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

[HikingMano]

@ Owen

Wow! Sounds epic! Pictures really don't tell the whole story much of the time, I agree on the video goodness :thumbup: Glad you got in some solid outdoor time before the world ends

What a great place to explore and clamber on stuff. Looks like you had it pretty much to yourself too, the best kind of outing. Looking forward to your thread buddy :thumbup:

Keep up the vids, they are definitely enjoyable!

Kamagong, score! :thumbup:

 

[OwenM]

@ Owen

Wow! Sounds epic! Pictures really don't tell the whole story much of the time, I agree on the video goodness :thumbup: Glad you got in some solid outdoor time before the world ends

What a great place to explore and clamber on stuff. Looks like you had it pretty much to yourself too, the best kind of outing. Looking forward to your thread buddy :thumbup:

Keep up the vids, they are definitely enjoyable!

Thanks! I'm noticing that I'm having a tendency to point the camera downwards, because I'm not actually looking at it most of the time. Have to work on that...
That Honey Creek Loop seemed like it would never end, but that was a good thing. Usually, once I feel like I've seen everything there is to see, and have to slog back out, I can't wait to be done. Several times that trail makes you think everything is over, and while there was a sense of relief at being done, after the first time there was also a certain excitement about what was coming next. Right up until I actually caught a glimpse of my truck through the trees, I was wondering "what's going to happen now?!?". I felt like I'd been on an adventure when I got done-felt like I was on an adventure the whole time I was hiking, for that matter.
I was all alone, too. Met two guys leaving from the same trailhead I parked at Tuesday, but they were going a different direction, and I never saw another person except rangers when I stopped at a visitor center. Was also the only person besides rangers in the office at Pickett State Park. It was nice and quiet, except when I was jabbering at the camera
Guess I better start working on that thread. Don't know what time tomorrow it all ends...

 

[HikingMano]

It's almost midnight down there, you better get crackin

I love trips where you feel like you're on an all day adventure, and not an enjoyable out but slog back. One of the reasons I always seek out trips in new areas when possible.

 

[redsquid2]

I finished up one of my minimalist fixed blades today. Like I mentioned in a previous post, I was really focused on lightness; what kind of fixed blade design could go lightweight backpacking, and be capable of some whittling, cord cutting, and minor food prep.

The specs on this one are:

Total weight of knife and sheath: 2.5 oz.
154 CM
O.A.L. 5 3/8"
Tip to front of scales: 3"
Cutting edge: 2 1/4"

Jatoba wood liners, sealed around the edges with rubbed-in Tru Oil.
Olive drab G-10 scales.
Brass pin and lanyard tube

If I knew a secret to making the eyelets prettier, I would. Oh, well. They do their job.

 

[jasonp]

Seeing all these videos made me remember I had some vids. This one was from last year hiking through the south Texas brush and I came upon this little guy; he was kinda angry.
http://youtu.be/28OWtCxSeL4
Very nice knife Redsquid by the way. I'd be proud to make anything even close to that.

JP

 

[HikingMano]

Nice, redsquid! I'm liking it :thumbup:

Cool video, Jason. That guy was indeed just a little tense I haven't seen a rattlesnake in ages, I hope to see a few this coming year.

We've gotten a series of deluges here lately, but on Christmas Eve, we had a little break. We don't mind getting out in the rain, but it made for a nice chance to catch water flowing in the Santa Cruz mountains without actually having to hike in the rain. Here a few pics from that little outing, I'll put up a few vids once I get them uploaded.

There were quite a few mini-waterfalls since it's been raining so heavily. With the land so inundated, the water was just getting downhill any ole way it could.

Creeks were flowing nicely.

Berry Creek Falls peeking through.

Berry Creek Fall

Top of the fall

You know it's wet when the trail itself becomes a series of mini-cascades

 

[lambertiana]

In Paradise Valley, Kings Canyon NP

And looking down from the lower end of Paradise Valley

 

[HikingMano]

Gorgeous, John :thumbup:

Vids to continue from my post above:

[video=youtube;vBtgwYn3W0I]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBtgwYn3W0I[/video]

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

[video=youtube;3d_bWOYjnEY]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3d_bWOYjnEY[/video]

continued in next post.

 

[HikingMano]

continued from above

[video=youtube;bF_ZTfByGc8]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bF_ZTfByGc8[/video]

[video=youtube;TIzW6RlqPKI]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIzW6RlqPKI[/video]

[video=youtube;uyMNE16euwA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyMNE16euwA[/video]

continued below

 

[HikingMano]

continued from above.

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

[video=youtube;cwHI8Fmafcs]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwHI8Fmafcs[/video]

Hoping to get more dirt (more like mud) time this week for hiking or running now that I have a little time off of work.

