Backpacking

[InbetweenDreams]

[MENTION=20947]MikeW[/MENTION] As long as there aren't grizzly bears I'm game lol

I'd love to go out west again it really is beautiful in a lot of places...but that does take a good bit of time and a lot of money to travel... Right now my budget will be limited for a while. It's a subject for another thread maybe.

I think as far as backpacking, definitely need to do some overnight stuff. My plan would be to do something on the rim trail overnight and see how that goes. My big concern is water during the summer because you will sweat like hell and I mean liters of sweat and even trying to drink to keep up you still lose a lot of salt and electrolytes. I might try to explore the other end of the rim trail as I think there are more springs and such to come across...not to mention that there is probably less climbing. Here's the thing while I have this map (http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCU...366099.pdf ) I don't know precisely where the trail goes and what springs and other finer details that would be handy. So I have been mapping the trail as I go with my phone's GPS and of course I only have a small portion since most of the trail can't be seen on Google Earth (some of it can be seen, mostly the well traveled areas). So my thoughts are to mark areas where water might be available as waypoints.

Of course I'll need to talk to the rangers and see if they might have a more detailed map and also find out if they have to be notified that I am on the trail as I think there are places that require that I hear.

[LJay]

[MENTION=23180]axle2152[/MENTION], Keeping a pack and its contents dry is a lot of fun. You can compartmentalize the problem by using individual bags for things. The sleeping bag gets stuffed into a waterproof bag and that goes into another waterproof bag. Pretty much the same way for everything else in the pack. Having lightweight nylon stuff sacks for categories of things helps, so you have stuff, plastic bag and stuff sack for everything and then the whole lot can go into one giant heavyweight plastic bag inside the pack. Anything carried outside the pack gets similar treatment. I make exceptions for things like my Swiss Army Knife and drinking cup and canteen that can get wet with no harm. Then you cover the whole pack in some way. My old Kelty Tioga pack has a rain cover tailored to fit. It was sold separately at REI. I really should look to see what is available now, but that rain cover has an
Achilles heel. I covers the pack with a drawstring at the bottom but it has to have a place for the shoulder straps to protrude. I have a poncho that is extra long in the back to it covers me and the pack and helps to keep water from dripping down between me and the pack. If you have a shorter one,it helps to rig a couple of grommets so that you can anchor it at the bottom of the pack to prevent flapping around.

Then you cut the small end off a watertight burial vault and some eyeholes and wear it over you and the whole thing because if there is a way some water is going to try to get in. [joke]

You can do all of this with grocery store plastic bags but the stuff sacks also help if you color code them so that you can tell the difference between clothes, food, garbage, and other stuff. This really helps when you have to unpack and pitch camp in the face of nasty weather. It honestly helps to have some system to keep the dirty socks away from the cheese you brought for lunch. Who wants sock that smell like roquefort, right?

Be sure you sack up your tent, too. Of course you want to keep it dry, but you also want to be able to isolate a wet tent if it gets wet. Heavy and no fun to carry but especially no fun to carry with the knowledge that it is squishing water all over everything else. The rain fly and ground cloth are great tools to minimize getting the tent wet but still water seems to get everywhere.

Then you practice and contemplate the different levels of waterproofing and isolation you will need. Walking in the rain...the whole works. Sunny day when you can dry socks by tying them on the pack...very little on the outside of the pack, but keep pack cover and rain gear ready and easily accessible in case the rain comes to visit you. I also like to have lunch and a small piece of ground cloth up there so that when I stop I can eat quickly and use the little patch of ground cloth to keep things "clean" and gathered.

To all of this, add the consideration of an umbrella if you can handle the weight. Great for walking in lighter showers and not being smothered by condensation under a poncho.

You idea of spraying a pack with waterproofing has some good points but you have to deal with flaps and zippers and such and every pack that I have ever had that was waterproofed eventually shed the stuff in tiny pieces that get into everything and require you to turh the pack inside out and scrape, vacuum, rub and cuss the stuff off.

I am now off to the REI site to see what they have to offer to keep things dry.

Hope this helps. Looking forward to comments from you, [MENTION=20941]Camfer[/MENTION], [MENTION=20947]MikeW[/MENTION] and others to see what I left out.

PS: I ABHOR pastic bags, but what else works?!

[Camfer]

I did find some non-cotton work socks and wow they made a difference.

Yes, you've discovered that cotton clothing has no place on a backpacking trip. Maybe a cotton bandana, but otherwise, cotton is dangerously cold when wet, slow to dry, heavy, and blister inducing.

[InbetweenDreams]

[MENTION=20941]Camfer[/MENTION] I think the only thing is that the sweat can't escape from my boots...and while it did pour my boots had enough water and sweat to be swishing around...just much more comfortable. So not sure if my boots are good for backpacking or if that's just par for the course.... I mean it is crazy hot and humid...90+ degrees with 86% humidity the other day.
[MENTION=20933]LJay[/MENTION] I got a rain suit. If it is heavy duty enough might work well for bicycle stuff too... I also got a cover for the pack like you were describing... Probably help a good bit but I'll have to try wrestling with it and see how it fits the backpack. Definitely will start putting things in bags...particularly anything electronic. I think doing an overnight trip will shed a lot of light on it and can hopefully gain enough to figure out things so I can do something for more than one day...

[Camfer]

Yes, boots should be waterproof so you can walk in the rain and do shallow stream crossings without worrying about your feet getting wet from the outside. Sweaty feet is just part of the journey. You can wear super thin wicking layer socks inside your wool socks so that your feet stay drier and all the moisture is held in the wool. As soon as you get to your campsite you can pull all that off to dry.

[InbetweenDreams]

The boots I have are waterproof but they go a little it higher over the ankle...they're not low cut (I think thats what it is referred to). I think they will do alright for what I'm doing, paid a hefty price for them too back a few years ago. What do you suggest for hiking....

[JohnMusic]

I am more afraid of wild humans than wild animals when i am out in the woods.

Good luck.

[InbetweenDreams]

I am more afraid of wild humans than wild animals when i am out in the woods.

Good luck.

That may be true in some areas. This trail I'm looking at very unlikely you'll run into anyone...not saying I won't but this is trail is very much reserved for the more serious backpacker... I probably won't see too many people if any, which is perfect.

[JohnMusic]

That may be true in some areas. This trail I'm looking at very unlikely you'll run into anyone...not saying I won't but this is trail is very much reserved for the more serious backpacker... I probably won't see too many people if any, which is perfect.

That is good.

I live in a heavily populated area.

[LJay]

[MENTION=23180]axle2152[/MENTION], not to go into boots directly, but it is a good idea to have a pair of some kind of lightweight camp shoe to wear after you get out of your boots. They should be heavy enough to prevent injury but as light as possible. Airing your feet, putting on clean, dry socks and then your camp shoes is a hiker's dream. Good ol' Colin Fletcher advocated carrying a small supply of rubbing alcohol to use for cleaning your feet afer the boots come off. Very cooling and it helps to toughen the skin. Whatever you do, do NOT be tempted to go barefooted around camp. A foot injury can become a highly problematic emergency when you are alone in the woods.

Camfer is dead right about the wicking socks under your heavier pair. You need to have at least two of these setups so that you can take off boots and socks at rest stops and exchange the socks for the drier pair after you rest and air your feet. Be sure to check for blisters and hot spots at this time also.