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Nice haul, Mike :thumbup: I have a Tru-Nord keychain button compass, and it's awesome. How are you liking the Bacho? Been thinking about picking one up.
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The NEW Post Your Campsite/gear/knife/hiking/anything Outdoorsy Pic Thread!
- Thread starter Esav Benyamin
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That's the main thing. Feels great when I'm wearing it in cool weather, just doesn't get dry when it's wet out, and our humidity goes way up at night. I love it for dayhikes, riding my bike, and work, but I'm not starting a cold morning by putting on a soaking wet shirt when I can have something else, or being hot all day if I don't have to(hate it in warm weather). The funny thing is that I started buying merino baselayers to try because they wouldn't stink when worn for more than a couple of days, but now I won't wear them for multiple days, and use them for everything except what I bought them for
I rarely have to do creek crossings that require more than stepping in a couple inches of water over a submerged rock, so have no expertise there.
Wet terrain, I'm cool with Gore-Tex shoes and my short gaiters, which are out of action awaiting repair right now.
If I know I'm going to be hiking continuously IN water, I've got some old Merrell water shoes and NRS wetsocks.
Bought O'Neal Reactor reef boots that are really just neoprene slippers with a grippy sole. Been fine wading and playing around on rocks while kayaking, so that's what I'll try if I have to do some wading in a creek or river. On the trail, they've only been used as camp shoes so far(replacing those heavier Merrell water shoes).
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Thanks, Owen. Next time I do a cold and wet backpacking trip, I'll probably give my synthetics a go again.
As for the footwear, I'll have to look into those NRS socks. I know I came across a thread or two on the issue on BPL as well, I'll have to dig them up again. If it's a day trip exploring a river or creek when I know I'll be in water the entire time, I'll use my trusty fisherman tabis. But they aren't so great out of the water and on a trail, and I definitely wouldn't take them backpacking. I'm still trying to work on the one jack-of-all-trades set-up for backpacking that can handle dry trail as well as many creek crossings or shoe-coating mud in cold weather. So far it seems like breathable and quick-drying trail runners with a change of wetsocks for any really wet days in cold conditions will be my best bet.
As for the footwear, I'll have to look into those NRS socks. I know I came across a thread or two on the issue on BPL as well, I'll have to dig them up again. If it's a day trip exploring a river or creek when I know I'll be in water the entire time, I'll use my trusty fisherman tabis. But they aren't so great out of the water and on a trail, and I definitely wouldn't take them backpacking. I'm still trying to work on the one jack-of-all-trades set-up for backpacking that can handle dry trail as well as many creek crossings or shoe-coating mud in cold weather. So far it seems like breathable and quick-drying trail runners with a change of wetsocks for any really wet days in cold conditions will be my best bet.
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Just got back my Kershaw Skyline from Kiah of Kiahdex Sheath Systems. Excellent work, as always :thumbup::thumbup: I used paracord on this one; it will normally be carried horizontally on the belt just left of centerline. Neck carry and vertical belt carry are also possible. This should make a nice lightweight package for backpacking and just going light. I don't prefer thin handles like this for any real bushcrafty type prolonged work, but it should do well in a backpacking and general dayhiking role with light, short-term cutting tasks. And if it was all I had in an emergency, well, I wouldn't feel too under-knifed. I can always wrap the handle for added comfort and girth. I'm looking forward to gettin out with this little guy :thumbup: I'm also looking forward to getting my Fallkniven WM1 done up the same way. Between the WM1, F1, and this Skyline, I think I'm pretty well set up for production fixed blades that fill a backpacking niche for me.
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Quick 5miler trail run with the GF today. A little chilly and muddy, nice. Figured I'd bring the camera this time, although I still didn't take many pics.
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Kiah makes good sheaths. I've still got one of his for my little 2.5" 10V fixed blade, but the other one(or two?) went with the knives when they were sold. Nice color coordination
A lot of guys do the same thing for footwear, with the vented shoes. Same thing with the baselayers here, though. Merino socks feel pretty good to me when wet, but they don't dry out, and I like the waterproof shoes, since my feet stay dry in shallow water. Works good for me most of the time. Last week when I finished that Honey Creek loop, my socks were still dry. Course this week I stopped to dump water out of my shoes three times, so it doesn't always work out quite so well!
