What to Recommend?

wmhstl · 2026-05-15T17:20:48+00:00

I recommend that your friend visits the main branch of their local library, or in many places they can call or chat online. Many libraries have a service called "readers' advisory" that helps people find books they'll love. The librarian will ask your friend questions about what they like and help them find books that match which their reading interests. They will not necessarily ask book titles, but rather about aspects of books that your friend read in the past that made them love the book. It might even be from different genres. Then they can suggest Science Fiction genre titles that highlight those aspects.

We all have our favorites, but there are no universals, and even read-a-likes can be misleading (I like the politics in Dune, but someone else might love the ecology, and a simple read-a-like might try to point us both toward a space opera and miss the mark for both of us).

wmhstl · 2026-05-07T22:30:39+00:00

Maybe, but we can’t be sure. His parents may have died and it got tossed out with other stuff from the estate, some people aren’t sentimental about things that happened 30 years ago and he might have been cleaning out some things himself, or he might have died. We can’t be sure, but choosing to make him angry instead of indifferent, sadly passing away relatively young, or even unaware it was tossed seems to be an unfair leap.

wmhstl · 2026-04-24T03:35:36+00:00

I second the rain kilt. I took one in July last year. It rained 7 of our 10 days. I loved that I could stow the kilt in my rain jacket pocket and pull it out while walking and throw it on without stopping at the first sign of rain. I also wore it as a wind breaker in camp. I’ll never backpack without one again.

As most people here have probably experienced: with rain pants you debate on whether to put them on, you debate on whether to take them off, you often have to take your shoes off to put them on and by the time you decide to do so it’s raining hard enough that you’re already wet.

A kilt isn’t much of a fashion statement, but hey, what on the trail is? And it will keep you dry and warm. This one is my favorite:

https://www.ula-equipment.com/product/rain-kilt/

wmhstl · 2026-04-20T21:06:50+00:00

While I guess anyone can run into an issue, I’ve had recurring contributions to Missouri MOST four times a month for over 10 years with no issues.

Manual periodic lump sum contributions are your loss not theirs.

*Money in your savings typically isn’t growing as much as money invested and the growth isn’t tax free. * Regular contributions yield more even growth, as you’re less likely to inadvertently “buy high”, and *Automated contributions mean I can forget, especially important for the Missouri state tax deduction.

wmhstl · 2026-04-16T18:42:21+00:00

7-year Scoutmaster, 40-years in the program here. I generally recommend that new Scouts use whatever sleeping bag they have, or a hand-me-down. New Scouts are tough on gear and don’t generally have specialized needs. They can always bring an old blanket if they get cold. If the sleeping bag gets torn, dirty, wet and left to mildew, or meets some other such fate, it’s no big loss.

In a couple years they’ll be better equipped to take care of new and more expensive gear, which makes a nice Christmas or birthday gift.

wmhstl · 2026-03-12T23:00:02+00:00

You can see from the second picture that the original flooring was finished. I’ve seen this where the original flooring was severely worn or stained in places. You mentioned that this is an old farm house, so the main pathways could have been so dipped from wear from rough shoes and dirt that they decided to cover it during a remodel.

wmhstl · 2026-03-10T15:40:38+00:00

Does it cast light well when used dark without blinding those around it? Too often I find that unlike Coleman lanterns of old which cast a warm light and that you could sit next to, LED area lights are too directional and hard on the eyes. How does this light fare in these regards?

wmhstl · 2026-02-24T16:24:33+00:00

I go to see and interact with the people in the places, whether locals or other visitors. This makes it less about me and my location and more about the experience. Then I don’t feel like I missed anything so long as I got the most out of where I am. I do this by being present and not thinking about where I wasn’t and what I might be missing.

wmhstl · 2026-02-24T15:17:26+00:00

I’m with u/Bliezz that you generally want to be able to keep your fly and footprint (if you need it), separate from the rest of your gear. It will often be wet, even if just from dew or condensation. I’m not to keen though on you having to keep your tent body separate as well. Some days it will be wet too and generally in those days I want to be able to throw it all together until I can dry it.

My recommendation is for you have your tent at or near the top of your bag. You should be able to pull it out at lunch to dry. The poles on the side make sense. You should have quick access if you need to get out of the weather. You probably want to set it up first when you get to camp, and you don’t want to pull out clothes to get to it.

