WhiteBlaze Pages 2024
A Complete Appalachian Trail Guidebook.
AVAILABLE NOW. $4 for interactive PDF(smartphone version)
Read more here WhiteBlaze Pages Store

Page 1 of 3 1 2 3 LastLast
Results 1 to 20 of 56
  1. #1
    Registered User
    Join Date
    12-09-2016
    Location
    Sanford, NC
    Age
    45
    Posts
    564

    Default Stashing the pack

    I have always made it a habit to drop my pack a few yard off trail when I take a short side trail for water or to scout a camping spot. I never worried about my stuff, but last month I was hiking with my brother and he looked at me like I was crazy. If you saw a pack left at a trail crossing would you assume the owner is coming back for it? Is there a sign I should leave, like a shirt in a car window?
    You can walk in another person's shoes, but only with your feet

  2. #2
    Registered User
    Join Date
    09-24-2012
    Location
    Murrayville, Georgia
    Age
    58
    Posts
    172

    Default

    I'm a hiker. I assume the owner is coming back. Especially if it is left near a side trail or water trail. I wouldn't do this within a couple of miles of a road crossing.

    When you say you drop it off a "few yards" I take this to mean 15 to 20 feet and likely on the other side of a tree from the trail. I think this is a reasonable precaution if you are going to hike a quarter mile downhill to get water.

  3. #3

    Default

    I'll stash my pack off into the woods if I'm going to a store a bit down the road. I'll walk a 100 feet up the trail, makes sure no one is watching and stash it so it can't be seen from the trail. And hope I remember where I put it

    If it's just to go get water, I'll leave it leaning against a tree at the trail junction. Most of the people that might come by already know me and the pack. Of course, you don't want to do this in an area where there is a lot of bear activity. That's how packs get "stolen".
    Follow slogoen on Instagram.

  4. #4
    GSMNP 900 Miler
    Join Date
    02-25-2007
    Location
    Birmingham, AL
    Age
    57
    Posts
    4,861
    Journal Entries
    1
    Images
    5

    Default

    While I don't know about the bulk of the AT, in certain locals, technically leaving a pack unattended is illegal.

    Well... not so much as leaving a pack unattended, but leaving food unattended. The scenario places like GSMNP is trying to avoid is a bear finding the pack.

  5. #5
    Registered User
    Join Date
    08-27-2015
    Location
    Parkersburg, WV
    Age
    50
    Posts
    522

    Default

    No way. I ALWAYS keep it with me. I tend to go very light so it's not such a big deal, but I ain't taking a chance. What if I slide off the Blue Blaze and break my ass?

  6. #6
    Registered User
    Join Date
    03-25-2014
    Location
    Westchester County, NY
    Posts
    2,305

    Default

    Chipmunks can bore a hole in a pack in no time flat.

  7. #7

    Default

    Yep it is what hikers do .... I would assume you were off to the loo


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  8. #8
    Registered User
    Join Date
    06-02-2011
    Location
    Neptune Beach, Fl
    Age
    49
    Posts
    6,238

    Default

    Hell no....asking for trouble....if carrying a bear can and the can was well hidden that's ok...but not any delicate things such as a pack and it's contents!


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  9. #9
    Registered User Sandy of PA's Avatar
    Join Date
    11-10-2011
    Location
    Apollo, PA
    Age
    66
    Posts
    664
    Images
    2

    Default

    My pack goes into the bushes with me, never unattended.

  10. #10

    Default

    A bear can run away with an unattended pack in seconds. Take it with you every time.

  11. #11
    Registered User
    Join Date
    12-09-2016
    Location
    Sanford, NC
    Age
    45
    Posts
    564

    Default Stashing the pack

    I'm embarrassed now. I figured my brother was worried about bipedal thieves. Never thought of the other trail critters. I'll be hanging my food while I take side trips in the future. Thanks WB!!
    You can walk in another person's shoes, but only with your feet

  12. #12
    In the shadows AfterParty's Avatar
    Join Date
    05-11-2016
    Location
    Norton, Kansas
    Age
    43
    Posts
    490
    Journal Entries
    1
    Images
    12

    Default

    That's like leaving a BMW running with keys in it. I paid way to much for my gear to be left unattended. Plus if you break a leg or slice open yourself your shelter and first aid kit are now not with you. Its irresponsible and opens up your situation to Murphy. Or a bear runs off with your rain gear.
    Hiking the AT is “pointless.” What life is not “pointless”? Is it not pointless to work paycheck to paycheck just to conform?.....I want to make my life less ordinary. AWOL

