idahobob
Trail Wise!
many are cold, but few are frozen
Posts: 198
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Post by idahobob on Feb 24, 2016 20:35:15 GMT -8
I was in a hot spring in the winter in Idaho, by myself,with wolves howling nearby. I had a headlamp and ski poles. I wouldn't have minded something a little more reassuring in my pocket. I've had a couple of incidents in the woods when hiking with wife and kids that I was glad to have some protection in my fanny pack.
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Post by rodwha on Feb 25, 2016 12:31:25 GMT -8
Interesting... If I get to the point that Im afraid to take a walk in the woods, you will see a big gear sale notice. Now about tests and backpacks. Its ALL ALPS!!! Having something to protect yourself is hardly about fear.
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amaruq
Trail Wise!
Call me Little Spoon
Posts: 1,264
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Post by amaruq on Feb 25, 2016 13:57:39 GMT -8
You don't set lightning rods simply because lightning exists, you don't dig bunkers simply because meteors exist, nor carry gas masks because chemical weapons exist, etc. The simple idea that "it exists" is a poor reason to do something... My pack is about to get much, much lighter. Thanks BB! Hopefully things will be more civil and appropriate concerning tents and backpacks. Tent? Do you not understand the impact of a tent on the forest floor? And pounding in the stakes? Either you use a hammock or you're simply not following LNT principles.
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idahobob
Trail Wise!
many are cold, but few are frozen
Posts: 198
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Post by idahobob on Feb 25, 2016 14:39:33 GMT -8
LNT: I had a guy on a trip whip out a gold pan from his pack, squat down by a stream and started panning for gold. Another guy on the trip asked him if he had thought of the environmental impacts of what he was doing? Jeez! You can't move a handful of sand without someone calling you on it.
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reuben
Trail Wise!
Gonna need more Camels at the next refugio...
Posts: 11,213
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Post by reuben on Feb 25, 2016 15:37:00 GMT -8
Either you use a hammock or you're simply not following LNT principles. How does that work above the treeline? In an ice field? And don't tell me you screw your BD hammock into the wall. And bad straps improperly used or left for a long period of time can harm trees. Just trying to get you back into reality after your funny reply with no smilies.
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zeke
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Peekaboo slot 2023
Posts: 9,894
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Post by zeke on Feb 25, 2016 15:46:53 GMT -8
I have used small chocks to hang my hammock above treelike, or put it on the ground and used it like a bivy. 1-2 inch wide straps will take the strain off the tree just fine.
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swmtnbackpacker
Trail Wise!
Back but probably posting soon under my real name ... Rico Sauve
Posts: 4,886
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Post by swmtnbackpacker on Feb 25, 2016 16:39:52 GMT -8
For what? I have no issue with those who want to carry some kind of protection but ...I solo backpack in grizzly country and only carry bear spray, which works just as well on humans. . Yeah, I got hit in the face with bear spray and pretty much blinded for 2 hours even with my eyes under running water, so I can't imagine getting sprayed in a wilderness situation. It's like battery acid in chemistry lab, not the nicer "really hot hot sauce" picture we've been fed. Then for several hours the remaining pepper particles will carry on any air current into the eyeball. For the next couple of days, random particles would irritate my eyes. Long story short, the black canister in the back of my mini-SUV w/cracked plastic safety ("...just handle with care...") was triggered when I inadvertently put my cleaned skid plate on it. I didn't even get hit with the full can.
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swmtnbackpacker
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Back but probably posting soon under my real name ... Rico Sauve
Posts: 4,886
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Post by swmtnbackpacker on Feb 25, 2016 17:03:38 GMT -8
I really don't (but could) as bear spray can be very effective against all sorts of critter with a cone blast of what Canada regards as a chemical weapon (as I've demonstrated). That said, I'm not that worried if people do but it's their weight to carry. I've mellowed a bit as (surprisingly) some locally-known environmentalists I've backpacked with carry a revolver (lighter one) as they've had words with some ranchers, but some military training (as in running with a semi-full backpack and we aren't talking about a hydration pack) as special forces candidates didn't.
So you'd be surprised who does or who doesn't, but one thing, this a main reason why I do not hike at night unless there's a full moon. I've heard of campers stumbling by tents at night to find a bathroom just to hear a safety click off.
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jj
Trail Wise!
Posts: 50
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Post by jj on Feb 26, 2016 2:03:08 GMT -8
I do a lot of solo backpack trips. While out on the trail I do carry a firearm. Just wondering if anyone else does? Chances are I will never need it but I would rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it. Also wondering how you carry your sidearm if you do carry while backpacking. People get a little weird about it sometimes so I usually carry concealed. Yes, both my husband & I do (both 45 xd's) along with everyone we hike with in our circle of friends. We also have small bear spray for black bears . I carry all the time regardless of in the woods or not, course I grew up in the sticks However, nobody has ever mentioned or acted strange but may be the area we are in. Most folks we see have a pistol or large knife visible.
