digger
Trail Wise!
Flirt harder...I'm an IT guy.
Posts: 42
|
Post by digger on Nov 20, 2020 11:54:59 GMT -8
Hello folks. My name's Craig. I live in Austin TX and LSS I've been looking to make some changes in my life that get me out of the house and closer to nature. After careful consideration, hiking/backpacking is the logical activity for me for several reasons I won't go into here. I probably won't pester this community with "what should I buy questions" because I've got a fairly well developed google-muscle. I will probably ask for input about locations, best times of the year to visit, etc. I'm currently in the planning stages of my first outing. I'm looking at a 3 day weekend trip to Big Bend NP in Jan or Feb 2021. I look forward to reading all about your adventures here and learning from you all. Hopefully we'll meet on a trail someday.
|
|
rebeccad
Trail Wise!
Writing like a maniac
Posts: 12,667
|
Post by rebeccad on Nov 20, 2020 12:44:28 GMT -8
Welcome, Digger! Please feel free to discuss your gear choices—there are a lot of gear geeks here (big surprise) who like nothing better than to hold discussions about everything from sox to coffee that go on for pages!
|
|
|
Post by Coolkat on Nov 20, 2020 12:46:35 GMT -8
Welcome digger! Good to have you join us. Lot's of people here with lots of experience and are willing to share. Find a topic that interests you and jump in. There will be others that post after me asking some personal and not so personal questions.
|
|
|
Post by johntpenca on Nov 20, 2020 12:49:52 GMT -8
Welcome! We have several central TX members here.
When spring arrives, look at the Ouachitas and Ozarks here in Arkansas.
|
|
|
Post by cweston on Nov 20, 2020 12:53:03 GMT -8
Welcome, digger. Don't be shy about asking questions: there are plenty of smarty-pants know-it-alls here who would like nothing better than to give BPing advice
|
|
desert dweller
Trail Wise!
Power to the Peaceful...Hate does not create.
Posts: 6,291
|
Post by desert dweller on Nov 20, 2020 13:12:44 GMT -8
Welcome from the desert southwest.
|
|
reuben
Trail Wise!
Gonna need more Camels at the next refugio...
Posts: 11,148
Member is Online
|
Post by reuben on Nov 20, 2020 13:24:20 GMT -8
Welcome to the Pleasure Dome.
Be wary of your google muscle. Strength does not imply accuracy. It can lead you down bad paths. The denizens here are a much better resource.
What are your opinions on:
Kilts Beets Scotch Vests Beer Okra PAM v butter
|
|
|
Post by johntpenca on Nov 20, 2020 13:43:44 GMT -8
Bacon Drop Bears Brussel Sprouts
|
|
zeke
Trail Wise!
Peekaboo slot 2023
Posts: 9,879
|
Post by zeke on Nov 20, 2020 13:47:24 GMT -8
Welcome! In the Gear section, there is a thread pinned at the top, named Before Asking. Decent place to start.
|
|
digger
Trail Wise!
Flirt harder...I'm an IT guy.
Posts: 42
|
Post by digger on Nov 20, 2020 14:02:47 GMT -8
Welcome to the Pleasure Dome. Be wary of your google muscle. Strength does not imply accuracy. It can lead you down bad paths. The denizens here are a much better resource. Well, part of my internet research always includes user reviews and input from people that have actually used whatever it is I'm researching. Marketing literature is OK to get specs and such but I never use it to make buying decisions.What are your opinions on: Kilts - Love them...I honestly wish they were a normal thing worn by men on the daily.Beets - A good source of nutrition... I don't buy them, but I'll certainly eat them if they're served to me.Scotch - I've never really taken to liquers. I enjoy beer and wine. I do have an appreciation for the art and history of Scotch Whiskey.Vests - Not a fan...If it's chilly enough for me to put something over my shirt, I want warmth on my arms too.Beer - Love beer...cheap beer, expensive beer, pilsners, lagers, bocks, ales, IPA's, wheat beers...bring em on.Okra - Fried mostly...and in Gumbo. That's it...you can take your pickled okra and ***** up your ***** PAM v butter - Easily butter...all chemically processed oils and cooking lubricants are to be avoided at all cost imho. I even stopped buying vegetable and canola oils. I use olive, sesame and avaocado oil for cooking oils and butter lard and tallow for other cooking fats.
|
|
|
Post by hikerjer on Nov 20, 2020 14:15:24 GMT -8
Welcome from the Big Sky Country (Montana).
|
|
driftwoody
Trail Wise!
Take the path closer to the edge, especially if less traveled
Posts: 14,983
|
Post by driftwoody on Nov 20, 2020 14:27:58 GMT -8
Welcome from Chicagoland, where we don't shove pickled okra at all.
|
|
|
Post by trinity on Nov 20, 2020 14:41:46 GMT -8
Welcome, digger . I'm an Austin native, currently living in Round Mountain, just to the west. There are plenty of places to backpack in central Texas, but most are in smallish state parks. The best options, IMHO, are the Goodwater Trail, which circles Lake Georgetown, Hill Country State Natural Area, and Lost Maples State Park. Pedernales Falls also has a back country campground, but only 2 miles in, so it gets pretty heavy use. Big Bend is pretty awesome, here is a TR from last year: Big Bend TR. I prefer the Guads, but you have to carry a lot of water. Big Bend Ranch is on my list, I still haven't made it out there, but will probably hike the Rancherias Loop before too long. But, as I often say, the best Texas backpacking destinations are in New Mexico.... I agree with reuben, you will get much more reliable gear info here than via google. Plus, we need something to bicker about.
|
|
schlanky
Trail Wise!
Lead singer, driver of the Winnebago
Posts: 452
|
Post by schlanky on Nov 20, 2020 14:42:08 GMT -8
Welcome from central Alabama, digger. Getting out of the house and closer to nature is a good thing, and backpacking is a great way to do it! Like others have said, check out the gear forum. There are a whole lot of folks around here who can give thoughtful input when you hit the point of narrowing the decision of a piece of gear down to two or three choices.
|
|
digger
Trail Wise!
Flirt harder...I'm an IT guy.
Posts: 42
|
Post by digger on Nov 20, 2020 14:51:09 GMT -8
trinity "I agree with reuben, you will get much more reliable gear info here than via google. Plus, we need something to bicker about." OK challenge accepted! I've already made my decision on this but I think it may be a bit controversial. I decided that I'm willing to carry a chair if it means I don't have to sit on rocks and logs at the end of a long hike. I bought this chair. I know new backpackers tend to lug too much stuff on the trail...do you think this is something I'll regret having taken with me on a hike? edit: OK not so controversial I guess...I see in the thread you linked there are three camp chairs in one of the pics.
|
|