 4 hours a day, and the hills are a little ways off for me :grumpy: I envy the folks with access to good natural spaces in close proximity to their home.

ETA: Nice and quiet in your vid Owen :thumbup: That overlook reminds me of one near my place, in Castle Rock State Park. Going up is usually fine for most folks, but a third always run into trouble coming back down.... Anyway, on the other side, is a cliff popular with the climbing crowd.

(Not my vids)
Top:
[video=youtube;KWPjWibgL5c]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWPjWibgL5c[/video]

Bottom:
[video=youtube;PgdGozJFtd4]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgdGozJFtd4[/video]

 

[OwenM]

Thanks guys, I've only looked the mountain biking forums when they showed up on searches for specific bikes I was reading about, and haven't actually browsed through any of them.
btw, that part of the trail is smooth because it was actually a road. The rest of it isn't like that.

It's awesome you have such good stuff so close to your home, allowing you to get out everyday should you wish.

Oh, I know. It's a blessing. Sometimes I force myself to go do stuff even when I don't feel like it, just because it would be a shame not to take advantage of the opportunity while I'm able. 'Course other times I don't do anything, because I can't make up my mind where to go

 

[lambertiana]

Along the South Fork Kings in Kings Canyon NP, below where the John Muir Trail crosses. No maintained trails go up or down this canyon, so we had it to ourselves.

 

[OwenM]

Love the water and the rocks:thumbup:

Got my trip ruined this weekend, and reminded why I do everything alone. Came home with very few pics, most taken within a minute of each other
Thought when the dam release schedule updated we would have 8-10k cfs, but it turns out they were doing some water aeration experiment with one of the three turbines they were running, and the release was more like 6k.

 

[HikingMano]

John, beautiful :thumbup:

Owen, I know how that goes... What happened with your trip?

 

[kamagong]

I love Lake Tahoe. What's not to love? Beautiful scenery, clean mountain air, and unbeatable weather. I can see how Tahoe might turn some people off due to its prevalent tourist-trap vibe, but it's just the thing for day hikers like me. There are plenty of trails around to keep things interesting. Leave early in the morning and pick out one of the less popular paths and you can enjoy yourself.

The family and I went for a short hike to Fallen Leaf Lake. It's one of the small lakes that surround Lake Tahoe. We didn't see anyone else there. No surprise really, I would never have found it if not for the help of the local Ranger station.

I had these two knives on me.

Unlike most of the regulars here, I'm no big survivalist. I'm man enough to admit that if you dropped me off in the middle of nowhere I'd be in serious trouble. That said I do enjoy the outdoors and do believe in being prepared. Whenever I go to marvel at God's work I like to bring the essentials (i.e., knife, water, fire, first aid kit, food). Cognizant of the fact that my knowledge base is pretty lacking, I'm putting more effort into expanding my skills. Since I spent this weekend in the Sierras, I was determined to learn how to find that most awesome of tinder, the one, the only FATWOOD!

First the good news. It took me a while, but after kicking over a couple of dozen stumps and dead trees I finally found what I was looking for. At first I wasn't certain, but I knew I hit pay dirt when I hit the wood and felt a satisfying thump. For confirmation I smelled the blade. Sure enough it smelled the same as the box of Starter Stikk I picked up at Wal-Mart. I was incredibly proud of myself. My sense of accomplishment did not last long.

Despite the fact that I knew ahead of time that I would be going fatwood hunting, I inexplicably left my chopper at home. I usually keep a khukuri in my car, but I didn't bring one on this trip since we drove a different vehicle. The stoutest knife I had with me was a nearly 1/4" hunting knife that I keep in my pack. I also had the puukko pictured above, but I chose to use the hunting knife. In my excitement to harvest the fatwood I immediately buried the blade 3" into the stump. No cause for concern as this has happened before. Unfortunately my knife was now good and stuck. I then proceeded to remove it by wiggling the blade side to side. With a little effort I was able to free my knife from its impromptu knife block. My relief turned to frustration as I examined the blade. It turns out that I had torqued the blade when I removed it from the fatwood stump. Or maybe my aim was less than true when I first stuck it into the wood. Either way I had rolled the fine edge on my knife in three places.

Now that I'm home I have to spend some alone time with this blade to try to repair the damage.

I'm glad that I finally learned how to identify fatwood in its natural surroundings. I just wish that the lesson wasn't so costly. Still, I recognize that the damage could've been worse. Because the blade rolled instead of chipped, I can repair it without taking too much metal off. All in all it's a good reminder of the difference between proper and improper knife technique.

