^ haha i hope youre joking.

Im a LNT advocate as well but carrying out poop and pee is a little extreme. Maybe there are some environmental concerns on the Colorado that require it though.

4/12/2010 10:11:44 AM

Quote :

"haha i hope youre joking."

he is, i assure you

Quote :

"Maybe there are some environmental concerns on the Colorado that require it though."

maybe, but i can't imagine what those concerns might be...the number of people that might be leaving their waste in that area, while possibly higher than many other places, is likely insignificant in regards to the environmental processes in place that degrade and remove contaminants from the area...animals poop and pee, nature can handle it

*shrug*

4/12/2010 10:17:11 AM

litterbug

4/12/2010 10:50:22 AM

can someone make me a noobie's list for first time camping..links/websites will help too!

i already have a backpack and sleeping bag.

4/12/2010 12:23:50 PM

where will you be camping and what time of year?

4/12/2010 1:29:12 PM

Quote :

"maybe, but i can't imagine what those concerns might be...the number of people that might be leaving their waste in that area, while possibly higher than many other places, is likely insignificant in regards to the environmental processes in place that degrade and remove contaminants from the area...animals poop and pee, nature can handle it "

over 20,000 people per year raft the grand canyon, most of that concentrated in the summer months and sharing the same camp sites. Do you really think there are 20,000 deer pissing and shitting all over the Grand Canyon in the same 10 locations? Deserts are pretty fragile and waste lasts a loooooong time out there, merrily poisoning its surroundings all the while.

and yes it is required by law to pack out poop, looks like you can pee in the river but IIRC some people pack it out anyway

Quote :

"It is the responsibility of each boat party to remove its solid human waste from the canyon. A human waste carry-out system will accompany all trips on the river. This system must contain washable, reusable, human waste containers approved by Grand Canyon National Park. This system must meet the minimum standard described under Sanitation and Food Preparation or other NPS approved toilet systems. These facilities will be set up in camp and remain until the party breaks camp. A washable reusable container must be accessible during the day. Deposit toilet paper in the main toilet. DO NOT BURN TOILET PAPER. URINATION MUST OCCUR IN THE RIVER OR IN YOUR TOILET. When in the main corridor of the Colorado River, urinate directly in the Colorado River. Go “HIGH and FAR” at least 100 feet from trails, backcountry campsites, and side streams, to urinate at off-river places to avoid the buildup of feces and urine. Due to the impact of high volumes of people visiting the same areas, when hiking away from your river camp, bag all human waste (feces) and bring it back to your river camp and deposit it in your reusable toilet."

4/12/2010 2:38:21 PM

^^Just google for suggestions.

Then, visualize two days' worth of activities for yourself, from waking up til going to sleep. Too many times, I have remembered something like underwear or sunglasses through this process

Below is mine and Z's list; remember that we tend to
1) car camp
2) have longer trips (see #1 + message_topic.aspx?topic=497638)

It's not a comprehensive list nor do we bring everything on it. It's a starting point. I tend to think in a pattern more akin to a spiderweb (as if it were that orderly ) than in a linear fashion, so, for example where it says axe, that will often remind me about something totally unrelated, but more important.

Quote :

"Camping List: - tent+ footprint - sleeping bags - sleeping pads - pillows - sheets - extra blankets (?) - lantern/matches - flashlights/headlamp + batteries - cooking pots (with lids); silverware; dishes? - propane stove? - tarp - axe/mallet - tongs/cooking utensils - tent stake flag things - extra flashlights - saw - toilet paper - toiletries - wet wipes - sunscreen - bug spray - hot pads - silverware - cups - water bottles - bowls/plates - pots/pans - can/bottle opener - star chart - binoculars - camp food bin - hard cooler - matches/lighter - fuel and fire starters - chairs - spare rope - backpacks - battery-powered radio - whistle - compass - jug and/or bucket for water - clothespins - fishing gear, and licenses - reservation information - camp gear box - propane lamp + fuel - single burner stove - camping saw/hatchet/mallet - tarp - shower shoes - tent stake flags - FOOD (popcorn, beans, etc)"

4/12/2010 2:40:54 PM

you forgot a cutting board

and liquor!!!

