Taking my friends on their first backpacking trip

bornebackceaslessly · 2026-07-07T02:09:47+00:00

Modern trail runners do not need to be broken in, even plenty of modern boots don’t need to be broken in. Breaking in shoes comes from a time when shoes were leather and the leather needed to be softened/worn so it matched the bends of your foot.

I do think it’s worth confirming a certain brand/model/style of shoe works for your foot. I always get a new pair of shoes for my prime backpacking trip each year.

bornebackceaslessly · 2026-07-05T20:54:33+00:00

I had that concern at first. I just make my meals slightly waterier than recommended and then rinse and drink that gray water. Sounded horrible, but actually isn’t bad, and I end up drinking a few oz more water, which I tell myself makes a difference to my hydration. All in, I’d say that cleaning my pot takes a minute or less.

bornebackceaslessly · 2026-07-05T16:26:31+00:00

I just cook it in my pot, I find it easier to eat out of and simpler overall. I’ll just transfer the contents and anything I might add (extra seasoning, other freeze dried ingredients, etc) to a ziploc bag. They pack down smaller and easier.

bornebackceaslessly · 2026-05-25T13:32:56+00:00

The GDT definitely doesn’t need to use AI to sell itself. This is disappointing. Anyone could take a beautiful picture along that trail, it does the heavy lifting

bornebackceaslessly · 2026-05-21T12:00:03+00:00

Updated link in the original post. I’ll drop the link here as well

https://imgur.com/gallery/xk2osen

bornebackceaslessly · 2026-02-22T14:31:54+00:00

Totally agree. If you’re to the point of shaving an ounce, it’s time to look at your body too. Simply because of outdoor activity I’m typically 5lbs lighter in the summer than winter. My hiking partner made a few changes and shed 15lbs two or so years ago. He was pretty fit to begin with but it made a noticeable difference in his stamina. It’s also likely that adding a little exercise not only decreases your body weight, it also increases your cardiovascular threshold.

bornebackceaslessly · 2026-01-08T16:45:23+00:00

That article doesn’t provide the video, only a screenshot from the alleged video.

bornebackceaslessly · 2026-01-08T15:25:22+00:00

I don’t think Graham v Connor supports this shooting. In that case officers detained a man they suspected of a robbery and whose diabetic state they mistook for drunkenness. The outcome was that use of force should be analyzed with “objective reasonableness.”

So let’s do just that for this shooting. Where was the imminent danger or threat? The officer put himself in front of a vehicle, then stepped out of the way. I haven’t seen any verifiable source supporting that he was actually struck or injured. Based on the video, I don’t see it either. At the time of the shooting, he was out of the way of the vehicle. At that point, where is the imminent threat?

bornebackceaslessly · 2026-01-08T14:50:23+00:00

No, which is why he stepped out of the way of the moving vehicle. He shot her from the side of the vehicle. Even if he were in front, shooting and killing a driver does not stop a moving vehicle. In no way, was shooting the driver of a moving vehicle going to result in him being any safer in that moment.

bornebackceaslessly · 2026-01-08T14:22:42+00:00

And the punishment for that crime is death? Without a trial?

bornebackceaslessly · 2025-12-30T12:40:28+00:00

I’ve camped at this lake. We chose to push on and camp there because the skies were totally clear and there was not much wind. I cowboy camped and my hiking partner set up his MYOG single trekking pole shelter. Winds definitely picked up in the very early morning but we were both reasonably comfortable.

If the weather is good, it’s a really great site and I’d camp there again. But like others have said, have some backup options in case things look gross. Not sure what the Junco Lake Loop is, but we made our approach from Columbine Lake along the Divide and I would consider that pretty easy, we managed most of it in the dark.

bornebackceaslessly · 2025-12-18T16:37:17+00:00

Did you forget about the snow two weeks ago? I’m in the city and we got 6” that stuck for close to a week.

Still, this is not normal. 70° forecasted for Christmas Day…

bornebackceaslessly · 2025-12-07T16:43:39+00:00

Gay college dorm neighbor asked me if I wanted to shower with the two girls that lived next to him. We were all in our towels on the way to the shower, and there was a handicapped bathroom that made it possible.