 

[HikingMano]

[...]The family and I went for a short hike to Fallen Leaf Lake. It's one of the small lakes that surround Lake Tahoe. We didn't see anyone else there. No surprise really, I would never have found it if not for the help of the local Ranger station.[...]

Kamagong, I agree, the Fallen Leaf Lake area is great :thumbup: I've camped there a few times, with the last being earlier this year. We were off-trailing it a bit on this last trip around the lake, but you're right, it really is a nice and quiet spot. The folks who live on the shore there really have it good.

[...]

[...]

[...]
The day we had to leave had the nicest weather, of course :grumpy:

[...]

Mount Tallac is right next door too, with the trailhead close. I'm hoping to get back up there this fall and climb it, since it won't be covered in snow and ice.

[...]I'm glad that I finally learned how to identify fatwood in its natural surroundings. I just wish that the lesson wasn't so costly. Still, I recognize that the damage could've been worse. Because the blade rolled instead of chipped, I can repair it without taking too much metal off. All in all it's a good reminder of the difference between proper and improper knife technique.

I'm glad it was the lesser of the two evils :thumbup: I hope you were able to get it back to tip top condition without too much trouble. Congrats on the fatwood find :thumbup: Are you now in the Rockies after a visit to the Sierra? Man, you're livin the life!

 

[OwenM]

Kamagong, those reflections make it look like you warped it right into the primary grind
Nice pic of the lake, though!

Owen, I know how that goes... What happened with your trip?

You know, I didn't want to be rude and ignore your question, but every time time I've started to answer it's turned into a huge rant.
Let's just say that time was wasted, and problems caused, throughout the entire day. I came back with both my body and patience exhausted, a hurt knee and ankle, my back and pelvis out of alignment, two out of joint fingers I had to pop back into place, and three pictures worth keeping.
I may try to go back down there this week. Alone.

Those are some sweet pics, too, btw:thumbup:

 

[HikingMano]

Wow! Here I thought it was just a time wasting issue, but you were actually physically busted up as well. :thumbdn: Things out of alignment and popping fingers back into place.... jeez. Well, I hope you're able to make it back solo and enjoy yourself. :thumbup:

Got back from Big Sur yesterday, sorting through pics now. Will post a few when I finish going through em. This one's a preview:

 

[OwenM]

Nice preview!
I know I'm older than him, but I want to be Warren Verboom when I grow up. I do love that minivan!
This won't work on mobile devices...
[youtube]uwcApv81ZeA[/youtube]
Even with a high friction belay device, I'm not sure how he can rap like that with bare hands. If I don't head out for a hike tomorrow, I'm going to go practice some things that I might need on my fall trip. I'm not buying canyoneering-specific gear that I have no other need for just to run a couple of beginner canyons 2000 miles away from where I live, so will use what I already have. I'm really wanting to try running the brake end through a leg looped biner, Z-rigging, and doubling the carabiners on rappels with a standard ATC to see how they feel.
Oh, and there's an 80ft wall I'm gonna Aussie a few times, and hop down sideways like the dude in the video This stuff is so much fun!

 

[kamagong]

I'm glad it was the lesser of the two evils :thumbup: I hope you were able to get it back to tip top condition without too much trouble. Congrats on the fatwood find :thumbup: Are you now in the Rockies after a visit to the Sierra? Man, you're livin the life!

I misspoke (mistyped?). I meant to write Sierras. What can I say, it was a long weekend and I'm still tired.

Kamagong, those reflections make it look like you warped it right into the primary grind
Nice pic of the lake, though!

I sure did. The knife had a full convex grind, no secondary bevel. I spent some time last night trying to fix it, with limited success. The good news is that it is once more a fully functional knife. The bad news is that there are a couple of small divots in the very edge. I don't know if I should sharpen it out and bring the edge back some. That'll make the blade look better, but it'll probably be an unnecessary waste of steel.

 

[kamagong]

Kamagong, I agree, the Fallen Leaf Lake area is great :thumbup: I've camped there a few times, with the last being earlier this year. We were off-trailing it a bit on this last trip around the lake, but you're right, it really is a nice and quiet spot. The folks who live on the shore there really have it good.

Nice pictures. What time of year did you go?

 

[HikingMano]

Haha, I gotcha. I know how that goes I thought you might have meant the Sierra but didn't know...some of you guys hop around to some pretty awesome places!

