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curiousexplorer -> RE: A first time for everything (5/27/2007 8:53:31 PM)
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2.5 miles in 4 miles out? Beer, esky, ice, hotplate, steaks, sausages, onions, guitar, insect repellant, chair, frisbee. With that distance you could take just about anything you want. I've been on group trips like this and we've taken huge tarps, camp ovens, chairs, eskys whatever we wanted, sometimes even making a couple of trips. If you know everyone get the group to throw in together.
" because the overly experienced people thought I should just get up and keep going with a rock wedged beneath my kneecap!"
Experienced people should know a group only moves as fast as it's slowest member. And you always look after an injured person (except in extreme conditions when they are dead and just don't know it yet).
"Since they started letting cattle graze at high altitudes, most streams are now home to giardia."
I'm curious, how exactly are cattle so bad? Growing up drinking from rivers in mountain farm country had no effect on me, neither did drinking from mountain streams in our high country where cattle were still allowed. In fact the only mountain streams I avoid drinking from are the ones near resorts. You really can't get better water than fresh from a mountain stream. At least not in this part of the world.
"Girlscout... is cotton that bad? I always thought cotton was one of the most breathable fabrics"
spankmepink11,
Cotton is indeed an excellent fabric for hiking. The only problem with cotton is it's poor insulation when wet. So it's not what you want to wear canoeing where you might be immersed, but for hiking it is great and recommended by everyone I've ever met who had anything to do with outdoor activities.
"there are snakes everywhere up here. Its one of thethings we have ot watch for (and im a little concerned) and its also why I refuse to use a sleeping bag. a blanket and pillow, yes, but nothing that will leve me ina confined area with a potentialy unpleasant creature (other than my tentmate) "
I'm confused. You are scared of snakes coming in at night, and instead of being in a cocoon, you want to be under a loose blanket? I would have thought it was preferable to have a snake curl up next to your sleeping bag than slither in under your blanket? (sleep well). Not that its likely to happen anyway. What is your area like for spiders, scorpions and other insects? They're more likely to climb into your tent than a snake.
"I keep seeing self-inflating mats. I wonder if they are any good, theres one at walmart for like $10"
They are good, and it depends on your needs. If you are going to really get into hiking where weight and space will become a concern you'll want to spend a bit more and get the smallest lightest one you can. If this trip is about the level your aiming at, the cheap stuff is fine to see what you like and what you need. The foam ones are also fine, but they can be a pain when going on longer hikes.
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