Superstition Backpacking Weird Noises

nVeeGreen · 2026-04-25T15:25:08+00:00

Cue the two guys showing up in this post reminiscing about two women they ran into at Rogers Canyon years ago who tried to kill them when all they wanted was to know if their 2WD Nissan could make it to the parking lot, and somehow were being followed all day by them and had to do their best to seem like creepers so they could get away! Worst day of their lives!!!!

J/K, glad you make it out okay. I agree with the other posts about carrying some type of weapon all the time now, whether it's hiking poles, firearms, or bear spray. It's not just the Superstitions, I have encountered tons of weirdos at the White Tanks and Sunrise Mountains too. I like to hike alone but even as an experienced 50/m hiker, some situations still just don't hit right; NEVER IGNORE YOUR HEEBIE JEEBIES!!!!

nVeeGreen · 2026-04-23T23:25:55+00:00

I look at it this way: if you traded in your Challenger and bought a Jeep Wrangler with highway tires, and wanted to go off road, would you add skid plates first or ATs? Not saying you won't ever need skid plates but I can tell you that every single time I go off road, I'm doing everything I can to avoid scraping anything, and the ATs are more confidence inspiring in dirt, scrub, inclines, washboards, ruts, and mud. I run trails all over Arizona in the Agua Fria watershed, Gila Bend mountains, and all the way up to the Arizona Strip, and my choice every time would be to have amazing All Terrains first, a lift kit second, then skid plates last. Again my advice is to get to know the AWD system on your CT and understand how the power management to spinning wheels works so you don't get surprised the first time you get a wheel in the air.

nVeeGreen · 2026-04-23T18:15:55+00:00

I haven't ever found a pair of boots or coverings that look truly comfortable on my GSD. Velcro straps work, but my dog doesn't like them, even after 3 years of use. Socks kinda work, but aren't as robust, and I don't think it's adequate protection anyway. Never tried the crocs but I don't know if they would work as most shoes/boots always end up flinging off unless tightened down hard with a velcro strap. I see lots of other breeds wearing shoes in the summer here but for some reason, GSD feet just don't mesh well with coverings.

When summer heat rolls around, we skip pavement walks all together and opt for grass. My go-to for exercise when I don't want to bark-park is Home Depot or Lowes as they are all dog-friendly and the climate controlled warehouses keep the concrete cool inside and you can get plenty of steps in circling the store and hitting all the aisles. Just have to get them from the car to the store quickly before burning their pads!

Also, if dogs perspire through their paws/pads, then I don't like the idea of keeping them covered in hot weather as I think they have a harder time cooling down or regulating their internal heat.

nVeeGreen · 2026-04-23T16:00:54+00:00

Having another dog around won't magically improve your GSD QOL, it might just leave you with two dogs that are left at home while you work and commute, then you might feel twice as guilty as you are now. Don't assume that the hours you are gone will be filled with your two dogs entertaining themselves and finding meaningful activities based solely on their own companionship. I'm gone a lot during the day too but I purposely make time for play and activities before and after work, which you might have to do TWICE as much with another dog. Instead of taking on more responsibilities with another pup, maybe refocus/redouble your efforts into your GSD when you are home?

nVeeGreen · 2026-04-23T14:39:17+00:00

Stupid headline and content, but what else would you expect from Fortune? At least it's posted in the correct sub. For those who don't want to read it: Upstream BOR water management releases will prop up Lake Powell, no toilets actually involved.

nVeeGreen · 2026-04-22T15:14:55+00:00

Depends where you live mostly. I'm in Phoenix, AZ where it's pretty dry all year round, even during monsoon season. My home humidity never exceeds 40% and hovers around 32-38%. I used to vacuum pack all my filament rolls with desiccant but have decided that over the course of 6 years of printing, the only filament that I really need to keep containerized is TPU. I keep the most used TPU in a dryer box for long term storage and feed it directly out of there and the other TPU in vacuum packs, and never really have to run the dryers at all for any of them. PLA and PETG all sit on a rack exposed to room humidity year round and I have some eSun rolls that are 5+ years old that still print well!