4/12/2010 2:43:03 PM

hiked panthertown valley yesterday. about 6.5 miles total between the panthertown valley trail and mac's gap trail and peeped a couple waterfalls. it was pretty awesome. i think we may plan a return trip and try to camp there in the near future.

4/12/2010 2:46:02 PM

^^shit. you're right.

Like I said, it's a starting point

4/12/2010 2:47:27 PM

got a couple doubles on that list... but not too bad


I'd add things in there to keep you busy (cards, frisbee, football, etc...)

also, extra socks/underwear/tshirts, camp shoes and hiking shoes (I prefer sandals for camp shoes), extra jacket, gear to wear if it gets 25 degrees colder than you expect (same for 20 degrees hotter), first aide kit, and if you are gonna be car camping, I try to bring a sun shade and sunscreen too



most of the camping I do is car camping, but that is because I don't do much hiking (i really can't after tearing my hamstring)

4/12/2010 3:02:23 PM

nm

[Edited on April 12, 2010 at 3:04 PM. Reason : ]

4/12/2010 3:03:50 PM

thanks for the list guys and please to add any advice/suggestions that would be helpful

and guess i would be a noobie leading other noobies like me on this camping adventure....cant wait

4/12/2010 4:22:29 PM

sooo....where and when are you going?

4/12/2010 4:54:41 PM

oops i thought i posted that but "OH SHIT" happened and i must have forgotten

UP, Michigan...sometime in May/June
Havent decided exactly where in UP but i have heard of couple places which are amazing. I did a road trip to UP last summer and loved it so i wanna go back and camp this year!

4/12/2010 5:05:05 PM

I'm a total noob at camping on my own, but did quite a bit of it as a kid with my family...

I'd like to go camping for a couple nights but I have no idea where to start... Here's some of what I'm looking for:

1) Secluded - I don't want to have to listen to drunk dudes hanging around their campfire all night
2) Has restrooms (I know, probably incompatible with #1)
3) No bears, or at least not many
4) Hiking trails and scenic water (river/lake/waterfall/etc)
5) Within a 6 hr. drive of Raleigh

I know it would be hard to satisfy all those requirements, but does anyone have any suggestions?

4/12/2010 5:18:46 PM

I live right by the Uwharries and it sounds like what you're looking for.

4/12/2010 5:37:15 PM

pisgah in the part west of boone. no bathrooms though.

4/12/2010 5:38:56 PM

^^ thanks, that does look pretty cool... I found this campsite which looks awesome!

http://www.cs.unca.edu/nfsnc/recreation/uwharrie/badin_lake_campground.htm


But then I started wondering.... What's wrong with Jordan Lake? Has anyone camped there?

4/12/2010 6:05:41 PM

Quote :

"waste lasts a loooooong time out there"

exactly the opposite, actually...waste products break down much much faster in arid climates, especially those with high UV saturation, than they do in humid (or more humid, anyway) climates...UV and heat are GREAT sterilizers

i do get your point about the concentration of waste, though...except that i don't know about you, but when i'm actually DOING something, my waste production is easily cut in half (if not by 2/3)...i'd be more concerned about the concentration of biological material in the river than the desert, though

the colorado moves something around 3,000 gallons per SECOND on average...over the course of a year, that's movement of almost 95 BILLION gallons of water...20,000 adult humans taking dumps every other day (for how many days? a week? two, on average?) are insignificant

really, the only reason they want you to pack it out is so that it doesn't sit there and stink up the place...i quite honestly doubt it's protection of the ecosystem so much as the protection of a main attraction (which is still important, don't get me wrong)

if we're talking about the water, i'd be more concerned about the nuclear waste seepage that comes from (or came, i'm not sure about its current condition) the moab site...you can filter out poop, you can't filter out radiation

i, for one, won't pack out my crap (literally)

[Edited on April 12, 2010 at 10:31 PM. Reason : my figures might be off by a bit, but i don't think it's by much, comparatively]