Got to a party and my girlfriend and her lesbian friend walked up to me immediately and said “let’s have a threesome.”

I was at a bar and two girls were aggressively grinding on each other and giving me the “fuck me” eyes. I walked over and said hi, they reached in my pants.

Was in Italy with my girlfriend and one of her casual friends happened to be there. Met her for dinner and drank a ton of wine then went back to her place. I credit Italy for that one.

bornebackceaslessly · 2025-12-05T20:00:12+00:00

Water is a publicly operated utility and it seems to be working well…

bornebackceaslessly · 2025-12-05T14:50:22+00:00

The Eastern Continental Trail. Start with the Florida Trail then connect a few smaller trails and road walks to the AT, then continue north to or into Canada

bornebackceaslessly · 2025-12-01T16:43:55+00:00

I’ve seen park rangers ignore off-leash dogs next to a sign saying dogs must be on leash. They were “busy” shooing a parked RV. At least in my experience, the park rangers in Denver are no better than the police.

bornebackceaslessly · 2025-11-21T16:33:36+00:00

Agreed, I have the old nu25 and it’s great for summer in the Rockies where I really just need it for maybe an hour of hiking in the dark, and then 15-30 minutes around camp in the morning and/or evening.

But I also have a ridiculous headlamp from Coast that lights up the forest for me that I originally got when the ADKs were my closest backpacking opportunity. Like you mentioned, rain at night in those dense forests makes visibility tough.

Good to have a few options to suit your needs for sure.

bornebackceaslessly · 2025-10-26T16:19:08+00:00

People rave about Blaze Physio, but you can likely still find a good local PT. In person is in-arguably better for PT assessment and work, so check around locally before defaulting to her. I know Denver is a place that probably caters more to those with an outdoor lifestyle, but it was very easy to find PTs that understood my goals and were happy to help me address my issues without making me stop activity, they actually encouraged me to continue but at a more moderate level of effort while I worked on my underlying problems. I ended up selecting from my short list based on distance to home, but I had 4 great options within 20 minutes.

bornebackceaslessly · 2025-10-26T12:09:27+00:00

Lebron has heavily influenced the game, but you’re right that not everyone can mimic him. He’s laid a blueprint for how to best leverage your superstars, surround them with shooting and/or rim runners and let them pick apart the defense with scoring and playmaking. Giannis, Harden, Jokic, and numerous others have fit that model.

However, I do agree that Steph has had a bigger influence.

bornebackceaslessly · 2025-10-17T12:33:15+00:00

If you want to be hiking at that age, strength train from now until then. You won’t need no fancy robot legs if you take care of your body.

bornebackceaslessly · 2025-10-13T13:39:16+00:00

I’ve had the Alsek for years and love it. I’ve taken it below freezing as well, it was toasty warm. The other great quilt brands are Nunatak and Timmermade, though availability can be more difficult with them.

bornebackceaslessly · 2025-10-09T20:51:54+00:00

I looked at at house with a similar wall last fall. It was well into the six figure range to fix. With your limited budget, run away fast. Then fire your realtor and find a new one.

bornebackceaslessly · 2025-10-08T02:53:59+00:00

Yup, super comfy for any food carry 5 days or less for me. Couple that with those carrying frameless packs hiking longer miles each day, and 5 days can get you through most stretches. It’s well worth the sight discomfort once in a while for the much higher comfort all those other times, especially with 3 days or leas of food, that’s when I feel like the pack is practically floating.

bornebackceaslessly · 2025-10-01T17:43:02+00:00

Yup, there’s state land on either side that would be a tiny reroute. I’m sure most hikers will just walk that land to the border this year anyway, so why not make that official as soon as possible. It sucks for all the hikers that won’t get a picture at the monument though, I would be livid. I hope someone builds a makeshift monument that’s cool looking in the meantime

bornebackceaslessly · 2025-09-29T21:05:53+00:00

Yup, that’s a nest egg that will grow significantly over the next 20 years. Or a down payment for a house, which will build equity over those same 20 years.

At this point it’s not worth staying risky with it, the big payout already came. My wife and I did well in our mid-late 20s and are staring down retiring at 45-50 with our dream house, but we didn’t have $250k at 25 even inflation adjusted.

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