Re: Best Value Backpacking Gear

You know, we all mean well but ask us how we learned and most of us
will tell you our first trips were comical; we had the wrong gear, did
the wrong things, ate the wrong foods, etc. But we survived and had a
great time.

Exactly! Learn by doing -- no lesson sinks in more than the one you teach
yourself. And they have such great titles, like "how I learned to
recognize poison ivy" or "how I learned not to wear a cotton shirt while
hiking in New England in October". Non-fatal, mildly to moderately
unpleasant -- and a lesson you'll never forget.

Don't let the gear get in the way of having a good time.
You've got boots, you're good to go.
Just try to avoid life threatening situations.

Yup. "Better gear than good sense/a man cannot carry." - Havamal

I appreciate everyone's advice. I'm 34 years old and not completely
inexperienced with camping and the outdoors. My experience is limited to
car camping, but I did drive a Jeep for about 10 years that got me out a bit
further every once in a while. I've used the same cheap tent and sleeping
bag since about '92. Time for an upgrade.

The 'ole Jeep in South Texas dry river beds:
http://img133.imageshack.us/img133/4113/4wheeln2xk.jpg

Last fall in the Ouachita Mountains.
This is a vehicle accessible primitive campsite on one of the trails:
http://img417.imageshack.us/img417/8570/camping46er.jpg
http://img485.imageshack.us/img485/127/camping39qd.jpg
http://img419.imageshack.us/img419/1637/camping373xo.jpg
http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/7342/camping21sq.jpg
http://img74.imageshack.us/img74/9931/camping240px.jpg

Stick bugs (?) were everywhere! It was a great experience to enforce that I
want a full tent and not just a tarp out amongst the creepy crawlies.
http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/4584/camping144ip.jpg
http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/3530/camping228rs.jpg

Last year was very, very dry. I was a few weeks early for peak color. I
did hike a few of the trials in search of some fall color. There is a
pretty impressive assortment of trials through the Ouachita Mountains.
http://img74.imageshack.us/img74/4648/camping295xe.jpg
http://img74.imageshack.us/img74/5156/camping304nj.jpg
http://img74.imageshack.us/img74/6273/camping283ea.jpg
http://img74.imageshack.us/img74/1765/camping54mg.jpg
http://img74.imageshack.us/img74/2531/camping69gr.jpg

Backpacking is a new concept for me. I always have had the luxury of just
lugging anything and everything that I might think I would possibly need. I
know that I can get by without the most expensive equipment, but since I'm
thinking of upgrading I thought that I would fish around for advice on what
others might believe to be the best value for durability and function. I
suppose that has a great deal to do with personal opinion.

I think it was brought up about a retailer in the Oklahoma area. I found
this regional chain: http://www.backwoods.com/main.aspx?itemID=140
Backwoods. I purchased my boots from them since they gave me the
opportunity to compare different boots and the savings from purchasing
online were nominal. They carry a pretty impressive line of equipment. I
found the staff to be very helpful as well. Great to find advice on what
might be the best choices for equipment suited to this region.

Anyway, I like to shop for this sort of stuff. There is an amazing
assortment of equipment out there. I am beginning to get a feel for what
might be most suitable for my usage.

Thanks again..

--
A sickened mind and spirit
The mirror tells me lies
Could I mistake myself for someone
Who lives behind my eyes
Will he escape my soul
Or will he live in me
Is he tryin' to get out or tryin' to enter me

THX 1138







.

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