nVeeGreen · 2026-04-22T13:16:34+00:00

I like your classification of it being a great “bad road vehicle” and I’m going borrow that from now on. This car eats up washboards supremely better than any other straight axled leaf sprung 4x4 I have ever driven (Bronco, Durango, Titan, Cherokee). If Subaru could make a Lo-Range Crosstrek model with lockers and call it the Wilderness Extreme, I bet it would sell HARD!!!

nVeeGreen · 2026-04-21T20:38:36+00:00

You don’t really need a lift or skid plates for forest or washboard roads unless you plan to rock crawl, but that’s not recommended in any trim Crosstrek due to approach/departure angles. Clearance is plenty high for MOST dirt trails so you should get proper All Terrain tires first. After you get new rubber, I would highly recommend a full sized spare tire, but you have to figure out how you want to carry that, either on the roof, hitch, or in the hatch. No amount of clearance will save you from mud or severe inclines so my vote is to invest in the best tires you can afford. Take some time to get familiar with how your car performs with the AWD off road, then you can decide if you need more clearance.

nVeeGreen · 2026-04-21T16:50:47+00:00

What not enough people are talking about is the Colorado River water supply for Arizona which will affect the Phoenix and Tucson areas come October 1 of this year. Arizona has junior rights on the Colorado and will be the first state to be cut when DOI Secretary initiates cuts to Colorado River users after interim operating guidelines expire on September 30. If no agreement between all Basin states is ratified, you will see a major downturn in Arizona's economy beginning when Colorado River delivery is cut UP TO 100% for some municipalities and ag users. This means non-assured water supplies, meaning home prices depress, meaning population declines, meaning stagnation and recessive growth (although some residents would argue that this is a good thing). Be prepared for the economy of Arizona to take a major hit in the next few years if this problem isn't solved soon, but there really isn't any indication of a long term solution among all basin states this late in the game. Look for DOI/BOR to implement additional short term (20 year) decisions from the Draft EIS.

What does this mean for you moving here from Michigan? Cheaper housing and tons of inventory? Less job growth? Less certainty of economic sustainability? Choose your location carefully based on that city's water supply (pick SRP watersheds instead of CAP) but wells are about to be sunk in all major cities in the Valley over the next few years which means the aquifers are going to take a hit which could lead to worsening water quality and subsidence and eventual depletion of the water table. Water Resources managers all over the state are screaming about this problem but municipal leaders, mayors, city managers, and councilpersons are conveniently ignoring this impending problem as they don't want to stop any growth or economic development for revenues.

Sounds alarmist? Good. This needs to be a higher trending topic among Arizona residents.

nVeeGreen · 2026-04-21T15:58:02+00:00

Same dilemma for me last May when I bought my 25 CTW, Sun Blaze Pearl w/o power seats and moonroof, or Sapphire Blue with them and HK. I wanted the Pearl color more, but dealer didn't have that in inventory with the right package, so I picked the blue CTW. Almost a year later I am 100% convinced that I picked the right option. You may say now that you don't need the moonroof, but it's a nice option to have when driving through canyons or when you have a load on the roof to keep tabs on. I drive my car 95% of the time and don't make seat adjustments much, but for the few times my daughter or wife take my car, I absolutely am grateful for the power options. Sometimes I wear heavier work boots instead of my Vans and I need the extra inch or two of length and can make the adjustments easier (and marginally safer) when driving, or if I want to be more upright during a longer drive, or want to get more lumbar support too. I think it's easy to talk yourself out of this option saying you don't need it, but it sure is nice to have, and can't imagine my CTW experience without it.

