Backpacking/Hiking Thread

polaris_x

Jason P wrote:

I'm going to look at some weekend hikes in Michigan in September and then do a weeklong trip in Northern Minnesota in late October (i will be bringing my long johns).

Then I will start planning a trip for the southwest for early January.

Sucks to hear that a wildfire is headed towards Yosemite ...

i haven't done many multi-day stuff in the southwest but do know a lot of the parks down there if you want suggestions ...

ya ... they had that mice sickness there last year at yosemite too ...

MayDay10

I may go to the Adirondacks in October (which is my stomping grounds of camping/hiking). We usually hike the High Peaks. Its wonderful and gives you a whole new respect for NYS.

Never did the overnight hike thing. We have home base in a lean-to and we drive to and from the Loj to start the hike. We try to go once a year and each year I buy an addition to my camping gear.

polaris_x

MayDay10 wrote:

I may go to the Adirondacks in October (which is my stomping grounds of camping/hiking). We usually hike the High Peaks. Its wonderful and gives you a whole new respect for NYS.

Never did the overnight hike thing. We have home base in a lean-to and we drive to and from the Loj to start the hike. We try to go once a year and each year I buy an addition to my camping gear.

adk is nice in the fall for sure ... ever go in the winter? ... climbing marcy or algonquin is pretty awesome in the winter ... highly recommend if you are into x-country skiing/snow shoeing ...

MayDay10

Never did the winter. Probably need to upgrade my gear quite a bit for that... My friends did that a few years ago and ran into some scary weather and ran into dark.

Love the Algonquin climb. Its quick, to the point, but high with a great view. Also have Wright and Iroquios right there.
Marcy is great too, but its a bit lengthy and gradual.

Jason P

polaris_x wrote:

i haven't done many multi-day stuff in the southwest but do know a lot of the parks down there if you want suggestions ...

ya ... they had that mice sickness there last year at yosemite too ...

I've spent a lot of time in Utah and Colorado. I've never been to New Mexico ... although I hear it gets cold there due to the altitude.

Big Bend in Texas is also on my to-do list as well as Carlsbad Caverns.

polaris_x

Jason P wrote:

I've spent a lot of time in Utah and Colorado. I've never been to New Mexico ... although I hear it gets cold there due to the altitude.

Big Bend in Texas is also on my to-do list as well as Carlsbad Caverns.

ya ... it'll be cold anywhere you go in January ... particularly at night - day time highs can be good but it'll be cold at night ... definitely in New Mexico - you can encounter snow depending on where you are ...

Snakeduck

Jason P wrote:

I think it has been two years since I last put a pack on my back ... time for that to change! I have a trip planned in two months which should give me enough time to get back in shape. I've been pretty lazy for the last year.

Anyone else have any trips planned?

Two years? For shame...

It's been almost a week now since I was last out... far too long. Just this summer, I've spent considerable time in Yosemite, Tetons, the Sawtooths, Waterton, and Glacier and still have a Jellystone and Canyon Lands trip on the horizon.

Saw 10 bears during my most recent Waterton/Glacier trip! The wife and I mowed down about a hundred twenty-somethings on the trail; those whippersnapers can't hang with us old school mountain goats! Speaking of which, Glacier has a 71 year old female backcountry ranger still working the hills! 71 years! And they have a male front country ranger who is 95!

Snakeduck

polaris_x wrote:

Jason P wrote:

I've spent a lot of time in Utah and Colorado. I've never been to New Mexico ... although I hear it gets cold there due to the altitude.

Big Bend in Texas is also on my to-do list as well as Carlsbad Caverns.

ya ... it'll be cold anywhere you go in January ... particularly at night - day time highs can be good but it'll be cold at night ... definitely in New Mexico - you can encounter snow depending on where you are ...

That's what snow caves are for... Don't let a little snow and sub-zero temps get in the way of a good backpacking trip. That's like not wrestling a bear when given the opportunity.

polaris_x

Snakeduck wrote:

That's what snow caves are for... Don't let a little snow and sub-zero temps get in the way of a good backpacking trip. That's like not wrestling a bear when given the opportunity.

dude ... you hear about those guys up in Labrador on a Sierra hike? ... attacked by a polar bear and all they had was one of them electrical fences ..

Jason P

Snakeduck wrote:

Jason P wrote:

I think it has been two years since I last put a pack on my back ... time for that to change! I have a trip planned in two months which should give me enough time to get back in shape. I've been pretty lazy for the last year.

Anyone else have any trips planned?

Two years? For shame...

I've been doing overnight canoe trips in the meantime.

Used to get out more, but i'm stuck in an area that I need to drive at least 3-5 hours to anything worthwhile.

Snakeduck

polaris_x wrote:

Snakeduck wrote:

That's what snow caves are for... Don't let a little snow and sub-zero temps get in the way of a good backpacking trip. That's like not wrestling a bear when given the opportunity.

dude ... you hear about those guys up in Labrador on a Sierra hike? ... attacked by a polar bear and all they had was one of them electrical fences ..

I did. They kind of sound like a bunch of maroons to me... Glad nobody died or anything, although having your face bitten by a polar bear can't be much fun. Wild fires drove a black bear onto our VA campus just yesterday. Rode my bike right past him and didn't even know it.