:lol: OK, this is a question about GPS units. the basic question is how much map can one store in 8Mb. I am trying to buy a first GPS unit and have it narrowed between two units...garmin's etrex legend, and magellian's meridian gold. I like the smaller size of the etrex but it only has half the meme...

Yah, I know about not having signal in the backcountry...I am getting one as a mostly general emargency tool when traveling by car, biking and having it hiking seems like a good tool to have. Thanks for the caution on expiring minutes, I checked in on this very closly. Tracphone was the only one I c...

OK, But before you march off with your torches and pitch forcks for a good o'l fashined lynching....and before I am pummeled with what heritic and blasfemer would take a cell phone hiking... :lol: :lol: I truly only want one for emergencies...hey, I dont like the phone when I'm home. so I'm not thin...

I use the origional thermorest inflatable. (notice a trend here) It has survived for 6 years including a trip through Europe and other extended use options.

I have to agree, LED head lamps are the way to go. Bright, light and last a long time.

I dont know...I am still trying to teach my stick some nice tricks...It plays dead pretty well but I cant get it to sit or roll over for the life of me. :lol: :lol: Dogs on trails are kind of a pain in my eyes. but I do have a soft side for someone out with their dog enjoying it all. Bottom line is ...

dw and I are in the beginning stages of planning a grand canyon rim to rim hike. I'm sure that someone on this esteemed board has stayed at Phantom Ranch while doing a grand canyon trip...I kind of think its morally wrong to even think about staying in a hotel on such a nice hike (rim to rim), but m...

come on guys, you can tell me I am into having secrete areas and such but I do like to share my findings with close friends that I know have good ethecs and wont develope a McDonalds on the spot. but I would rather leave the vast majority in ignorance

I am generally trying to escape the confines of time when I go out. The sun tells me when to start and when to stop...I have a watch but never look at it.

Hay, dont knock the air mattress I was living in a tent for a few months in northern utah and everything I owned was in the car...at the time a late 80's Comaro...gave new meaning to car camping. anyway, that air matress is sure cumfy after a month of thin mats.

Great, I just switched brands to Acuview 2 soft type that are much more comfortable. I find glasses to be a major pain to deal with....although they are better than being blind.

Thanks for the tips. Sounds like I am doing about the same. I will have to check into the optifree type though...I would like a bit more comfort.

I just found this fine site and have to say I AM IMPESSED...For those of you involved...KOODOS TO YOU!!! My very first question :lol: is for those that are somewhat visually impared ie. need contacts to see more than 3 feet away. How do you handle dirt and contacts and such in multi-day trips. I get...

This type of behavier is really sad. I am ashamed to say that when ever I am in the mountains with my own dad...I feel like a freaking janitor. Thats right picking up pop cans, plastic, and even his smelly cigarette butts. sick what my own blood does!!!

Summed up best by those above! It all depends on you. best thing is to do something easy 1-2 nighter first in very familiar ground...I think one of my friends and I started overnighters when I was in the 10-11 year age group.

OHHH, This is a subject that just burns me too...Being the poor college student I am, I have to make every dollar stretch to the maximum. In my case, I cannot afford to pay $20 bucks here and 20 bucks there and 20 bucks overther...when my entire budget has a 20 doller hiking limit...and that goes fo...