A lot of guys do the same thing for footwear, with the vented shoes. Same thing with the baselayers here, though. Merino socks feel pretty good to me when wet, but they don't dry out, and I like the waterproof shoes, since my feet stay dry in shallow water. Works good for me most of the time. Last week when I finished that Honey Creek loop, my socks were still dry. Course this week I stopped to dump water out of my shoes three times, so it doesn't always work out quite so well!
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Yeah, I love his work. :thumbup: My go-to kydex guy.
Re: shoes. Haha yeah
I admit I LOVE being able to tromp through wet and muddy trails and shallow water with waterproof shoes. When conditions are right and nothing unexpected happens, they're great. Like anything else, just gotta match the right gear to the right situation and requirements :thumbup:
Re: shoes. Haha yeah
I admit I LOVE being able to tromp through wet and muddy trails and shallow water with waterproof shoes. When conditions are right and nothing unexpected happens, they're great. Like anything else, just gotta match the right gear to the right situation and requirements :thumbup:
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This may not look like outdoor gear, but it is. There's going to be a lot of road trips this year, and not even including those, this will save me ~$200/month in gas. Along with canceling the gym membership I never use, and refinancing my house, my bills are actually $20-30 less per month with a brand new car(something I've never owned before)
'Course now I've got to get Weathertech mats for the floor and trunk, and seat covers so I don't ruin the interior in the first year, and a trunk rack thingie to put my bike on-was going to get a roof rack, but will just use the truck for the rare occasion the kayak gets hauled.
Here's a few more from Walls of Jericho:
Arriving.
Spring from a cave...
..which crosses the trail, and feeds this a moment later.
The trail a couple of miles further, before the...
..second creek crossing over a log bridge. This is often dry, or almost so.
Made camp just before dark.
Trail crossing at the back of the canyon, just before entering the amphiteater of the Walls.
Looking up toward the Grotto from above the amphitheater.
Just beyond that, you can see the waterfall I already posted a pic of.
Looking down into the Walls on the way out.
Following the water.
Had to cross several times within a few minutes...
This is actually the same place as the pic before last. Had to turn around, and climb back up the side to the trail, since the water got deeper, and there wasn't a way back across within sight.
Toward the mouth of the canyon, it gets wider, and the water splits up then comes back together to feed into the creek from the second crossing above.
Only six miles round trip, but man, I love that place.
'Course now I've got to get Weathertech mats for the floor and trunk, and seat covers so I don't ruin the interior in the first year, and a trunk rack thingie to put my bike on-was going to get a roof rack, but will just use the truck for the rare occasion the kayak gets hauled.
Here's a few more from Walls of Jericho:
Arriving.
Spring from a cave...
..which crosses the trail, and feeds this a moment later.
The trail a couple of miles further, before the...
..second creek crossing over a log bridge. This is often dry, or almost so.
Made camp just before dark.
Trail crossing at the back of the canyon, just before entering the amphiteater of the Walls.
Looking up toward the Grotto from above the amphitheater.
Just beyond that, you can see the waterfall I already posted a pic of.
Looking down into the Walls on the way out.
Following the water.
Had to cross several times within a few minutes...
This is actually the same place as the pic before last. Had to turn around, and climb back up the side to the trail, since the water got deeper, and there wasn't a way back across within sight.
Toward the mouth of the canyon, it gets wider, and the water splits up then comes back together to feed into the creek from the second crossing above.
Only six miles round trip, but man, I love that place.
lambertiana
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And I can see why.
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Ditto. Love all the water.
Congrats on the new car!! :thumbup: Saving gas = more trips = awesome.
Got some pics from New Years Eve trail run, but haven't gotten around to uploading pics yet.
Congrats on the new car!! :thumbup: Saving gas = more trips = awesome.
Got some pics from New Years Eve trail run, but haven't gotten around to uploading pics yet.
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Thanks, guys.
