whistlepunk
Trail Wise!
I was an award winning honor student once. I have no idea what happened...
Posts: 1,446
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Post by whistlepunk on Jan 17, 2016 9:04:59 GMT -8
A wee bit of single malt while watching the sunset at the end of the day.
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tigger
Trail Wise!
Posts: 2,547
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Post by tigger on Jan 17, 2016 9:12:49 GMT -8
At home, I rarely drink - once every few months. However, I have brought at least two beers on every hike since I was in my twenties. When I get to the place I call my camp, before setting up my tent I sit down on a log, crack open a beer, sit down and sip a beer. Drinking...and getting drunk are two different beasts. If I get to the point that I am drunk, I am hungover...which I think I'll pass on. That, is not my cup of tea.
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zeke
Trail Wise!
Peekaboo slot 2023
Posts: 9,894
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Post by zeke on Jan 17, 2016 9:13:13 GMT -8
I cannot remember the last time I took drinking alcohol on a backpack trip, but a little wine or single malt certainly wouldn't bother me.
I do occasionally take some with me while kayaking. It is easier to carry there, and I often have long hours to while away watching the various shore birds. Sipping on vodka lemonade, a glass of wine, or a good single malt just makes the afternoon ease by smoother.
I don't think anyone here would find my behavior objectionable. Not any more than normal anyway.
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markskor
Trail Wise!
Mammoth Lakes & Tuolumne Meadows...living the dream
Posts: 651
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Post by markskor on Jan 17, 2016 9:49:41 GMT -8
Regular routine while out on a typical 2-week fishing adventure - Sierra. We usually fish far apart - different sides of the lake but at ~6:00 PM the fishing stops and back to camp - (we keep two fish each - cleaned) and dinner starts...always an event. First my buddy breaks out the 151...(he meticulously measures out 4 - 5 oz/day into a liter water bottle)...adds the Crystal Lite/ slushy snow in the cooking pot, and creates "Trail-ritas", usually accompanied by a few slices of assorted cheeses and Wasabi Peas...a great way to end the day's accomplishments. At this point, I take over - assemble the fish fixins - foil packages/ spices...usually a pasta side too (fresh garlic/ pepper flakes/ salami/ olive oil) while enjoying the cocktails. (BTW, we made an agreement years ago...I would do all the cooking if he stayed away - He can't cook for chit!) He calls me Hop-Sing! A few chunks of dark chocolate serves as our dessert...then back to fishing till dark...repeated daily!
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Jan 17, 2016 10:13:07 GMT -8
Beer on the river, lake, or ocean but never alcohol on the trail. Just not my thing.
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johnnyray
Trail Wise!
Argle-Bargle, Jiggery-Pokery, and Applesauce
Posts: 2,050
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Post by johnnyray on Jan 17, 2016 10:29:29 GMT -8
No, just not my thing.
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rebeccad
Trail Wise!
Writing like a maniac
Posts: 12,709
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Post by rebeccad on Jan 17, 2016 10:54:16 GMT -8
I enjoy a half glass of wine with my dinner, if I don't have to go out after (I have about the weakest head for alcohol I've ever seen, and won't drive after even one glass). I used to carry peppermint schnapps or something to put in the cocoa after a long day's hiking, back in my callow youth. Now I just consider that extra unnecessary weight. In fact, I mostly don't carry the cocoa anymore either
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davesenesac
Trail Wise!
Our precious life is short within eternity, don't waste it!
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Post by davesenesac on Jan 17, 2016 11:41:34 GMT -8
Between the age of 18 and 20 in the military was stationed where beer and or alcohol was legal and epidemic so pretty much got my fill of all its experiences. And learned over those short years including months where I occasionally drank myself into a stupor that it was not for this person. Then at age 20 I developed a serious internal medical problem that has plagued the rest of my life and for which alcohol aggravates and many medicines are dangerous or deadly, much less recreational drugs. For instance caffeinated drinks or anti-histamine head cold drugs are dangerous. Accordingly despite being around a majority of people who do, I've drank very little alcohol for decades since my 20s. In any case I don't have issues with those who drink occasionally in moderation and readily understand the social enjoyments that usually involves but rather have issues with those that either have chronic habits especially daily or when inebriated have unpleasant behaviors and that includes being loud and obnoxious.
