| Topic: Guns or no: Are you 'packing' when backpacking?, NOT a discussion on gun rights | < Next Oldest | Next Newest > |
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CAHH5775 
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Joined: Mar. 2013
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Posted on: Mar. 08 2013, 11:30 am |
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I'm seeking feedback on the latest post for my trails blog, Heads Up Hiker, an informal poll regarding hikers carrying guns.
Here's the link: http://pvtrib.com/main.as....1262.89
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| Post Number: 2
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High_Sierra_Fan
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Posted on: Mar. 08 2013, 11:48 am |
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I always pack:
A bear cannister.
Mostly because, as I am wont to say: "They're Fast Food!"*
* TM pending....
Outside of Brown Bear country up along the Canadian Barren Lands there are far better alternatives: Bear Spray and knowledge being the foremost two (the "Bear" food canister is actually for rodents, the real scourge of the wilderness, IMHO.)
That said a comment section that requires my telephone number" Will. Not. Happen.
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| Post Number: 4
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High_Sierra_Fan
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Joined: Aug. 2005
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Posted on: Mar. 08 2013, 12:06 pm |
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(TigerFan @ Mar. 08 2013, 8:58 am)
QUOTE
(High_Sierra_Fan @ Mar. 08 2013, 11:48 am)
QUOTE That said a comment section that requires my telephone number" Will. Not. Happen. +1 For the "informal poll", my answer is "no".
Turns out a fake will work.
Think of somehting clever to spell out!
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| Post Number: 5
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markskor
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Posted on: Mar. 08 2013, 12:20 pm |
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(TigerFan @ Mar. 08 2013, 11:58 am)
QUOTE
(High_Sierra_Fan @ Mar. 08 2013, 11:48 am)
QUOTE That said a comment section that requires my telephone number" Will. Not. Happen. +1 For the "informal poll", my answer is "no".
+2
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mountain man who swims with trout
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| Post Number: 6
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SW Mtn backpacker
Born to hike, forced to work ...
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Posted on: Mar. 08 2013, 1:12 pm |
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Why answer on a national forum? The question should be is that a pistol in your pocket or are you just happy to see me? The actual answer is that the people you expect least to carry backpacking are the ones that actually do and vice versa. After about 20 years camping and backpacking the Southwest, my observation is many lefty green types pack since they've angered ranchers who know their vehicles, while most LEO types leave it behind since they are out there to relax and they know the stats that there's no wacky tobacky farms or anything that needs guarding out here in the freakin' desert. Go figure.
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Usually Southwest and then some.
In wildness is the preservation of the world. - Henry Thoreau
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| Post Number: 7
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AlmostThere
I must not be there yet, I keep hiking...
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Posted on: Mar. 08 2013, 3:37 pm |
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Sorry, not driving up your hit counter or following any instruction to drum up business on your website.
Not interested in yet another appeal for my time, which is better spent doing other things. Having allotted my quota to this one, hasta.
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All truly great thoughts are conceived by walking.
Friedrich Nietzsche
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| Post Number: 8
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CAHH5775
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Joined: Mar. 2013
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Posted on: Mar. 08 2013, 4:09 pm |
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I'm just a SW hiker, not interested in drumming up business on the website, but really interested in the answer to my question. I didn't post on all forums, just the SW one.
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| Post Number: 9
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ol-zeke
me in the Tetons
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Posted on: Mar. 08 2013, 4:22 pm |
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No.
I carry a bear canister where required, and spray when in Griz country. I consider my trekking poles to be personal protection, mostly from my own clumsiness.
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Everything I know, I learned by doing it wrong at least twice.
The easiest way to ruin a Friday is to realize it is only Tuesday.
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| Post Number: 10
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waterdog
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Posted on: Mar. 08 2013, 6:06 pm |
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Short informal answer:
Not in national parks.
Always at least a .38 in wilderness areas or other national forest lands if with wife or daughters.
Bears not much of a factor unless archery hunting in grizzly territory--then either a .44 magnum revolver if solo or 12-gauge pump if paired up with another bow hunter.
Sincerely hope to never feel like I need to use it.
It's like house insurance--you don't bitch about your house not burning down if you have house insurance!
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I'm more comfortable with unanswered questions than I am with unquestioned answers.
