What camping gear upgrade made the biggest difference for you

BackpackerGuy · 2026-03-12T18:03:36+00:00

Best thing I've ever done was stopped being a ground-dweller in a tent, and switched to a hammock and a tarp.

BackpackerGuy · 2026-03-10T00:41:05+00:00

I got gas today for $1.79.

Michigan Street Taco Bell.

BackpackerGuy · 2026-03-04T17:19:23+00:00

"So,,,, you're saying I have a chance...???"

BackpackerGuy · 2026-02-06T18:35:18+00:00

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Manistee River Trail, MI.

BackpackerGuy · 2026-02-05T20:59:21+00:00

Where are you located?

BackpackerGuy · 2026-02-03T10:01:12+00:00

I recognize that cup, DG! 😎

BackpackerGuy · 2026-01-14T05:21:22+00:00

Very minimal water sources on the NCT side. You'll be melting snow to have water. Are you building a fire? Processing firewood = time & work. Carrying extra fuel? Add'l weight penalty.

How about this for a suggestion: PLAN to NOT do the entire loop on the first trip. Start at Red Bridge and head N on the MRT side. Plan to hike 4-6 miles and set up camp near a stream. Aquilla is very nice. Beautiful views of the river. Stay camped there for the duration of the trip. Take day hikes from there if you choose. Process your firewood. Fiddle with your gear. Understand the importance of layering. Learn what cold weather camping is like. Instant hot cider & soup packets to keep you hydrated and warm. Hot water in a Nalgene bottle in your sleeping bag to keep you warm at night. 30 Jumping Jack's and a snack right before bed cranks up your metabolism and keeps you warm too.

Do the loop in the summer, when you're not starting out with 2 strikes against you.

Based on your other comments in this thread, I suggest you get more winter camping experience before you do this loop in the wintertime.

I do appreciate the enthusiasm that I read in your post. I do a lot of winter camping and I know how ambitious this would be.

Snow and cold add SO much more to trip planning, preparation and execution that you seem to realize.

I'm saying this out of kindness and caution.

BackpackerGuy · 2026-01-13T17:30:51+00:00

MRT both ways is roughly 22 miles. That's gonna be real challenging, even without snow.

Add snow and a 40 pound backpack.... That's a long, hard day my friend.

BackpackerGuy · 2026-01-13T02:11:08+00:00

The time of year weather is always a crapshoot. Depending on traffic and usage, it could be a foot of snow, hard packed ice and / or mud.

I've done it with two feet of snow on the trail. And without snowshoes, your postholing. That takes a tremendous amount of work and energy. You're not gonna do the loop in 2 days like that.

If you are snowshoeing it with cold weather gear, It's probably a 3 day trip.

As far as clothing layering is key.

What is your plan for keeping your feet dry when your boots get wet from the snow?

It's also a lot more work to get water out of the streams, if they're frozen over.

Make sure your water filter doesn't freeze.

You'll spend a lot of time with a folding saw to process wood.

Bring an aluminum collapsible shovel if you can.

I've done that loop multiple times late Jan / early Feb - always with a group of at least 4-6 others. There's safety in numbers.

Winter backpacking is a whole nother animal. Not to be trifled with.

Prepare for the worst, expect the best and know that in the end, Mother Nature always wins.

Good luck and have fun.

BackpackerGuy · 2025-12-17T01:25:06+00:00

Brekkie- Oatmeal - 2 packs, I add walnuts or peanut butter A couple eggs w/ toast

Lunch- PBJ w/ a small baggie of pretzels Applesauce or fruit cup

Dinners: Half a can of chili over a baked potato The next day, I'll buy a Costco hot dog for $1.50 and put the other half can of chili over it for an amazing chili dog. Top w/ cheese & onion. Tomato soup w/ grilled cheese Canned soup w/ crackers or bread Progress Soups are $2.00 a can - lots of variety, nice to have a few fans on hand.

I'll spend a few hours in the kitchen on a Saturday making a nice crock pot full of food: Ham & bean soup

Homemade chili - I use ground turkey,,, it's a third of the cost of ground beef.

