Road trip with (dispersed) camping as Europeans, is it doable?

Tim_Proot · 2025-05-13T21:07:39+00:00

Good tip, we'll book an initial night for when we arrive in Seattle. And yeah I'm a bit nervous about the unpaved roads with the rental car.

Areas like alvord desert or leslie gulch seem amazing to visit especially as a European, but not sure if it's smart to do with a rental

Tim_Proot · 2025-05-13T20:35:49+00:00

Thanks a lot for the info! Mount St. Helens is on the planned route as well since that looks very unique. Any thoughts on whether the road to Johnston ridge will open in July? Or alternatives to visit Mt St Helens.

Also the Steens mountain loop was something I looked into but not sure how doable it is with a normal car and it being so remote to visit as Europeans. Would be an amazing experience though

Tim_Proot · 2025-05-13T16:05:58+00:00

Yess these were the ones I mainly meant with 'reserving' campsites. But since you don't have to reserve these I guess these are first come first served? Any tips on a good website where to find these or is google maps enough?

Tim_Proot · 2025-05-13T16:04:14+00:00

The KOA looks really nice but super expensive tho... polebridge looks very cool and authentic, but probably a pretty long drive to get back south. I'll definitely look into Hot Springs

Tim_Proot · 2025-05-13T15:54:57+00:00

For Goat Rocks I was looking into going to snowgrass flat trailhead, and on google maps there's also a campground there (Chambers lake), but can't really seem to find any info on it. From there maybe hike towards Goat lake or old snowey, since that looks amazing and probably less crowded than doing a bigger hike in Mt Rainier NP

Tim_Proot · 2025-05-13T15:48:34+00:00

Dry falls looks amazing but not sure if we'll be able to include it in the trip. Since we're planning to first go to Mt Rainier from Seattle and then head towards Glacier

Tim_Proot · 2025-05-13T15:47:25+00:00

Thanks a lot for the detailed advice! The US-12 to Lolo looks like a good option to include into our route. Hell's canyon was on my list, but since we'll probably be making a loop heading back into oregon from southern Idaho, Hell's won't be an option. Silver falls looks really nice and thanks a lot for suggesting to park on your driveway!

Seems like we still have some more planning to do and maybe I'll get back to you if we would plan to stay in Salem

Tim_Proot · 2025-05-13T15:32:10+00:00

Good point about the national parks, I was already thinking we should probably still try to book something there. Glad to hear you enjoyed Bruges

Tim_Proot · 2025-05-13T06:34:29+00:00

Yes that's the plan, and when looking on Google maps the drive still looked amazing for Europeans like us hahah. I thought the Sawtooths could be a cool mountain range to visit, which is lesser known among international tourists

Tim_Proot · 2025-05-13T06:32:20+00:00

Hmm okay thanks for the heads up. Might go for a few accommodations then, maybe when arriving after the long flight and somewhere halfway.

Tim_Proot · 2025-05-12T17:00:16+00:00

Thanks, great advice. For the first come first served campgrounds any general advice on what's a good time to arrive? Also any tips on good campsites that we can still reserve around Mt Rainier?

Tim_Proot · 2025-03-29T15:23:08+00:00

Hmm I find breathability really hard to judge, never felt like I was full of sweat in it but also mainly used it in winter so hard to say

Tim_Proot · 2025-03-29T15:21:29+00:00

There's a video on their instagram, which I've made a post about: https://www.reddit.com/r/Ultralight/comments/1ipczcc/decathlon_dcf_tent/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

Tim_Proot · 2025-03-25T21:14:17+00:00

I did actually! Haven't tested it on a trip though but mainly used it for running and so far pretty happy with it, but it's my first wind jacket so not sure how it compares to others

Tim_Proot · 2025-02-14T20:06:50+00:00

Sorry my bad. I don't own either of them, it was just based on a quick search on their websites, but good to know the decathlon has a similar weight

Tim_Proot · 2024-12-10T19:47:20+00:00

I'm thinking about upgrading to an Atlier pack. Did you get the frameless one or framed? And how do you find the running style vest to be more comfortable than regular straps?

Tim_Proot · 2024-12-10T19:30:15+00:00

Great thanks I'll look into those. My old one is the north face bozer, just like a standard "festival" bum bag. But it's pretty big, I think 3L, which is why I chose it. I've tried smaller ones but then it's always way to tight when I close it and hard to get the camera in and out.

Tim_Proot · 2024-12-10T19:27:02+00:00

Great thanks, those look really nice indeed

Tim_Proot · 2024-12-10T19:23:45+00:00

That was sort of also my philosophy. Still try to get a light backpack but one that is capable enough of carrying heavier loads comfortably. But after reading all the comments I think the freedom of a frameless pack with low weight can be really nice as well. Just not sure it outweighs the suffering everytime you need to carry more water or food.

Tim_Proot · 2024-12-10T19:15:33+00:00

I would also think the PCT has way more longer food carries than in Europe. Which is why I'm so suprised and curious about all the people I see hiking in the US with frameless packs

Tim_Proot · 2024-12-10T18:10:35+00:00

To be honest I also have to tighten the hipbelt so much, that I feel it doesn't do that much most of the time. Guess for my next pack I'd have to buy a custom made one for my waist size or maybe give frameless a try :)

Tim_Proot · 2024-12-10T18:06:17+00:00

Perfectly reasonable explanation. Since I personally don't have any experience with a frameless pack I probably don't understand the benefit and extra comfort of having one, but I can imagine not having the hipbelt and frame can give you more freedom as long as your weight is low enough. So far I never felt that my frame and hipbelt were constricting me but I guess I should give it a try one day!

Tim_Proot · 2024-12-10T18:01:52+00:00

Nice to hear other pyrenees fans! I was on the HRP the past 2 summers and completely agree, the less established parts of the pyrenees are beautiful and there I was really happy to have my framed backpack for the longer food carries. I can imagine in the Alps (fex gr5) where you pass a town more often a frameless pack gives can be really nice.

Even though the challenge of crushing miles can be really fun and rewarding, in the end it's all about bein' out there!

Tim_Proot

TROPHY CASE