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

Sweet! Love snakes! Are you seeing more of them now that the weather is warming up?

Glad to hear the chest pack is working out well for you. I'm debating between it and the HPG Kit Bag (and possibly Runner's kit bag). I'm leaning towards the HPG Kit bag, but have a while to decide. I can't remember what you said specifically; does it work better around your midsection than it does over your chest?

Was out with the GF checking out spring wildflowers today. Pics from the outing later, when I get them uploaded.
 
Yeah, the snakes are officially out, it seems.

I don't want it over my chest, because I want to be able to look down into it, and dig around. Don't want a fanny pack, or to wear it at waist level, because then it's in the way, whether on a bike or climbing up stuff..works great over the belly.

I've got so many pictures I don't even know what to do with them. A trip report is out of the question. Luckily:rolleyes: a lot of my pictures didn't come out well, due to horrible lighting, but I've still got about 75 I might put in a separate thread that are all rocks and water, and lots of waterfalls. Some videos might do better.
I scared up a few deer, but the only pic I got is of one's hindquarters. Got a few from a distance of a white squirrel at DuPont State Forest, which I thought was some great discovery, but apparently they have a bunch of them around there at one of the city parks in the area.
News to me, and I thought it was pretty cool.
dscn0601vj.jpg
 
Haha, yeah, I saw that squirrel and instantly thought "whoa, albino squirrel!" Interesting that it's common to the area. Looking forward to your pics! :thumbup:

Re: chest pack. Yeah, I wouldn't be digging around in mine so much. It's mostly essentials/just-in-case stuff I want on my person and not in my pack - all of which I carry on my belt now, but it gets in the way for scrambling. All the other non-essential but often-accessed stuff like purell, snacks, buff, sunglasses, etc. goes in hip-belt pockets, water bottle pockets (I can access the pockets on my ULA with pack on) or on shoulder straps. I'm still trying to figure out a better solution for bulkier maps when I don't print out something I can just stick in a pocket. I hate having to take my pack off to consult a full map.

Pics comin later tonight.
 
The GF and I headed over to Sunol Regional Wilderness today to enjoy the spring wildflowers display the hills are putting on right now. It's been a relatively dry year and we did not see as many out there today as I had hoped, but it was still a nice, chill, outing. We also went to check out this area of the park called "Little Yosemite" through this river canyon, but I was pretty underwhelmed with the section we saw. I think though, had we continued farther along, we would have came to more interesting and yosemite-like creek scenery, but as it was, there were quite a few people in that area, so we opted to skip the crowds.

We looped from the "car" spot up in the hills and back down. I forgot to start the tracking until we had already started on the trail, so that's the gap you see. When we got back to the car, we went out-and-back to check out "Little Yosemite". We'll have to go back really early on another weekend to more fully explore the "Little Yosemite" area to see what we missed.
Picture3_zpsfbbf0058.png


Nice day to start off with.
IMG_1111_zpsf599bb87.jpg


IMG_1112_zps9cb3b6e0.jpg


Wind Poppy
IMG_1115_zps6fb84a9a.jpg


California Buttercup
IMG_1118_zps4b96dc9a.jpg


IMG_1125_zps49ef7a24.jpg


Long-beaked Filaree
IMG_1129_zpsa2ac3de7.jpg


Cave Rocks. There's some climbing problems and sunken hardware, and when it's been wet enough, there's a seasonal flow right through the base of the formation. Pretty fun spot just to clamber around and take in the views from the top.
IMG_1184_zps405a36ff.jpg


IMG_1143_zps7f467b52.jpg


IMG_1149_zpsb2f1c6c4.jpg


IMG_1151_zps7b5117a1.jpg


Half way up view:
IMG_1163_zps1c8ab8b2.jpg


You can spot hardware if you look close enough:
IMG_1173_zps2043ae3e.jpg


IMG_1172_zpsda7223db.jpg


IMG_1177_zps8b55a820.jpg


If I have a decent video, I'll post it later.

Common Dandelion, I think. Either that or Rough Cat's Ear.
IMG_1188_zps6ffb48eb.jpg


Came to a little pond where some turtles were partying.
IMG_1198_zpsecfa08c9.jpg


Carry on, fellas, carry on.
IMG_1207_zps7919aa0d.jpg


Happy cows come from california :p
IMG_1232_zps82e4db18.jpg


IMG_1241_zps5353d3b9.jpg


IMG_1243_zps0697ab80.jpg


California Poppy and maybe Blue-eyed Grass
IMG_1253_zps7034491c.jpg


IMG_1255_zps44055d6d.jpg


IMG_1264_zps7d896cc3.jpg


Lupine, Arroyo I think.
IMG_1265_zpsf23d3a98.jpg


Purple Owl's Clover
IMG_1272_zps1fd96572.jpg


Maguire Peaks in the back left.
IMG_1337_zpsc3649568.jpg


IMG_1343_zpsb5768b4a.jpg


IMG_1347_zps2827c2db.jpg


IMG_1350_zps98f950e7.jpg


IMG_1353_zpsdcab5255.jpg


IMG_1357_zps9d628024.jpg


IMG_1361_zpse425c0dc.jpg


IMG_1364_zpsb86730e8.jpg


Checkerspot taking a break on Winter Vetch.
IMG_1367_zpsc3daafa6.jpg


Outing cutlery, in addition to SAK and classic on hiking keychain.
IMG_1369_zps5a7f9ca8.jpg


Interesting considering the well-worn use-trail next to it.
IMG_1375_zps072236db.jpg


Little Yosemite gorge.
IMG_1376_zps27ccad2c.jpg


Didn't get many pics this outing (it was the worst time for lighting anyway), and didn't spend much time selecting/editing, sorry. It was a relaxing little walk though, and a nice time spent chilling amongst the wildflowers, watching the cattle, birds, and wind-play on grass. Might be a vid or two worth uploading... will check.
 
