Post: #1

Does anyone else enjoy wilderness backpacking? I don't mean car camping where you have your bar-b-que, case of beer, boom box and comfy air mattress, but rather carrying a pack and hiking several miles deep into the woods for a few days. I live on the US west coast and great trailheads are just a few hours drive away. Being self-employed, I have the luxury of scheduling 2-4 trips each summer and fall.

To me, the wilderness is perfection. Other than the trail you are walking on, nothing has been touched or shaped by the human hand. Often our modern urban existence just feels unnatural. It's liberating to be away from the distractions of smart phones, 24/7 media, the internet and modern gadgets. A few days in the wilderness is the perfect antidote to civilization and a great way to connect to one's inner Thoreau.

One of my most memorable trips was a 5 day hike in Sequoia-Kings Canyon, California, and climbing up to a 13,000' pass. I only saw 2 people the entire trip and they were heading out just as I was going in. The scenery was awe inspiring and exhilarating. It really is humbling to be amidst the magnificence of the mountains.

There's also the self sufficiency aspect. Everything you need is carried on your back and you must be self-reliant and plan your trip properly.

Friends and family ask if I get scared in the wilderness. Scared? Scared of what? After 15 years of backpacking I've never had any close calls or been threatened by a wild animal. However, I've never spent time in an area with grizzlies such as in Canada. I'd be willing to do it and take the proper precautions.

I've hiked several sections of the Pacific Crest Trail, but there's really no desire to do the entire trail from Mexico to Canada. I've met several of those thru hikers and they usually have interesting stories to tell.

Post: #2

I've been slowly getting into this. Just recently went camping (but no hiking...at least not the way you're doing it). I live in Florida as well, and it's nowhere near as fun as camping up north...well, from what I can tell from the pictures I've seen.

I do plan on going on a trip like this one day though.

Post: #3

Just returned from a 3 night, 46 mile trek through Yosemite. Chilnualna Falls trail, then Half Dome. All with 40+ lbs on my back.

I'm a good Yosemite resource.

Post: #4

I purchased all new gear this year too. The new stuff is awesome. Ospreypack was very comfortable

Post: #5

(06-24-2014 05:03 PM)CaP7 Wrote:  Just returned from a 3 night, 46 mile trek through Yosemite. Chilnualna Falls trail, then Half Dome. All with 40+ lbs on my back.

I'm a good Yosemite resource.

Cool! We're you allowed to have fires in the backcountry? I'm wondering how the drought will effect regulations. Building a fire is part of the fun.

Yosemite is great... once you get away from the crowds.

Post: #6

delete

Post: #7

Yep, though I'm less a backpacker than a multi-day hiker. I hike very rough trails that frequently don't seem to be trails at all, because so few people go out there. I carry the minimum of stuff I need to get a halfway decent sleep and cook a bit of food; I don't really set up a camp at night. I am in grizzly country but I've never had issues. I've had several dangerous close encounters with moose but I've never seen a bear on a hike. I carry a S&W 657 41 Magnum but I've only ever used it as a signaling device, when I thought a hiking partner took the wrong path and I didn't want to move on without her.

These days I use hard hikes as challenges and gauges of general fitness. I'm more interested in doing unconventional vehicle camping of some kind, though, and I will as circumstances allow. I mean camping off a mountain bike, motorcycle, kayak, canoe, etc. I also really want to get into backcountry ski camping; that would be awesome.

Post: #8

(06-24-2014 07:09 PM)weambulance Wrote:  I mean camping off a mountain bike, motorcycle, kayak, canoe, etc. I also really want to get into backcountry ski camping; that would be awesome.

Yeah, I've always wanted to do a kayak/canoe camping trip. That would be cool. I've encountered a couple black bears in the Sierra and the Cascades, and one raided our camp at night. They're sneaky as hell. He didn't get anything as it was all in a bear proof canister.

Post: #9

I have done dozens of multi day hikes all through the world. It used to be one of my hobbies and passions in my twenties. Twice a month we were on a two- three day trek some where. Ask me pretty much anything about BC, Yukon, and the northern Alberta rockies. Also Washington state and Tasmania to some extent.

Now I use a trail bike to hammer through the approaches on the forest service roads. Bush the bike and hike from a higher elevation. I can do in one overnighter what used to take me a three days.

Last summer I did nine days by kayak through Barkley sound on Vancouver Island. That shit was off the hook. We ran out of food on day seven and were literally fishing and foraging ALL DAY for the last two days before the fishing boat was due to pick us up. It really put into perspective how much time it takes to hunt and gather if you dont have a tribe.

Post: #10

I've done some week long trips in the Sierra Nevada mountains. We subsidize our food with fresh trout as there are tons of lakes up there where we go. The country is pristine and it's a great way to get out of your own head. I love it. I also did a week in New Mexico and was a little worried about the mountain lion tracks we kept seeing...each trip I learn something new about myself, lose weight, appreciate what I have, and realize things I have that I don't need.