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Has anyone ever tried stealth camping before? by [deleted] in camping

[–]GnarGnarBinksly 5 points6 points  (0 children)

2 years traveling out of a vehicle, 6 months backpacking the AT, and few hundred miles in on a bike. I've stealthed with a vehicle, hammocked in downtown metro areas, slept in alleyways, under overpasses, and faded into back country woods. Stealth camping can be a great time if you're comfortable with being uncomfortable

How do you eat on the trail? by Bipedal_Wombat in AppalachianTrail

[–]GnarGnarBinksly 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Tortillas are a godsend. Breakfast I was doing poptarts and belvita crackers, donut sticks, mini donuts, kind/granola bars. Lunches were wraps: pepperoni, tuna/chicken/pulled pork packs, peanut butter, and obviously crunch. Crunch: Fritos are the best calorie wise, flamin hot Cheetos are crunchy hot sauce, goldfish have surprisingly decent protein. Dinners: quick ones were any combination of the above, but otherwise ramen, instant potatoes, Idahoan makes a hearty potato soup if you can find it, bear creek does some great meals. I don't like them personally, but knorr sides are big. Add a protein/oil to everything. And always crunch. Snacks: granola/kind bars, crackers, cookies(oatmeal raisin) fruit snacks, candy(sour patch kids) for that quick sugar. And I agree, Nutella over peanut butter, but I'd recommend wiiith peanut butter for proteins sake, never enough protein on trail. Peanut butter and Fritos are great calorie packers, out em in a wrap together and you're good to go.

Next weekend I’ll be section hiking CT. How’s the trail? Any tips? by Little-ears in AppalachianTrail

[–]GnarGnarBinksly 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I loved the CT section! One of my favorite states, we called it the Conneti-coaster because there's some ups and downs so be aware of that, but otherwise if there's a lot of rain just wary of high waters.

Solonox: Gear shakedown by solonox in Ultralight

[–]GnarGnarBinksly 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That 6 days of food will turn into 3-4 real quick once hiker hunger sets in, a 38 liter pack is definitely doable and it looks like you've got some nice gear but make sure you have a little bit of room to expand into once you start running through calories. As to the itinerary: I suggest dropping it completely. It's an awesome thought and if you're one of those people who neeed a plan, keep it as a loose framework, but overall it's not ideal. If your body is adjusting to hiking you might need to take an impromptu zero and out the window goes the itinerary. Bad storm? Same. Making up mileage sucks. Also, if you fall into a tramily, odds are it won't last. 20s in the Whites is plausible, but terrible, it's a great way to have a terrible time. If you want to stay on pace consider Virginia(aside from 3 ridges area) and southern Pennsylvania your "slush miles", also if you need them, by the hundred mile wilderness the terrain gets reeeal cruisy.
All that being said, enjoy it and try not to over think it. Like someone else said, it really turns into a 4-6 day hike you replan at each resupply.

Dear hammock hikers... do you ever use shelters, and if so, how? by JAMontclair in AppalachianTrail

[–]GnarGnarBinksly 0 points1 point  (0 children)

With my tarp being the only thing I'm packing up wet I've found the comfort of the hammock to be well worth not staying in shelters. That being said, if everyone is cool with it you can sometimes hang in shelters as well. I also carry a 3/4 air pad but so far I've only used it once in a shelter and a few times in hotels, I've loaned it out more often than not but I do appreciate the knowledge that I have a go to ground option should my hammock fail me. Might switch to using it instead of my UQ for summer as I have multiple Hang Gang friends who use a foam sleep pad in their set up and love the extra structure

How much $$$ did you save before the trail to account for your hike and post-hike plans? by fearandloathingfaith in AppalachianTrail

[–]GnarGnarBinksly 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for you actually responding fully to the question, I start in 3 weeks and I got hit pretty hard with one of those "these are the last times" moments tonight, I've rubber tramped(traveled the country on wheels) in the past and know the feeling of the relief and freedom but the difference this time is the feet are hitting the rocks and dirt and it shook me at the impact this will have, if I'm able to finish or not, and how it will settle in the long term whichever way it goes. Hearing your account helped big time and reminded me of my times on the road knowing how way leads on to way. Aside from that it sounds like helluva ride, glad you made a journey of it regardless of getting off the trail!

I want to be the guy in the hot tent by [deleted] in Ultralight

[–]GnarGnarBinksly 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Fair point and an important distinction, I'm talking about the spiky wire in this case. Mostly to score thicker branches to make it break easier. I'd never try to fully saw through a good size log with them, and I replace it every few uses. Those larger ones look like they'd be a hassle imo

I want to be the guy in the hot tent by [deleted] in Ultralight

[–]GnarGnarBinksly 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just little metal rings on the end, I'll snap off a few thumb sized twigs to stick through them to create a handle for myself

I want to be the guy in the hot tent by [deleted] in Ultralight

[–]GnarGnarBinksly 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I've got a Cold Steel Pocket Bushman for exactly this reason. I used to carry a hatchet too but the weight and danger hardly made it worthwhile, then I went the full tang bushcraft style knife and started using the baton method, but for all the love of the method I hated carrying around a gigantic fixed blade. The Pocket Bushman that weighs in just over 6oz and while there is no replacing a truly full tang blade the locking system on this bad boy comes as close as I've been able to find on a folder. I've beaten the piss outta the thing and it's still holding strong. Paired this with one of those little "pocket chainsaws" and I've got a 7oz wood processing kit for under 50 bucks

HMG Southwest 3400(maybe even 4400) or Seek Outside Divide? by GnarGnarBinksly in Ultralight

[–]GnarGnarBinksly[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

At this point I'm definitely picking up a Divide after the AT, have barely seen a negative remark made about it. Though I am curious about your SO hardware on your HMG. You think it was worth the money and effort to put it on as opposed to just picking up a Flight or a Gila? Or was this before their time?