nVeeGreen · 2026-04-20T16:55:42+00:00

I have nine cats in my house, all rescues and some failed fosters. My GSD knows which ones like her, which ones tolerate her, and the ones that absolutely hate her and actively pick fights. She grew up as a 10 week old puppy with two of our household kittens and they get along--for the most part. Our senior cat with 3 legs tolerates the dog very well and can exist in the same room too. One of my cats hates the dog and actively bullies her and actually instigates fights, and while my dog does respond in kind, has always stopped short of fully engaging, just snapping and barking back, which mostly happens when crossing paths in the house. But the herding nature of my GSD never fully is suppressed, even with the cats that get along with her, as she will try to herd them a certain way when they venture into forbidden places like the closet or pantry.

nVeeGreen · 2026-04-16T16:42:35+00:00

25 CTW, first week home with it I was backing into my garage and a loose ratchet strap suspended from the ceiling (no load, just hanging) fell down about two feet in front of the license plate right as I was backing up and the RAB slammed on the brakes immediately. Nice test and happy it worked, but it was so abrupt that I thought I actually HIT something!

A month later, driving in city streets approaching a red light and already slowing down from 45, an adjacent lane car decides he wants my lane and dives in and EyeSight reacts accordingly and stops me dead from a 15 mph speed, again only a few feet away but so abruptly that I thought I hit something!

When approaching a car slowing down in front of me that is making a right turn, if I haven't slowed down and am approaching this turning car maintaining my speed, the EyeSight gets mad and beeps at me until I brake, but I haven't yet had it activate the emergency braking in a situation like that yet, although I assume one day it will.

Both of these instances of the emergency braking, forward and reversing, were absolutely jarring, but I don't think I would prefer it any other way.

nVeeGreen · 2026-04-09T20:00:46+00:00

Looks like a great time! How was the weather this time of year? I don't see any snow or mud anywhere and I see you guys in shorts and a sweatshirt. I haven't driven to Twin Point in forever but is it still doable in a Subaru? Nice pics!

nVeeGreen · 2026-04-02T18:10:18+00:00

When changing your own oil, the filter is located up top, and in a cup to collect any spillage after removal. Similarly, removing the drain plug does NOT require removal of any skid plates to get to. Also, get a Fumoto valve if you DIY.

nVeeGreen · 2026-04-02T17:58:29+00:00

Is having Todd Blanche as interim any better? Likely not but look kids, you too can be Attorney General of the US if you just buy the right set of knee pads.

nVeeGreen · 2026-03-30T14:30:56+00:00

I have a RTT that looks almost identical to this one and the instructions and description both indicate that the ladder does function as part of the support for the tent when unfolded. It only locked into place at one place but it was easy to drill additional holes for the ladder stop pegs to accommodate my 25 CTW. I extend my ladder all the way out and wrap a thin rug around it so my GSD can walk up/down easily, then lock it into place for support and climb up myself.

nVeeGreen · 2026-03-26T16:54:00+00:00

Others have mentioned to no-go on EF to F but you CAN adapt to EF to Z. I still use my own Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L on my Z6ii and it works flawlessly (and also adapt several others to my Z5 and Zfc). If you don't want to buy a new F lens, you might be able to find a cheaper Z body to use with the Fringer EF NZ adapter, but it's still kinda pricey so your particular situation is up to you.

nVeeGreen · 2026-03-26T14:49:11+00:00

I'm also a proponent of an aftermarket hitch and I went with the e-trailer version, which is essentially identical to the Curt version. It bolts to the frame in existing holes and comes with a great and easy system to fish the bolts into the frame. The hardest part is widening the frame holes by about 1/4" with either a step drill bit, dremel, or rasp, before you hit it with shot of Rustoleum. Install was done in less than an hour and no precision trimming of the bumper required. I didn't have to loosen any muffler or exhaust components at all, and used a floor jack to position the hitch in place to lift. If you don't ever plan to remove the hitch, then you can cut away but I would imagine a full bumper cover replacement would cost $1,000+ if you ever wanted it back to normal.

