My vote is the Catskills in NY. Hybrid cars parked all up and down every road. Thousands of fat guys in khaki shorts photographing trees. Loud black women chasing their screaming kids everywhere. Trail closure and no trespassing signs every 50 yards. Literal fucking security cameras at trailhead parking areas. I hope a fucking forest fire claims the whole region.
I just finished the 3500 list a few weeks ago. During the week or on any of the bushwhacks you'll barely run into anyone. I had plenty of days where I saw no one at all or less than five people. It was a great challenge and an amazing experience. You won't regret doing it
>>2722558you know that you can go to different places to hike, right? i live in the southwest and it's comical when people start shit talking coasts as if there's not cool shit everywhere. Just pure /in/ shitposting
>>2723374Another thing to consider is doing them in the winter. With a full moon, due to the lack of foliage from blocking the moonlight/starlight/light pollution and the fact that snow reflects 90 percent of oncoming light, you can navigate without a headlamp at night. I didn't see cloud inversion but the range is stunning in the winter and even less crowded with the only people there being really quiet (for some reason asian?) hikers and snowshoers. It is also much quieter thanks to the snow absorbing the sound. I did second ascent of Blackhead (25MAR2023) in a blizzard and while no views, I was totally alone, the glissading down was a blast, and it was super cool to listen to the winds rip at the mountains. you have to do Panther, Balsam, Slide, and Blackhead in the winter, might as well knock out a couple more. The snow is also east coast wet stuff so it gets nice and dense late in the season, nothing like powder out west in Colorado or Utah
>>2722142I’m looking at tourists over I-35! How the hell did they get through?!
>>2723508I've done winter hiking in the Catskills before and agree it's a nice experience. Looking to see some more greenery on this next trip however. Only time I went in the summer was to see Kaaterskill Falls decades ago. As you can guess it was crowded even back then.
I really really like the way Slingbags look, but I hear they are bad for hiking since they distribute the load unevenly. How retarded would I be to get one as a daypack for 6-8h hikes with around 2500 feet elevation, hiking in the alps?
>>2716586So.I've had the same sling bag for over a decade. The Maxpedition Sitka gearslinger. Why did I buy it, how did I use it? I had a job which entailed climbing up places and using tools. So the sling bag allowed me to bring up tools and materials while having access to them easily.Years later and while I still feel much affection for it, it's not practical. It has a third strap to stabilize the load and bring it close to your body, but once it starts bouncing up and down due to weight you'll be done in a short while. The most comfortable way to carry it is in the front, on my chest, but that just gets stares.Just get a small light backpack that can go tightly and comfortable against your body if you plan to walk long distances with it. If you're climbing into windows, up poles and riding bikes, rock the sling.
>>2716586I use a modified 5.11 pic and link rel, its really nice for day packing, I have mine set up to be good for 24 hours and I can also use it as a lumbar with their series belt and I can attach it to my kelty backpack when I camp https://www.511tactical.com/skyweight-sling-pack.HTMLI use an amazon special water bottle holder on the strap instead of bottom slot so I can do everything without taking off the packI've been a sling hiker for several years and you cant really beat this one with a few adjustments.
Sling packs are awful, not even once.
>>2716631yeah just keeping my mirrorless camera on a shoulder strap was very uncomfortable on hikes after a few hours, with higher weights I'd get fed up with it real quick
>>2716696Anon it’s a bag from tarkov and that’s boomer vidya ..
How the hell am I supposed to fit a sleeping bag in here? I got a 50L bag which seems too small now
>>2722711You’d have to nigger rig it, and even then it’s not ideal. The concept of putting a sleeping bag on top of your pack is carried over from the days of external frame packs. Those were made for it. The idea is to keep your sleeping bag as close to your center of gravity as possible, so it goes over the pack rather than stuffing it inside, pushing the rest of the contents away from you. With an internal frame pack (like that Kelty), when you strap a sleeping bag on top of it the bag inevitably wants to pull away from you. Rather than pushing down, it pulls you back. I’m found that it out extra weight in my shoulders rather than my hips.>>2722713>put it underneathThis sometimes works but has its own issues. The biggest advantage is that you can still access your pack. >just use those straps. Those are compression straps. They’re not nearly long enough.Also, OP better pray that it doesn’t rain.
>>2722541no>>2722525yesDown sleeping bags are way more expensive but compress insanely small. the higher the fill value of the down, the more expensive but also the lighter and compacter
>>2722684You could get a surplus MSS patrol bag for about 50 bucks, should be the same temp rating, and it'll pack down a lot smaller. Not the be-all-end-all sleeping bag, but it'd hold you over.
>>2722725My 40F Slumberjack bag has lasted many years.