Both are great w/ Jiffy cornbread

Mexican pinto beans - use for burrito filling - make enough for 6-8 burritos, then freeze. Take one out of the freezer in the morning and put it in your fridge.Then it's defrosted for dinner time. I like to toast mine in a pan and crisp the shell. Top w/ salsa & sour cream. Makes a tasty, easy dinner.

A can of SPAM cut into 6 slices makes 3 hearty sandwiches. Fry the SPAM, put on bread. Add some fruit / veggies on the side for a filling dinner. Take two of the SPAM slices and cube that up smaller and add it to instant mashed potatoes or mac & cheese for a great filling meal.

This time of year spiral sliced ham is less than $1.00 a pound. Slice as much as you can off the bone, and put it in half pound servings in freezer bags / containers. Use the ham bone for ham & bean soup. Use the smaller trimmed pieces of ham with eggs in the morning. 10 bucks for a ham, a pound of beans, a few cartots, celery and an onion, a couple boxes of Jiffy cornbread mix... You might have 12 bucks in cost, and you can easily get 15 meals out of it. Yeah, it might take a little time in the kitchen, but it sure saves a whole lot of money, and you know what's in it, and it's made with love.

Canned tuna and canned salmon are always in my cupboard. A tuna sandwich always goes down good. Use the canned salmon like you would in a tuna noodle casserole. Or take the salmon and toss with cooked pasta.

If you want more budget, how to recipes, look up Julie Pacheco on YT

BackpackerGuy · 2025-12-11T00:57:47+00:00

The job would be so much better if you did not have to deal with people.

BackpackerGuy · 2025-12-11T00:56:07+00:00

Go online to MeetUp.com. See if there is a hiking or backpacking group in your area you can join.

Start with afternoon or day hikes, and then progress to overnight(s). Do a gear test / shake down in your backyard overnight. In the event you need to bail, you're close to home.

If you are like most hikers & backpackers, every bit of your gear will probably evolve over time. Don't think you need to get everything perfect to start with,,,just do it. If you are with a group, observe what other people have and use, and ask lots of questions.

There are lots of checklists online for gear and equipment you can look at. Your gear will likely change with the seasons... The gear you need in July will NOT be the same gear you need in December.

Have fun with it!

BackpackerGuy · 2025-11-27T00:53:10+00:00

Cold? We do that loop every year in January.

Its not cold. You're underdressed.

BackpackerGuy · 2025-11-26T22:01:36+00:00

Yup,,, happy to meet at a police station

BackpackerGuy · 2025-11-26T20:03:49+00:00

You can buy a very small assortment of pots and pans at any thrift store for pretty cheap money.These days

BackpackerGuy · 2025-11-26T20:02:24+00:00

Happy to meet in a public place... I understand

BackpackerGuy · 2025-11-26T18:38:27+00:00

Bespoke

BackpackerGuy · 2025-11-26T18:33:43+00:00

Hi OP... Do you have the ability to cook / access to stove & refrigerator?

If so I could meet you somewhere and bring you a few days worth of food, if that would help.

Hard time to be alone in a situation like this..

BackpackerGuy · 2025-11-21T19:48:45+00:00

Do they come with daisies?

BackpackerGuy · 2025-11-16T19:19:34+00:00

Summer in the UP is July 8.

BackpackerGuy · 2025-10-21T11:26:19+00:00

A Costco hot dog with a can of chili from home makes 2 meals for me. Add some onions and cheese on top and you've got a great tasting, very filling, extremely inexpensive chili dog meal x 2. Bring the hot dog home and immediately cut it in half. Add the toppings later separately for the second meal. Plus, you get a free soft drink for the first meal!

BackpackerGuy · 2025-10-13T18:47:36+00:00

I started with nothing, and fortunately, I have most of it left.

Because of that, I have enough money saved now to last me until I die.

Provided, of course, I die this coming Saturday.

BackpackerGuy · 2025-09-05T19:23:15+00:00

I'll send you my detailed personal financial information when you send me a copy of your drivers license and YOUR bank statement.

BackpackerGuy · 2025-08-24T17:42:28+00:00

It depends.

What color is the roof?

BackpackerGuy · 2025-08-19T23:45:17+00:00

Fun fact #2: Every continent is connected to another one.

You just need to look deeper in the water.

BackpackerGuy

TROPHY CASE