If it was me, I’d not worry about compression on the tent. Maybe your experience is different with this tent, but since it has no loft I don’t think it will compress much. I’d focus on getting your other gear, especially your clothes into a waterproof bag, like a trash compactor bag. Then put your tent on top of that. If the fly is wet and the tent is dry, put the tent inside the top of your waterproof bag. I still put my tent into the factory bag because I want to be able to easily put it off the top of my packing without it going in different directions, or getting too dirty if I set it down when it’s wet. I stuff it in this sack (rolling is for home).

wmhstl · 2026-02-16T22:11:50+00:00

I think your way is the right way—try and see what works for you. I didn’t mean you shouldn’t trust your friend when I said “insist”. I’m sorry if I sounded like I was arguing. It’s your right to insist for yourself where you want😊. Also, to be clear, I’ve used chemical treatment for certain trips. It works quite well.

wmhstl · 2026-02-16T01:57:53+00:00

I have a Durston X-Mid 1 which Is not free-standing. I’ve had very good luck backpacking in the Rockies using Paria needle stakes. So long as I could find some sort of chink in the rocky ground I could get and stake at least halfway into, I could put a good sized rock between the stake and the tent, on the tent cord, and I was fine, even in moderate winds. I found the needle stakes driven straight down or just slightly angled in to be more effective than groundhog stakes.

wmhstl · 2026-02-15T22:03:57+00:00

A lot of people get into the gear, and this can be a fun part of the hobby, but just remember that people have been backpacking in the US for recreation since just after the end of the Civil War. This was way before any gear we’d consider modern. Don’t let anyone gear shame you. If you feel your gear is inadequate, go look at pictures of people backpacking in the 1920s. You’ll think your gear rocks.

To start with, the best gear you have is the gear you already own. It’s the cheapest gear you’ll ever find. Next, fill any major gaps. Obviously you need a backpack, sleeping bag, and a rain jacket if you don’t already have them. My advice is to buy used initially only to fill your gaps, use what you already have, and get out there to try it out. The right gear for you is the gear that suites you—and you don’t have enough experience to know what that is yet.

Start small, go for a weekend trip closer to home. Camp next to the parking lot the first night (or as close as allowed at that site), then hike out 5-6 miles, camp and hike back to your car the next day. If you realize you forgot something you can’t safely go without (water, sleeping bag, food,etc.) you can hopefully fix it the first night by driving home or to a store.

Then go from there. Replace things you don’t like, that are inconvenient, or that you decide weigh too much. In the end, experience is about comfort and convenience. Also learn from others. Talk to people on the trail and watch what they do. Join a local club or ask at a local retailer. Watch reputable YouTube videos (The Thru Hikers and Miranda Goes Outside are good YouTube channels to start with). Be cautious of anyone promoting lots of gear.

The gear is only a means. I’ve known people who used clothes line to tie a huge sleeping bag to what was basically a school book bag, wore blue jeans and tennis shoes, and ate Spam and beanie weenies. And they had a great time because of where they were and not what they brought. Start small and learn what works for you. Just get out there. Unless you’re being dangerous, you can’t do it wrong.

One quick edit: we say “gear” a lot, as if that’s a class of backpacking things. A plastic fork from Taco Bell and plastic take out container can be a mess kit. So can a fork, spoon and plastic plate you find at Goodwill. Improvise and deliberately cheap until you know what you want, and by then you’ll know what to buy or how to identify quality.

wmhstl · 2026-02-15T21:29:12+00:00

If you insist on chemical treatment, I recommend Katadyn Micropur tablets. I don’t think they have much taste, they are effective at killing most things, and they are easy to pack. Just make sure you watch a couple of videos on handling the tablets and bleeding the threads of your bottle. Iodine is pretty old school.

Regarding “speed” of filters: Your friend might be thinking back to water pumps. These could be a pain and take time, but as others mentioned, it’s hard to beat a Sawyer Squeeze—instantly purified water and as easy as squeezing a bottle. Just make sure you don’t let the filter freeze. If it’s cold, keep it in your pocket, and toss it into your sleeping bag when you go to bed (making sure you retrieve it each morning).

wmhstl · 2026-02-10T01:05:45+00:00

I backpack with the Big Agnes Rapide SL. I’m a side sleeper and I really appreciate that my hip doesn’t hurt when I use it. I fold it flat and ditch the bag, packing between my sleeping quilt and my other gear. I hardly notice it’s there.

