amaruq
Trail Wise!
Call me Little Spoon
Posts: 1,264
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Post by amaruq on Sept 28, 2015 4:48:34 GMT -8
I'm willing to pay a little extra for quality lightweight stuff this time. That's a good approach. Investing in lighter gear is easier on the body. Happy body, happy mind. Unless you're a glutton for punishment.
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Post by JRinGeorgia on Sept 28, 2015 5:31:50 GMT -8
And on that note, my advice is to stretch your budget now to get the best gear you possibly can. As opposed to what so many end up doing, which is to think they will get this cheaper piece of gear for now to save money, and very soon realize they want the upgrade and so they get it, and that results in actually spending more money in the long run because you bought it twice (or three times, or four times...). Getting gear that you won't be tempted to replace right away not only saves money in the long run but also allows you to enjoy the benefits of that better/lighter gear from the start.
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rebeccad
Trail Wise!
Writing like a maniac
Posts: 12,674
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Post by rebeccad on Sept 28, 2015 6:43:32 GMT -8
Happily, in a few areas light is also cheap: consider a White Box alcohol stove, and a cheap aluminum pot, such as you can buy at Target or similar. No need for titanium!
In a way, it was easier for us: when we were first married, the tent options were all pretty heavy, and we have just kind of kept up with technology, as well as tents that are wearing out. I think that tents (and maybe packs, which seem to have gone from light to heavy and back to light) is the place where the biggest advances in weight savings have come. I can remember when we thought our 6-lb 2-man tent was pretty light. Now I'm eyeing the 3-lb mark...
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 28, 2015 7:08:00 GMT -8
I agree with buying quality, lightweight gear from the outset — as well as you are able to anticipate. But I do not agree with continuing to use that gear if you later find that it does not suit your purposes or perform as well as advertised or anticipated. It is, in my opinion, a poor decision to not replace inadequate gear simply because you spent too much money on it.
There are a few people who are simply obsessed with new gear. But, for others of us, purchasing new gear is not just a "temptation" — if you have good reason to be dissatisfied with the former gear OR if you simply want to improve your versatility in the backcountry.
If you backpack through Rocky Mountain winters, your life may depend upon your gear (as well as on a whole lot else.) Refusing to buy new gear just because the old "cost too much" could, in the long run, cost you more than mere money.
So it seems poor advice to me to recommend that someone who hasn't backpacked for many years 1) immediately spend their entire budget on new gear before testing any of it, and then 2) refuse to replace any of that new gear because "they can't afford it" now — regardless of how poorly that new gear has met their purposes.
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Post by Lamebeaver on Sept 28, 2015 7:28:45 GMT -8
Howdy!
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Post by hikingtiger on Sept 28, 2015 12:35:41 GMT -8
Sheesh! Have y'all all forgot the first rules of speaking to a new forumite?? We must have opinions on bacon, brussel sprouts, kilts, Scotch vs. Irish whisk(e)y (and the correct spelling, lol), etc., first. Then the dispensing of information may begin. Welcome, CCIB.
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speacock
Trail Wise!
I'm here for the food...
Posts: 378
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Post by speacock on Sept 28, 2015 16:50:38 GMT -8
Don't forget 'Merican Bourbon Whiskey in that layout. Most Scotch Whisky is put away in American Bourbon barrels. US standard Whiskey barrels are required to be new oak - used only once. A resource the Scots latched upon early on. They, of course, pinch a penny by reusing them and charring it anew. The other barrel the Scots use for a 'finer' flavor are traditionally used sherry barrels but port, cognac, calvados, beer, and *GASP* Bordeaux wine have been used . As hikingtiger alludes to, this is the usual finer detail found when with others on the trail and is stuff you don't usually care about - except it is dark and bedtime is still an hour away.
We saw a veritable mountain of Kentucky's best barrels being unloaded at a remote dock in Edinburgh. Wot a conflagration that would make!