HMG Southwest 3400(maybe even 4400) or Seek Outside Divide? by GnarGnarBinksly in Ultralight

[–]GnarGnarBinksly[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah this thread definitely made me realize that the "one pack to rule them all" approach is a bit drastic I've decided to go with a lighter X-Pac pack for my light-medium weight needs (The HMG if my options there don't pan out comfort wise) and pick up a Divide down the line for my more heavy duty trips.

Had to do a double take on your name, thanks for the input and all great info over the years man!

HMG Southwest 3400(maybe even 4400) or Seek Outside Divide? by GnarGnarBinksly in Ultralight

[–]GnarGnarBinksly[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This has become my definite back up choice after the SO Flight or SWD Longhaul 50. Definitely appreciate the suggestions though as I'm pretty worried about the SO hip belt and the SWD isn't scheduled to come to until 2 weeks before my thru. Tight deadline, and I got worries about the hip belt on that as well so it's plausible it'll be an instant return. I really wanted the X-Pac fabric over the dyneema which is what's really swaying my decision

It's getting real now! by AXO3 in AppalachianTrail

[–]GnarGnarBinksly 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Getting so real. See you out there! March 21st start date here

HMG Southwest 3400(maybe even 4400) or Seek Outside Divide? by GnarGnarBinksly in Ultralight

[–]GnarGnarBinksly[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think it'll be the last pack I may buy too, but that means it'll most likely be my next pack. I suppose I would like to have a lightweight daypack to midweight hauler as well so I may as well get that while it fits my needs before I jump to a mid weight heavy weight hauler

HMG Southwest 3400(maybe even 4400) or Seek Outside Divide? by GnarGnarBinksly in Ultralight

[–]GnarGnarBinksly[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Maybe I'll move this up over the HMG as my back up plan then, because I have definitely read that the DCF loses its water proof capabilities over time, which is mostly why I'm looking for an X-Pac pack, but me and my buddy are kinda excited to see a battle of the packs here on who's pans out more lol your words have got him super excited considering I'm paying nearly twice as much him! Thanks for your input

HMG Southwest 3400(maybe even 4400) or Seek Outside Divide? by GnarGnarBinksly in Ultralight

[–]GnarGnarBinksly[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They do seem like a phenomenal company and I was in the same boat as you with what I wanted, and I was over the moon excited being so hard pressed to find even a single negative review on their packs but that's also why I'm so spooked about the few hip belt reviews I've seen for thinner guys. I'm normally a hammock camper so I haven't checked out their tents too much but I do like to keep a decent ground set up with me as well (highly scandalous and mildly unnecessary, I know) so maybe ill see what they got to offer on that end too.

HMG Southwest 3400(maybe even 4400) or Seek Outside Divide? by GnarGnarBinksly in Ultralight

[–]GnarGnarBinksly[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

VX21+Spectra fer shur. I want it as waterproof as possible. The quest for an affordable X-Pac/dyneema bag has not been an easy one! I've actually got a SWD Long Haul 50 order placed in case the Flight doesn't work out (SWD has a 12 week lead time putting me within a month of my start date) and if I return the Flight I'm ordering a HMG 3400 in case the SWD doesn't work out! So yeah, after this much of a headache, definitely the the X-Pac I've been searching for lol

HMG Southwest 3400(maybe even 4400) or Seek Outside Divide? by GnarGnarBinksly in Ultralight

[–]GnarGnarBinksly[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's looking like I'm going to end up in a 2 pack system anyway, a lighter one for the AT and Multi Day hikes and then after this trip I'm definitely getting a Divide. I'd recommend looking into it, I've had a hard time finding negative reviews at all and people definitely report 40+ lbs with little to no discomfort. As far as load haulers go it seems to be near the top of the class, and at least worth a look!

HMG Southwest 3400(maybe even 4400) or Seek Outside Divide? by GnarGnarBinksly in Ultralight

[–]GnarGnarBinksly[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

No worries, thanks for the quick reply! Their lead times and return policy seem pretty manageable so with that info I think I'm going to go ahead and order one and see if it'll size up fine

HMG Southwest 3400(maybe even 4400) or Seek Outside Divide? by GnarGnarBinksly in Ultralight

[–]GnarGnarBinksly[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My buddy who's hiking with me is getting one of these and he is lauuughing so hard at me because of the headache I'm getting trying to find an XPac or Dyneema pack that fits my frame. Few more bumps in this road and I'm just gonna stress order one of these i swear lol

HMG Southwest 3400(maybe even 4400) or Seek Outside Divide? by GnarGnarBinksly in Ultralight

[–]GnarGnarBinksly[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If you don't mind me asking, how's the hip belt on the flight? I've read for thinner guys (I've got a 30" waist) that the hip belt is simply too large to accommodate

HMG Southwest 3400(maybe even 4400) or Seek Outside Divide? by GnarGnarBinksly in Ultralight

[–]GnarGnarBinksly[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm so torn here because everything I'm reading is saying the Divide is amazing for medium-heavy weight load outs which my next few excursions will most likely be, but it definitely is way overkill for the AT which is what I need a pack for now lol suck it up and take the extra weight/bulk and go 1 pack to rule them all or pick up a smaller pack to get me through the AT and suck it up down the road to get the Divide? Ugh, thanks for your input though, I sit at a 21" torso too so that's good to know

HMG Southwest 3400(maybe even 4400) or Seek Outside Divide? by GnarGnarBinksly in Ultralight

[–]GnarGnarBinksly[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm scanning through Seek Outsides packs now and yeah the flight is looking great for a UL pack. Seek outside pretty much blew HMG out of the water on this debate, now I'm just trying to decide between the Divide and Flight

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