Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 8, 2016 15:13:56 GMT -8
This is my first backpacking year and I have made it out 3 times so far, which produced more questions -
1. Sleeping bag liner - do you use one? Like it? Why or why not. Is it worth the extra weight?
2. What do you do to keep your backpack clean between hikes?
3. Do you sleep with music or earplugs to mute the night noise? (I struggle with this dilemma - light sleeper)
4. In a group with 2 or more hikers, is there a "keep watch" rotation? (Someone mentioned this - never heard it before. Sounds odd)
5. Do you have a specific camera for backpacking pics or just use your smart phone?
Thank you all, again. Your experience is so helpful to me.
* I am proud to say that the weight difference between hike #1 and hike #3 is substantial. My "don't need" pile is growing.
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reuben
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Post by reuben on Sept 8, 2016 15:25:02 GMT -8
1. No. No. Don't need it. No.
2. Pretty much nothing. I might beat it against a wall or something to get the dust out. A rinse with a hose if it gets really bad.
3. No, and I'm a light sleeper. You'll get used to it.
4. Not unless you're paranoid. Watch for what? Aliens? Bears? Elk? Squirrels? Anything that rustles a leaf? If I were backpacking in a heavy snow storm and we were worried about suffocating in our sleep due to lack of ventilation, then yes, absolutely. But otherwise no. This is why many pyramid tents have a vent at the top.
5. I often have "real" photography equipment with me, but also use P&S cameras and even a phone once in a while. Obviously they're smaller and lighter as you move toward the end of the previous sentence, and that's a big consideration.
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zeke
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Post by zeke on Sept 8, 2016 15:39:26 GMT -8
1. Sleeping bag liner - do you use one? Like it? Why or why not. Is it worth the extra weight? No No, and No. No need. Bag gets cleaned whenever I think it needs it, every 4-5 years with 20-30 nights out. 2. What do you do to keep your backpack clean between hikes? I shake it out, and maybe spray it with the hose if it is really dirty. 3. Do you sleep with music or earplugs to mute the night noise? (I struggle with this dilemma - light sleeper) No, I sleep just fine once I get used to the noise each new season. Had a squirrel run across my chest once, when I was sleeping without a tent. That made me sit up and take notice. 4. In a group with 2 or more hikers, is there a "keep watch" rotation? (Someone mentioned this - never heard it before. Sounds odd) Not the military, and there is no need for a watch. Do you hang out with militia types? 5. Do you have a specific camera for backpacking pics or just use your smart phone? I do carry a specific camera, but nothing fancy. Currently it is a Nikon Coolpix. I am not savvy enough to rely on my phone for pics. I tend to shut it down until back within range of a tower.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 8, 2016 15:54:22 GMT -8
1. Sleeping bag liner - do you use one? No. The clothes I wear in the sleeping bag are the "liner." That generally consists of a mid-layer that is neither sweat-soaked from the inside nor soiled from the outside.
2. What do you do to keep your backpack clean between hikes? The bigger risk is from food stains or scented items that might attract bears. I don't worry about dirt. I often go quite a while between cleanings with soap and water.
3. Do you sleep with music or earplugs to mute the night noise? No, one of the reasons I backpack is to listen to the "night noise." I like to be able to identify the sounds. Sometimes they remain a puzzle. That's one of the fun things about wilderness.
4. In a group with 2 or more hikers, is there a "keep watch" rotation? I backpack solo, so there is no watch. But on the few occasions with others, there was no reason to keep watch and nothing to watch out for.
5. Do you have a specific camera for backpacking pics or just use your smart phone? I have an old, lightweight Olympus camera that stays with the pack. I want to replace it, but I've never taken the time to research what to replace it with.
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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 Sept 8, 2016 15:54:58 GMT -8
1. Sleeping bag liner - do you use one? Like it? Why or why not. Is it worth the extra weight? Nope. I use silk or polypropylene long johns depending on the temps. Sleeping naked in a sleeping bag can impart dirt and body oils and sweat and degrade the bag's loft. 2. What do you do to keep your backpack clean between hikes? Nothing, really. Turn it upside down on occasion to get the foliage out. 3. Do you sleep with music or earplugs to mute the night noise? (I struggle with this dilemma - light sleeper) Nothing. I like the night noises. Plus, I like to hear what is going on around me. 4. In a group with 2 or more hikers, is there a "keep watch" rotation? (Someone mentioned this - never heard it before. Sounds odd) I usually solo. So, no bro fo me to keep an eye out. 5. Do you have a specific camera for backpacking pics or just use your smart phone? I carry a "bridge" camera that is pretty good quality. And the iphone. Which I use depends on what I'm taking a picture of.