Cheap sleeping bags tend to be huge because the insulation material is poor quality. You can get a compression bag, they aren't likely to damage a cheap bag.
Hello, I am looking to buy a bivy that I could sleep in and not worry about rain also one that I could get past airport security. I found pic related but that will likely not keep me dry, what worked for you?
>>2723433>condensationSame. I go out when it's below freezing and if I close up the hood and breathe right on the fabric it gets clammy, but otherwise I wake up just as dry as when I started. I've always assumed people whining about condensation are either sleeping in trash bags or are just really sweaty.
>>2716651poncho. get a big full length one and practice setting it up with some cordage. I found one in a surplus store that has nylon tarp rivets in it and rolls up into itself no metal about 4 inches by 6 inches.
>>2717081you take a queen sized wool blanket, fold it in half, put it on top of a tarp, fold the tarp around the blanket and roll it up, cinch it up on the ends with some cordage and lash it to pack, motorcycle, the dog or the wife. any pack animal will do.
>>2717099I slept in a mummy bag for the first time in years and it was cold af out. woke up both my arms were asleep and I couldn't get out. alone. had to pee. finally after squirming around for 5 minutes getting some circulation going I got to the pins and needls phase, and I wish someone had been there to film it what a nightmare. finally got out just in time to not pee myself.
>>2717308you can check a firearm.
Post your trailcam photos. This is the only thing I’ve captured in 4 months.
>>2722212Is that a fox diving into the snow? That's an awesome catch! Did you get video?
>>2722214yes and yes. This fox is about all I have seen this winter but he comes thru regularly.
>>2719209SweatyKitty,,,just gave Foxy the PAW!,,Swat!, Foxy snaped back and they growly hissy face off !,,,,,canned cat foodis worth bickeringover!
>>2719020
>>2719020>>2719632cat for cat
Morel editionFound about a half pound over Easter weekend, upstate SC.
>>2722922I am one of the IowafagsI think the cold, windy weather here in the last half of the week has stunted things, no idea what it's like over there. I will be in Chicago next weekend so I won't be going out until May
Went out trout fishing today and decided to check for some mushrooms since it’s about that time in western PA. All I found was this, what is it?
>>2722937Some Trametes species, maybe Trametes gibbosa
gyromitra korfii?
>>2723476G. Korfii has been absorbed onto G. Gigas but yes.
What is your favorite color of Azalea? Have you seen any wildflowers of note this Spring so far? I personally love a deep dark purple Azalea but I haven't found one in bloom so far. This is Cinnabar and it caught my eye from 20 feet away.
>>2721535
Hey all, new fag here. Been a group camper for years but recently been going solo midweek or even on the weekend when no one is capable of going. My nights go as follows:>drink 3-6 beers>play music>set up tent>cook food>go to sleep and watch videos>panic at 3 am when a raccoon runs through the campsite. >wake up slightly tired because I was waking up every 3/4 hours due to hearing random noises.How do you beat the spooks? Inb4 anyone says “carry a gun” or “get a better sleep system” I do/have both that I bring solo camping. Gear list:>pillow, sleeping bag, wool blanket (cozy)>kelty 85L pack >woodsaw, axe, knife>first aid kitComment too long. Click here to view the full text.
>>2723336>I NEED to be on my phone at all times to have funI'm not gate keeping shit
>>2722969>combining drugs, alcohol and gunsYou deserve to have a shitty time
>>2722987This because speakerfags should KYS, but also to cure yourself of getting spooked. Get used to the sounds of nature instead of listening to fake shit all the time. Think about it. If you're not used to the normal sounds of nature, then how will you know the difference when something is really about to kill you?
>>2723010>>2723026The less likely there's anyone around to hear your music, the more likely you get shot if there is.
>>2723028My son (about 4 at the time) and I were looking at stars when a skunk walked right up to us. My son jumped and screamed and the skunk casually walked away like it dgaf.
Any places you can go like picrel where there arent any bugs like tics or mosquitos?
Just go in September
>>2722376OP have you tried not being a faggot and ignoring the bugs?
>>2722376Just go in the winter
>>2722376no tics there, and even the slightest breeze will get rid of flying fuckers, something you get 1/4 of the time the rest is full storm.avoid peak summer heat and you will be good, also there can be more bugs around if there is reindeer herding in the area at that time.
