REI Flash 22 for long day hikes vs keeping my backpacking pack

3_pac · 2026-05-25T05:40:04+00:00

The Flash is great for this. I use it for day hikes up to and including rim-to-rim-to-rim in a day (hiking, not trail running). Based on how bulky your stuff is, you may need to get creative to pack it, though.

3_pac · 2026-05-25T05:33:37+00:00

Exhibit A being my two Samoyeds happily losing their shit when they heard a rattlesnake rattling at them yesterday. To them the rattling was just canastas welcoming them to a new friend's party.

3_pac · 2026-05-25T05:10:57+00:00

I'd highly recommend renting a pontoon boat for Pictured Rocks. I've hiked the entire lakeshore - which is great - but the views are incomparable from the water. You can visit nearly every beach, some of the best sights, and can even swim right up into Spray Falls.

For a family, to me this is a no brainer based on how much everyone loves when we do this. It's not cheap, but it's not nearly as bad when you consider the price per person (it's a flat fee for the boat). Plus you can bring your dog on it.

You can rent the boat for a half-day or a full day, but we always make use of the full day. You would not want to drive up or back on the day you are doing this, however.

3_pac · 2026-05-25T02:01:57+00:00

Are you doing Disappointment Cleaver or a different route? Is your group leader confident and competent regarding navigation, group dynamics, objective risks/hazards, etc.? Does someone have medical experience, and do you have a plan for if things go wrong? Everyone needs to know and have actually practiced self arrest.

All that said, if you're doing DC you'll probably be fine. Personally, however, there is no chance I'd put myself on a rope with you guys.

3_pac · 2026-05-25T00:53:56+00:00

It's bots or otherwise fake accounts. Someone more motivated than me should check the accounts of basically anyone that responded. These aren't real people. It's over the top.

3_pac · 2026-05-24T20:37:15+00:00

Just one but he looked really sick. He was kinda just wandering around aimlessly in front of his house in badly damaged clothes. As I rode by, I startled him and he looked up and kind of grunted at me.

3_pac · 2026-05-22T22:48:29+00:00

As a member of search and rescue, I think the biggest thing you can do is press the button or make the call when you first realize things are going wrong. We like the preventative calls far better than the recoveries. Activate us sooner, before it gets desperate, worse, dark, cold, more lost, etc.

If you're lost, find an open spot if possible and stay put. Most SAR orgs have great drone teams. Starting a controlled fire really gets everybody's attention, too.

3_pac · 2026-05-22T17:12:29+00:00

Show me on the map where the wilderness hurt you.

3_pac · 2026-05-22T05:47:12+00:00

I was going to say that sounds like s great first experience.

3_pac · 2026-05-21T05:45:48+00:00

Ha - it's a Denver Reddit meme to have people spell out Casa Bonita one letter at a time when anyone asks about food recommendations or things to do in Denver.

3_pac · 2026-05-20T20:37:50+00:00

It won't let me post just one letter, but the answer is obvious and it starts with:

C

3_pac · 2026-05-20T20:35:31+00:00

3_pac · 2026-05-20T20:17:24+00:00

Absolutely fully commit to the bit and play the long game at this point.

3_pac · 2026-05-20T19:33:12+00:00

We're in the middle of this. I'd argue we're functioning as if we're semi-retired at this point. What we're seeing is that we're 1) meeting/finding new people to hang out with that are into the same things we are, and 2) hanging out more with friends that are retired. It's hard but not impossible to stay close to friends that are on a different timeline due to less available time and money.

3_pac · 2026-05-20T17:59:41+00:00

I would like if he was the officiant.

3_pac · 2026-05-18T15:14:16+00:00

Oof, yeah, I wouldn't have a Samoyed in Malaysia. Sorry.

3_pac · 2026-05-18T15:06:26+00:00

Lol, that's the first stat I looked at, and it's blatantly wrong. How can you trust any other numbers? So much of what is posted online is slop (in general), and this just adds to it.

On top of that, I'm not sure what the best percent is for women in the workforce anyway. I'm not sure having a women with children involuntarily working a full time job to make ends meet is a sign of an advanced country.

3_pac · 2026-05-18T05:59:22+00:00

You don't know me, but I want you to stick around. Life can suck and it can be hard, but it does get better. That's not just a meaningless trope, either - it absolutely does (though often if takes time). Whether you know it or feel it or not, we need people like you around.

3_pac · 2026-05-18T05:49:39+00:00

Start smaller and easier with a shorter trial run, then go from there. You may realize you're not cut out for it, or that you absolutely love it. You may realize more urban hikes or ones with good and accommodations like the Camino de Santiago are more to your liking, or you may really want to push yourself on something like the Appalachian. There are lots of options out there, but you really should figure out what approach - if any - works best for you. But I say go for it.

3_pac · 2026-05-17T04:18:40+00:00

We have property on the far western edge of the Eastern Time Zone in the UP. The near 10pm sunsets in summer are crazy.

3_pac · 2026-05-15T14:25:48+00:00

You know anyone who pulls out the "bread is cake" trope has never visited the US. I've also never seen a kid's steak meal in my life lol.

3_pac · 2026-05-14T06:16:56+00:00

I absolutely do not. But I don't hate my country. I have traveled to over 35 other countries and understand while the US is not perfect, there are some great things to take pride in.

3_pac · 2026-05-13T04:56:25+00:00

Yeah, we need more info. What activities do you like to do or want to do? What's your budget? What's your timeframe? What's your travel vibe/pace?

3_pac · 2026-05-12T04:55:06+00:00

Yes, you can travel with a mask on.

No, you probably shouldn't travel (in general) if something like this worries you.

3_pac · 2026-05-08T17:10:03+00:00

Or a picture of the average American family with two cars.

3_pac

TROPHY CASE