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mk
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Post by mk on Sept 8, 2016 16:25:44 GMT -8
1. I tried a liner because I sleep cold. It annoyed me to no end. Every time I rolled over, I had to straighten everything out again. And it didn't really add a noticeable degree of warmth. So now I leave it behind. 2. My backpack hasn't really gotten that dirty. Shake it out is the most I've done. I actually like that it looks "broken in." 3. I don't sleep with either because I like to hear the night sounds. I do, however, sometimes listen to music via earbuds prior to going to sleep to calm the crazy in my head. 4. I've only hiked in groups (4-6) and we've never kept watch. 5. I do carry a little p&s that fits in my pocket. If I don't take an ipod, I'll take my phone so that I have music and then I'll also use the camera. So sometimes I do have two cameras -- and I do use them both in that case. I am not a photographer by any means, but I like to have some pictures to look back on.
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balzaccom
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Post by balzaccom on Sept 8, 2016 17:21:39 GMT -8
Pretty consistent answers here...
1. Sleeping bag liner - do you use one? Like it? Why or why not. Is it worth the extra weight? Nope, but I do wear lightweight PJs to achieve the same goal---keeping bag cleaner.
2. What do you do to keep your backpack clean between hikes? Nothing. Maybe I'll wash it this winter, after six years of use.
3. Do you sleep with music or earplugs to mute the night noise? (I struggle with this dilemma - light sleeper) It's quieter in the forest than anywhere else we sleep. I listen.
4. In a group with 2 or more hikers, is there a "keep watch" rotation? (Someone mentioned this - never heard it before. Sounds odd) It is odd. I backpack with my wife. We don't keep watch.
5. Do you have a specific camera for backpacking pics or just use your smart phone? I use a little Canon PS780. Very small and light.
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texasbb
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Post by texasbb on Sept 8, 2016 18:12:47 GMT -8
1. Sleeping bag liner - do you use one? Like it? Why or why not. Is it worth the extra weight? No. No. Wearing extra clothes is easier. No.
2. What do you do to keep your backpack clean between hikes? Scrub it thoroughly and sterilize it every time it gets too dirty for my taste. So far that's never happened.
3. Do you sleep with music or earplugs to mute the night noise? (I struggle with this dilemma - light sleeper) No. Night noises are part of the experience. Music should be banned in the wilderness.
4. In a group with 2 or more hikers, is there a "keep watch" rotation? (Someone mentioned this - never heard it before. Sounds odd) Only if we're running from the law.
5. Do you have a specific camera for backpacking pics or just use your smart phone? Specific camera. Smart phones are dumb for multi-day hiking. I've watched hiking buddies go the last several days with no pictures because the teenie weenie battery gave out.
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cajun
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Post by cajun on Sept 8, 2016 18:19:41 GMT -8
#3 ... no way! One of the reasons I'm out there is listen to the noises.
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tigger
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Post by tigger on Sept 8, 2016 19:00:08 GMT -8
1. Sleeping bag liner - do you use one? No. Like it? meh. Why or why not? Extra weight. Doesn't really keep the sleeping bag much cleaner than not using one. Is it worth the extra weight? Not in my opinion.
2. What do you do to keep your backpack clean between hikes? My backpack? I shake it off and throw it in my gear bin.
3. Do you sleep with music or earplugs to mute the night noise? (I struggle with this dilemma - light sleeper) In the arctic when the wind is raging, yes. Depending on the level of wind, ear plugs, ear plugs with a balaclava, add Acoustic Noise Canceling head phones, and finally down hood over the entire affair.
4. In a group with 2 or more hikers, is there a "keep watch" rotation? (Someone mentioned this - never heard it before. Sounds odd). Nope. We all go to bed when the last person passes out from the whisky.
5. Do you have a specific camera for backpacking pics or just use your smart phone? Depends on the trip. Either just a smartphone or full on DSLR, 4k Gopro and the works.
