KC
My family is planning a trip to South Dakota. I would like to know if this place is any good.
Answer
I've been to the Black Hills. It's a pretty interesting place. As for Wild Horse Sanctuary, I haven't actually visited it. A friend of mine enjoyed it, but then she also is an avid lover of horses.
If you're heading in that direction, the Badlands would be a pretty interesting pit stop. It's worth the drive through the park, especially is you do a night drive. The Badlands is incredibly spooky at night and the stars are extra clear and bright. Also, if you camp in the badlands, expect the winds to nearly knock your tent over. The Black Hills are more lush and beautiful, and there's some amazing camping areas in Custer State Park within the Black Hills themselves - nice hot showers complete with metal stalls are available in that particular park. Crazy Horse Monument is pretty neat as is Mount Rushmore. There's a cave - Wind Cave, but it wasn't all that impressive. Those are the places I've seen in South Dakota.
I've been to the Black Hills. It's a pretty interesting place. As for Wild Horse Sanctuary, I haven't actually visited it. A friend of mine enjoyed it, but then she also is an avid lover of horses.
If you're heading in that direction, the Badlands would be a pretty interesting pit stop. It's worth the drive through the park, especially is you do a night drive. The Badlands is incredibly spooky at night and the stars are extra clear and bright. Also, if you camp in the badlands, expect the winds to nearly knock your tent over. The Black Hills are more lush and beautiful, and there's some amazing camping areas in Custer State Park within the Black Hills themselves - nice hot showers complete with metal stalls are available in that particular park. Crazy Horse Monument is pretty neat as is Mount Rushmore. There's a cave - Wind Cave, but it wasn't all that impressive. Those are the places I've seen in South Dakota.
backpacking supplies help (tents/packs)?
dan w
Wanting to get a little more serious about backpacking and im in the process of buying gear. Im not a novice to camping (biggest trip was a month of tent camping in alaska) but i am new to backpacking (before always were able to pack stuff in a car) and while i would like to take long trips in the future currently my longest hike was 2 days.
Anyway heres what im looking for and id really like suggestions on gear that you just LOVED or HATED (and reasons why of course). Imagine price is no option (it is, but ive always been taught not to sacrifice quality so gimme the good stuff). Will probably mostly be doing forrest/hills so i dont need any special desert or mountain stuff...but i do anticipate cold weather.
Im looking for a pack, not sure about internal frame vs. external. Ideally would have the option of making pack bigger/smaller depending on length of trip. Comfort, volume and durability are biggest desires.
Im also looking for a 1 person tent and a sleeping bag (the ones i have are most likely too big for effective backpacking) ideally rated for cold weather and light
any brands or models that have captured your heart or were just a waste of money? any other gear (brands/models) that you think is particularly awesome for backpacking?
Answer
Well starting with the packs I would definitely recommend an internal frame pack because they tend to be way lighter and if you plan on bush whacking internal framed packs tend to be more streamlined than an external frame pack that has the potential to catch branches and brush, especially if you have stuff tied to the outside of it. If you are looking for a really good pack brand I would look into Osprey and Gregory. Both brands make excellent packs. The best thing to do is do research online have the options that you want and then try them on. The more packs you try on the better fit you will find. I even believe that Osprey makes a heat molded hip belt that they heat up and have you put on so it molds to your hips.
I personally haven`t used a tent in about 5 years. I have a Hennessy Hammock that I use and will probably never use a tent again. You can sleep on your side or stomach and wake up without your arms shoulders or hips being sore or numb. Some say the hammocks are too cold wen the temp. drops but i just throw in a sleeping pad and im fine. Also, its about about a pound or so lighter than a one man tent and even more lighter than a two man tent. If you`re in the woods you wont have trouble finding two trees the right distance apart. However you need to find level ground free from rocks sticks and roots when you are pitching a tent. I cant say enough about it
I actually just bought the Mountain Hardwear Phantom 0 degree down sleeping bag. It took some getting used to since the hood is well fitted and not oversized and the foot box is smaller than my last bag. But it is a full pound lighter than any other 0 degree down bag and its really warm.