There have been many discussions about safety of solo female backpackers in these forums and other web sites. I think the general consensus is that more guys are injured than gals because they at times worry least about old age and fallibility. I suspect you will have safe unplanned company. What may appear as misplaced flirting, is a real intention to be of help. If you camp well off from the beaten path (if allowed) your chance of seeing another human drops precipitously. You may find as I do, the most irritating thing about company on the trail is the snoring...mine.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 28, 2015 18:47:57 GMT -8
From our host, Backpacker Magazine: the article 6 Myths about Women Hikers that No One Should Believe includes MYTH 6: It’s riskier for women to hike and backpack alone than for men. [/span] Get the full story on why women shouldn’t worry about hiking alone, and see below for adventurer Kalen Thorien’s thoughts on why every woman should." [/ul] That accomplished woman believes "every woman should" try solo backpacking and continue with it if it suits her. Sounds good to me. No woman has to accept uninvited company. The backcountry belongs to her as much as to any man. And she has the right to enjoy it as she pleases — with or without company, solo or otherwise.
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Post by cupcakeinboots on Sept 28, 2015 20:30:07 GMT -8
Thanks for the kind welcomes, everyone! So much good info. I appreciate the comments on female solo hikers too. I've done it before, but at 21 it seemed so much less intimidating! I suppose I wasn't afraid of anything then. I'm going to give it a try now, though. You all seem like a nice and lively bunch! I've been on fiction writing forums for the last 5 years and have seen one to many threads go up in flames over adverbs. Who would have thought??
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Post by swimswithtrout on Sept 28, 2015 21:19:54 GMT -8
You all seem like a nice and lively bunch! I've been on fiction writing forums for the last 5 years and have seen one to many threads go up in flames over adverbs. Who would have thought?? Howdy and welcome ! But as a writer, you should know that you misspelled "too". And you still haven't filled out the appropriate membership questioner: Brussels Sprouts Y/N Bacon Y ( there is no "N") Guys in Kilts Y/N
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reuben
Trail Wise!
Gonna need more Camels at the next refugio...
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Post by reuben on Sept 28, 2015 23:05:11 GMT -8
As a writer, your should be aware that we have a Ninja Librarian. At times she can be scarier than our wiccan. If you want to stay on her good side, mind your use of the past imperfect tense. And you still haven't filled out the appropriate membership questioner: Ahem. The word is "questionnaire".
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amaruq
Trail Wise!
Call me Little Spoon
Posts: 1,264
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Post by amaruq on Sept 29, 2015 3:54:50 GMT -8
I've been on fiction writing forums for the last 5 years and have seen one to many threads go up in flames over adverbs. Semantics, the forum argument loser's last vestige. Go hang around the Political Arena, you'll find a few to tide the cravings should you need a fix.
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rebeccad
Trail Wise!
Writing like a maniac
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Post by rebeccad on Sept 29, 2015 7:53:13 GMT -8
As a writer, your should be aware that we have a Ninja Librarian. At times she can be scarier than our wiccan. If you want to stay on her good side, mind your use of the past imperfect tense. Hey, I resemble that remark! (And yes, I have been known to correct grammar). What writing forums do you hang out on?
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swmtnbackpacker
Trail Wise!
Back but probably posting soon under my real name ... Rico Sauve
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Post by swmtnbackpacker on Sept 29, 2015 11:44:06 GMT -8
+1 on the new lighter gear. No sense gearing up in the lower 48 like an assault on Denali or K2, .. outside of serious winter that is. Then again some of those ultralight designs resembling a grocery sack with shoulder straps may be too light for most purposes... Thanks for the kind welcomes, everyone! .. have seen one to many threads go up in flames over adverbs... We don't allow those here.
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Post by cupcakeinboots on Sept 29, 2015 15:39:04 GMT -8
No adverbs here either?! Damn. Apologies for the typos. I'm usually meticulous about my posts. I blame AutoCorrect. I'm a NanoWriMo participant and usually hang out at Scribophile.com. I'll be attempting Nano again this year and hopefully will actually win. 50K in 30 days is tough. As for Brussel Sprouts? Yes. (Yum!) Bacon? No -- I LOVE bacon but don't eat it anymore. I guess I can still say yes because it may be the most awesome food ever. Men in Kilts? As long as it's not a windy day, sure. Why not?
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