Owen, that guy is CRAZY. And you and a few other folks are making me want to get into rock climbing or bouldering. I did a little gym climbing back in the day, but only mere dabbling....

 

[HikingMano]

Nice pictures. What time of year did you go?

That trip was late may, Memorial day weekend I think. There was still a bit of snow about, and it hailed and rained a little. Got a bit nippy, haha.

 

[lambertiana]

I finally got around to scanning a few of my old pictures from when I carried a heavy Leicaflex SLR backpacking. The scans didn't turn out that great, but I'll put them up anyway. First, Thousand Island Lake, Ansel Adams Wilderness

Island Pass with Banner Peak, Ansel Adams Wilderness

Upper Lyell Fork of the Tuolumne, Yosemite NP

 

[HikingMano]

VERY cool, John! :thumbup:

 

[OwenM]

Even with a high friction belay device, I'm not sure how he can rap like that with bare hands....I'm really wanting to try running the brake end through a leg looped biner, Z-rigging, and doubling the carabiners on rappels with a standard ATC to see how they feel.

Well, now I know. Doubling the biners makes a huge difference, and combining it with an oval on a leg loop adds so much friction to the system that I can bounce up and down and do rappels over a bare pinky finger. I even took one pic because I thought it was funny that I had gotten my camera out and screwed with the settings while holding myself in place with the brake end between my teeth.

Palisades Park has a great place for messing with rappels. There's a ledge beneath the cliff line, with a short but flat wall beneath it, and the ground slopes up so it's just a short distance to a easy place to climb back to the shelf.
The higher one I wanted to play on is a lot harder to get back to, plus the biting bugs were out in force, so I didn't bother with it, or stay quite as long as planned.

 

[HikingMano]

Good stuff, Owen. Learning through experimentation :thumbup:

Here are some pics from my time in Big Sur this past weekend, car camping with the GF.


Day 1

Love the Hobitat 4. I can stand in it!
River site. You can see the Big Sur River in the background. There was a little path down to the water. Nice.

Two of my favorite knots. Slipped Buntline Hitch on one end of clothesline, Trucker's Hitch locked with two slipped half hitches on the other. Alternatively, I'll use the Siberian Hitch / Evenk Knot on the anchor end.

In our little piece of the river. Upstream from most of the other camps too, score.

[video=youtube;J_hRk_TB8Hw]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_hRk_TB8Hw[/video]
Common Mergansers I surprised in the river. (watch all my vids in 720 for a little better quality)

After setting up camp, having lunch, and chilling for a little, we headed up the granite gorge for a quick scramble and dip at the main gorge pool.

Love the water in the Big Sur rivers. It's like the Sierra with the rocky and clean streambeds, but right on the coast.

Low rainfall this year, so the river was pretty placid and safer than it normally is. Not that it's incredibly dangerous when it's flowing, but it's dangerous enough.

Looking downstream.

The gorge swimming hole. View from the large boulder folks use as a jumping platform. We had the joint to ourselves that Friday afternoon. Very nice.

View from pool level.

It really is a pretty little swimming hole.

[video=youtube;neUrkloWDpw]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=neUrkloWDpw[/video]

Since the water level is so low, it's easy to swim up the pool neck and continue bouldering/scrambling up the gorge to more secluded (and therefore enjoyable) sections of the river. When the water is really flowing, it's pretty hard to reach the next set of boulders past the neck, let alone climb them safely.
We didn't have time to go exploring on the first day, but we came back to go up river on Sunday.

Some sort of insect or worm tunneling in a downed tree we came across.

I don't know what's so hard about not trashing our few remaining beautiful natural areas. This is all the stuff we picked up along the way back to camp, along the more accessible part of the river. I've never seen so much litter before on this river.
This is the problem with easily accessible natural areas, and it's one of the reasons I love backpacking so much. Bouldering up the river later in the weekend was nice because it allowed us to leave the littering idiots behind and better enjoy the pristine river.

Unbelievable. Broken bottles and all.

Back at camp. Firesteel fires except for the last night. I was going for speed and used a lighter (not that it shaved that much more time)... No friction fire yet, but the bow-drill is on my goal list for the year.

Oooh...ahhh....

No campfire is complete without a ghost lurking about

GF woke me up for a midnight nature call, so I ended up checking out the river while I was up. Quite ethereal, and under the Blue Moon no less! I wish I had some better shots, but I didn't want to wake up too much.

Continued in next post.