Bass Pro Auburn , hiking gear questions

[Nomad]

Our oldest daughter has really gotten into hiking , and has two trips planned for out West this summer .

She needs some new gear, a new day pack with hydration , rain gear and some odds and ends . I'm far from impressed with the selections in Rochester' s stores, limited day packs even fewer women's packs and so on . I really wish they'd build that REI store here soon .

So before we make the run to Auburn, if there are any hikers , backpackers here who,are familiar with their selection , any help would be appreciated.

[jmark]

I'm not a "serious" hiker (have never done the full AT, for example), but for years I hiked at least five miles on trails before work every morning, hiked 12-15 most Sundays, and did longer hikes in the mountains when possible.  I got out my gear the other day since April is about here and I plan to start up again.

I don't know about Bass Pro for hiking gear.  I mostly purchase mine from REI or various direct online sources.  I'd be very wary.  The last thing you want is a pair of boots falling apart halfway into a hike, or pack strap breaking or a latch malfunctioning.  It's like gun gear, buy once, cry once. 

What kind of hiking is she planning?  Are we talking day hikes, weekends, or long distance?  Where out West? 

Hiking gear is highly personal.  The most important items, in my view, are, in order of importance: boots, clothes (including underclothes), pack (many varieties, preferences vary dramatically), rain gear, sleeping bag, shelter, cookware, everything else. Well, and poles.  I used to laugh at them, but now I wouldn't hit the trail without them. 

I would seriously take a drive to an REI.  

Some brands I like are: Gossamer Gear, Six Moon Designs, Big Sky, Mountain Laurel, Tarptent, Lightheart, many others.  My boots for day hikes are Merrill Moabs, for distances, Asolo TPS 520's (awesome boots, be sure to get good insoles).  I have many tents, but mostly prefer my Tarptent Rainbow - very light but can be free-standing, which can be important out west.  A variety of packs, all of which have hydration pockets, but mostly prefer my Granite Gear Blaze.  I cook only with alcohol stoves, mine are homemade from cat food tins, weigh nothing, burn silently; many commercial varieties available.  I ONLY wear "tech clothes" while hiking, expensive but worth it.  And a good hat - essential!  

Anyway, surely more than you asked or wanted to hear.  It's a subject I'm passionate about.  I know she'll have fun.

jmark

[Nomad]

I love REI been to the flagship store in Seattle a few times, they were to build one here, don't know what  Happened . Ya hard to,order  clothes, boots and packs online . She's set with boots and clothes needs GOOD rain gear and a new day pack that fits a women's frame .

In May she'll be hiking in Oregon and Wash. State , she has friends  there and has hiked there before.

July her and two friends will be in Montana hiking in and around Glacier National Park .  Day hikes only. But when you consider that 80% of back country search and rescues are for day hikers , you can understand the importance of skills and  gear.  Most of those are for tender foots who just set off without telling anyone where they are going and when they'll be back, have next to no gear or knowledge .

Agree clothes are your first line "shelter " rain gear a must as are good broken in boots  She also has a sil tarp and cordage . Those puppies are not cheap, I bought her one for $100, but it's a very packable and provides shelter for two

I ve backspaced and canoed all,over North America , from the Yukon to the ADK's . I like to think I've taught her some skills, and we'll be out in my hunting woods, rigging the trap and making fires soon . 

Shes a RN and has some med skills, although not wilderness based. I work as a FF and emt, So I have a lot of first on scene  treatment of injuries where as hers is after they're stabilized and in the hospital .

 

Thanks for the thought out reply and gear company list .

[Lawdwaz]

Nice to have your daughter somewhat following in your boots. 

I've never been to a REI store and also wish one would come to town.  For years now I've been a customer of EMS locally.  I have a very nice down bag of there's that is still in excellent shape although a bit snug. (I was a thinner fat ass then).  I bought an Osprey 48 pack from them last summer that I've used numerous times since and it fits me good and seems durable. 

I look forward to updates on the trips.

[growalot]

I have the worst time with hiking boots and shoes but I have to say if her hiking is to have her bringing two pairs of foot wear have her try Dansko sneakers...they are water proof  and I am so hard on shoes it's unbelievable ..takes a very short time for me to wear them out and have my feet killing me...Not in these it's been heaven wearing Dansko ..I wish they had a hiking boot/work boot line https://www.dansko.com/Womens/Footwear/View All/Paisley/Black Suede

If she is doing over nights and is looking at hammock camping I just bought a great light well made double.  packs the size of a roll of toilet paper and has a 660 pound rating. Fnova...but they have ones with the bug net attached....

[Nomad]

I really should check out EMS , I forgot about them . Heres a few pics from  past hikes. The Mrs. Is always saying " stay away for the edges !!" 