  13. #13
    Registered User
    Join Date
    12-09-2016
    Location
    Sanford, NC
    Age
    45
    Posts
    564

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by AfterParty View Post
    That's like leaving a BMW running with keys in it. I paid way to much for my gear to be left unattended. Plus if you break a leg or slice open yourself your shelter and first aid kit are now not with you. Its irresponsible and opens up your situation to Murphy. Or a bear runs off with your rain gear.
    We may part ways here. I didn't pay way too much for any of my gear and I don't, as a rule, carry anything into the woods that I can't afford to lose. I also don't take on a dangerous scramble without my gear, so my risk of injury while looking for water or a campsite is probably minimal. And yes, I know I just jinxed my next trip.
    You can walk in another person's shoes, but only with your feet

  14. #14
    Registered User
    Join Date
    03-25-2014
    Location
    Westchester County, NY
    Posts
    2,305

    Default

    Maybe you can afford to lose it from a monetary standpoint, but if it's cool and it starts raining while you're taking care of business and you come back to your pack to get your $12 FroggToggs jacket and your pack is gone, you could find yourself in a pile of $#!+ much larger than the one you just left in the cathole!

    It ain't just about the money... just sayin'...

  15. #15
    Registered User StubbleJumper's Avatar
    Join Date
    01-23-2007
    Location
    Constant Amazement
    Posts
    512

    Default

    I must say that I'm gobsmacked by some of the posts in this thread. Leaving your overnight gear in a lean-to while you're day hiking is a routine practice in the Adirondacks. People tend to hike 5 or so miles into the park, stow their pack in the lean-to, and then head out to bag a few peaks. After their day hike, they return to the lean-to, and set up camp for the night. If you don't leave food in your pack, bears and other critters have no interest in it. And my experience is that the few other hikers who have gone to the trouble of hiking 5 miles in from the trailhead are already carrying more weight than they typically want, and so they have no interest in stealing your gear and adding to their own weight.

    Personally, when I'm in the 'dacks I don't worry about it at all. I always hike with a day-pack containing the 10 essentials, my car keys and my cash. I've never had a problem with people or critters messing with my main pack, but I guess there's always a risk that I could return to the lean-to and find that my overnight gear is missing. But even at that, the worst outcome would be a walk back to my car with my headlamp and the need to drop $1,000 or so on some new gear.

  16. #16

    Join Date
    05-05-2011
    Location
    state of confusion
    Posts
    9,866
    Journal Entries
    1

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by soumodeler View Post
    A bear can run away with an unattended pack in seconds. Take it with you every time.
    +

    And losing $1000 -2000 of gear, would really ruin most peoples day, week, or year. Theres really no excuse to be lazy.

  17. #17

    Default

    I may be guilty of dropping my pack to bag a peak real quick. But I always felt uneasy about it. It nice when someone doesnt want to make the climb and volunteers to hang back with the packs. On a thru hike. I'd be real addiment about keeping my gear close. After all it's my only possessions

    Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

  18. #18
    GA-ME 2011
    Join Date
    03-17-2007
    Location
    Baltimore, MD
    Age
    66
    Posts
    3,069
    Images
    9

    Default

    Met a guy on the trail near Sunfish Pond who was looking for his pack. Seems he was fishing and had hid his pack near the trail. He came back to get it and a bear was routing through it, the bear took off with the pack.

    Not only do I always take my pack with me including going off trail for a bathroom break or going for water. Even if I'm going into a grocery store or restaurant I take it if allowed. if not I try to be where I can at least keep an eye on it. I also keep it in my tent at night. That being said when I was thru-hiking I would leave it with other thru-hikers I knew, but never with someone I didn't.
    "Chainsaw" GA-ME 2011

  19. #19

    Default

    I remember a guy telling me how he did that, and then he saw a bear as he was walking back to his pack. Never again. Personally, I wouldn't trust my pack out of my sight.

  20. #20
    Registered User Moosling's Avatar
    Join Date
    06-04-2015
    Location
    Burlington, North Carolina.
    Age
    38
    Posts
    201
    Images
    7

    Default

    No way ready too many stories about bears running off with packs, like others have said mice, squirrels, chipmunks would get in there in seconds if you left a snack in a pocket. I wonder if the heat from wearing it would attract ticks as well?


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Page 1 of 3 1 2 3 LastLast
++ New Posts ++

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •