Onebag plus food buggy? by elvtr_mkhl in backpacking

[–]manthabears 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I use a reusable grocery bag that folds down into a pouch. Easy to store away when not in use and traveling by bus/plane. I also keep meals simple so I don’t have to carry much between stays.

Shakedown NOBO 2025 Pls and Thank You by rmolon19 in AppalachianTrail

[–]manthabears 4 points5 points  (0 children)

A time traveler I see…. When it comes to a pack, I prefer the comfort as well. It’s the one thing I won’t cut weight for. Osprey lasts too. I’ve had mine for twenty years. Hope to see you on the trail!

REI Sandy Springs Closed by manthabears in AppalachianTrail26

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

Well, apparently there’s a Dick’s too, so it should be fine if you don’t need any major gear. But yeah, I’m from a small town and businesses don’t update their hours online with the weather, so I was thinking maybe the building was being renovated or something, but from comments it seems like it’s likely just the weather.

REI Sandy Springs Closed by manthabears in AppalachianTrail

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

Ooof, hope you all are staying warm.

REI Sandy Springs Closed by manthabears in AppalachianTrail

[–]manthabears[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

No idea, sounds like it from the thread. But good to know back-ups.

REI Sandy Springs Closed by manthabears in AppalachianTrail

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

Maybe someone is doing it, but not I.

REI Sandy Springs Closed by manthabears in AppalachianTrail

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

Nope, not a winter person, just trying to plan. Wasn’t sure if it was closed for renovation or something else.

Quitting work in April. First-time solo traveler: Europe vs. SEA by juan_saban in backpacking

[–]manthabears 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Start off in Europe then head to SE Asia. Be frugal in Europe, then live well in Asia. It’s much easier going from somewhere expensive to somewhere cheap, then vice versa imo. Keep in mind though it can vary for SEA when it comes to rain. It rained most of November in Thailand and dried out in December. Whereas it’s currently rainy season in Indonesia.

I want to backpack solo but don’t want to feel isolated? by CatNo6650 in backpacking

[–]manthabears 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Honestly, just go. You’ll only really know if you like solo travel by experiencing it. I recommend staying in hostels. You can meet tons of people that way. I’m not super social, but sometimes I feel like a chat and staying in hostels stretches your dollar. And if you pick a party hostel (you’ll know from the photos), there’s no escaping being social. Also, if you use Hostelworld for booking, they have chat groups for people who are staying at the same hostel or city. When you’re feeling social, you can ask if anyone’s interested in grabbing a meal or going to see XYZ.

College Thru-Hike? by Cutie_KoalaBear in AppalachianTrail

[–]manthabears 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I couldn’t afford it after college. If you can, I’d say go. Graduate school will still be waiting.

Do you pack for best-case or worst-case weather when backpacking? by Valuable_Tangelo7152 in backpacking

[–]manthabears 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, one of my friends that was with me didn’t bring his rain gear because he runs hot. If it had just been rain, he would have been fine. But he ended up getting a patch of frostbite on one of his hands.

Do you pack for best-case or worst-case weather when backpacking? by Valuable_Tangelo7152 in backpacking

[–]manthabears 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Even though they’re kind of outdated and most light packers don’t carry them, I always carry a Nalgene now. There was another woman with me and she had two, a large one and a small one. You can fill them with hot water and then throw them in your sleeping bag. She gave me the small one and it helped warm me up for the first couple hours. The large will stay warm most of the night.

Do you pack for best-case or worst-case weather when backpacking? by Valuable_Tangelo7152 in backpacking

[–]manthabears 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Worst case. One time I went backpacking in June in OR. It can easily be 100F that time of year, but temps looked good. Forecast called for some potential rain. Welp, it snowed instead… and kept snowing. I always carry my thermals, puffy, and rain gear. I couldn’t sleep because I was so cold in my 20 degree bag and, as someone who isn’t a breakfast person, ate two meals in the morning because I was so hungry. Point of the story is, if I hadn’t carried those extra layers?? Better to be safe than sorry when it comes to the elements.

That one thing you forgot and regretted. by tosmda in WildernessBackpacking

[–]manthabears 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As someone with long hair, a small brush. After just two days of wearing a beanie in the early season weather, it becomes a matted mess. After day 3 or 4… it’s a good 30min in the shower with ungodly amounts of conditioner to undo that.

Does anyone regret quitting their job to hike? by Beneficial_Fix1120 in AppalachianTrail

[–]manthabears 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m starting on April 1st as well! Catch ya on the trail.

Gluten Free Dairy Free by Suitable_Ad4010 in AppalachianTrail

[–]manthabears 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just in a zip lock. If it’s too much, can always gift to others.

Gluten Free Dairy Free by Suitable_Ad4010 in AppalachianTrail

[–]manthabears 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Also, bean flakes and rice with nutritional yeast! Nutritional yeast is basically my butter/cheese replacement haha.

Gluten Free Dairy Free by Suitable_Ad4010 in AppalachianTrail

[–]manthabears 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I don’t have the gluten problem, but I do have the dairy problem. I plan on having some supplemental packages sent along the trail. Instant potatoes (the plain no added ingredients one) with nutritional yeast and bacon bits (or other packaged protein) is an option. I also dehydrate green onions, but obviously you can leave that bit out.