4/12/2010 10:28:23 PM

Quote :

"But then I started wondering.... What's wrong with Jordan Lake? Has anyone camped there?""

the Shinleaf campground at Falls is actually pretty nice for a quick one-night jaunt - some pretty nice campsites there, just avoid popular weekends

4/12/2010 10:50:20 PM

CAMPING OPPORTUNITY:

Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival of Music and Dance
Silk Hope, NC, April 22-25
45 minutes west of Raleigh
http://www.shakorihills.org

Tickets range in price and can be purchased for one day or several - see the website
Woods tent camping ($10) or field/vehicle camping ($60) are a one-time cost
Site has port-a-potties (well maintained), hot showers, and food vendors.
No alcohol sold on site, no open consumption of alcohol (had to be in cup or coozie), no dogs

[Edited on April 12, 2010 at 10:59 PM. Reason : ]

4/12/2010 10:58:41 PM

I'm camping in Old Fort this weekend... my first time in a decade

4/12/2010 11:41:48 PM

Anyone have any specific suggestions for Utah?

Im in the early planning stages for a trip out there in late september - early October. (Is this too late for slot canyon hiking?)

Canyonlands NP
Bryce Canyon NP
Zion NP
and Capitol Reef NP are all on my radar.

Im looking for 30+ mile backcountry trips. I'd prefer something thats not too busy.

This would be my first time in the "desert" too. So if anyone has good experiences on how hard water was to find, slot canyon hiking/safety, or other things that would be different from backpacking in North Carolina, lemme know.

[Edited on April 13, 2010 at 9:37 AM. Reason : I'm also open to going to other parks out west]

4/13/2010 9:30:02 AM

^ sounds like a very cool trip...ive always wanted to hike slot canyons. Getting stuck and flash floods are the most common risks from what I know and read, besides the obvious twisting an ankle and other injuries. Will you be going alone? Probably wouldnt do slot canyons by yourself.

I really like Zion and Bryce Canyon and the weather should be fine around then....I was in Zion in late May and it was a bit chilly but nothing ridiculous. It did snow a little a few days before we got there. Also stayed at Coral Pink Sands which is pretty cool for its scenery (pink sand everywhere!) but there isnt much backpacking there.

4/13/2010 9:43:02 AM

how gross is a mulch toilet?

4/13/2010 10:26:42 AM

^^Yeah, Im thinking slot canyons will be out of the question b/c of the time of year. I think the weather will be cooler, and the water in the canyon will just be too cold to hike through.


This is my post grad school trip so Im also open to other backpackig trip suggestions both in the US and abroad (although my budget is limited) It will still be around the same time (sept-oct). Like I said, Im just beginning to plan and try to figure out a place to go.



^Im not even sure what that is? I just know to stay away from the mulch toilet paper.

[Edited on April 13, 2010 at 10:31 AM. Reason : .]

4/13/2010 10:30:24 AM

late Sept is a great time to visit Yellowstone if you have never been. The traffic and crowds are much smaller and you can get a backpacking pass pretty easily. The elk are out and about with mating so you can hear them calling and most the of the wildlife are still active. The only downside is it can get pretty chilly at night.

4/13/2010 11:21:16 AM

Anyone ever though of (or actually done) staying out in the wilderness for a while? I'm kinda feeling a little Thoreau-ish lately.

4/13/2010 11:24:13 AM

^^yeah, that would def be an awesome option. I was wondering about it and yosemite (never been to either) and some other spots I've been eyeing in the Sierras and the Elk Range.

But like you said I was worried about temps and snowfall? A little light snow and temps at night in the 20s doesn't scare me off, but thats about as much as I'll tolerate, especially on a 3+ day trip.
Early September and I think I would be fine?

^Thought about it but never acted on it.



Dixie National Forest near Bryce canyon is actually my front runner right now. Its been sorta frustrating looking info up online, It seems like most of the park info caters to dayhikers and 4wd trails/camping (which would be awesome but I lack the needed equipment).