Edited March 26, 2017 by Larry302

[jmark]

Wow.  Great pics!  Obviously you guys have plenty of experience and knowledge.  Very handsome family, too.  

If she has boots and basic clothes down, maybe she should pick up a pack and other gear out there after arriving?  I did that on one trip into the Colorado Rockies - bought most of my gear at the Phoenix REI, which was a really nice store, then headed north.  Still have some of that old gear, including my old Trailwise backpack (which I later learned was Colin Fletcher's favorite).  

Anyway, I can't answer about Bass Pro, other than, I bought a pair of boots for my son there, and the lace hooks ripped off within a month.  I imagine they have some ok stuff, but I don't think REI would sell anything that crappy.  

 

 

 

 

[46rkl]

Try Medved over on Monroe Ave in Pittsford. Really excellent, knowledgeable staff. They carry a great selection of hiking shoes/boots and know how to fit you right.. Not cheap but your feet are no place to skimp if you want to enjoy your trips..

[jmark]

BTW, EMS filed for  bankruptcy last month.  IMO they never could get it right, which is unfortunate, as REI could use some competition.  But I gave up on EMS years ago.

http://fortune.com/2017/02/06/eastern-mountain-sports-ems-bankruptcy/

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Nomad]

Well a 46er! Tip,of the hat ! That's a good idea she should check out the stores out West. 

Im tossing around the idea of a really remote canoe trip in the AK or Yukon when I turn 60 in a couple years .Been ,many years since I flipped a canoe in a cold River 100 miles from any road, my wife may even foot the bill for that ......

oh and you can see she's into photography , thanks to,that Wooly character for some advice ! 

Early '80's we backpacked the San Juan MTNs in Colorado outside of Durango . Fun trip my buddy used his Dad's old pack from IDK the '50's ? It was an A frame pack , the frame looked like rebar ! Solid metal about 1/2 inch thick with a canvas bag . One of the  straps was broke so,he used doubled up clothes line !!!! We did ten miles a day and it was hard to,keep,up,with him ! We were not really ultra light no,tracers , but that guy could survive anywhere .

trailhead pic . And yes we traveled across multiple states with loaded handguns .... ah youth , young and dumb.

Edited March 27, 2017 by Larry302

[jmark]

Ha.  I respect the ultra-lighters, but it ain't my thing.  I'll take some ultra-light stuff when it works for me (alcohol stoves), but I like a little comfort.  Life is all about compromises.  I'll go a little slower, stop a little earlier, and sleep a little later.  

My son and I did the Allagash a couple of years ago.  Amazing.  We stopped counting Bald Eagles on Day 3, at 15.  Moose, waterfalls, great fly fishing, Brook Trout, fun rapids... But as awesome as it was, it ain't the Yukon, not even close.  Someday maybe.  

I'm much less ambitious, contemplating the Long Trail thru Vermont maybe next year.  The bears are not as scary, and no rattlesnakes.  

 

 

[Nomad]

That's why ,I liked canoe trips can bring a lot,of gear. Food, booze , shotguns ( pretty much standard in Grizzly country ) . Portage sucked though .

We'd bring steaks and potatoes for the first night , fishing gear, guns totes full of food. Ran out of food once on the Missinaibi River in Ontario, that kinda sucked  we really went to light depending on fish after that we went heavy . The Missinaibi claims a few life's a year . Hell of a first canoe trip....

the Yukon River is a really boring River , mostly flat, but rich in history and many old mines and camps and such along the river . No need to go that far unless you want the remoteness and  history .

As far as Rapids and good rivers , Ontario has much to,offer , and close !

Edited March 27, 2017 by Larry302

[46rkl]

Larry302, that is a great picture! That could be me and my buddies in 1980 as we did some hiking/climbing in the San Juans that summer. Isn't it amazing how we managed to survive in blue jeans and cotton T-shirts? Modern gear is a huge advantage. 

By the way, I heartily endorse that rafting trip in Alaska! Try the Hulahula River in ANWR. It runs from the North side of the Brooks Range up to the Arctic Ocean near the native village of Kattovik where you can catch a commercial flight back to Fairbanks. Incredible trip. You deserve to treat yourself at 60. I'm working on my plan for  summer  of '18 as I turn 60  Gotta make the most of it, I'm constantly amazed that I've made it this far and I'm betting you think the same way. 

Slower, but definitely smarter.

[jmark]

Blue jeans.  Ridiculous, but we all wore them.  Crappy scan of old pic, but here's me, on the trail up to Lake Isabelle, in the Indian Peaks Wilderness, 1976.  Carrying an absolutely absurd amount of weight, on that old Trailwise pack.  We actually had canned food in the packs.  And Svea 123's.  And "botas" full of wine.  But we camped a week at the Lake (you could camp there back then), doing day trips up the glaciers.  Lucky I survived.  Stupid kids...