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Post by rodwha on Feb 26, 2016 4:46:57 GMT -8
I do a lot of solo backpack trips. While out on the trail I do carry a firearm. Just wondering if anyone else does? Chances are I will never need it but I would rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it. Also wondering how you carry your sidearm if you do carry while backpacking. People get a little weird about it sometimes so I usually carry concealed. Yes, both my husband & I do (both 45 xd's) along with everyone we hike with in our circle of friends. We also have small bear spray for black bears . I carry all the time regardless of in the woods or not, course I grew up in the sticks However, nobody has ever mentioned or acted strange but may be the area we are in. Most folks we see have a pistol or large knife visible. Wait a minute. Do you mean to tell me that the extra two pounds didn't break your trip causing you to need to turn back? You weren't exhausted and taking breaks every thirty minutes like some of these people would? You must have had a lot of high energy snacks to be able to deal with that tremendous burden, right?
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franco
Trail Wise!
Posts: 2,297
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Post by franco on Feb 26, 2016 14:16:00 GMT -8
Why would someone carry an extra 2 pounds of dead weight if they don't feel the need to have a gun with them ?
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jj
Trail Wise!
Posts: 50
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Post by jj on Feb 26, 2016 17:01:14 GMT -8
Yes, both my husband & I do (both 45 xd's) along with everyone we hike with in our circle of friends. We also have small bear spray for black bears . I carry all the time regardless of in the woods or not, course I grew up in the sticks However, nobody has ever mentioned or acted strange but may be the area we are in. Most folks we see have a pistol or large knife visible. Wait a minute. Do you mean to tell me that the extra two pounds didn't break your trip causing you to need to turn back? You weren't exhausted and taking breaks every thirty minutes like some of these people would? You must have had a lot of high energy snacks to be able to deal with that tremendous burden, right I do take frequent stops but it is to fill my memory card with photos. Course, I go for the scenery even though I've spent more time in the woods than most. Eric runs our job sites so he is in awesome shape. I think our packs weigh less than his tool belts. Those of us who have been stalked by a cougar never go in the woods unarmed. Nothing is scarier than walking out a trail and seeing their prints inside your footprints. Those little hairs on the back of your neck really do have a purpose.
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Post by Lonewolf on Feb 26, 2016 17:41:37 GMT -8
Those of us who have been stalked by a cougar never go in the woods unarmed. Nothing is scarier than walking out a trail and seeing their prints inside your footprints. I had one follow me for close to 3 miles when I was soloing in after dark because I got to the TH late. Never bothered me and I wasn't scared. Wary yes, scared no. I solo and have had more than 30 close encounters, less than 50', with both blacks and grizzlies. I met a 700# male griz at about 15' and even had a black lick my face one night when I was bivied out in the Smokies. Never been too bothered and have never felt the need for a firearm even in those encounters. So a question.... a member of your party has an animal on top of them chewing and clawing away. Are you really going to start blasting at the critter with your firearm? In such a case bear spray is far more effective and much safer. Your partner will be miserable from being sprayed along with the animal but they won't have bullet holes in them.
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BlueBear
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@GoBlueHiker
Posts: 3,224
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Post by BlueBear on Feb 26, 2016 17:52:40 GMT -8
I've also spent plenty enough time alone in cougar country (fresh track filling with water and all) and do not see the need for a firearm for me. As Lonewolf said: wary, yes; scared, no. I've laid awake at night hearing a brown bear splash in the creek a few dozen yards from my tarp on Alaska too. Laid under the stars, with a broken foot no less, while a pack of wolves howled on the shoreline a few dozen feet away in British Columbia. Have met well over a hundred black bears in the woods and mountains. I still don't feel the need, and don't go out of my way to exaggerate the utility of a handgun against those animals.
Spare the "anyone who goes here" arguments. You'll find there's a lot more collective experience on these forums than you might initially guess.
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Westy
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Diagnosed w/Post-Trail Transition Syndrome
Posts: 1,962
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Post by Westy on Feb 26, 2016 19:12:02 GMT -8
BB, received the Bear Book I ordered as a result of this thread. The requirement for protection by firearm is .375 H&H Magnum, the ability to get off three shots in 10 seconds in less than a 12 inch circle at ranges of 15 to 40 yards. That means you need the marksmanship of Annie Oakley, the quick draw of Wyatt Earp and nerves of steel. The main reason firearms have a low success against grizzlies is not the weapons, but the person handling the weapon - few hunters are competent at combat shooting. Trying to kill a grizzly bear that charges towards you at 30 to 35 mph is definitely combat shooting. It's much easier for a novice to "hit" and stop a grizzly bear with a cloud of bear spray. The backcountry user must practice firing quickly until it's instinct. You must be able to do it in the dark. That means practice with multiple canisters of bear spray prior to carrying one in the field. The book appears reasonable and well thought out. Every page is very informative. The Notes, References, and author qualifications are impressive. I still don't feel the need, and don't go out of my way to exaggerate the utility of a handgun against those animals Therefore I agree with BB statement. My initial conclusion is that prevention and acute knowledge of validated, scientific "old guy tricks" provides the most reasonable, safe and effective deterrent.
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