hiking/backpacking

[Tokyo Slim]

Originally Posted by NorCal

Hey Slim have you ever checked out the "garage sale" at REI? (it might have another name, but it is along those lines). It is all the returned items and other left over crap. They have it about once a month and the deals are amazing. They had a lot of good backpacks and sleeping gear when I was in there last. Worth a look.

Not sure. The Seattle flagship does have a basement department full of returns though, available any time. Right now they have a lot of sleeping pads, and ski boots. I checked it out.

I love some of the notes on the returns. Thermarest sleeping pad 6 foot. Marked down to 17.99. Why? "Too$hort".

Uh...

BTW the REI in Seattle is next level. They have a damn kayak test run if memory serves.

I'm not sure about that, they have a mountain bike test track, and the 65 foot climbing pinnacle. I don't recall seeing a kayak run, though I wouldn't be surprised if they had some sort of regular testing day where you could try out a bunch of them on Lake Union. They are only a few blocks away.

Yesterday there was a PowerBar rep there who was super hot.

 

[Tokyo Slim]

This might seem like a dumb question, but what kind of socks do you guys use?

 

[thatoneguy]

http://www.wigwam.com/Products/Merin...3-001d091bb843

 

[Johnny_5]

I love smartwool socks. Very comfortable and they do not not move around or bunch up in the boot all.

 

[Ace Rimmer]

Agree, I use Smartwool socks over Coolmax or other polypro liner socks.

 

[Johnny_5]

A big +1 to sock liners. Absolutely the best blister prevention I've come across.

 

[Tokyo Slim]

So... is that a thin sock and then a thicker sock over it?

 

[Johnny_5]

Yes, exactly. The thin sock is designed to reduce any friction and wick moisture away from your skin.

 

[Tokyo Slim]

Gotcha.

Apparently I am largely unfamiliar with sock technology.

 

[Johnny_5]

******* newb. go read about socks and stay the **** out until you read about socks.

 

[johnapril]

Originally Posted by jett

Anyone into hiking and/or backpacking? If so, what do you think the best backpack and/or boots are for extended hikes?

Completely depends on the place you're walking.

Heading to Khumbu in the winter. Ospery Aether 70 liter pack and a pair of goretex boots.

 

[Tokyo Slim]

Originally Posted by Johnny_5

******* newb. go read about socks and stay the **** out until you read about socks.
This is why I asked.

I wanted to read about socks.

 

[Ace Rimmer]

Originally Posted by johnapril

Heading to Khumbu in the winter. Ospery Aether 70 liter pack and a pair of goretex boots.

Cool, let us know how it goes. I may be there in 2011. Buddy of mine is on temporary assignment in China and we are planning to go to Lhasa in the summer. I want to take a tour trip to Everest Base Camp -- but I will NOT be going into the Khumbu ice fall!

 

[Vintage Gent]

Picture last summer from day hike up to the Lakes of the Clouds in Colorado:



Another from the same trip, a hike up Mt. Elbert:



Early next year, I'm going to do a five-day thru-hike of the Lone Star Trail. And next summer, my son and I are going to tackle about half of the Kungsleden in the Swedish Arctic.

 

[Johnny_5]

Great pics and thanks for posting Gent.