reuben
Trail Wise!
Gonna need more Camels at the next refugio...
Posts: 11,163
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Post by reuben on Sept 9, 2016 8:10:35 GMT -8
Oops. I forgot about the alpine gators. There's an exception to every rule.
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daveb
Trail Wise!
Posts: 589
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Post by daveb on Sept 9, 2016 8:51:58 GMT -8
1. Sleeping bag liner - do you use one? Like it? Why or why not. Is it worth the extra weight? Yes, we got the cooler ones that feel like light sheets. I'm not a seasoned hiker though and only slept in it three times but I have a new bag and I really want to keep it clean.
2. What do you do to keep your backpack clean between hikes? Nothing so far.
3. Do you sleep with music or earplugs to mute the night noise? (I struggle with this dilemma - light sleeper) I like night noise but then again, I've never been in bear country.
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 since I bivouacked in Korea and we had to guard against thieves with night vision and a baseball bat.
5. Do you have a specific camera for backpacking pics or just use your smart phone? 11 lbs of photography gear. I like pain and pretty pictures.
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Post by hikingtiger on Sept 9, 2016 9:03:43 GMT -8
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? 1. No. Just lightweight sleep clothes like Desert Dweller said. 2. Between hikes my pack has never gotten more dirty. Just shake it out. 3. Earplugs maybe, but only if there is a loud snorer in the group. Or, if I go to bed before the kids. In the latter case, I usually take them out after they settle down. I'm not a light sleeper by any means, but outdoors I tend to not sleep straight through the night. 4. Yes, that's strange. No, I don't do it. 5. Smart phone or point-and-shoot. I don't own a "real" camera anymore, unfortunately.
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grace
Trail Wise!
Posts: 276
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Post by grace on Sept 9, 2016 9:14:37 GMT -8
1) Sleeping bag liner- No. My sleeping bag is new and awesome (Big Agnes) and I love it the way it is.
2) Clean Backpack - I'm a n00b, and I'm really just happy it's dirty.
3) Music or earplugs? - Yes! I can be a little anxious, so I have a small radio that I listen to sometimes, and I always have ear plugs. I'm a solo adventurer, so being able to feel like I'm safe in my tent bubble makes me feel better.
4) I don't hike with people
5) Currently just my phone, but I'm thinking of getting a small camera as my trips get longer and more photo-worthy.
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Post by kumachan on Sept 9, 2016 11:44:30 GMT -8
1. Sleeping bag liner - Nope, I don't use one, anymore. If your bag is a synthetic insulation, then sweat isn't a big deal. If it's a down bag, and you use the bag a lot, and you sweat, you might want to consider wearing light base layers. I want to minimize washing my down bag as much as possible so, that means using a layer between me and my bag. As mentioned previously,sleeping bag liners are really restrictive and, often, a pain to get in and out of. After a few seasons of feeling like a mummy, I ditched the liner and went with light base layers.
2. What do you do to keep your backpack clean between hikes? Dust it off with my hands or a damp rag, if necessary.
3. Do you sleep with music or earplugs to mute the night noise? Nope
4. In a group with 2 or more hikers, is there a "keep watch" rotation? Only when I'm camping in Japan as I'm afraid of ninja.
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Post by Coolkat on Sept 9, 2016 11:55:12 GMT -8
Well everyone stole my answers so I won't bother with a repeat.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Sept 9, 2016 11:57:52 GMT -8
Once again, I am amused and educated by your answers! Thank you all for your time and patience with my unending questions...
1. Thank you for saving me the time, hassle, and money...the liner is scratched off the list. I'm sticking with base layers. (Or I might sew my own if I venture out in colder months)
2. I wiped it down with a damp rag, and had the idea to vacuum it out. Worked great!
3. Gonna try to stop "listening" while I sleep. Sigh.
4. Glad to know this is as strange as it sounded - the group we ran into must have been militia, criminals, or noobs. I'm not experienced enough to spot the stereotypical signs. No, I don't hang with these type people.
5. Loved the variety of answers here! Going to research the ones listed.
Thanks again!
Happy trails...
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reuben
Trail Wise!
Gonna need more Camels at the next refugio...
Posts: 11,163
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Post by reuben on Sept 9, 2016 12:57:05 GMT -8
3. Gonna try to stop "listening" while I sleep. Sigh. I'm a pretty light sleeper. The first time I camped out I thought, "Oh crud, I spent a bunch of money and this will never work." We live in the woods, with tons of peepers, birds, cicadas, frogs, all sorts of birds (some of which are nocturnal), and many many other noisemakers. But I got over it, and you will, too. On a somewhat related note, many people, including very experienced backpackers, find that they don't sleep well the first night of a trip, but the rest of the nights they sleep fine. So - positive vibes.
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rebeccad
Trail Wise!
Writing like a maniac
Posts: 12,685
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Post by rebeccad on Sept 9, 2016 13:15:04 GMT -8
On a somewhat related note, many people, including very experienced backpackers, find that they don't sleep well the first night of a trip, but the rest of the nights they sleep fine. This is true for me. It's mostly physical--it seems to take a night to get used to sleeping in a rather different bed, even though it's one I use many nights a year! And when I used to camp alone, I was definitely more tuned to the noises outside, and again, that was especially true the first night (after that, you're too tired to be awake, right?).
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Post by Coolkat on Sept 9, 2016 14:47:28 GMT -8
Speaking of sleeping oddities. Last year after being on the trail for 11 days the next night after I got home I woke up in the middle of the night thinking I was still on the trail in my tent and I couldn't figure out why I couldn't find my headlamp. I put it a specific spot at night so I can quickly grab it if needed. Not sure how long this sensation lasted probably only seconds but it felt like a few minutes after I "discovered" I had misplaced my headlamp and couldn't locate it.
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mk
Trail Wise!
North Texas
Posts: 1,217
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Post by mk on Sept 9, 2016 17:26:04 GMT -8
Gonna try to stop "listening" while I sleep. Sigh. Night noises can be really loud -- so really, just do whatever you need to so you can relax and sleep the best you can. After all, HYOH, right?
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Sept 9, 2016 18:43:45 GMT -8
Let me play for you the type of soothing melodies I hear at night. It will take your mind off bears:
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Post by Lamebeaver on Sept 13, 2016 18:40:44 GMT -8
On a somewhat related note, many people, including very experienced backpackers, find that they don't sleep well the first night of a trip, but the rest of the nights they sleep fine. +1
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