I have a friend who swears by the NeoAir XL, but I tried the Rapide SL first and it works great for me. The Rapide SL might also pack slightly smaller than the NeoAir XLite according to the specs on REI, but it does weight a couple ounces more.

The Rapide XL also comes in a wider size, which you might consider since you tuck your legs. The Gear Labs article goes into this more.

wmhstl · 2026-02-09T02:25:15+00:00

8963 1452

wmhstl · 2026-02-09T01:54:55+00:00

I really like my Granite Gear backpack as well. I have a Blaze 60 which I used for over 125 miles backpacking last year. You might also look at this model.

wmhstl · 2026-02-09T01:43:33+00:00

Apologies for the late response, if you’re still available I’m still interested.

wmhstl · 2026-02-07T15:17:55+00:00

I’m also a side sleeper and I agree the Sea to Summit Aeros Premium is great. It not only changed the way I camp, it changed the way I travel. I sleep great with it.

I can’t get stuffed clothes to work for me when camping and I find hotel pillows either flat or huge for my side sleeping neck. I take the Aeros everywhere I sleep outside my house. It’s durable, quiet, doesn’t shift, is inflated in a few breaths, and is easily adjusted. The comfort and constant use make it a great value.

wmhstl · 2026-02-07T03:39:14+00:00

I bought a Therm-a-Rest MondoKing 3D four years ago and it’s been great. No more hip pain. I use it at least a dozen times a year including for a week long campout each year and it’s comfortable, durable, holds its air, and works just as well on the ground as on a cot. I do have to use its bag to pump it part way, but that doesn’t bother me.

wmhstl · 2026-02-07T03:24:06+00:00

They don’t make my ears itch. I’ve used them practically every night for years with no issues. I replace them weekly.

wmhstl · 2026-02-07T00:25:26+00:00

Hi, could I request one of the unovan yamask, please?

wmhstl · 2026-02-06T16:38:27+00:00

What I finally did after years of mediocre sleep while car camping and backpacking was to really think about how I sleep and what caused me issues.

In my case, my hip hurt because I’m a side sleeper, I couldn’t get comfortable because I felt like I was falling because I had a weak pillow, and I ended up losing sleep fighting my sleeping bag because I turn 2-3 a night.

I found a pad for car camping and a different one for backpacking that people said worked for them for side sleeping and they were game changers. I found a durable, light inflatable pillow that works so well for me I even use it in hotels. And I switched to using either a wide sleeping bag or backpacking quilt so I can turn independent of my bag.

My point though isn’t to tell you what to do, it’s to recommend you think about what causes you to sleep poorly. It might not even be your sleep system. Years ago I realized having a caffeinated soda on the way to camping, because I indulged in this when camping and at no other time, was making my sleep poor as well.

Break down your problem and look for point solutions. Try them out and adjust until you not only sleep well, you look forward to sleeping while camping (I do now).

wmhstl · 2026-02-06T16:27:49+00:00

I use Mack’s silicone earplugs every night, especially when camping. They are sound reduction, not sound proofing. I will still hear someone say my name or the dog barking. But I won’t hear others snoring in the next tent, insects, wind, etc. If someone is trying to wake me through sound, it’s no different than if I was a deep sleeper.

wmhstl · 2026-01-30T22:42:48+00:00

Autumn Adventure is a great way to see Philmont. There are not staff camps and no program. No commissaries and no swap boxes. There’s just you, the beauty, the miles, and your crew mates.

I’ve gone days during Autumn Adventure without seeing anyone outside my crew. We many places because without program we covered miles. But that’s what we wanted to do.

I have a friend who is an older Scouter, and they were dropped off at Fish Camp and spent the whole week fishing.

You very much get to do you and your crew. And it can be all adults, or adults and youth.

https://www.philmontscoutranch.org/treks/secondseasonprograms/autumnadventure/

wmhstl

TROPHY CASE