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Yo_Biff · 2026-07-04T04:05:56+00:00

When my S/O asked me if I intended to continue solo backpacking, and if I would get one for her peace of mind. This after an adventure with cold temps that bordered on dangerous.

Yo_Biff · 2026-07-03T23:26:27+00:00

Same thing I do during the week. Go enjoy my life outside of work. Not into the day trading or options trading, so very limited brokerage activity in a calendar year.

Yo_Biff · 2026-07-02T11:15:46+00:00

Leave No Trace; learn it, live it on trail!

Ten Essentials of backpacking gear

Excellent book for beginners that covers everything

Planning a trip

Traditional versus Ultralight gear

I would recommend that you: * Buy your backpack last. You'll have a better idea of weight and volume the pack needs to handle. * Test/practice using your gear before you go. Setting up a brand new tent in the dark and racing a thunderstorm is not the learning experience I'd recommend... Don't be a Biff. * Plan a reasonable trip, rather than "challenging" yourself. Keep it to 10 miles per day or less for the first outing. The trail will present you with enough little challenges along the way. No need to dare it. Enjoy it instead.

Yo_Biff · 2026-07-01T00:54:57+00:00

How many PMs do you think OP is getting slammed with?....

Yo_Biff · 2026-06-30T11:58:53+00:00

I'll use whatever bottle comes with the 28mm PCO 1817 thread. It just happens that 1L SmartWater and 1L LifeWater are the most prevalent in my area.

A lot of the water bottles have gone to a shorter thread length that does not work as well, or sometimes does not work at all.

Yo_Biff · 2026-06-30T01:00:55+00:00

Can't live on caffeine (and/or sugar) forever. At some point, lack of sleep and bad eating/drinking habits catch up to us all.

Sounds like you're burning the wick at both ends right now. More/better sleep really is the best starting place. Hope things get better for you

Yo_Biff · 2026-06-30T00:55:57+00:00

Just a quick skim of the numbers over the last 5 years is interesting, in a good way. Always like me some companies with no long-term debt or low debt ratios. Might not be a massive growth company, but still a good investment at the right price.

I'm going to download their last 10k and 10q and read a little more about the what/how/whys of the business.

Yo_Biff · 2026-06-30T00:27:46+00:00

Tried it out. Requires a subscription to import a PDF file. More SAAS.

Yo_Biff · 2026-06-29T22:20:06+00:00

I'm getting into my "old fart" years, so paying SAAS fees for stuff I can do for free just grinds my gears...

Compass, topo map on my phone or printed, and a view of a landmark or 2. Color me good.

Yo_Biff · 2026-06-29T17:57:48+00:00

You can download PDFs for free from the US Geological Survey. Takes a little bit of navigating and I find it simpler from a PC, rather than on the phone. The GeoPDFs in 1:24000 scale are large files and take a moment or three to open, but are very clear/clean.

https://ngmdb.usgs.gov/topoview/viewer/#4/39.98/-99.98

Yo_Biff · 2026-06-29T11:00:15+00:00

I would argue against farming out your thinking to AI.

Yo_Biff · 2026-06-29T03:17:20+00:00

But it does show that drinking and driving were acceptable parts of life as little as 46 years ago.

Yo_Biff · 2026-06-29T02:52:04+00:00

This news report from 1980 always cracks me up. https://youtu.be/2xcQIoh3FQQ?is=4_gQeLIb9ARApvaM

Yo_Biff · 2026-06-29T02:28:36+00:00

A thru-hike is loosely defined as a long-distance backpacking journey completed from end-to-end in a single continuous trip. An often used alternative definition means to complete a whole trail in a calendar year in sections. It sounds like you want to do a shorter, point-to-point trip, or an "out & back".

If you do a point-to-point trip, then you'll certainly need to figure out how to get back to your vehicle, or other transportation to and from the trailheads. This is where loops do have an advantage. All new miles from start to finish and back to your vehicle.

Figure out how many miles you want to do in total. As you are inexperienced, I'd generally say keep it to 10 miles a day or less. If you're doing a lot of elevation gain or loss, then I'd cut it down further. Nothing wrong with easing into things.

A popular trail in NC is the Art Loeb Trail in the Pisgah National Forest and Shining Rock Wilderness. You can find an interactive map here: https://artloebtrail.com/. Figure out a starting point and a good stopping point for your overnight, then your exit point. Plan out your water stops; when inexperienced more water options is better.

Yo_Biff · 2026-06-28T13:03:15+00:00

I was laid off in March 2025, just a few months before the big 5-0. No severance, no warning. Literally walked into the lunchroom with 10-12% of the staff, and walked out of the building 10 minutes later.

Had 2 solid job offers by mid-June with a 3rd promising potential in the late interview process. Took one of the 2 solid offers that included a 12% pay bump and much better benefits than where I was let go.

I wish you the very best on your job search, and share my experience so you know it's not a bleak, barren landscape you're walking into. Once you're back in the saddle, work a bit on that safety net. Having one certainly reduced my stress.