>>2722376Desert a best biome. There are still bugs, but not many. And they are weak. I used to get huge welts from Indiana mosquitoes, but Arizona mosquitoes are small itch.>tarantulawill not bother you>scorpionwatch where you sit or put your hands>weird little gnats that appear in your house for 2 weeks and then disappearyeah fuck those guys>giant crab spider running around the ceiling while you're watching TVaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
What are some dumb things you've bought for /out/ or tried while /out/ that ended up working or at least preforming better than expected?>example 1I bought a whole bunch of medium duty shower stall liners at Costco for 50 cents each because I have a problem buying seemingly useless things on sale. Turns out they're a great substitute for when you don't quite need a tarp. I've used them to sleep on. I've used them for shelter. I've used them to cover wood. I've wrap myself in one as a ghetto poncho. They hardly take up any space and at least one edge already has rings to run string through.>example 2Might not exactly be dumb, but it sure preformed better than expected. I bought some mosquito mesh fabric that goes over your head for when the blood suckers are bad. However I noticed these things work great all the time. They help keep the sun out. They keep any cob webs out. Any gusts of dust get mostly blocked. Somehow it blocks a lot of the smoke from a fire I don't know how probably some witch craft. Small branches or brush wont slap you in the face. If you've ever been /out/ and felt like you have to keep wiping or swatting at your face these cure that.What were your dumb ideas that worked out?
A woman
>>2720278No, just because something can be done a way, doesn't mean it's not a dumb way to do it. Your basing your logic on a false premise.
>>2720366why would you willingly pay more for something that can be done cheaper, albeit out of the ordinary?
I buy a 10 pack of condoms and carry all my gear internally.If you don't do this and claim ultra light, you're literally just larping.
>>2720278I used a 3L detergent bottle with a twist cap and tap nozzle fitted with a length of food grade hose as a hydropack.It worked really well and I could drain out water from the tap for making stew, which can be difficult with those hydropacks with the sliding lock and a bit cumbersome to pour with the twist cap ones. It was also more rigid than those packs, which I am always worried will rip open and saturate my gear and leave me without potable water.It did taste of detergent even after rinsing it about 4 times, and the hose did leak a few mL of water without me noticing so it needed a cork cap I think.All up for the low cost of 1 recycled detergent bottle and a length of hose I would say it was a success.
Sorry if this isn't the right board, I'm not sure, but I don't use many others and I feel like you guys can answer this best. I'm looking to buy a brand new mower for the first time tomorrow, can you guys help me out? I was looking at the Toro recycler line, but I'm hearing mixed reviews about it. I'm looking to keep it around 500 bucks but can go a little over that. My yard isnt that big, couple hundred square feet. I'm just looking for something reliable preferably with self drive for when my wife wants to mow. What mower do you use? Also, any tips for getting rid of milkweed? My yard is a little overgrown and at some point it creeped in. I get a lot of biodiversity in my yard though so that's cool, sometimes I get morels too. Sorry for rambling, just killing time until I can click post.
>>2721444>>2722498pic related
>>2721444>My yard isnt that big, couple hundred square feet.Would seriously consider an electric mower. The batteries last long and they are quieter and easier to use
>>2722498>>2722499I agree unless you live near the woods and have a lot of sticks/pinecones or have let your yard get overgrown. Then it's an exercise in torture as you proceed to stop on every stick.
>>2722523Sticks and pinecones definitely slow down the progress, but I still prefer it. Plus you can clear most of that away by dethatching your lawn.
>>2721444Dude if your lawn is only a couple hundred square feet, don't waste your money on a brand new gas mower, you aren't even going to go through a full tank of fuel then that gas will sit in the carb and ruin it long before you even get through the break in period. You are better off getting a used one, or a reel mower, or an electric mower, which if you already have power tools you may have the batteries for that brands mower.
What other knots should you know?
>>2722195The reverse clinch knot is an easy must learn for all kinds of different fishing
>>2722890>Most out situations you should use a taut-line never a truckers hitch. A truckers hitch is for securing loads a Taut Line is for creating in line tension using an adjustable knot. If you are securing a tent or tarp to an anchor the taut-line is better in almost every way.Trucker's hitch is for pulling on shit harder, you can use it on anything. You can adjust tension and secure the line just as easily with it as with the taut line. The taught line can slide further easily and you can kinda leave it in place when not under tension but there's basically no scenario where taut line would do anything a trucker's hitch wouldn't, whilte the opposite is not true. There's not much reason to use it unless you're already used to it.
>>2722195Does anyone know a good knot for creating a loop?I need something for the purpose of securing a bunch of tent pegs together instead of having them rattle around a bag.
>>2723473On the end of the rope - bowline. On the middle - alpine butterfly. For tying rope around things you can just use the square knot/shoelace knot like a normal person instead. A trucker's hitch using the aforementioned alpine loop if you really need to crank it tight but that's probably not what you're looking for.
>>2723473Tautline hitch works well for tying an adjustable loop around things that you can sinch down.