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| Post Number: 11
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SPeacock
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Posted on: Mar. 09 2013, 7:31 pm |
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Nope. If people consider it that dangerous, why go there? Leave some space on the trail quotas.
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Experience as well as wisdom, at times, is foolishly acquired.
To understand why details matter, you first need to notice them.
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| Post Number: 12
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Montanalonewolf
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Posted on: Mar. 09 2013, 7:44 pm |
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Bear spray.
But if I think It's dangerous enough to warrant carrying one, I either don't go or carry a short-barreled 12ga pump loaded with 6 rounds alternating 00 or 000 with hollowpoint slugs and a sidesaddle with 6 more.
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Ignorance is curable with education. Stupidity is refusing to be educated.
Those who don't read have no advantage over those who can't.
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| Post Number: 13
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| Post Number: 14
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RaymondMillbrae
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Posted on: Mar. 16 2013, 10:15 am |
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Bear spray is permanently attached to my strong-side backpack waistband.
In some areas (when bowhunting, or in lion country), I usually carry.
Bear spray is good. But if I should get bounced on, or an animal should jump on a pardner...a pistol at point blank range is a last resort.
By the way, ALWAYS carry a revolver. If the slide of your pistol gets pushed back by 3/16" of an inch (like when you are pressing it up against something that jumps on you), the pistol will not fire.
In Christ: Raymond
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| Post Number: 15
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hbfa
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Joined: Feb. 2002
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Posted on: Apr. 08 2013, 1:07 pm |
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-Guns? - no, I leave them at home.
-Bear spray in grizzly country.
-Just a canister in black bear country.
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| Post Number: 16
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desert dweller
Greetings
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Posted on: Apr. 08 2013, 2:34 pm |
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No gun.
Wits and bear spray.
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Seek Higher Ground
Can you feel the silence
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| Post Number: 17
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| Post Number: 18
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hbfa
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Posted on: Apr. 08 2013, 5:12 pm |
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(High_Sierra_Fan @ Apr. 08 2013, 12:39 pm)
QUOTE
(desert dweller @ Apr. 08 2013, 11:34 am)
QUOTE No gun.
Wits and bear spray. It's the SouthWest Forum afterall. And that means more bear canister and less bearspray in many places such as Yosemite (where bear spray is banned) not mention the greatest threat is rodents.... http://www.cdc.gov/hantavirus/Well, okay, second to bee stings and flowing water....
Let's not forget a heart attack.
If someone truly wants to be protected, they should bring along an AED instead of a firearm.
Statistically you'll have a much greater chance of needing defibrillation over a firearm for your survival.
Of course an AED doesn't do much to relieve that fear of the boogey-man.
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| Post Number: 19
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waterdog
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Posted on: Apr. 08 2013, 6:03 pm |
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I think the question ultimately is which is more fun, an AED or a gun.
It's so hard to choose . . .
Attached Image
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I'm more comfortable with unanswered questions than I am with unquestioned answers.
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| Post Number: 20
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| Post Number: 21
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desert dweller
Greetings
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Posted on: Apr. 09 2013, 12:05 pm |
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(hbfa @ Apr. 09 2013, 8:15 am)
QUOTE
(waterdog @ Apr. 08 2013, 3:03 pm)
QUOTE I think the question ultimately is which is more fun, an AED or a gun.
It's so hard to choose . . . Hey, I'll give you credit for honesty when it comes to firearms. At least you admit that it's far more about infatuation with the guns than it is about preparedness or practicality. Most gun lovers aren't that candid.
An apropo cartoon for waterdog's picture. What a culture of fear that has invaded this country. Unless you're in griz country a gun is really not needed. Unless you're afraid of something.
Attached Image
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Seek Higher Ground
Can you feel the silence
Photobucket
Flickr
YouTube
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| Post Number: 22
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High_Sierra_Fan
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Posted on: Apr. 10 2013, 12:46 am |
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From a backpacking perspective what I see in that photo is one heck of a lot of weight to be hauling up and down and up the Sierra....
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| Post Number: 23
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| Post Number: 24
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High_Sierra_Fan
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Posted on: Apr. 10 2013, 12:45 pm |
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That's the one pause I have about the banning bottled water thing that's going around: people entirely not used to the heat wandering around, getting dehydrated whether it's along the National Mall or heading to Upper Yosemite Falls or Cliff House (where they rightly endlessly nag you about drinking water) and then having at risk people get in real trouble.
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