Hiking. Day, Thru, Section, Ultralight to Traditional

You should go in September. No bugs and the river crossings are easier. But no flowers or snow either so it is maybe not as pretty.

Dave
 
Bump. Glad to see we have a backpacking thread. That's actually what got me into Jeeping. Love the remote places. I'm definitely a minimalist/ultralighter by nature when hiking, but still always have preparedness supplies. I carry about 15 lbs base weight in the summer and 20 in the winter. No technical rope climbing for me but I'll do some class 3 snow climbing in the spring and love climbing 14ers. I'll post some gear pics when I have time.
 
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Bump. Glad to see we have a backpacking thread. That's actually what got me into Jeeping. Love the remote places. I'm definitely a minimalist/ultralighter by nature when hiking, but still always have preparedness supplies. I carry about 15 lbs base weight in the summer and 20 in the winter. No technical rope climbing for me but I'll do some class 3 snow climbing in the spring and love climbing 14ers. I'll post some gear pics when I have time.

Thanks for bumping! I enjoyed reading through and hope to add to it!
 
Bump. Glad to see we have a backpacking thread. That's actually what got me into Jeeping. Love the remote places. I'm definitely a minimalist/ultralighter by nature when hiking, but still always have preparedness supplies. I carry about 15 lbs base weight in the summer and 20 in the winter. No technical rope climbing for me but I'll do some class 3 snow climbing in the spring and love climbing 14ers. I'll post some gear pics when I have time.

Nice.
Forgot about this thread.
 
I don't have many pics handy right now but here's a view from Torreys Peak.

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And here's a bull moose we saw in Indian Peaks wilderness.

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Did you end up getting that UL3? I have the UL2 and am pretty happy with it. The only con for me is with 11 stakes, it's a PITA to set up in the snow. Other than that, I love it.


I ended up finding a great deal on a Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2. Little bit heavier than the Fly Creek at 3 pounds but it's huge inside for solo trips. Able to put everything inside with me at night.
 
My hiking days ended with a herniated disc at the L5/S1 in 2003...but very much enjoyed extended backpacking trips prior to that...climbed Mt Chirripo in Costa Rica @ 12,500+ ft...only place you can see both the Pacific & Atlantic oceans at once...hiked the Kalalau Trail, Napali Coast on Kaui several times...spent the night in a 2 man tent above Hakaano Valley on the sea cliffs of Molokai during Hurricane Iwa on my way to Pelekunu Valley from Halawa Valley, Molokai...

But like Overlander said, it's all by 4low these days...
 
Sawtooth Mountain Backpacking Trip

Went on a great backpacking trip over the weekend. Climbed Sawtooth Mountain. It's the sharp and pointy one in the pictures. The entire sky was clear for the climb except for the peak itself. It was cloud-covered until we reached the summit. On the way down it finally cleared up. Other than the cold wind at the top, this was one of the most beautiful hikes I've been on. Sorry for the photo dump, but I had a lot of cool pics.

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Went on a great backpacking trip over the weekend. Climbed Sawtooth Mountain. It's the sharp and pointy one in the pictures. The entire sky was clear for the climb except for the peak itself. It was cloud-covered until we reached the summit. On the way down it finally cleared up. Other than the cold wind at the top, this was one of the most beautiful hikes I've been on. Sorry for the photo dump, but I had a lot of cool pics.
Terrific photos! Looks like a great hike! Thanks for sharing!
 
Went on a great backpacking trip over the weekend. Climbed Sawtooth Mountain. It's the sharp and pointy one in the pictures. The entire sky was clear for the climb except for the peak itself. It was cloud-covered until we reached the summit. On the way down it finally cleared up. Other than the cold wind at the top, this was one of the most beautiful hikes I've been on. Sorry for the photo dump, but I had a lot of cool pics.

Man, I never get tired of looking at photos of your mountains out there.
 
Went on a great backpacking trip over the weekend. Climbed Sawtooth Mountain. It's the sharp and pointy one in the pictures. The entire sky was clear for the climb except for the peak itself. It was cloud-covered until we reached the summit. On the way down it finally cleared up. Other than the cold wind at the top, this was one of the most beautiful hikes I've been on. Sorry for the photo dump, but I had a lot of cool pics.

Thanks for sharing! Looks like a great hike
 
Went out and snowshoed today. Sadly, it's my first time getting out this Winter. It was a beautiful day though, about 40F but no wind. Took my daughter with me and went into the backcountry. Even got to build a snowman. Followed fresh moose tracks the whole way but never saw it.

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We section hiked 27 miles of the Ice Age Trail at the Kettle Moraine, Northern Unit. We started Monday morning and hiked 15 miles before setting up camp at one of the shelters and then finished the next day. Here are some pictures:

Studying the map for the 100th time:

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All smiles at the start:

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Nice view:

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Camp:

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Perfect morning:

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Coffee brewing:

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Butler Lake:

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Trail art:

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We section hiked 27 miles of the Ice Age Trail at the Kettle Moraine, Northern Unit. We started Monday morning and hiked 15 miles before setting up camp at one of the shelters and then finished the next day. Here are some pictures:

Looks awesome!!
 
Got to take my oldest son on a backpacking trip this weekend. It's a beautiful spot we go to from time to time with a raging river and far away from people. We even got to see three Mink chasing each other and they didn't even realize we were there and ran right under the rock we were standing by and trapped themselves. Pictures of them running around were shitty, but I got a couple clear ones while they were in the rock.

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Hanging the food for the night:

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Good spot for a beer holder:

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This river is about 30 feet from camp. We got lots of bites but only one small trout.

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And just a trick for any of you backpackers that I learned from a guy who does glacier climbing. To bring water back to camp, if you are in a tough spot, a collapsable bucket and some paracord weighs almost nothing to carry and you can dip it down as far as you want depending on your area to capture water and carry it back to camp.

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Couple weekends ago in WA. 3 nighter (first night at the trailhead when we arrived at 3am).

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First night at the trailhead. First night in a hammock instead of a tent. Let me tell you, changed my life! Hammock camping is the way to go!!!!

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Wildflowers were out of control!

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Made it to the PCT!

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Kitchen with a view?

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Third night on the trail. Awesome lake spot

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Always a good time being out in the woods! Definitely summiting next time I'm in the PNW.
 
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