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Post by cweston on Feb 25, 2021 5:59:38 GMT -8
As I suspect we all agree, there's no one-size-fits-all approach. For those who spend a lot of days BPing (like tipiwalter), investing in higher-end gear may be wise, where it may not be for someone like me who only dreams of having that many bag nights. Plus, obviously, what someone is willing/able/comfortable to spend on gear depends on a lot of other variables. I just never want newbies or potential newbies to get the idea that a huge dollar investment is *required* in order to equip yourself to enjoy BPing. Sure, it might be ideal if money is no(t much of an) object. And starting a BPing kit from scratch would be a pretty daunting investment, but I'm guessing most people interested in BPing probably aren't starting from scratch.
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Feb 25, 2021 6:37:27 GMT -8
Oh my, I always direct newbies to spend next to nothing. While they’re uninformed on their own style and preferences close to zero of their purchases will likely be a long term solution. That entire “ the best” nonsense that permeates gear selection just fills closets with dusty junk. Understandable in its way, faced with unknowns it’s tempting to just throw gear money at the problem.
That self ego stroking “if you go OUT THERE without the absolute best you WILL die when the SHTF” is a complete joke. Overnights of an average of a night or two in predictable weather in a national or state park (it’s actually rather depressing how short the average backcountry visit is) are light years from dire survival epics: and great learning opportunities.
Low weight is good, simple goals are good, enjoy. Save K2 for the third trip maybe? And bring sunscreen.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Feb 25, 2021 8:16:07 GMT -8
I mostly do summer/early fall trips in the Sierra or similar. I need a rain shell, but it honestly doesn’t get used much. For me, light and packable are the important features, and that inevitably means less durable. In the last ten years I’ve gone through 3 $100 jackets, none of which I would want to use in extreme conditions. But, then, I kind of avoid extreme conditions. So, exactly as others have said: consider your needs.
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Post by cweston on Feb 25, 2021 11:26:15 GMT -8
...I need a rain shell, but it honestly doesn’t get used much... I'm not exactly sure how to word this: I practice a fairly high level of storm avoidance. I can't usually flat-out reschedule a trip due to a bad forecast, but I may have a couple days wiggle room. And if I get into the BC and the weather is bad, I will definitely alter my itinerary if possible to have more time at lower elevation (below tree line), more waiting things out in camp. Even in good summer weather, I start my days really early in order to maximize the chance of storm-free travel. If you're the kind of hiker hiking the kind of trips where this kind of flexibility is not an option, then yeah, that ultra high end bombproof shell might be something to consider spending on.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Feb 25, 2021 20:00:30 GMT -8
...I need a rain shell, but it honestly doesn’t get used much... I'm not exactly sure how to word this: I practice a fairly high level of storm avoidance. I can't usually flat-out reschedule a trip due to a bad forecast, but I may have a couple days wiggle room. And if I get into the BC and the weather is bad, I will definitely alter my itinerary if possible to have more time at lower elevation (below tree line), more waiting things out in camp. Even in good summer weather, I start my days really early in order to maximize the chance of storm-free travel. If you're the kind of hiker hiking the kind of trips where this kind of flexibility is not an option, then yeah, that ultra high end bombproof shell might be something to consider spending on. This. I grew up in the PNW. I have never liked hiking in the rain. So I largely stick to places and seasons where rain is a short-term thing, not something that goes on for days.
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ErnieW
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Post by ErnieW on Feb 26, 2021 21:14:45 GMT -8
There are affluent people where $800 isn't a concern. Where $800 is a feature not a flaw.
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