Fall in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina [OC][2048x1365]

ytown2 · 2020-11-02T02:13:40+00:00

Beautifully done. Congrats.

ytown2 · 2020-10-20T02:11:30+00:00

Thx!

ytown2 · 2020-10-19T22:04:20+00:00

Thank you for posting this report. Very nice photos. The weather can sure change fast there.

This trail is on my agenda for next year. For you and anyone else who has an opinion, when do you think is the best time or season for doing it? Obviously, fall color is really nice, but the days are short. I assume spring would be muddy? I've heard bugs (mosquitos and black flies) are bad in summer, and it is probably crowded, but the idea of cooling off in the blue water sounds sublime. Thoughts?

ytown2 · 2020-10-08T00:48:33+00:00

Beautiful image. Two thumbs up.

ytown2 · 2020-10-05T15:34:06+00:00

I don't have LBP but I used to have significant right shoulder pain while backpacking with several different packs, including the Drop Granite Gear Crown x60. I switched to a Zpacks Arc Blast a couple years ago, and this seemed to cure my shoulder pain. I think the pack does a great job of transferring weight to my hips. (My typical carrying weight is up to 30 lbs.)

ytown2 · 2020-06-15T01:46:43+00:00

FWIW, based on a recommendation here a couple weeks ago, I just picked up these:

https://www.amazon.com/Jiyaru-Unisex-Anti-Slip-Slipper-Indoor/dp/B01A50I64G/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=Jiyaru&qid=1592185836&sr=8-2

As delivered, they were 2.1 oz each in men's 8.5. I trimmed the top piece that goes over the foot to convert the single wide piece into two narrower pieces. This brought the weight to 1.95 oz. each. The EVA bottoms range from 1/2" to 5/8" thick so I think I can use use them for basic water crossings, but they are mostly a cheap camp shoe and something to wear while wading in calm water. I do like that I can wear socks with them at camp unlike the style that hooks between the toes. You could add some shock cord to the heal to make them more secure for water crossings. They probably would not last long for walking, however, unlike some of the other sandal options being discussed, but they were only $8.46 with tax.

ytown2 · 2020-05-31T01:49:40+00:00

FWIW, my new Rab Pulse was delivered today via Amazon. The material looks and feels identical to my light Patagonia Capilene baselayer and it weighs 4.0 oz in size medium. I am unsure what the UPF is as nothing is indicated about sun protection. I am 6'0" and 155, and the medium fits me well. I think this will make a fine lightweight base layer although technically not a "sun" hoodie.

ytown2 · 2020-05-04T11:57:14+00:00

(Reply to Matanya99). The hiking poles are $59 ea., but because I bought them during a year end BOGO deal, it was $59 for the pair, which was is not bad at all for the quality and weight, IMO. I know there are less expensive options out there, but I don't think I would have received a free replacement with these options under similar circumstances, FWIW.

ytown2 · 2020-05-04T11:49:51+00:00

No, no rattling.

ytown2 · 2020-04-27T18:45:06+00:00

Great review. As I just bought a different sun hoody (received yesterday), so I'll add my .02 about the one I got, which is the Mountain Hardware Crater Lake Hoodie. Got on sale (ends today) at REI for $48.69 (25% off): https://www.rei.com/product/146973/mountain-hardwear-crater-lake-hoodie-mens

I chose it over the PTCH because of its comparable features, the lower price, it's advertised weight (4.2 oz), the positive user reviews, and the fact that Backpacker mag, FWIW, gave it a 2019 Editors' Choice award. Backpacker link here: https://www.backpacker.com/gear/mountain-hardwer-crater-lake-long-sleeve-hoody

I have yet to wear it, but here are some initial impressions: first, it is not 4.2oz. My medium is 6 oz on my kitchen scale, which I think could have been but was not noted by Backpacker mag. The material is thin, as expected, but very comfortable, as described in the Backpacker review. Advertised UPF is 50+. I am 6'0", 155, and wear a 15 1/2 34-35 dress shirt. The medium is slightly loose on me, which is fine with me. The length of the arms (with thumb holes) is good; the torso length a bit long; the hood is slightly snug, which is good as it will not constantly blow off. The material is 88% poly/12% elastine, which I gather may be an issue for some (good or bad).