I've actually been impressed that some parts of these Utah parks aren't really accessible except by 4wd, that kind of remoteness is just not something you find over here on the east coast.

4/13/2010 12:02:16 PM

^^ I'm doing it this summer with two other buddies. We'll be blogging about the juxtaposition of working corporate jobs while living in the wilderness. we'll also be doing a sort of http://drunkencookingshow.com/ type show, but for camping/backpacking food that you can make outdoors or with ingredients you can find outdoors. (at least in Oregon). we're about 80% go right now.

4/13/2010 12:46:58 PM

Did you guys buy property for this? Sounds interesting, you should def start a thread when the time comes

4/13/2010 12:51:28 PM

^we're currently in talks with a few farms and logging companies to secure a place to stay.

4/13/2010 12:52:34 PM

Quote :

"how gross is a mulch toilet?"

Only gross when it reaches the top ....but really, it just depends on what you think gross is. I'm more of a fan of just dropping a load in the woods in one of many squating positions. I have been thinking about buying one, if not two portable toilet seats..lol

4/13/2010 1:28:10 PM

i bought one those and these people made fun of me hardcore, but fuck em. it's great for car camping in the middle of nowhere. it's way easier than squatting or hanging from a tree.

the kind i have is just a toilet seat on legs, no container underneath...although i think you can use bags w/ it if you wanted.

[Edited on April 13, 2010 at 2:01 PM. Reason : ]

4/13/2010 2:00:58 PM

I know, i was one of those people making fun of you!!!

in good fun of course.

poop your own poop

[Edited on April 13, 2010 at 4:29 PM. Reason : d]

4/13/2010 4:28:36 PM

asshole

4/13/2010 4:30:30 PM

Quote :

"I'm more of a fan of just dropping a load in the woods in one of many squating positions. "

LOL, remember the ones we heard about ... the Skyler ... the Shadowcast ... etc

4/13/2010 4:58:15 PM

^,^^

4/13/2010 5:10:37 PM

Quote :

"I have been thinking about buying one, if not two portable toilet seats..lol"

better make it two ... what if one breaks? you don't want to end up as a tragic story on the evening news.

4/13/2010 5:16:31 PM

I prefer the pilot-to-bombardier, so me and TheBullDoza can just lean back and use each others backs for support.

4/13/2010 5:31:55 PM

LOL...nice^

Nothing like taking a shit next to your bff or a stranger and playing cribage...believe this is up in ME or NH



[Edited on April 13, 2010 at 7:49 PM. Reason : d]

4/13/2010 7:48:03 PM

omg you two are cracking me up IRL @ work

terd, contact a ranger at some of these parks! They will LOVE to help you out with the information you're after. I see this both from the official communications of the parks (twitter, facebook), personal experience, and personal blogs of rangers.

One such blog that you might find topical right now is http://arches.wordpress.com/

[Edited on April 13, 2010 at 8:06 PM. Reason : asd]

4/13/2010 8:03:48 PM

i don't let tww get under my skin anymore, but you know what? i'm making an exception. fuck yall. i actually had some tiny grain of respect and thought you were nice people. go to hell.

don't feed me any more of that "oh it's in good fun" bullshit. it's not in good fun because you keep pushing it.

leave me the fuck alone.

4/13/2010 10:51:57 PM

wat??

4/13/2010 11:02:11 PM

fair enough...mooooving on.

4/13/2010 11:04:14 PM

DAMNNNNNNN 73 sure can hold a grudge!!!

4/13/2010 11:06:32 PM

Quote :

"Canyonlands NP"

researched going here while I was in Moab, but just didn't have the time - but the backcountry hiking looked exceptional

if you have the time, swing by Arches and check out the Devil's Garden trail (about 2 hours) and Fiery Furnace - have to be really careful about getting turned around in there, but there's some great canyon scenery

4/13/2010 11:07:49 PM

4/13/2010 11:10:53 PM

lets play nice guys...

Ive always wanted to go to Arches...need to check that out next time Im out west. I think I read somewhere that the arches are starting to collapse and soon there wont be many of them left to see?

4/13/2010 11:11:02 PM