balzaccom
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Post by balzaccom on Aug 23, 2019 6:58:25 GMT -8
Dartmoor National Park in the UK posts this:
"Stay out of sight – backpackers should use very small and lightweight tents which easily blend into the landscape. Part of the enjoyment of experiencing the National Park is its unspoilt and vast landscapes, so it is important that other people’s enjoyment of Dartmoor is not impaired by tents dotting the view."
I would agree with the principles of Dartmoor. We frown on backpackers who make loud noises in the backcountry, spoiling the experience for others. It's not just Leave No trace--it is, in fact, make a smaller footprint, or limit the impact of your presence. For me, loud colors have a similar negative impact.
But I think that the equipment manufacturers and the magazines often glorify that unique campsite on top of the granite dome, all alone in a bright day-glo yellow tent--right where everyone else gets to look at you.
And yes, this is a first world problem. Isn't backpacking a first world activity?
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desert dweller
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Power to the Peaceful...Hate does not create.
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Post by desert dweller on Aug 23, 2019 7:07:47 GMT -8
When hiking during hunting season on land where it is permissible, I have a very orange teeshirt I attach to the pack. My tent is kind of orange and white.
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Post by johntpenca on Aug 23, 2019 8:45:38 GMT -8
But I think that the equipment manufacturers and the magazines often glorify that unique campsite on top of the granite dome, all alone in a bright day-glo yellow tent--right where everyone else gets to look at you.
And yes, this is a first world problem. Isn't backpacking a first world activity? The camping/backpacking advertisements that get me going are the ones showing the camp set up right on a lak/stream. Seriously tho, I like a human element in my photos. In my life I've taken lots of landscape photos and my favorites are those that have a human element. Bright colors liven up a photo. balzaccom , my comment was somewhat tongue in cheek, but yes, it is interesting how people in first world countries get bent out of shape over such trivial things. We are all very blessed to have the luxuries we have and should not take them for granted.
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Post by hikerjer on Aug 30, 2019 8:47:31 GMT -8
I prefer mute colors for tents, packs and clothing. All of my recent rent purchases have been grays, light greens and tans (REI & BA). I’ve often wondered why manufacturers don’t make tents with bright colored canopies fort the feeling of warmth and coziness but have the rain fly be a more muted color. Shouldn’t be that difficult.
As for small items i.e. spoons, flashlights, tent stakes, some stuff sacks, etc., I much prefer a bright color to help find them when set them down. Orange is my preference.
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reuben
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Post by reuben on Aug 30, 2019 10:00:49 GMT -8
Do you have a sock puppet that posted a rant about orange shoes a few years ago?
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Post by hikerjer on Aug 30, 2019 20:34:26 GMT -8
Nope, no sock puppet. That was, indeed, me. If nothing else you have an excellent memory or are you keeping some sort of file on all of us and our posts? At any rate, I'm duly impressed. But, you're correct. I confess, I have previously made comments about the colors of hiking boots and running shoes. I still loathe bright orange, pink, lime green, neon blue and red in footwear. But that's just me. For small easily misplaced items I prefer a bright color (orange seems to work best) so it's not so easily lost which I have a real talent for. However, I seldom use those type of items on my feet.
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rangewalker
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Post by rangewalker on Aug 31, 2019 6:42:41 GMT -8
The customer demand does not always drive the color of outdoor gear. I had a great talk with an MSR tent designer some years ago when I was whining about this new breathable EPIC fabric that being used ins single wall tents that in burnt orange. It was hideous. I was told that it was the only color that the manufacturer was releasing to them. Sure enough, everybody trying to incorporate this "next new thing" into their product line for the next two years was that goofy orange. And for casual day hikers, the apparel is driven by urban athletic wear, be it running or cycling, dammit you want to be seen.
IMHO if you are depending on your clothing color for SAR, it probably is already too late. Best only if your corpse is jammed up in some rock fin. Investment in communication from in plans and times given to a responsible family member or friend and sticking to them with a good electronic SOS device is so much better.
I am really all about minimizing your impacts in the backcountry; that includes the more commonly shared concerns about water, wildlife, cultural resources but it should include visual and audio disruptions on a landscape.
Many years ago, I left my new Gregory bright blue Shasta backpack at mining claim monument and went a day hike out and away to another drainage. Six miles away across that sagebrush flat on my return, I could make out with eyeballs the blue smudge of that of the pack but not the pink day-glow foot square flag at the claim? Up with binos, I could see the fully unfurled flag snapping the breeze. The pink reflected light was being absorbed across the distance, but the blue persisted? Colin Fletcher wrote in his book on the cross Grand Canyon trek, his aerial re-supply pilot could not see his international orange banner or red smoke, but did see Fletchers panic driven flapping of his white Visqueen tarp on a final pass. Not all colors behave in nature consistently and all environments.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Aug 31, 2019 7:10:30 GMT -8
rangewalker, I know what you mean about the colors not standing out as expected, though on reflection red and orange might not have been good choices in the GC :D Our BA tent has a fly half orange, half grey. Looking down on it from up on a pass or distant slope, it’s pretty much invisible. The orange just sort of fades away. It does make it a little easier to spot the exact location of camp when returning from a ramble and once we’re nearby, but if I hadn’t paid attention to the location with reference to other landmarks, the tent wouldn’t help. I don’t mind the color. I’ve noticed that we’ve had people here all over the place on the effects of the different colors—some saying the orange light is intolerable, others finding the light inside a green tent to be depressing. Others like the warmth of the orange, and still others find the cool green soothing. Obviously, there are personal tastes involved, and many of us (me, at least) haven’t given it much thought. Tent placement is far more important than tent color in not being a blot on the landscape.
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Post by bradmacmt on Sept 3, 2019 4:30:38 GMT -8
I like orange
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balzaccom
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Post by balzaccom on Sept 3, 2019 7:28:16 GMT -8
Nice photo...
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Post by johntpenca on Sept 3, 2019 8:53:05 GMT -8
I know what you mean about the colors not standing out as expected, though on reflection red and orange might not have been good choices in the GC Indeed. Color for being seen should contrast with the surroundings.
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echo
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Post by echo on Sept 3, 2019 15:57:50 GMT -8
Granted it’s been thirty years since I had an orange tent, but my not yet husband and I used to camp around Cody and Yellowstone in what was really a one person orange pup tent. This thread just brings back fond memories of being 18, and morning orange light and the song, Chelsea Morning. “The sun shine in like butterscotch and stuck to all our senses. Won’t you stay, we’ll put on the day and we’ll talk in present tenses.”
Our current tent is grey, sleeps a family and we’ll never be that young again.
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Westy
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Post by Westy on Sept 3, 2019 16:45:54 GMT -8
On the Glorious 12th the hikers can't be missed!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 10, 2019 16:26:37 GMT -8
When hiking during hunting season on land where it is permissible, I have a very orange teeshirt I attach to the pack. My tent is kind of orange and white. I have a wicked orange pack cover for hunting season. My wife wants me to wear my yellow orange safety vest for the same reason since I go solo most of the time.
Better than the helmet with the flashing red light she first suggested.....................
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