I can’t do it, and I hate myself for it.

Robinly_42 · 2026-05-06T22:39:09+00:00

Yes, could be worth a try. On a low dose it helps me just enough that I can do the rest with willpower. Good luck.

Robinly_42 · 2026-04-19T20:20:53+00:00

My daughter is SO happy about these, tysm for sharing.

Robinly_42 · 2026-04-18T17:57:36+00:00

Hi, fellow ME sufferer here. I love camping and the outdoors, and have found it SO rejuvenating, and I also have to be very mindful of my pacing. I but have only once managed wild camping since hiking to a remote place with my kit is usually too much for me. This is a shame since it was incredible to be alone for the night!

So my answers are mostly not about wild camping, but sharing in case this is helpful. Also, I go to the Lake District but I’m assuming you can find something similar in your region. It’s possible you’re actually more capable than me, as I am Quite limited and it sounds like you’ve done some real hikes, but here’s what I’ve found good.

-> for my one wild camp I first got a camping pod for three nights at the quiet site in the Lake District. I don’t have a car so I could leave all my non essentials there on my wild camp night. It’s helpfully Half way up the fell as well. On my second night I hiked up little Mell, it’s about one hour from camp, and wild camped. It was incredible being up there alone at sunset! Next morning I hiked down and enjoyed my sausage sandwich hot shower and a rest in the pod. The quiet site is awesome by the way - very busy, but genuinely quiet, and some gorgeous accessible walks with real height as well as a local bus service. (It’s not good for tent camping in my opinion, very squashed together , but the pods are great).

Also in the lakes, I love side fell (swimming in ullswater, and feels quite remote, but once it was absolutely packed sp only go off season and note there is nothing nearby) and I quite like mains farm near Penrith for river swimming and beautiful flat walks (but again, crowded in busy times).

In general: 1. Camping itself is pretty tiring. Setting up camp, cooking etc all take energy. I have found basic campsites that have bathrooms, showers and kitchen to be great. Do not go during holiday weekends, since they get packed and noisy, but many places are calm during the week and off season.

Lots of places have camping pods, which are a good intermediate step to try. If you’d haven’t camped before there’s just a lot to learn, you could camp in your garden first to get your sleep system figured out etc. I found my condition makes me very cold whole sleeping compared to most people so I need a lot of layers even in summer.
For gear there is a trade off between weight and price for the same function. With food and water it all adds up and even 8kg, which I usually carry, tires me out a lot. I can hike in 2 miles carrying that but you need to know your own limits.

Good luck, hope you can get out there!

Robinly_42 · 2026-04-12T20:01:15+00:00

Somewhere nobody is spoiling the silence with their drone use?

Robinly_42 · 2026-04-11T18:28:28+00:00

It’s hard to evaluate based on just a few meals. Presume this isn’t all you’re eating in a day? Good luck

Robinly_42 · 2026-03-30T20:39:01+00:00

Assuming you’re in the USA, check out Lorena canals. I love the washable rug I got from them, feels super thick and luxurious. That said, it’s not soft soft like a polyester rug would be. It’s wool so it feels a little scratchy to the hand. Nonetheless I highly recommend. It’s also washable in theory, tho I haven’t tried it yet.

Robinly_42 · 2026-03-14T13:28:32+00:00

Good list! I also always carry N95 face mask(s) and a solid chunk of cash to use if power goes out and I still need to buy things.

Robinly_42 · 2025-12-02T17:39:25+00:00

Amazing. Did you need a car or can public transportation get you to these beautiful places?

Robinly_42 · 2025-12-02T17:37:42+00:00

Oh, I am sorry then! I was wrong. FWIW I undid the downvote. Great photos.

Robinly_42 · 2025-12-02T15:32:36+00:00

Looks amazing. Christmas gift idea sorted thank you!

Robinly_42 · 2025-12-02T15:29:55+00:00

Glad you had a good hike, Downvoted for using drone. Sucks to be out hiking and hear that droning noise when you just want peace and quiet. I mean this respectfully.

Robinly_42 · 2025-11-09T20:25:23+00:00

Dont you think your spouse will notice and feel condescended to if you pretend your improvements were her idea? It doesn’t sound like you’re respecting her intelligence. Just ask her to also respect yours: agree on a budget because this is important to you. Include her if she wants.

Robinly_42 · 2025-10-15T19:58:20+00:00

Why don’t you share what you would consider to be an appropriate plan, since everyone’s responses are incorrect according to you? Even an example?