Had not planned ahead, and wasn't sure where I wanted to go today, but just realized the trailhead that gives easy access to my favorite part of Cheaha State Park will be closed for winter, so maybe there won't be a bunch of trash for me to get mad about. It's part of the ~19 mile loop I like that can be accessed by two other trailheads, but the people who trash the place aren't going to hike 4-7 miles to do it! I probably won't get to that part until tomorrow morning, but after over 36 hours of continuous rain that didn't stop until sometime last night, the waterfalls should be flowing nicely
Had not planned ahead, and wasn't sure where I wanted to go today, but just realized the trailhead that gives easy access to my favorite part of Cheaha State Park will be closed for winter, so maybe there won't be a bunch of trash for me to get mad about. It's part of the ~19 mile loop I like that can be accessed by two other trailheads, but the people who trash the place aren't going to hike 4-7 miles to do it! I probably won't get to that part until tomorrow morning, but after over 36 hours of continuous rain that didn't stop until sometime last night, the waterfalls should be flowing nicely
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Didn't do my whole loop. Tweaked my ankle halfway through the Pinhoti section, so wrapped it and turned around and hiked 5 miles back to where I parked. On the way, my ankle mysteriously just stopped hurting(?), so I continued on another 1.5 miles to Cheaha Falls Shelter, then hiked another ~2.5 miles to the Devil's Den and back out this morning. Shoot, that still comes out to ~18 miles with all the backwalking...
The Pinhoti section was bonechilling and not much for views off the mountain! That's what 100% humidity looks like, btw
Cheaha Falls
All of these are from the "Devil's Den" or upstream from it.
This is where I had breakfast:
The Pinhoti section was bonechilling and not much for views off the mountain! That's what 100% humidity looks like, btw
Cheaha Falls
All of these are from the "Devil's Den" or upstream from it.
This is where I had breakfast:
Last edited:
lambertiana
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That's a nice breakfast spot.
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Great pictures, Owen :thumbup: Sounds like even with the mysterious ankle issue, you still managed to make an excellent trip out of it. I have to say, the green lichen/moss came out nicely in that foggy picture. Made for an interesting image :thumbup: And I love all those slabby rocks. Back to synthetics this time? Is that a full size Z-lite or torso?
Here are the pics from my new years eve trail run (run/walk with all the mud and poor footwear selection).
The GF and I headed up to Montebello Open Space Preserve to do a little run. 7.3 mi and 1,627' climbing in the loop. It was super muddy, but I decided to air out my Trail Gloves that day since I hadn't worn them in a while...bad impulse decision. Much of the time was spent skidding and going slow to avoid spills... Would have had an easier time in my Roclite 295s with their aggressive outsoles.
Sun starting to peek through
Slip and slide...
Some parts become little muddy creeks
Even the deer were having problems...
South facing fire roads making for much drier travel. My Trail Gloves shod feet offered up thanks.
Ubiquitous deer...
Benchmark from the top of Black Mountain
View from Black Mountain, looking north. You can see Crystal Springs Reservoirs and the City in the distance. See next two pics for crappy zoom, from slightly different spots.
South bay from the top of Black Mountain
Zoom, Mt. Hamilton in the distance
Sparrow Hawk, looked like it was still a juvenile.
More...deer...
More view north on our way back to the trailhead
Zoom on the City and upper Peninsula, Mt. Tamalpais in the distance.
Busy little flow crossing under the trail and heading downhill. Definitely non-existent in drier months.
Most of the mud had dried and been knocked or worn off by the time we got back to the trailhead, but I wish more trailheads had these for those all-muddy (and fun!) trails
Fun little run/hike, with pretty good air quality providing decently clear views across the bay. In my Osprey Daylite I carried my PSK, Kershaw Skyline FB, Syph007 SAK, hiking keychain, silk bandana, FAK, Houdini, map, polycryo groundsheet, 2x600ml smart water bottles, and camera (when it wasn't in my hands).
Here are the pics from my new years eve trail run (run/walk with all the mud and poor footwear selection).
The GF and I headed up to Montebello Open Space Preserve to do a little run. 7.3 mi and 1,627' climbing in the loop. It was super muddy, but I decided to air out my Trail Gloves that day since I hadn't worn them in a while...bad impulse decision. Much of the time was spent skidding and going slow to avoid spills... Would have had an easier time in my Roclite 295s with their aggressive outsoles.