Hedge trimmer, propane weed torch, or both?Before anyone says "use a brush hog", it's on a steep slope. I don't think I can get a brush hog up there.
>>2719967I'm over here having a surprisingly difficult time getting blackberries to take on my property, which on paper would appear perfect for them. And I'm always seeing jackasses whining about a glorious abundance of blackberries that they want to clear out.FFS
>>2723359I'd say at the bush/vine level, blackberries and dewberries are the most abundant species here. They basically dominate everything else. When it's all said and done I probably mow over acres and acres of them on firebreaks etc. in the course of a year. It probably goes something like this: >1. Brambles>2. Beauty Berry>3. Dog Fennel (sort of a flower/weed I guess)>4. Wild Grape>5. Goldenrod (more of a flower/weed though I guess)>6. Button Bush>7. Privet>8. various Vaccinium species>9. Grounsel>10. Winged SumacI've noticed with blackberries there are two main kinds here. On one of them the canes/shoots (or whatever) tend to arch up much higher and be thicker with a more dusty pale leaves. The other tends to grow denser, a bit lower, with sort of a red tinged dark-lime colored green leaf color. The former is much more common. The latter produces much better though.
>>2723365My main problem weed is fucking Canadian Wood Nettle. I swear you could nuke my place and 3 days later the whole thing would be covered with wood nettle again.My long term goal is to create a more or less self sustaining, native food forest. Planted quite a few PawPaws which are coming along, but that's going to take years before I see much fruit.Got a lot of nice pre-existing Mayapple patches that start very strong in spring but before they fruit most of them get choked out by the damn wood nettle.A few tiny canes of wild brambleberry here and there but it never seems to grow much. And my attempts to plant various cultivars of blackberry see little success. Must be something about the soil.I did try a few raspberries last year that actually look like they're taking off this spring. I might end up going that route.
>>2723459Where I live, during about now to about fall is basically already a food forest. I mean it goes in this order- dewberry, mayhaw, blackberry, passion fruit, various blueberries (deer berry farkleberry etc.), mulberries, wild plum, crabapple, sugarberry, then maybe wild grape, then pecan, hickory, Chestnut acorn, then persimmon last. Some of these though don't make enough to actually harvest. Like Red Mulberry and sugarberry are always sparse. The brambles, pecans, hickory, and wild grapes though are always loaded down more than you can ever pick/pickup though depending on the year. There are a ton of persimmons but good luck beating the deer and racoons once they hit the ground. But I've never actually found Mayapple. I've been looking for it for a long time, I do find gopher apple here and there though. I have a few paw paw trees but the only wild ones I ever find are the narrow leaf shrub paw paw. Asimina angustifolia I think. Here is a pic from last year.
>>2723468Also here is a pic from this evening of the wild blackberries coming in.
>every survival bushcraft channel>set up shelter>eat>sleep>eat some more>go home>thanx gaiz fur wotchin'bonus round>walk 10 feet away from the trail>set up your camera>go back and nonchalantly walk as if you just arrived>run back to fetch your camera>repeat for another hundred "cinematic" shots
>>2713516Stubb the hobo was the same way. Why are all my favorite train hoppers dead?
same with "wilderness cooking" channels>setup camera in scenic spot>cook ingredience that have nothing todo with wilderness, infact are imported and bought from grocery store>random clip of cat/dog/pet that also is clearly urban and domesticated>splash some river water or use a rock or something>the end>wow
>>2713141people that won't or can't go /out/ live vicariously through buying gear they'll never use and through watching survival bushcraft channels.maybe 10% of /out/ists actually go out, if you go on and /out/ing twice a year and post pics here you're already in the cool kids club
>>2713141I thought about making a youtube channel that was entirely first-person camping, but I don't think people would enjoy it since 90% of my time is spent standing around staring at trees and deeply inhaling that theraputic woods aroma
>>2723423>I thought about making a youtube channel that was entirely first-person camping, but I don't think people would enjoy it since 90% of my time is spent standing around staring at trees and deeply inhaling that theraputic woods aromahell yeah i would watch that
I don't go outdoors much but i have been lurking this board for a while,i went outdoors on my own for the first time today i even brought my cat along, i didn't even have the proper gear or shoes but i still had a lot of fun
>>2721285>>2723079seriously
>>2717657congrats m8
>>2717738my grandpa often goes to the woods near his home to pick up branches to burn and his cat follows him around like a dog while climbing trees and playing around, it's incredibly cute
>>2723113and yet most people can't even let their dog go 3 feet out the front door without it making a break for it great escape style
>>2717657>I don't go outdoors muchyou've already been more outside than most of us have been all year
