marienbad

Alive threads are better than stale threads. I divide my threads up by topic. Buying gear that will last a lifetime and hitchhiking this summer are two separate projects.

Interesting things you all eat! Do you find yourself craving sugar and fat on the trail, or are these just your normal everyday eats?

Water, I may end up traveling with a woman, but not so sure I want to Thanks for the tip about Southern hitching.

Any thoughts on the Exped Downmat or Synmat?

Thanks guys. So Cilogear about McHale in most cases?

I’ve recently heard of using a “pot cozy” to keep things warm after they’re cooked. First of all, are there any out there that are durable but don’t create a lot of mysterious and harmful fumes from heated chemicals? Second, how do you save fuel in the first place? E.g. prevent it all the heat from escaping around the sides of your pot instead of going into it?

As with other equipment, I’m willing to pay what it costs for something that will last so I don’t have to deal with broken equipment and lost investments. I have nearly zero experience with camp stoves, and I know the internet is chock-full of stove fanatics. What are some compact 1-burner stove models (new or classic) that are tried-and-true for durability and for convenience like easy to dis/assemble, stable, and usable in a variety of situations?

Ray Jardine’s PCT Hiker’s Handbook proclaims that the most important part of trail nourishment is the spiritual/psychological component (what’s appetizing), which is easy to agree with, but also makes some dubious fact-claims such as that that tomatoes have more energy than meat. 1. What do you think about the psychological vs calories question? 2. What are your favorite compact/lightweight sources of energy on the trail? I’m a bean-freak at home and a voracious oatmeal-eater too. These both seem like good bets for the long-haul. Disagree?

Fabrics are used in backpacking for all kinds of purposes: packs, clothing, socks, tarps, tents, etc. They all obviously have certain advantageous properties, and a variety of new high-tech fibers have been designed specifically for certain physical characteristics. What are your favorite fabrics for each of the following: -Breathability -Washability -Chemical Resistance -Wind Resistance -Durability/Rip-resistance Any other comments of about cool fabrics for certain purposes?

Forums for Travelers and Couchsurfing As you can see, I’m brand new to this forum. I’m a native of the CA central valley college town of Davis, and have lived in various urban centers of Oregon, Washington, and the CA Bay Area, but I’m completely unaware of the rest of the country. I love the outdoors and I love meeting different kinds of people, so this summer I plan to get acqauinted with my country. I’m preparing now to hitchhike (more or less, including Craigslist rides), using Couchsurfing.com hosts and solo camping. I don’t have any particular destinations in mind except that I want to visit several of the longest-lasting “communes” and I want to eventually come to the head of the Appalacian Trail in Maine for about a week-long backcountry hike. My main task will be soaking up the places and the people I meet, doing sociological/art photography, and (maybe) doing some “interviews” with people about their life stories. What online forums would you recommend for me to talk to folks with similar experiences/mission? I’m also a couchsurfing newbie so I don’t have any “friends”, “vouchers”, or “references”. What was your experience like as a couch-surfing newbie in the USA (if you have been)? Should I expect to get a lot of rejection due to my lack of online track-record?

Obviously the best way to stay clean is to bathe and wash (especially socks) frequently in water. And of course in the backcountry, B.O. doesn’t really matter. But comfort does, and for civilization-dwellers, we get thoroughly used to that “clean feel”, not to mention the rashes/skin irritation and blisters that comes from sweat-soaked and bacteria-filled materials.

I’m very unacquainted with the options in footwear, so I want to ask simply “what’s the most breathable, yet well-fitting and comfortable hiking footwear?" Somehow I’ve never found a sandal I can stand. Even Birkenstocks hurt like HELL. I have small very sweaty feet with wide toes and a high arch.

So far I’ve just tried a few packs, and they all seem to have the same problem: lower-back pain and intense shoulder irritation. If I clip the tiny chest strap across, it digs hard plastic into my sternum. It seems to me that ideally a pack would hug your whole chest so as to transfer as much weight as possible there while reinforcing your back and preventing the pack load from swaying with your gait. Does it exist?

Hi. I’m a new hitchhiker from Davis, CA and I have a problem: I need my beauty sleep. I’m hitchhiking across the country this summer, and while I plan to use Couchsurfing.com as much as possible, I want to have a pad for camping as a backup. Since sleeping comfort is pretty much my top priority, I’m willing to spend up to $300 on a good pad, particularly if it can stand up to abuse all summer. I’m definitely willing to sacrifice weight on the pad if it’s comfortable. I’m 5’9” and 160lbs. What are some of the most comfortable and durable sleeping pad models out there if weight isn’t a big issue? I am going to be hauling it by pack though, so it cannot be too huge!

Hi. I’m a new hitchhiker from Davis, CA and I have a problem: My feet are too sweaty. I get constant redness and irritation, not to mention the smell! The very best socks I have found yet are some so-called US Military socks made of mostly cotton with “silver-containing fibers” that supposedly create an inhospitable environment for bacteria. But they aren’t the best for long hiking; when they get wet, they get bunchy and uncomfortable. In contrast, the most comfortable fit of socks I’ve found are DeFeet Aerators, considered by some folks to be the best socks money can buy. But they are way sweatier and stinkier than my cotton socks. And they could be a little more durable. I’m hitchhiking across the country this summer, so I’ll see lots of heat and humidity. I’m willing to spend up to $20 per pair for socks if they’re comfortable and durable enough to last me all summer. What do you recommend if DeFeet’s fail me?