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BigLoad
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Post by BigLoad on Sept 8, 2016 19:05:02 GMT -8
1. Sleeping bag liner - do you use one? Like it? Why or why not. Is it worth the extra weight?.
I got one early in my backpacking career. It wasn't worth the weight in terms of warmth. Not for keeping the sleeping bag clean either, since wearing long unders does almost as much good.
2. What do you do to keep your backpack clean between hikes?
I rinse it if necessary. I rarely have to do more, but a few times I've used mineral spirits to remove pine pitch.
3. Do you sleep with music or earplugs to mute the night noise? (I struggle with this dilemma - light sleeper)
Sometimes I use ear plugs. The rest of the time I just sleep fitfully, since I want to hear my death approaching. I do sleep much better on group trips.
4. In a group with 2 or more hikers, is there a "keep watch" rotation? (Someone mentioned this - never heard it before. Sounds odd)
Not on any trip I've been on. 5. Do you have a specific camera for backpacking pics or just use your smart phone?
I carry a small point-and-shoot with some extra batteries.
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Post by Lamebeaver on Sept 8, 2016 19:48:59 GMT -8
1. I have a homemade liner made of fleece. Adds about 10 degrees to the comfort level. I only use it in the spring and fall when it gets really chilly at night. It doesn't weigh much.
2. I turn it inside out and hang it on the closeline the day after I get back to air it out and get rid of any residual moisture. I then place it in it's storage bag (not stuff sack) and throw it in the closet. Every few years I will wash it in the bathtub with Sportwash soap, hang it out until it's dry, then fluff in on low or no heat in the dryer with a pack of tennis balls).
3. I bring earplugs, just in case, but don't always use them.
4. No, no watch necessary unless camping in Iraq, Syria or Afghanistan...
5. I used to, a Nikon Cookpix 3200, but it recently died. In the future I will use my smartphone in airplane mode with wifi, bluetooth, etc. turned off to conserve the battery.
Update: I just re-read #2. I don't do anything to keep my backpack clean. I just throw it on the shelf. A few stains add "character".
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Sept 8, 2016 20:17:38 GMT -8
I'm not sure I can add much to what everyone here seems to agree on. Just a few notes.
1. I don't ordinarily use a liner, but I have a couple (in different weights) to use when I expect it to be colder than is comfortable in 32-deg. bag. I keep my bag clean by a) bathing every day, and b) wearing long underwear and socks to bed.
2. I was thinking about washing my pack this summer as it's starting to smell a little funny. That's after 12 years...but I never got around to it (not too late--we have been having sunshine).
3. I hate earplugs. They leave me too deaf to quite follow what's going on, but still able to hear enough to know something is. I sleep best when I'm in a position to hear the night noises, and my mind can rest assured that they are just the normal things.
4. I agree that keeping watch is odd. Someone's been reading too many Louis L'Amour westerns :D
5. I think we have 2 or 3 threads on cameras for backpacking. I use a compact Panasonic Lumix. My husband uses a semi-DSLR, and gets far better shots. I think camera is as personal as boots. Some people are pretty focused on photos (us), while others just want a few snaps for memory's sake. Figure out where you fit in there and how much you're willing to spend (and carry--I've gone for photographic compromises for a much lighter rig, while the spouse has gone the other way), then do some research for the camera that best fits your needs.
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Westy
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Post by Westy on Sept 8, 2016 20:42:17 GMT -8
- Sleeping Bag Liner
- Clean Backpack
- Music, buds?
- Keep Watch
- Specific Camera or Smart Phone
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amaruq
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Post by amaruq on Sept 9, 2016 7:56:09 GMT -8
Sleeping bag liner? I don't use any sort of liner to keep the bag clean, I wear camp clothes/PJs for that. I do however use a fleece liner to extend my bag's cold rating into the winter months.
Keep your backpack clean between hikes? Tip it upside down and shake it out.
Sleep with music or earplugs to mute the night noise? The noise is my music ;-)
Is there a "keep watch" rotation? Of course, if there weren't any watch the alpine alligators could seriously injure or kill a camping group.
Specific camera for backpacking pics? Yeah, I am one of the questionable ones who carries a DSLR (plus a couple lenses) into the backcountry.
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