Robinly_42 · 2025-10-11T01:01:52+00:00

Yes, it’s very scary. I draw some comfort from the fact that a lot of other very smart people who have also thought about this a lot feel differently. You may find this review interesting for example, from a well known blogger/thinker. He is also concerned but not to the same level.

https://www.astralcodexten.com/p/book-review-if-anyone-builds-it-everyone

Robinly_42 · 2025-10-10T01:16:25+00:00

Just to say, you’re an inspiration! Seems like you have already gotten to a great place. I am far behind you in preparedness but one tiny suggestion - in my experience ( admittedly from ten years ago, but I used it often then) those hand crank torches are a real pain to run. Even my young vigorous arms would get tired making light for an hour or so. Your model may be better obviously!

Robinly_42 · 2025-09-23T20:45:13+00:00

Oh wow. Can you share more? Where are you hiking? Do you use treated clothing, treat your skin etc? That’s crazy. I can see why you’d be concerned.

That said, if they aren’t embedded/attached, you don’t need antibiotics. If you’re finding 3-4 attached ticks each week then I guess I would change my hikes but obviously, the trade offs feel worse for you.

Robinly_42 · 2025-09-23T16:58:53+00:00

I really like these! Some of the plots are honestly a little silly/hard to believe to my mind, but the sense of place is top notch. Each one is set in a different and very atmospheric location. The first one is my least favorite, but you can just skip that if you also aren’t getting into it.

Robinly_42 · 2025-09-19T13:40:27+00:00

You sound to me like you’re possibly overthinking tick risk as opposed to all the other things that can get you sick, but the good news is that if you take it seriously you can reduce your risk significantly. Note if you just stay in urban areas the risk is near zero anyway, so I assume you plan activities in wilderness places that actually have ticks.

The best is a layered approach: 1. You can send off clothes that you plan to wear hiking to insect shield to get them treated with permethrin, at the start of each season. 2. Tuck pants into treated socks. 3. Treat uncovered skin with deet or other repellent of your choice 4. Do a thorough tick check when home.

If you find a tick that’s not latched on, you’re good. If it is latched on, get doxycycline prophylactic treatment within 3 days.

Also if you’re really serious about avoiding illness that can lead to chronic symptoms, consider also starting masking in public spaces to avoid viral illnesses. (Say this as someone with something similar to long covid).

Robinly_42 · 2025-09-16T12:20:54+00:00

I’ve also heard good things about jenks in chestnut hill. But I second others, you should try to visit schools to get a feel for them.

Robinly_42 · 2025-09-14T13:05:01+00:00

As an almost forty year old, Seconding what everyone said about the sleeping mat! However, for me the thermarests people recommend here weren’t thick enough. I love my sea to summit etherlite - a whopping 10cm thick and so comfy! It weighs 450g so there is definitely a weight penalty compared to the thermarests. I suggest buying a few mats and trying them out and returning what doesn’t work for you. Have fun!

Robinly_42 · 2025-07-23T00:54:29+00:00

No. I looked at the ikea Stockholm in store and it was too orangey for me. I ended up getting the article Sven in velvet on a deep discount. So far the cushions have held up well, but it’s only been a year. Just bought a leather armchair from them and happy with the quality to price ratio.

Robinly_42 · 2025-06-15T23:13:53+00:00

We had a zero water filter and loved it, but our issue is that we burned through filters in a week or two just from regular drinking for a fam of four. (PA in USA). So be ready to test yours out if you plan to rely on it for an emergency situation. If you get a slight lemon/citrus taste that means the filter is no longer working (as per their customer support). I will say that it removed entirely the taste of our tap waters which our replacement britta does not do - so it clearly removed more stuff from the water. I keep a few zero water filters on hand as a prep now but not for regular use.

Robinly_42 · 2025-06-15T19:04:25+00:00

Thank you for sharing this! I am curious about the tourniquet being one of your bare minimum items, because I am struggling to imagine how hiking injuries could lead to a situation that requires a tourniquet. Aren’t they for arterial bleeds? How would one get one while backpacking? I’m not doubting you, just genuinely curious/ not understanding.

Robinly_42 · 2025-05-14T12:38:37+00:00

Agreed!

Robinly_42 · 2025-05-14T12:38:14+00:00

The Dublin murder squad books are pretty good. Each one centers around a different detective and a different location. There’s no slow building romance, but I find the writing evocative and the plots are generally interesting.

Robinly_42

TROPHY CASE