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Camping trip: Need gear advice
AtomBomb
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
So I'm going to be going on a 3 or 4 day backpacking/camping trip at the end of the month and I need to get a backpack. I was looking at this on REI's website:
It's $110. I looked at a local place and that seems like a great deal in comparison. Since I don't know much about this can someone let me know if this is a good choice or not? Also, any other general advice would be appreciated. I've already got a sleeping bag and a tent. The sleeping bag isn't super modern, so you can't compress it down to the size of an egg (more like a watermelon). The tent is fairly small.
It's $110. I looked at a local place and that seems like a great deal in comparison. Since I don't know much about this can someone let me know if this is a good choice or not? Also, any other general advice would be appreciated. I've already got a sleeping bag and a tent. The sleeping bag isn't super modern, so you can't compress it down to the size of an egg (more like a watermelon). The tent is fairly small.
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I'd buy it, its a great price for a great backpack.
Good luck! Have fun
Also, in relation to other gear, know your area. What kind of conditions are you likely to encounter? Wet/dry?
Thanks for all the replies so far.
And did I read it right that it's just you going on this trip?
That you need advice on how to buy a pack, and that you're planning on a 3-4+ day solo camping trip on a mountain...
Uh...
Alarm bells are going off here dude. Serious, major alarm bells.
Weather can change for the worst very quickly, and if you're heading backcountry its very easy to get disorientated and hopelessly lost. Do you have a GPS? Experience orienteering?
Going backcountry for 3-4 days is not a great idea for an inexperienced hiker.
I understand there's risk involved, but I'm taking steps to minimize it. I appreciate the concern though.
It's in Tucson, Arizona.
Somehow I don't think he'll run into any major storms, or even rain.
I agree that a GPS is a pretty good idea though, as well as a full-charged cellphone.
Do you have cell coverage across the area you're going into? If not, do you have a sat phone?
Because something as simple as a twisted ankle can and will kill you if you don't know how to deal with it.
http://www.steepandcheap.com/?CMP_ID=DM_SM510001&MV_PC=R275
you have 27 minutes to buy it.
It's not just about the snow. The desert gets fucking cold at night. It's an environment of absolute extremes.
If the OP is such a green hiker that they need advice on how to buy a good pack, they're waaay too green for a multi-day solo hike on a mountain in the desert.
If you don't have the experience to back this up you really need to buddy up or something at least.
As long as you pay attention and know the risks, you will more than likely have a great time. Yes, the wilderness can be extremely dangerous, and when you have no one to rely on other than yourself even the most minor injuries (like a twisted ankle) can be life threatening. But you shouldn't let anyone scare you into not going. More than likely the worst thing that will happen is you'll have a cold, miserable night and head back early.
You're (presumably) an adult, so as long as you take reasonable steps to be prepared for a variety of situations, odds are you're not going to die alone in the wilderness.
As far as mountains go, the one you are wanting to walk around on seems pretty decent. It's got a highway and a town on the top.
I'm not trying to say that there is no risk or danger involved in your first camping trip being a multi-day on a mountain, but staying at home where it's warm and comfortable for your entire life is about as lame as it gets.
Whatever you buy, the first thing you need to do is test all of your gear over a few nights in your backyard. If something breaks/cracks/leaks/doesn't work there, it's not a big deal. If something breaks/cracks/leaks/doesn't work when you're twenty miles from the highway and it's ninety degrees (or thirty degrees) out, it's a completely different story.
And you might not be too concerned with weight right now, but half way through a day long hike, you're going to feel every ounce, no matter how strong you are. You've got plenty of time before the end of the month, so load the pack up with everything you plan on bringing and take a few walks around your neighborhood. If you're sore after a few hours on flat asphalt with your current pack weight, you're going to be destroyed after a day on a mountain on rocks and sand.
This is based on the presumption that he hasn't really done these kinds of trips before.
A partner would definitely make the trip considerably safer, and arguably more fun, but sometimes a dude just wants to wander around on his own.
Nice thing about someone coming with you is you can split the non-personal weight (tent, cooking gear, first aid equipment, etc) though. This would be nice considering that Bomb here is likely going to have to carry a significant amount of weight in water alone.
I've gone camping with friends with random shit (things like bookbags instead of backpacks, blankets instead of sleeping bags), I'm just trying to get some proper gear this time. Plus, I'll be sober, so that makes it much safer right there
As for weather, this it today, and it's just getting warmer:
Today: Sunny, with a high near 51. South wind around 11 mph.
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 36. West southwest wind 6 to 10 mph becoming south southeast.
That 30" to 40" of snow is wishful thinking on their part (or not updating the website). I wish there was somewhere that close to Tucson with snow in May.
Of course by the time I have a chance to look at it they're offering a women's shoe.
I really recommend you plan this as a car-camping trip. You spend two days doing day hikes, feel free to pack up all your gear and take it on each day hike as though you're pretending you're backpacking. Then feel free to do an overnight from your car, to your site, back to your car. Feel free to do that twice. Seriously, ease into this and be a responsible, conscious outdoorsman.
Make sure you have a really good first aid kit, lots of water, more food than you think you will need, multitool or knife, and 3 different ways of starting a fire. The art of making a fire is something a lot of people over look.
Above all, make sure you let your wife know where you plan to be each day, and what time you expect to be picked up.
You're freaking me out because you don't seem like you have much experience with the outdoors, and you're taking on a significant endeavor. Be mindful of rattlesnakes, mountain lions, and possibly black bears. Practice good backcountry etiquette.
This is the way to go.