 

[OwenM]

Great pics, and I'm glad you guys are getting out!:thumbup:
I got in a quick overnighter to end the year, too, but just got back an hour ago, and haven't uploaded any pics.
We've got a lot of water flowing around here with those big storms just blowing through. I was wanting my water shoes and wetsocks this morning, and once a pair of wetsuit pants

 

[Galeocerdoshark]

Wooow, HM, what great pics! How high are those trees? They seem tor each pretty high up. Love thi pics of the rapids and the 'shrooms too. Looks like a fun trip, great scenery!

Lambertiana, those areas with the pools look pretty sweet to hang around in. Lovely.

 

[HikingMano]

Thanks Owen and GS
Owen, as usual, I'm looking forward to the pics!
J, the trees shown in those pics aren't that high, but there are a few decently tall redwoods in that forest. There's one called the "Mother-of-the-Forest" that's about 100m IIRC.

 

[mtnfolk mike]

great pics/vids Russell.. next time you go to Big Basin, drop me a line.. i live in Boulder Creek now.. hope all is well with you man..

 

[pap11y]

The pack is ready to go

From an older trip - Camping out in Brooklyn NSW, Australia just as spring started..

 

[HikingMano]

Hey Mike! Will do man, it's been a while! Good thing you guys aren't in Felton anymore, it sounds like the flood there caught even the long time residents by surprise...

Nice pics, pap11y :thumbup: Beach camping trips are great.

 

[OwenM]

Owen, as usual, I'm looking forward to the pics!

I've got a few to put up before I head out...
The falls in The Grotto at Walls of Jericho were flowing really well. This is my sixth time going there, and only the second that they even had any water.
I headed out there yesterday evening, but didn't get up in the canyon until this morning. Only had time to hike in and make camp before dark yesterday.

Looking down into the amphitheater of the Walls.

Water from the falls coming out of the cave:

My new Icebreaker Bodyfit150 long sleeve T may make it look like you're about to get into Superman mode, but it wetted out some on the hike out at 31F, and didn't perform a fraction as well as Capilene 1
I was "retesting" merino for multiday use here in AL, and hoping the 150wt did better than 200wt with, you know...all that stuff people like to claim merino is "better" at. Merino and 80% humidity don't get along so well, though.

Anyway, it was a nice spot for breakfast.

I got wet several times trying to follow the creek out. A lot of the places I "knew" I could walk were underwater, so there was a lot of up and down the canyon, backtracking, and some just saying screw it and getting wet.

Some of the rock formations otw out of the canyon had icicles hanging on them. Not something you get to see a lot of around here!

 

[HikingMano]

Nice! I do seem to remember you posting before a pic of The Grotto with little to no flow. Looks like a chilly outing!

What's your biggest complaint with the Merino? Is it that it doesn't wick and dry as quickly as synthetics like Capilene? I really like that Merino doesn't stink after a few days out. I have used my merino baselayer (Kuiu 185) in humid forest and coastal conditions and haven't been very disappointed in the performance, but it wasn't at 31F. If it's still a little wet from the day before, or it's damp from being exposed to moist air overnight, then it is a bit damp and chilly in the morning when putting it back on. But I warm up quick enough and I'll throw my Houdini on if it's a little chilly. Synthetic shirts definitely dry quicker, but they stink much earlier. I haven't tried Capilene yet, but I really want to check it out one of these days.

I'm also interested in how you approach footwear and creek crossings (more than a few in a day) or wet terrain. I have switched over to using breathable trail runners and light and quick drying socks (injinji liners and socks), but I've been thinking about neoprene socks or similar for trips where I know my feet will be wet most of the day. I definitely have moved away from "waterproof" boots and the like. In my experience they work fine for keeping feet dry (if you're not wetting out from sweat, and if the lining is still intact) as long as the water never gets in from the top. If they do (rain running down clothing/body, unexpected deep spot), they do indeed take forever to dry out. Much easier to use quick drying socks or change socks and have breathable shoes that dry quickly. And although I've never used any yet, it seems that adding Hydropel or the like (bodyglide liquid powder) will prevent any problems from maceration if your feet will really be wet all day. Anyway, just curious as to what you do, depending on conditions of course.

 

[mtnfolk mike]

we had a wonderful Christmas this year.. it was an awesome day spent with loved ones..we all got things we had been wanting..:32:

here's some of my more Bushcrafty/outdoorsy gifts...

- Frost River Isle Royal jr. pack. i am so stoked on this one, the misses scored it for me from a fellow forum member on BCUSA..
- Bahco Laplander saw.
- Tru-Nord pin on brass compass.
- an awesome Brixton short brimmed fedora in dark mossy green.

and last but not least i received 2 gifts from 2 great forum members over on BCUSA.. a BCUSA M.E.S.T. and a TOPS/Turley PSK.. many thanks again Brother's Fluke and JWilliams.. i appreciate it..

this Frost River Isle Royal Jr. pack is just plain awesome.. if you're into ultralight gear, please look away.. this thing is as solid as they come..canvas, leather, copper and brass.. pure old skool meshed with a newer design..

 

[KFU]

Nice pack Mike, Ive been thinking about getting an old school pack for dayhikes and maybe weekenders. I might have to check those out.