Another piece of gear I can't get enough of is my head lamp. If you need a flashlight, I recommend a good head lamp. Your hands are free to build fires, cook, look through your pack, hike with trekking poles, use a map and compass, read while in your sleeping bag, fish at night. So of the good brands include Petzl, Black Diamond, and Princeton Tec. I own the Princeton Tec Eos, its super bright and waterproof. They do have lighter head lamps and there are brighter ones out there but this is sort of in between.
I would purchase a liquid fuel stove, this way temperature shouldn't be as big of a deal as it is with canister fuels since they lose pressure in the cold. MSR makes some of the best stoves for your dollar. The make multi fuel stoves (where you can use anything from kerosene or diesel to white gas) Also, you`ll have to carry out the empty canisters to recycle them, if you are using the canister type stoves. I`ve used a single bottle of liquid fuel for a week while cooking meals for 4 people. The stove is handy to cook quick meals, especially if they are dehydrated or just need to be heated up. This also allows you to build a small fire (not a bon fire) as saves you weight on carry an axe or any other large heavy and bulky tool. Since it is just a small fire you wouldn't need the tools to chop wood, just use stuff that you can snap yourself. In a lot of the parks or even during drought ground fires are not allowed. So you may want to keep this in mind.
I buy most of my gear at www.backcountry.com They have the great customer service, no questions asked return policy doesnt matter if its 1 day or 30 yrs. They also have some of the best prices I`ve seen. Definitely worth checking it out.
Any Questions feel free to e-mail me.
Well starting with the packs I would definitely recommend an internal frame pack because they tend to be way lighter and if you plan on bush whacking internal framed packs tend to be more streamlined than an external frame pack that has the potential to catch branches and brush, especially if you have stuff tied to the outside of it. If you are looking for a really good pack brand I would look into Osprey and Gregory. Both brands make excellent packs. The best thing to do is do research online have the options that you want and then try them on. The more packs you try on the better fit you will find. I even believe that Osprey makes a heat molded hip belt that they heat up and have you put on so it molds to your hips.
I personally haven`t used a tent in about 5 years. I have a Hennessy Hammock that I use and will probably never use a tent again. You can sleep on your side or stomach and wake up without your arms shoulders or hips being sore or numb. Some say the hammocks are too cold wen the temp. drops but i just throw in a sleeping pad and im fine. Also, its about about a pound or so lighter than a one man tent and even more lighter than a two man tent. If you`re in the woods you wont have trouble finding two trees the right distance apart. However you need to find level ground free from rocks sticks and roots when you are pitching a tent. I cant say enough about it
I actually just bought the Mountain Hardwear Phantom 0 degree down sleeping bag. It took some getting used to since the hood is well fitted and not oversized and the foot box is smaller than my last bag. But it is a full pound lighter than any other 0 degree down bag and its really warm.
Another piece of gear I can't get enough of is my head lamp. If you need a flashlight, I recommend a good head lamp. Your hands are free to build fires, cook, look through your pack, hike with trekking poles, use a map and compass, read while in your sleeping bag, fish at night. So of the good brands include Petzl, Black Diamond, and Princeton Tec. I own the Princeton Tec Eos, its super bright and waterproof. They do have lighter head lamps and there are brighter ones out there but this is sort of in between.
I would purchase a liquid fuel stove, this way temperature shouldn't be as big of a deal as it is with canister fuels since they lose pressure in the cold. MSR makes some of the best stoves for your dollar. The make multi fuel stoves (where you can use anything from kerosene or diesel to white gas) Also, you`ll have to carry out the empty canisters to recycle them, if you are using the canister type stoves. I`ve used a single bottle of liquid fuel for a week while cooking meals for 4 people. The stove is handy to cook quick meals, especially if they are dehydrated or just need to be heated up. This also allows you to build a small fire (not a bon fire) as saves you weight on carry an axe or any other large heavy and bulky tool. Since it is just a small fire you wouldn't need the tools to chop wood, just use stuff that you can snap yourself. In a lot of the parks or even during drought ground fires are not allowed. So you may want to keep this in mind.
I buy most of my gear at www.backcountry.com They have the great customer service, no questions asked return policy doesnt matter if its 1 day or 30 yrs. They also have some of the best prices I`ve seen. Definitely worth checking it out.
Any Questions feel free to e-mail me.
Powered by Yahoo! Answers
No comments:
Post a Comment