Backpacking Out with the Old in with the New
I’m excited about backpacking. YouTube rekindled my interest. Getting back into backpacking or any hobby brings you to a decision; This can apply to any hobby or pursuit where you revive your interest, that decision point of old vs. new.
That line for me is, do I use the gear I have and potentially not enjoy the experience because of the outdated equipment or technology, or do I upgrade now. Am I settling, or is this a prudent approach?
Up the ladder, I went into the heat of my garage attic in search of the ole backpacking gear bin. Tucked away under the old hockey bags, I found it. Ducking down, so I didn’t headbutt the bare lightbulbs, I lugged the bin back to the ladder. Step one - I got my gear out of the attic.
Step two - discard the stuff that was moldy and unusable. Now I’m down to the gear that can be evaluated. Backpack – the old external frame pack didn’t fit and wasn’t going to work at all. – Upgrade.
Sleeping bag – keeper – it is a 35-degree bag and right now will work. The closed foam sleeping pad – I can try this out to see if my 58-year-old self can sleep on it as well as my 31-year-old self did. (Or didn’t know any better)!
What is the balance between using the old stuff vs. upgrading and getting hew? Is the focus on functionality, weight, safety?
Interesting question. So far, I have upgraded my pack, my sleeping pad, added a camp chair. I have not upgraded my stove, nor my sleeping bag, nor my tent. I will need to get a water filter as the old one is not usable.
What was good when I was younger is now arcane. There is a balance between using what I must see if I like it and not enjoying it because what I have is not usable or making it not enjoyable. My tent is 7.4 lbs. Will upgrading my tent make the experience that much better? Or should I suck it up and go with the tent to see how I like it?
Interesting debate.
First, you need to prioritize, or at least define, what is success for you? Tackling the Teton’s is different from a night in the backyard or at Caesar’s Creek. What are your goals for the outing? I can suck up the weight and discomfort to see if I need to upgrade. Also, you need to clearly define what is critical to what you are doing? The backpacking big 3 Sleeping System, Shelter, and pack are key. Also, there are must have’s that you must invest in.
Water filter, stove, etc., that are a non-starter. The higher-priced items can be upgraded later. I slept a night in the backyard on the old, closed foam celled sleeping pad – that was upgraded!! I need a safe, effective water filtration system, so that is a must before I head outside of the backyard. The tent, wait, the pack was upgraded – picture of Packs. Be careful what is considered essential or must-haves that were not even around when you started the hobby. Maps vs. GPS??
What do you think?