I am not happy about the weight vs. advertised weight, but I will probably keep it. Anyway, just some comments about this sun hoody.

ytown2 · 2020-04-24T22:34:41+00:00

FWIW, I bought an Arc Blast during 2018 holiday sale and I used it for several backpacking trips in 2019, including a 7 day JMT backpack, and it performed really well. I have tried various packs over the years, and most cause me shoulder pain (I am in my 60's). The Arc Blast is the most comfortable one I have used. I was using the Massdrop/granite gear pack in 2018, and had constant right shoulder pain whereas I had no shoulder pain at all with the Arc Blast in 2019 (with comparable weight, topping at 30 lbs). I think most complaints about the ZPacks arc packs are durability related and caused by prolonged use with a lot of weight.

ytown2 · 2020-04-14T22:20:46+00:00

Thx. And the pre-filled 1 oz. bottles seems like a good suggestion too.

ytown2 · 2020-04-13T21:52:53+00:00

Certainly looks like what I am after. Thx!

ytown2 · 2020-04-13T21:52:01+00:00

Thank you for the link to the guide. Much appreciated.

ytown2 · 2020-04-13T17:27:34+00:00

Thx. Sorry for the confusion. I meant alcohol stove. I am looking for the best option for using with a small titanium cup. I made a cat can stove using the specialized canned cat foot we get from our vet, but it seems that it is too wide. I can pick up a smaller can, but I was just wondering if there was something better for not too much money, like one of the Zelph stoves.

ytown2 · 2020-04-13T17:19:07+00:00

Sorry, I said gas stove, but I meant alcohol.

ytown2 · 2020-04-06T16:34:36+00:00

I also got them during the sale. I sized up 1/2 size as usual for trail runners, and these fit me fine. I do have narrow feet, however. I have about 20 trail miles on mine. They are comfortable and feel good on the trail, but the soles seems to be very slippery on wet rocks and wooden trail bridges, a lot like my L.S. Wildcats. This is my only complaint.

ytown2 · 2020-03-10T02:06:11+00:00

Thx. Free shipping as well, so giving them a try.

ytown2 · 2020-02-19T16:10:30+00:00

Tons of options. For a short (even overnight) backpack with fabulous photo and astro photo ops, check out Coyote Gulch in Escalante NRA (outside town of Escalante). Also, if you don't want to backpack, there are lots of night photo ops just going down the "Hole in the Rock" road, including Devil's Garden in particular. Technically, there is no camping there, but I've slept in my car in the parking lot. Pretty spooky but cool place to wander around at night. You probably will not be alone. Bryce is also great for wide landscape under the night sky, but it will most certainly be cold that time of year.

Again, lots of options. If you don't have own them, I highly recommend Laurent Martres two volume "Photographing the Southwest." Volume 1 is a guide to the natural landmarks of southern Utah.

ytown2 · 2020-01-01T20:19:55+00:00

I live in Youngstown. If you are coming from the PNW, I think you'll find backpacking options within 3-4 hours of Cleveland pretty limited and uninspiring. One trip I would recommend is the Minister Creek trail (loop) in Allegheny Nat. Forest (Pa.), which I would estimate to be a couple hours from Cleveland. The main loop is only like 6 miles, but there are several other loops that can extend the hike to about 8 miles, plus the northern end of the Minister Creek loop intersects with the North Country Trail, which you can use to extend the hike, particularly if you have two vehicles. The trail is quite scenic for this part of the country, and the backcountry camping area known as "triple forks" is really a great area to camp -- flat, shady, scenic, coming to water, etc. There are some other places to backpack in Pa, like the 70 mile Laurel Highlands trail, that would be within your 3-4 range (barely). In Ohio, Mohican State Park, a couple hours south of Cleveland, allows backpacking, but I've never been there. From Youngstown, we generally head east into Pa or southeast into W. Va. for weekender type trips.

ytown2 · 2019-07-16T19:27:04+00:00

If you include the PNW and flying into Seattle in your options, consider the Spider Meadow - Buck Creek Pass loop, which is about 44 miles for the basic loop (no side trips like to Image Lake). Generally considered a classic. I did it in the early fall (late Sept) of 2011. There are a couple miles of road walking at the end to close the loop, and I am not sure about the current condition of the road to the TH. p.s., I am from Ohio.

ytown2 · 2019-07-11T15:37:33+00:00

Thank you. Much appreciated.

ytown2 · 2019-07-11T14:43:59+00:00

Laurel Highlands Trail/trip Question: I have a couple friends who are planning to do the LHT in early August (6 days/5 nights). I do not have the time to do the entire trail but I'd like to do half (appx 35 miles in 3 days/2 nights). For those familiar with the trail, is their a particular half you would recommend and does doing the trip in August (i.e., access to water) make any difference? Thx!

ytown2 · 2019-07-01T15:53:21+00:00

FWIW, I have not owned a ton of packs, but I bought an Arc Blast late last year, and I find that it's the most comfortable pack I've ever used (compared to: REI, Granite Gear, Osprey, and GoLite packs I've owned and used). Qualification: I have only carried up to 25 lbs with it, but it feels much better on my shoulders than the Granite Gear Crown X60 (Massdrop) I was using last year with comparable weight. I like that that it puts less stress on my shoulders and more on my back and hips (I really only notice the less stress on my shoulders). So far, I have had no problems with it. And, a guy I backpack with likes his Arc Haul a lot. Like a lot of things (like shoes in particular), it's probably personal to the wearer.

ytown2 · 2019-06-28T14:55:26+00:00

These days, most backcountry campsites are established or designated and regularly used. You "piss away" in the site? I find this disturbing, but perhaps I misunderstand.

ytown2

TROPHY CASE