mcdhuibh

Wow: 4 pages from MAD STOMPERS, ya'all are to funny! I wonder if this is the root cause of can't find the #@!%& flu.

That distance is to be expected.

I've walked with a lot of people and we seem to watch our feet more than the area that surrounds us, more so if using trekking poles. Looking around and listen is something that you have to work at, and really important if you like bushwhacking. Look behind you a lot, get a mental picture of landmarks. What side was the water on, clearings in the trees, rock formations etc. In the Rocky's a sunny day fades away around 2:00 in the summer and the clouds make the surroundings look quite different. My gps (etex) shows a route trail as I walk so back tracking is simple. Always have a topo of the area, your gps may not get a fix on you at all times and leave stumped. Leaving a "tp" trail may not be to reliable with guys like me who pick up trash as I walk. LOL Look up foot Orienteering, it used to be a popular sport, you may be able to get some help on using a map and compass. P.S. don't carry your car keys with you on your hike you will never find them in the dark.. Cheers

REI Traverse, its expandable, very well thought out. Hip belt with a pocket for your gps, water pouch, 4 zip pockets, tie offs for poles, snow board. Rain cover pouch at the bottom I use for my safety kit.

Ok; I FIXED IT, ashes to ashes I gave up that stuff for lint.

some of the hardest are blatantly in plane sight.

Everyone forgot the one lightest thing you can carry, "dryer lint" this stuff works wonders to start a fire, a little steel wool mixed in with it helps too. Another thing you may consider is a plastic magnifier the kind you see on the back window of a RV, there cheep, light and will fit were you keep your camel back water bag or topo maps. During a sunny day they will start a fire in seconds or boil water. Cheers

Depending on the state you need, type in garmin topo free maps, or gpsfiledepot, some maps have been provided and work well, some may not be as well detailed as the one from garmin but can keep you out of trouble. The ones for Colorado are 24K but most don't show "trails" and only major roads. These are not sneaky just some nice people helping out, making maps may be a hobby of sorts. You will need map source, and that can be found for free also.