Backpacking
Backpacking has been a blessing in disguise for me. Roaming the woods is better than therapy, and sometimes a getaway is all you need. This page is dedicated to some small-time gear reviewing as well as serving as a trip log.
THE Big 3
What does it mean?
Your big 3 is the bare minimum that you need to go backpacking. If you have these items, you'll be able to comfortably enjoy a backpacking trip and not hate your time spent outdoors. The big 3 consists of a pack, sleep system, and shelter.
Pack
The market of packs is absolutely unreal. You can get cheap packs, expensive packs, ultralight packs, bug out bags, and so much more. The variety of packs on the market is endless, and getting started on your backpacking journey starts with having a pack to hold all of your items.
This is the pack I have, the Gregory Katmai 65. This pack has served me well in all of my adventures, and I have had little complaints about it. As a 65 liter pack, it has ample storage for a weekend trip and could easily suffice for a multiple day trip. It is rated to carry up to 40 pounds comfortably, and I can vouch for that rating. This pack was pricey, but it also is jam packed with features that I find extremely useful on trail. Some of the most notable features are the quickdraw water bottle sleeve, the free-float suspension system, and an amalgamation of straps that allow me to strap anything that won't fit into my bag, onto my bag.
Sleep System
Your sleep system is key to keeping you a happy camper. After a long day of being on trail, often all I want is to retreat to my tent for a glorious slumber. Having the essentials is key to getting that good sleep.Â
Klymit Insulated Static V Lite
The Static V was the first sleeping pad I've ever purchased. I believe I got it at Costco for $60, and it has served me dutifully. It is a summer sleeping pad, but it can be better insulated with plenty of ground clearance. R-value is a term used to describe the insulation of a sleeping pad. Even if you have an extremely low temperature sleeping bag / quilt, if your sleeping pad is poorly insulated you may still find yourself waking up cold in the middle of the night. This pad is great, but I've yet to test it in truly frigid temperatures. My next pad will be a proper 3 season pad, and will probably be much more expensive. I've also attached a link to explain sleeping pad R-values for clarification.
Paria Outdoor Products Thermodown 15 Quilt
The two primary options for sleep warmth when backpacking are quilts and sleeping bags. I elected to get a quilt, because I am an active sleeper and don't like the restriction of a sleeping bag. So far, my quilt has done amazing for me. When I am under the quilt, I feel like I am in a heated blanket that's powered by me! This quilt in particular is made of a material called "down" fill which is a type of goose feather that is extremely insulating. The other types of quilts and sleeping bags you'll come across are "synthetic" fill. Website with explanation of the differences is provided below.
Therm-a-rest compressible pillow
Definitely my favorite part of my sleep system, my pillow! This pillow was recommended to me by a friend and I've seen it all across social media. It is a highly renowned pillow, and it packs small for what it is. This pillow unrolls and gets extremely lofty. Part of wants to say it is better than my pillows at home, but that would be a lie. However, it isn't far behind a pillow 3x its size and weight. This pillow is a god send and helps me have amazing sleep while I'm backpacking. It has worked wonders for me, and I can't recommend it enough. Comparing it to air pillows isn't even a fair competition. If you have an inflatable pillow, throw it away and get this. If you're trying to decide between the two, I think I've made my choice abundantly clear.
Shelter
A shelter is crucial to camping and backpacking. Your shelter will protect you from the weather through the night, and provides a place for you to comfortable sleep without having to worry about getting rained on. The tent I have is the Paria Outdoor Products Bryce 2p Tent. This tent is relatively new to me, and I've only taken it out twice. It is quick to setup, extremely lightweight, and budget friendly. If you noticed, I got my quilt and tent from the same company and I would highly recommend Paria Outdoor Products to anyone looking to get some quality backpacking gear without having a big budget.
Shelters vary in size, weight, composition, etc... There's literally a million tents on the market and finding one that's right for you is a tall order. This is actually the third tent I've ever owned, and I'm happy with it for the time being. Moreover, some people elect for a tarp as their shelter. Tarp shelters are not my forte, but many people prefer them. You can find a handful of guides online about tarp shelters and how to set them up. I don't have a good tarp that I can make shelters out of, so I won't speak on it.
TRIP REVIEW: Lake Monroe via Hayes Trail
Distance: ~7 miles
Route: Hayes trail to Peninsula trail
Campsite: ~20 campsites alone the peninsula, all are waterfront
Review:
Lake Monroe is a beautiful lake just outside of Bloomington, Indiana. It is a popular camping location, and can be accessed by boat as well as canoe. I saw multiple kayak campers at the very tip of the peninsula. In the early weeks of October, this campsite was crowded and I frequently came into contact with other campers. Expect people if the weather is nice. Due to the high number of camp sites, there is no reason you should hesitate to go if you're worried about not being able to find a site.
Been slacking on this page. Hoping to get out into the Florida wilderness in these next few months when I'm living down there. I should have some good reviews when I'm there.