Last edited:
*Throws flag*
10 yard penalty for posting pictures of spring weather and gorgeous scenery without regard to those that are still waiting for spring.
We just got hit with a ton of snow in the hills. Looks like you two had a great week end. Thanks for the posts.
 
Haha, ah! Sorry, I keep forgetting that the mild bay area CA weather doesn't extend to the rest of the nation :D
 
What is this "spring" you speak of? We just went straight from winter to summer in two weeks. My 40F spring/fall/most of winter bag might have seen one or two uses in the last 5 months, while the 15F took its place(you know, global warming and all...), and I'll be using my summer bag or sleeping bag liner if I overnight this week. Low is 64 on both my off nights:(
I really hate summer weather here, even though my activity level is about to skyrocket.
 
Those might as well be photos from another planet. We got a couple inches of fresh snow today....:confused:
 
Owen, the weather's probably f-ing with you, wait till the days/nights you're back to work, then the weather will be perfect :D That's how it often seems to work for me anyway... This weekend, visibility was ok because the wind died down. The wind picked back up sunday night and lo and behold, the air was crystal clear today with excellent visibility. Grr.

Smithhammer, I guess I'll just have to keep posting greenery for your vicarious enjoyment :D

If it's any consolation, as beautiful as spring is, my damn allergies almost negate the enjoyment at times. And then the ticks come out in force...

Mike, Wow! Great shots!!! That's some wet cold weather, but man doesn't it make for stunning dynamic vistas. :thumbup::thumbup:
 
Those are awesome pics.
Russell, you're right on about the weather, at least this week. I'm AT work, and all is well. Off Tues/Wed, and it's supposed to rain both days. This will make the fourth or fifth time I've planned to do the Bear Creek backcountry loop at Cloudland Canyon in GA. They close that trail when it rains, since the creek apparently floods easily. I'll probably go up there, anyway, and do the more scenic stuff if they close it.
Then if my road trip next week works out, that will make 7 states this month:D

Rain has been killing the opportunities for mountain biking, too. Got a trunk rack for my car a couple months ago, so I wouldn't have to drive my truck. I've been rained out every single week. Haven't even taken the rack out of the box!
 
Lovely pictures once more. HM those are some nice macro shots of flowers. Lovely colours. Nature still has to get back in action over here though. As with Owen, the weather jumped from below freezing point to 22°C in a week and a half. Back down again with 5°C since yesterday, lol.
Milani, love that lake!
 
Owen, 7 states in a month! Wow. I think I've only done two in several years... back home to HI and here in CA:o. Well, I hope you get to do the Bear Creek backcountry loop, but even if you don't, I'm sure you'll be seeing some nice stuff anyway :thumbup: If I didn't have a GF, I'd be spending all my off time camping out too, on my days off... so envious :grumpy: Hey, bright side of all the rain, all your creeks, rivers, and waterfalls are flowing nicely. Things are trickling here on the west coast.

GS, thanks :thumbup: Although, seeing these pictures makes me realize I'm in desperate need of a better camera. I've been eyeing the Olympus PEN PL1 lately...
You must be cold, on all your digs!
 
OwenM said:
What is this "spring" you speak of? We just went straight from winter to summer in two weeks. My 40F spring/fall/most of winter bag might have seen one or two uses in the last 5 months, while the 15F took its place(you know, global warming and all...), and I'll be using my summer bag or sleeping bag liner if I overnight this week. Low is 64 on both my off nights:(
I really hate summer weather here, even though my activity level is about to skyrocket.
Click to expand...

I have little sympathy for you brother. I used to live in Huntsville (3 yrs ago) and I love that climate!

Galeocerdoshark said:
Lovely pictures once more. HM those are some nice macro shots of flowers. Lovely colours. Nature still has to get back in action over here though. As with Owen, the weather jumped from below freezing point to 22°C in a week and a half. Back down again with 5°C since yesterday, lol.
Milani, love that lake![/Thank]
THank you very much Galeocerdoshark, although, truth be told my wife took those pictures.

HikingMano said:
Michael, this is a really sweet shot by the way. Well done :thumbup:
Click to expand...

Thanks Russell. Thats me and one of my boys. I love it that my family entertains dad's crazy idea of a good time by coming with me on my hikes.
Click to expand...
 
You are a lucky man, great way to spend time with your family :thumbup: When I have kids, I hope to do the same.
 
Getting anxious for the snow to melt in the Sierras so I can get to the high country again...here are some to whet the appetite.

Aster Lake, Sequoia NP


Emerald Lake, Sequoia NP


Heather Lake, Sequoia NP
 
Me neither. Bummed I can't make it this year, but I hope to join next year's (and maybe see you then, Mike :thumbup:)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top