Sun starting to peek through
Slip and slide...
Some parts become little muddy creeks
Even the deer were having problems...
South facing fire roads making for much drier travel. My Trail Gloves shod feet offered up thanks.
Ubiquitous deer...
Benchmark from the top of Black Mountain
View from Black Mountain, looking north. You can see Crystal Springs Reservoirs and the City in the distance. See next two pics for crappy zoom, from slightly different spots.
South bay from the top of Black Mountain
Zoom, Mt. Hamilton in the distance
Sparrow Hawk, looked like it was still a juvenile.
More...deer...
More view north on our way back to the trailhead
Zoom on the City and upper Peninsula, Mt. Tamalpais in the distance.
Busy little flow crossing under the trail and heading downhill. Definitely non-existent in drier months.
Most of the mud had dried and been knocked or worn off by the time we got back to the trailhead, but I wish more trailheads had these for those all-muddy (and fun!) trails
Fun little run/hike, with pretty good air quality providing decently clear views across the bay. In my Osprey Daylite I carried my PSK, Kershaw Skyline FB, Syph007 SAK, hiking keychain, silk bandana, FAK, Houdini, map, polycryo groundsheet, 2x600ml smart water bottles, and camera (when it wasn't in my hands).
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Ah, mushy! You're wearing shorts!
I did put a Icebreaker 200wt top on over the Capilene 1 for around camp, and the short hike to the section with the waterfalls, but had to come out of it before hiking out. That's the small Z-Lite, and I combined it with an Inertia X-Lite, and my pack under my feet as a test. It was, eh...ok. Full-length inflatables have spoiled me. Second week in a row I've come home with a damp sleeping bag, because of the humidity. This time it didn't even loft up well. Can't blame the bivy like last week, because I slept in an open shelter big enough for ten people last night. It was enough, though. December and January are usually very slow months for me, and have been exceptionally wet. These conditions are even more challenging for the gear than I'd realized.
It really was a nice spot for breakfast!:thumbup:
I did put a Icebreaker 200wt top on over the Capilene 1 for around camp, and the short hike to the section with the waterfalls, but had to come out of it before hiking out. That's the small Z-Lite, and I combined it with an Inertia X-Lite, and my pack under my feet as a test. It was, eh...ok. Full-length inflatables have spoiled me. Second week in a row I've come home with a damp sleeping bag, because of the humidity. This time it didn't even loft up well. Can't blame the bivy like last week, because I slept in an open shelter big enough for ten people last night. It was enough, though. December and January are usually very slow months for me, and have been exceptionally wet. These conditions are even more challenging for the gear than I'd realized.
It really was a nice spot for breakfast!:thumbup:
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Haha, yeah, it was only in the low 40s or something and not a problem once you got moving. I'm all about full length inflatables. I don't like the idea of having to bring my possibly wet and dirty pack inside with me and having my legs and feet on it. And yeah, super humidity combined with cold does make for challenging insulation conditions. Misty hikes are fun, they do make for awesome, isolated-feeling and quiet experiences:
:thumbup:
:thumbup:
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Having a mountain bike is so much fun. This morning, I rode out to where I play around a few miles from the house, then went exploring. Followed a drainage that turned into a ATV trail, rode on and alongside railroad tracks, then walked and rode where I could on a footpath through the woods. Drug the bike through brush and vines, and swerved around through trees, and found a knee deep stream flowing under a carpet of pine straw the hard way. It's like being 10 years old again!
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Cool pics Owen! There's a whole route of abandoned railroadtracks in the South of Belgium. I'd like to hike those areas too. They have a lot of mysticism and history around them. Love that stuff!
Took a short 4km hike yesterday, to test out some new boots. Worked like a charm, they fit really well.
Took a short 4km hike yesterday, to test out some new boots. Worked like a charm, they fit really well.
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When I saw that line of cars sidetracked a little way out in the woods, and with that old rusty switch, I started looking for the black and white mode on my phone. It just struck me as looking like something from days gone by(actually it is, this used to be a small mining community that mostly got developed in the last decade).
A lot different feel than being at a railroad crossing seeing the same cars going by with a load of coal, and graffiti spraypainted on the sides...