Hello from Afghanistan - Page 2

charley · 12-02-2011, 06:51 PM

Thank you for your service.
There has been alot of good info given. Don't overcomplicate it. Work boots and knapsack used to work.
There are lots of nice trails in West Virginia, too. I live 20 miles from Ohio and have done little on the AT. The ANF has alot too. What part of Ohio might make a difference on where you start.

Knisley · 12-03-2011, 03:21 PM

I really think that I am wanting to be able to head off into the woods with minimal equipment and be competent enough to not need to bring much. As the fighting season is winding down here I am really wanting to be able to read as much as I can before coming home so I can mull over some ideas and opinions and have a plan on what I want to try out

Pathfinder1 · 12-04-2011, 03:27 PM

Hi...

Thanks, Warrior, for what you do for us all.

Will look for more of your postings.

Will you be able to use your Military gear, such as bivy, sleeping gear, backpacks, etc., for Stateside camping?

Good luck in all of your ventures...!!

charley · 12-04-2011, 09:23 PM

Go to backpacker.com, backpackerlight.com, whiteblaze.com go to every link that has a forum and then if needed use google and you should have all you can read. If you run out pm me and I'll send you some links. There is a wealth of info on the net.

Knisley · 12-11-2011, 02:32 AM

Yes I would be able to use the gear that was issued. I always did have the question of what people thought of military gear. The sleep system I think is really good, but none of the ruck/3days are in my opinion good backpacking gear. The assault pack they give us seems allright, but I didn't think an overnight backpack was really that hard to design.

Grandpa · 12-11-2011, 08:34 AM

Military gear is usually ruggedly well built and heavy. It is no fun to pack 50-60 lbs around. But if you have it, use it, until you decided what will work better. My suggestion for the first thing to dump is the socks. First trip back from Iraq for my son-in-law, I got him a couple pair of good merino wool hikers. They are very pricey but don't let that deter you. A good pair of wool will outlast a lot of pairs of rotten cotten socks. SIL could not believe the difference they made.