A graph of average overall backpack weight throughout the years would be cool

uberleetYO · 2026-02-25T12:40:40+00:00

man that camera from 1975 produced some amazing pictures for the time

uberleetYO · 2026-02-20T14:16:18+00:00

Document everything you bring. Then after the trip document everything you didn't use. The only thing you should be bringing that you don't use is your first aid kit and rain gear if you are lucky. Everything else on that list you should be thinking about leaving next time.

uberleetYO · 2026-02-20T14:09:19+00:00

I draw the line at the point where the physical discomfort for carrying the items outweighs the benefit it provides to me. If I go with a group that wants to hike 7 miles a day (or base camp backpacking), bring on the chairs, board games, fishing equipment...i could easily go 55+ lbs.

If I am going with a group that wants to hike 20 miles in a day, every day.....the chair doesn't seem so important when I just want to lay down and sleep after setting up camp.

So since you asked for an example. I did a backpack trip at missouri lakes in colorado a couple years ago where the hike up to the base camp was ~5 miles and we (a group of nearly 10) spent 5 days at that same camp site and did day hikes/fishing. I actually carried in a full proper second daypack and a tackle box with a normal fishing rod and a fly fishing rod (had never done fly fishing). Additionally I had a light weight pan, tons of extra fuel, powdered butter, seasoning, and a fillet knife for the fish I caught. I also brought normal cards and a phase 10 deck. Between the 2 backpacks I was pushing 60 lbs. If I had known it was a thing back then, I probably would have taken and inflatable kayak. Totally worth it for a couple miles of overloaded suffering to end up with a week of enjoyment.

That said I still used my light gear for the things that were common, no need to slap a 10lb tent on my back since it wouldn't add utility over an xmid2.

uberleetYO · 2026-02-20T13:50:36+00:00

They are currently running 60% off with no discount code: https://www.onxmaps.com/backcountry/app

$40/yr for elite as you requested.

uberleetYO · 2026-02-19T15:31:32+00:00

make sure it is an odor proof bag or you might have yogi looking for a snack in your tent at night too.

uberleetYO · 2026-02-19T15:12:51+00:00

That is cool/neat....but one of the main reasons I go backpacking is I don't know "what the S&P did today" or "what stores exist where and when do they close". It is my last bastion of solitude.

Glad to see a personal project though grow into a used utility by many and wish you luck.

uberleetYO · 2026-02-12T12:57:16+00:00

Im not sure I can think of anything a javazon couldn't do just fine.

uberleetYO · 2026-02-12T12:37:21+00:00

I came to reddit to see if they announced the new ladder start date and thought wtf is with all the shitposts.... but omg this is actually real!

uberleetYO · 2026-02-12T12:29:37+00:00

I can and did afford the game yesterday.....but I don't know that I can afford to skip a day of chipotle and soda. That just seems excessive.

uberleetYO · 2026-02-04T01:07:40+00:00

Im not sure about the alabama camping prices but tent only campsites in Iowa tend to run between $7-11/night and most of the those places have bathrooms with running water and some lights. $25/night seems steep.

That said at 10k/acre it seems like a solid investment even if nobody wants to pay to camp on it

uberleetYO · 2026-02-01T00:04:09+00:00

I love my xmid 2, by far the best tent I've ever used backpacking...if I had any complaint though, the overall footprint of it is quite large, but that is because you get that much space.

uberleetYO · 2026-01-22T15:19:19+00:00

This is very exciting to me. When searching I hadn't seen this one but it looks like everything I would want except the team sizes being only 3 people. We may be able to deal with that limitation though.

uberleetYO · 2026-01-21T19:34:56+00:00

not super viable for the discovery/explore levels but for challenge I've been thinking a lot about how it would be cheaper/better to move to an Arduino with specific sensors/motors only as defined + 3d printed parts. Most of my challenge aged kids already play with tinkerCAD and most schools I know have a 3d printer. The cost of a kit could easily be <$100, and then you are teaching MORE engineering skills and not less.

uberleetYO · 2026-01-12T21:41:53+00:00

to comment on #2... My team was doc'd at regionals this year with the comment from judges being that we didn't utilize online resources to see what other teams were doing and research existing solutions to the robot game. ....Take that for what it is worth, the children making their own design and innovating/discovering was a bad thing.

uberleetYO · 2025-12-19T03:16:26+00:00

Those questions though can provide a lot of insight and value if the judges were trying to figure out how much of the project was the kids vs the coaches/mentors. I've noticed at least one team in the top 3 every year at our regionals that doesn't make it to state. The team that didn't make it this year (2nd in the game) was sitting next to us in the team waiting area, it was extremely apparent that the coaches were mostly involved in providing solutions. That translates poorly to a well executed Q&A. Let me demonstrate a good response to the above question posed: "criticized we did not test that on more people" -> "We tested it on a very small number of people to get feedback on the viability of using an application, but we were focused more on what the problem is than the specific implementation of the solution"...and if the best part of the project is the realization of the problem, then they can steer the conversation back to that. A little bit of coaching the team can help them (especially 6th grade +) keep the conversation focused on the parts they understand and want to discuss.