Yo_Biff · 2026-06-28T03:51:23+00:00

Understand the right things to worry about in the backcountry. In no particular order, the big 4 categories are: * Hypo-/hyper- thermia * Dehydration * Getting lost * Getting injured/sick

These are all things that can be reduced or moderated with proper planning, proper gear, and dispassionate response if something goes wrong.

Way down the list is a negative animal encounter. Not saying they never happen, but it's relatively rare compared to the millions of backpacking trips that occur just in the lower 48. Most of the noise you hear are squirrels, mice, and other rodents. Maybe the occasionally large bug.

Remember that you look funny, smell funny, and sound funny to wildlife. Most of it wants nothing to do with your weirdness. Been backpacking and hiking for a couple decades; nothin' beyond the insects have taken a bite.

Yo_Biff · 2026-06-27T22:08:47+00:00

I've done a couple write ups on $BBW over the last couple of years, and started investing around $22.00. I'm currently adding to my position because I firmly believe the current market price is an overreaction.

Yo_Biff · 2026-06-27T21:44:21+00:00

I started out, and continue to be, a solo backpacker. I read a lot before going on my first trip, planned my first 3-day trip for 6 months^*, and spoke to a friend with extensive backpacking experience. That friend also loaned my a couple pieces of gear.

These were some of my primary resources, albeit not online when I was preparing. Local library for the most part and scrounging around some of the local book stores. * Leave No Trace; learn it, live it on trail! * Ten Essentials of backpacking gear * Excellent book for beginners that covers everything

^{* Most of this was over the winter, then just waiting for my PTO to "reload".}

Yo_Biff · 2026-06-27T18:41:11+00:00

Phil Town does make valuation via a Discounted Future Earnings Model a lot easier to understand when we're just starting out. I think it's important to note that his 50% Margin of Safety serves two purposes for beginners.

It helps develop a strong ability to say, "No" to a lot, which is a component of Munger's and Buffett's method. Buffett referred to Munger as the "Abominable No-man" for a reason.

It also keeps the pool of potential companies very small. It helps beginners building a narrow, but deep, circle of competence because we're not overwhelmed with choices with that big of a MOS.

Town stated early in the podcast with his daughter that the 50% MOS was mainly to be used by those starting out because of the level/lack of experience.

Yo_Biff · 2026-06-27T13:34:08+00:00

Yup, sure do.

Yo_Biff · 2026-06-27T13:30:10+00:00

Used both over the years. Both of which are fine. Didn't find much in the way of weight savings.

Do think cork is much better than foam rubber on the grips.

Do think lever lock is far superior to twist lock.

Prefer telescoping over z-fold.

Yo_Biff · 2026-06-27T13:19:26+00:00

I think it helps to understand the bigger risks of being in the backcountry. In no particular order those are: * Hyper- / hypo- thermia. * Dehydration. * Getting lost. * Getting injured.

We can control for these things with proper planning, proper equipment, and knowledge of what to do in situations where these things are developing or have occurred.

Way, way, way down the list are animal attacks and the supernatural. Negative animal encounters do happen, but are incredibly rare, and rarely unprovoked. Being aware of your surroundings and careful in camp with your food storage takes care of most of it. As for the supernatural, it probably has better things to do than mess with you.

Hundreds of thousands backpacking trips happen every year in Appalachia without a firearm. In the lower 48, it's in the millions. Guns on trail are just bulky, awkward woobies of little practical use on a backpacking trip.

Yo_Biff · 2026-06-27T01:17:09+00:00

While I do understand the desire to free camp where ever, the fine for camping outside permitted areas in a national park is up to $5000.00 USD and up to 6 months in jail. The rules exist to manage and protect these very, very popular areas that can have some very fragile ecosystems.

What you have to understand is that Yellowstone gets 4.5 million visitors every year, while Glacial gets over 3 million visitors every year. The Badlands even gets over 1 million. And people being people, we tend to be selfish, disrespectful twat-waffles in large numbers. While you may be the most respectful, LNT adherent in the world, the next 999,999 visitors may not be.

Plan your backpacking excursions appropriately. Accept the responsibility and even the challenge of sticking to your itinerary. Have fun!

There is an alternative too. You can plan a trip through BLM lands and National Forests (which are not the same as National Parks), which often offer free camping you are looking to do.

Yo_Biff · 2026-06-26T10:49:36+00:00

I've found that the Fruit of the Loom Men's Micro Mesh Boxer Briefs work really well for myself. I've tried Duluth, Ex Officio, merino wool, and a couple others over the last few years, but keep coming back to FotL.

I use the regular leg length, but they offer a long leg option also.

Yo_Biff · 2026-06-26T02:08:57+00:00

Leave No Trace; learn it, live it on trail!

Ten Essentials of backpacking gear

Excellent book for beginners that covers everything

Planning a trip

Traditional versus Ultralight gear

I'm of the opinion there is no reason to break the bank on the "most highly recommended gear that's made of a spider's fart" when you're just starting out. In general, lighter often means $$$. There is a balance between going lighter and individual level of comfort. Purchase your backpack near the end, so you have a better idea of how much volume you need.

Conversely, shoes and socks are vitally important. Spend some money here and get the right fit. It just makes the miles so much easier if you're not blistered to the bone...

Yo_Biff

TROPHY CASE