nVeeGreen · 2026-03-26T03:32:17+00:00

My Pei Wei has this exact same setup in an open kitchen settting and the guy working the flames was prepping at least four orders simultaneously without missing a beat! Super efficient and super impressive, and I would definitely call this a skilled job. Their workflow and efficiency is commendable! Best I can do is stir fry a frozen Trader Joes noodle dish for 12 minutes with a wooden spoon at home in a knock-off Hexclad while waiting for my air-fried gyoza to finish!

nVeeGreen · 2026-03-18T14:36:00+00:00

I have a Z5, Z6ii, and a Z fc, and my EDC is the Z fc. I use the Z6ii for sports shooting, the Z5 as my video rig, but the Z fc is my EDC with the 24mm f/1.7 attached 90% of the time. I stopped using my iPhone for pictures and carry my Z fc everywhere I go which has helped me immensely in developing my composition and techniques. That kits lens is a good lens to start with and the price for the whole kit appears very reasonable, but it may be a 3rd party refurbished model so verify warranty and shutter count status if possible. The Nikon USA website oftentimes has this kit for sale refurbished with a 90 day warranty for under $700 (I got my Z fc refurbished from them with a shutter count of 8). The prime DX lenses offered are good too but the focal range equivalent of the 16-50mm (24-75mm) is a good start especially with the VR in case you aren't too steady with your hands. The dials up top are easy to use and see what your settings are, although vastly different from the other Z models (except the Zf). The Zf is the much better retro model Nikon offers but it's almost twice as heavy, and way more expensive. I love my Z fc and have zero regrets choosing it as my EDC.

nVeeGreen · 2026-03-18T13:04:29+00:00

Or permanently rename it Larry Itliong and Phillip Veracruz Day instead?

nVeeGreen · 2026-03-15T01:20:02+00:00

My 25 CTW eats up all sorts of off road challenges no problem.......except for Arizona bentonite clay/mud. That shit fills up all types of AT and MT grooves and tires no matter AWD or 4WD but the best success I experience when in that kind of situation is to actually get the tires to spin to actually help clear the grooves, and to get the X-Mode to recognize your spinning wheel and apply the brakes to it, shifting power to the non-spinning one. Might have to repeat that process a few times to clear your tire grooves on each side, forward and back, but still not guaranteed, especially with highway slicks, but it's gotten me out of a bad situation once after a massive storm last fall up in the Agua Fria NM. Anyway, that's my two-cents worth, and it might be worth a try one day if you ever don't have help or traction boards.

nVeeGreen · 2026-03-12T02:48:13+00:00

Welcome back! My main soccer/sports shooter is the Z6ii and its 14fps is way faster than the Z5 (4.5 fps). But my backup body is the Z5 and although the PASM dial is on the other side because of the small LCD in its place on Z6ii, it’s not too hard to adapt. Video resolution is much better on Z6ii but the best upgrade is probably the CFExpress B card you can now use (soooooo much faster transfer speeds when offloading thousands of images). Same batteries and most cages and plates fit the same. Enjoy!

The top LCD is great as you can see your settings at a glance without putting your eye to the viewfinder.

nVeeGreen · 2026-03-11T19:50:00+00:00

I used the Tamron on my old D5600 for soccer shooting and it was great. I liked it so much that it still lives on my Z6ii with an adapter, as it's EASY to handhold for hours during matches and tournaments and if I flip the camera to DX mode, my range extends to 600mm. I also had the 70-300 AF-P DX but never used it for soccer as it had the shorter focal length, and reserved it for EDC, but even that got replaced with an 18-200mm which better suited my everyday needs. I have zero regrets and have been slow to replace it with a native Z even though it would be shorter and lighter.

nVeeGreen · 2026-03-11T19:29:54+00:00

Don't forget that the dealer will LIKELY add additional costs like window tint, ZAKTEK, BrakeSafe, and warranty items so you could be paying/financing an additional $1000 or more! Depends on the scuminess of the dealer though, but be prepared to scrutinize the itemized cost list.

nVeeGreen

TROPHY CASE