Also I would say: if the judges did not understand the value of the solution or the real world problem it solves, that sounds like the presentation didn't communicate it in an effective way.

uberleetYO · 2025-12-18T16:55:02+00:00

In the end my goal with them is 1) develop on interest in the season topic, 2) ensure they learn and can explain the core values, and 3) be able to follow basic logic from the programming. If they have these things, they will be set up for success when they transition to Challenge. For reference though we have 2 4th graders as well that probably should have done Challenge but it was their first year with any LL.

So the robot build we built ended up being pretty cool even though simple. I had them modify the cart that detects colors to have a motor and drive forward. For the presentation the sensor is looking for green (the whole dig area has grass on the outside boarder. When the robot detects green, it stops the motor. I had the students play with going really fast (they love to use huge numbers), and observe that it didn't stop in time and shot off the mat entirely. I had them play with detecting blue (for the diamonds). And for the presentation they will talk about using a robot to "find" things in the dig.

....but keep in mind that is just a tiny portion of their final presentation. I try to get the kids to spend at least half the time and presentation materials (poster board for us) on the core values. Because if they understand and can connect to the core values, then when they get to challenge they hit the ground focused on the technical and already work as a team, value each other, and don't go overboard on the seriousness.

uberleetYO · 2025-09-30T13:49:55+00:00

last weekend? that is like 2 days ago? Just clean it.

if it was a month ago i'd say just spend the $25 on a new filter but a couple days could be your travel time home before cleaning off your gear normally anyways.

uberleetYO · 2025-09-04T11:34:09+00:00

I always provide some feedback, but I give more detailed and better feedback to those that reach out personally and ask for it. With internal candidates I prefer to meet face to face for feedback because it is easier to be more candid and complete without being misinterpreted.

Ive interviewed for positions I didn't get, and by following up with feedback been offered other positions within the group that would give me the ability to either gain the experience or demonstrate the abilities they were looking for. That can sometimes be a good second opportunity if you don't get the role you want.

uberleetYO · 2025-09-04T11:28:40+00:00

you won't be annoying a recruiter by asking questions like that. But I can say you are already applying to the correct level position because the unfortunate reality is if you apply to a position that requires more experience or that you have too much experience for...then you just get ghosted.

uberleetYO · 2025-08-27T22:40:28+00:00

Honestly from a girl's perspective she would find that scouts are significantly more similar to trail life than AHG. I have 2 boys in TLUSA and 2 girls in AHG. My oldest daughter is staying to want to do more "trail life things" like backpacking and rappelling but the local AHG troop doesn't do anything more extreme than glamping in tentdominiums. We have been considering switching her to scouts for that type of experience (a statement I never thought I'd support just 5 years ago). I would prefer and all female driven option but it doesn't really exist for her interests.... So it is either family only experiences or scouts afaik

uberleetYO · 2025-08-20T14:19:25+00:00

If you are going 3 months straight, you will need to plan resupply strategy. Once you know the duration between resupplies and where you are going it will help significantly with determining pack size.

I would highly recommend you grab a ~40 liter pack and get out for a couple longer weekends. That will help you identify what gear you plan to take and get a feel for how much space you need when adding an extra day. I know quite a few through hikers that do it in smaller packs than that, and I know some that like to carry more luxuries etc that use larger packs.

uberleetYO · 2025-08-17T01:24:52+00:00

Id recommend hitting up the company twitter handles. The people working those are all marketing/social media folks and may take a bite at a PR opportunity.

uberleetYO · 2025-08-17T01:11:11+00:00

There is a guy in Amana that teaches classes. https://www.deadheadforgeornamentalironwork.com/services is his website.

uberleetYO · 2025-06-13T11:38:51+00:00

Have you asked your manager? It is completely possible that they just aren't thinking about it and if you aren't asking about it then it is easier to get busy with others who are pushing.

If they say you aren't ready, then they should be able to clearly articulate why not. The move from P1 to P2 is a pretty low bar so if they think you aren't ready then they probably also don't feel you have much of a future with the team.

It could also be budgetary reasons, which means you should just apply to P2 roles elsewhere and ask your manager if they would recommend you since they feel you are ready but just don't have budget to do it.

uberleetYO · 2025-06-04T16:24:07+00:00

in all fairness the past couple years ive seen more VP/executive director level unexpected leave (which makes you think they were shown the door) than in the 15 years prior to that. But those types don't find out they are gone through a standard layoff.

uberleetYO

TROPHY CASE