Outdoors Thread

[gravedigger07]

This is for all you outdoor junkies. Whether that be rock climbing, kayaking, biking, fishing, backpacking, etc. This is a place for pictures of trips, stories, anything that has to do with the outdoors.

[gravedigger07]

With that being said, are there any trad climbers on ants?

[chevman]

i worked as a backcountry ranger for the us forest service for 5 years.

i climbed occasionally (maybe once a month) while on the job, and then we would always do fall climbing trips that ended in vegas (red rocks) and so-cal (j-tree, mojave).

i was always a rookie at it, my buddies usually led the routes and set the pro. i manned the belay station and made sure our bong made it up safely.

[john baptiste]

i went white water rafting for the first time this summer. it was awesome.

[WoodstockAimee]

I want to get belay certified again. There is a really cool place not too far in Alabama where I can go cave repelling. That's my next adventure.

[GLR87]

i've been backpacking on the A.T. a few times and loved it, i could really go for a nice mountain biking trip

[WoodstockAimee]

still trying to get into mbx...thinking of moving to an apt right next to a mbx trail system! oh ya, you're the AT guy. I've been on there alot myself. It's my heaven on earth.

[gravedigger07]

This summer I finally get to work for an outfitter and guide climbing and kayaking trips...I cant wait.

[WoodstockAimee]

so far away though! Bet you get good experience out there in CO

[tractor]

it's been far too long since I have rock climbed. miss it. I too am belay certified.

[mr.MikeD]

I do a fair amount of outdoors stuff, hiking, biking and backpacking mostly. I did a trip in the Himalayas this year, trekking in the Langtang/Gosainkund region of Nepal. Living close to the rockies, I get out when I can for scrambles and such.

I work as a geologist, so I've spent a lot of time in some pretty remote places in BC, Alaska.
Haven't climbed in years, and wasn't good when I did. Looking to get into canoeing to do some weekend to week long trips.

[Voittaa]

Alpine.

[PilotC150]

I'm planning on getting SCUBA certified this winter.

[AlanA4]

I think either this summer or next my brother, my best friend and I are gonna take a month to go backpacking through New Zealand. Has anyone done this and know any good routes. Right now I'm thinking about maybe trying about not necessarily moving every day but having some time to enjoy the cities also. Anyone have any ideas?

[krbarrett77]

I bowhunt. And the season opens Wednesday, so saying I'm excited is a big understatement. Lots of times people get upset when the hunters post in these threads though. It IS an outdoor sport/hobby/pastime, whatever you want to call it though.

[PilotC150]

I can respect bow hunters more than gun hunters.

Now if you tell me that you don't just sit in a tree stand and that you actually track the animals, then I'll give you even more credit.

[emp88]

well i just hiked mount katahdin yesterday..pretty much like rock climbing, haha ahhh it was rather intense, i had no idea what i was in for. but truly amazing!

[otsegoflake]

My friends and I are planning to hit the AT next year.

[chevman]

Originally Posted by AlanA4

I think either this summer or next my brother, my best friend and I are gonna take a month to go backpacking through New Zealand. Has anyone done this and know any good routes. Right now I'm thinking about maybe trying about not necessarily moving every day but having some time to enjoy the cities also. Anyone have any ideas?

i spent a winter (nz summer) on the south island. started in nelson (at the north end of the south island), and worked my way around the island in a counter-clockwise fashion, ending up back in nelson about two months later. i would recommend that to anyone.

you can also get cheap flights from nz to fiji.

[krbarrett77]

Originally Posted by PilotC150

I can respect bow hunters more than gun hunters.

Now if you tell me that you don't just sit in a tree stand and that you actually track the animals, then I'll give you even more credit.

I got into this with someone before, it's really not that realistic. Bow range is 50m max for an ethical shot, MOST animals will smell you way before 50m. So unless you use scent block (which I am against and I'd imagine you are too), you could spend all day. Which, believe me, I'd love to do, but I can't tramp around the woods scenting everything up when I've got such a limited space, otherwise I wouldn't see a deer this season and maybe even next. This type of hunting is realistic in Alaska or big sky country in the western U.S...but not in central Illinois where people get pissed if you cross property lines.

Instead, in Fall I hang my stand or set my blind in a spot where I've seen a lot of animal sign while scouting that summer. I hang trail cams on the property and narrow down which deer are old enough to be taken. I sit in the stand and attempt to pattern the deer's daily movements. And then, in October, when he finally presents me with a clean shot. I attempt...and often fail.

[mr.MikeD]

by "ethical shot" do you mean kill instead of wound?

[Penguins87]

But if i geaux outside then wherezz teh internetzz gonnza b??!???!@!!!111

[PilotC150]

Originally Posted by krbarrett77

I got into this with someone before, it's really not that realistic. Bow range is 50m max for an ethical shot, MOST animals will smell you way before 50m. So unless you use scent block (which I am against and I'd imagine you are too), you could spend all day. Which, believe me, I'd love to do, but I can't tramp around the woods scenting everything up when I've got such a limited space, otherwise I wouldn't see a deer this season and maybe even next. This type of hunting is realistic in Alaska or big sky country in the western U.S...but not in central Illinois where people get pissed if you cross property lines.

FYI, I know guys who bow hunt without scent blockers and without sitting in a tree. You just have to stay downwind. One guy said he was within 10-15 yards of a deer, crouched down in a ditch, and the deer didn't know he was there. He had to pull his bow back and hold it for quite a long time, and it wasn't the kind where the load is descreased on a full pull, until the deer turned for him to take the shot.

[PilotC150]

Originally Posted by Penguins87

But if i geaux outside then wherezz teh internetzz gonnza b??!???!@!!!111

I don't ever do this, but....


fail.

[Penguins87]

Originally Posted by PilotC150

I don't ever do this, but....


fail.

Haha ouch!

But for real i do love kayaking

[john baptiste]

Originally Posted by Penguins87

Haha ouch!

But for real i do love kayaking

i've always wanted to get into kayaking. is it a lake thing or do you have to do it on a river? we're close enough to a lake now that i want to get into some watersports.

[Penguins87]

Rivers for sure man, a lake cant bring the rush that white water does. I live in Alabama so theres not many great rides around but we go up to Tennessee and North Carolina and they have some good starter rides you could look into if you want to get into it

[dmbigeyedphish]

currently teaching a backpacking class

I've done alot of the AT around the damascus area

climbing enthusiast, gear head, whitewater canoe fan, true love is backpacking

[Sou1 So1di3r]

I went outside yesterday..... does that count?

[halloween_dmb41]

Originally Posted by WoodstockAimee

I want to get belay certified again. There is a really cool place not too far in Alabama where I can go cave repelling. That's my next adventure.

Where is this Aimee? (if you dont mind me asking)