But in the backcountry those I've backpacked with for decades have a fun tradition upon finding a camp spot at our destinations after trail days. And that is a small swallow of whiskey burning down our throats into our stomachs in order to strongly shake up and wake up our systems out of the strenuous effort carrying heavy packs backpacking often involves. Thus take a quite small plastic container with a lid.
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echo
Trail Wise!
Posts: 3,334
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Post by echo on Jan 17, 2016 12:21:54 GMT -8
I've never liked to drink, but don't go anywhere without at least a cold brew coffee packet or a bit of instant. When I have friends over, sometimes they bring and leave alcoholic beverages. Even then I tend to bake with them, beef burgundy is ok and beer makes excellent hot pretzels. But my evening relaxation is either drawing, reading or writing so I have a pad of paper or a book at every moment.
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Post by hikerjer on Jan 17, 2016 16:55:46 GMT -8
I like beer and drink it pretty regularly but never on the trail. If it was light enough to carry I probably would. I have to admit that there are few things I enjoy more after a long hike or hard day of skiing than a cold beer. In fact, when I go downhill skiing , there is always bottle of beer in my lunch. Tastes pretty darn good. I never have more than two at a setting I haven't been intoxicated since college and doubt I ever will be. If I'm driving, the absolute limit is one drink.
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Post by cweston on Jan 17, 2016 18:38:24 GMT -8
I used to be a textbook everyday moderate drinker--one or two drinks (usually beer) most every day. I had to give up alcohol for a time due to a medical condition. Over the past few years, I've re-introduced it into my diet/lifestyle, but not on a daily basis.
I've never carried alcohol of any kind with me BPing (just not willing to add the weight to my pack), but the first post-hike beer is a ritual that I practice with great enthusiasm after pretty-much every hike.
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Post by hikerjer on Jan 17, 2016 18:54:28 GMT -8
The only time I've ever come across alcohol being abused in the backcountry is with horse packers. But then they abuse a lot of things, IMO.
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Post by Lonewolf on Jan 18, 2016 4:20:26 GMT -8
I was curious as to why some would carry the extra weight and came to mind because of the "odd thing" thread. Virtually all alcoholic beverages are available in non-alcoholic versions and are indistinguishable from the real stuff (as far as I've heard). So.... Since no one is taking the stuff for the effect (or admits to it anyway), wouldn't the N/A stuff suit just as well? Same weight, same taste? And if someone is taking along it for the effect, why not grain alcohol along with some powdered mixes to get more bang for the effort?
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Post by cweston on Jan 18, 2016 4:29:22 GMT -8
The only time I've ever come across alcohol being abused in the backcountry is with horse packers. But then they abuse a lot of things, IMO. Oh man--don't even get me started. The amount of trash I've packed out from horse camps. I don't understand it at all, since they (the humans) are not even the ones who would have to carry it out.
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Post by cweston on Jan 18, 2016 4:36:00 GMT -8
I don't understand your questions, Lonewolf.
First, non-alcoholic versions most definitely do not taste the same. Second, I don't think anyone has said that they don't drink alcohol for "the effect." A lot of people said they don't want to be drunk, etc.
Alcohol, like caffeine and many other things, has a pleasant effect (for most people) in smaller quantities, but less pleasant (and potentially harmful) in larger quantities.
Many folks find a small amount of alcohol helps them to relax. I guess hat may actually be the key to why I never take alcohol BPing--there is literally no where on earth that I am more relaxed than I am at camp after a day of hiking, so I really don't need any help. Now, at home after a long day at work might be a completely different story.
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