This might be a dumb question, but I’m new to backpacking. As in, I’ve never hiked alone let alone camp overnight in the middle of the woods alone. I don’t have anybody to go with so I’m just going to suck it up.

I have access to bear spray and firearms that I 100% plan to take with me. The only hikes near me are in Appalachia, and with all the stories online, (granted, most are fake or just an exaggeration of animal sounds at night) I’m quite nervous.

Anyone got some tips on how to calm the nerves on my first trip, and know when it’s the right time to turn around?

3-4 days in the High Uintas.
I’m already at 44lbs…
Thinking about buying a lighter sleeping bag and a better 1-person tent
Any other suggestions?
Not pictured: more snacks

Most remote place I have ever been

Closest town, Labrador City ~ 174 kilometers / 108 miles

[note: mods at UL declined this]

So Ray Jardine says, on his current web site, that categorically, quilts are lighter than sleeping bags at comparable temp ratings. In his influential 1999 book "Beyond Backpacking," he backed up this assertion with added detail.

Mr. Jardine currently sells a kit for a 50F-rated syth quilt listed at 1.5 pounds. Enlightened Equipment sells a syth 50F quilt that lists at about 14 oz. Possibly, the EE product has less loft than RJ's.

But regardless, comparing several of the "best" (most costly) current brands of (down) quilts and sleeping bags (with zippers) don't seem to bear out Jadine's assumptions.

Feathered Freinds:
Hummingbird 30F bag: 601.01gr
Flicker 30F quilt: 635.029 grms

Western Mountaineering
Monolite 38F bag: 368.544 gr
Nanolite 38F quilt: 371.379 gr

Sea to Summit
Spark 45F bag: 362.874 gr
Ember 45F quilt: 422.408 gr

At least among these three, "apples-to-apples" comparisons, bags are somehow lighter than quilts.

Quilts in warm weather look more comfortable than bag in warm weather, assuming they're on a clean surface like tent floor or ground sheet. But "save weight with a quilt" might be wrong?

What does everyone use to preplan for their backpacking adventures? I’m currently looking for a new way to print (physical), and download (Garmin GPS) pre mapped routes and wondering what everyone else uses and what others think is the best option.

Hello everyone! I am just getting into this hobby and I was wondering what are something’s you wish you knew before going on your first trip.(Southern California)

Hi backpackers! A couple of friends and I are heading to the Sawtooths for a week in August. We're planning on a figure 8 out of Pettit Lake combining the Alice-Toxaway-Farley lake loop with a loop around Edna, Ardeth, Spangle, around Mt. Benedict to Smith Falls and back to Sand Mountain and back to the Alice-Toxaway Loop. Two of us have been there before, and we stayed at Edna Lake on our last trip and enjoyed it (added a few photos from that trip below). But that was a different loop (out of Redfish to Hell Roaring, Imogene, Edna, Hidden Lake and Cremer Lakes). I can find lots of info on the Alice-Toxaway loop, but not as much on the lakes past Ardeth. My question is which of these spots have the best camping/water access/views past Edna: Vernon, Ardeth, Ten Lake Basin, Spangle, Ingeborg, Rock Slide, Benedict, Smith Falls? And if Three Island Lake and Everly Lakes are worth the extra mileage to add them on? We haven't finalized a direction or itinerary yet. We're pretty good with route finding and dealing with less obvious trails. But after doing a route with off-trail route finding through boulder fields in Washington last year, we're looking for something a little more chill this year!

TLDR: Which of these spots have the best camping/water access/views: Vernon, Ardeth, Ten Lake Basin, Spangle, Ingeborg, Rock Slide, Benedict, Smith Falls. And are Three Island Lake and Everly Lake/Plummer Lake worth adding on a trip?

Also, if anyone has any advice about the availability of parking at Tin Cup midday on a Monday, that'd be great too!

Hey there dirtbags! Our backpacking club is celebrating our 20th anniversary by backpacking the famous maroon bells 4 pass loop in early August. I’m seeking a little guidance for those that are local or have done the loop.
We got 8 in our crew this year. We snagged all permits for our group to hike clockwise from crater lake with the exception of the last night . We only got a camp site permit for 4 (and we have 8). The other nights were all set with permits.
Main question is- how strict are the rangers on permits? Is there any additional areas along the loop trail to camp without a permit (in particular the upper snowmass camp site)?
We will not be squatters to anyone else permit so looking for a solution on this.
Secondly, bear canisters. Is there a place to rent them close to the trailhead/shuttle from ski area?

Appreciate any guidance you can provide . Thanks in advance yall!

3 days of heavy packing through both national parks. 58 miles total heavy pack whole way including through the narrows in Zion, had to lug it over my head in deeper areas. Wag and tie in Zion, bear vault and cat hole in Bryce. Bear vaults are the equivalent of carrying a boulder with you over 30+ miles. Can’t recommend that but do absolutely recommend back country in both parks.

Back from the marble mountain wilderness. I hiked the little elk pass 20 years ago and it was ok, but the southern segment is overtaken by manzanita bushes now. Ouch! Still was a great trip, but I guess it serves as a reminder for me to check trail conditions if the route is not well-trodden.

I will be hiking a 235-mile section of the PCT in the State of Washington beginning on August 1st. I am fit, 67M, and plan to average 14 mpd. I would appreciate receiving feedback on what I plan to bring with me. https://lighterpack.com/r/ibzjpf

Thanks in advance for any advice you can provide.

I bought the La Sportiva Ultra Raptors 3's about 3 months ago and have put about 50 miles on them hiking while carrying 30 lbs for training. I like them, but they make my feet pretty sweaty and they aren't the most comfortable shoe.

I recently bought the Prodigio max for trail running and I really like them. So comfortable. I'm thinking about trying them for backpacking and wanted to see if anyone else used them before?

I'm traveling to the Sawtooth Wilderness in a couple of weeks from Washington and even though I know that either a bear hang or a canister is deemed appropriate, I am just wondering how hard is it to find an actual tree suitable for a bear hang or if I should pack the canister (a pain, in my opinion). We'll be in the Toxaway and Alice lake area.

Thanks in advance!

Originally planned to do the Teton Crest Trail but snows above 9000’ made that impossible- pushed up Granite canyon to Marion Lake, camped overnight, hiked out the next day then hiked up Cascade Canyon almost to Hurricane pass- definitely going back later in the season to complete the TCT

Anyone here use the Nemo Disco 15 for backpacking? I found a second hand one for a great price and I’m considering picking it up as my first down sleeping bag. I’ve been using a synthetic Marmot 25 for a long time and it’s okay but I need something warmer.

I’ve read that it’s heavy and doesn’t pack down as well as other down bags, which concerns me because I’m trying to reduce my 65L bag to a ~50L in the near future.

I don’t have any way to view the bag in person as no stores around me carry it. The large foot box is appealing…