4 ms·

I grew up in a small town near four corners and as a pre-teen and teen during the summers I probably spent every 3rd night outdoors, hiking to some new place in

I grew up in a small town near four corners and as a pre-teen and teen during the summers I probably spent every 3rd night outdoors, hiking to some new place in the backcountry. I didn't have money and sure didn't have "gear". Outdoors stuff, which used to be a basically fiscally free hobby, has somehow turned into one of the most expensive hobbies one can get into. I've sometimes fallen victim to the latter three points and try to constantly remind myself that I used to do backpacking trips with nothing but a canteen, box of matches, a few cans of beans or soup, and jeans.

steveBK123 2y ago
Yes, I have no interest in backpacking/camping at all, but every time I walk by a Snow Peak I want to buy the entire store and take up the hobby.
moron4hire 2y ago
Somewhat related to that, I find it absurd that my wife and children need to track down their water bottles anytime we go anywhere out of the house. It really takes an extra 5 to 10 minutes to leave because invariably at least one of the children has lost his bottle. We could just be going to a grocery store, but they have to have hydration. The only time I ever had a water bottle as a child was when I was playing soccer. We got one water break after our endurance run at the beginning and one halfway through practice. Didn't have one when I was playing baseball. Didn't have one when I was on the golf team, unless it was blistering hot out. Never brought one for day-hikes. Just showed up and did whatever and maybe stopped at a public water fountain on the way out. I don't want them to be uncomfortable, this isn't a "back in my day, we suffered, and we liked it" sort of post. I should have had water for more of those activities (well, not baseball, it's not a real sport sorrynotsorryyouknowit'strue). I just wish they had a little more perspective on when we really need to stock up on provisions for an excursion and would not add a 10 minute delay to a trip that should take 30 minutes.

steveBK123 2y ago

Yes, I have no interest in backpacking/camping at all, but every time I walk by a Snow Peak I want to buy the entire store and take up the hobby.

moron4hire 2y ago

Somewhat related to that, I find it absurd that my wife and children need to track down their water bottles anytime we go anywhere out of the house. It really takes an extra 5 to 10 minutes to leave because invariably at least one of the children has lost his bottle. We could just be going to a grocery store, but they have to have hydration. The only time I ever had a water bottle as a child was when I was playing soccer. We got one water break after our endurance run at the beginning and one halfway through practice. Didn't have one when I was playing baseball. Didn't have one when I was on the golf team, unless it was blistering hot out. Never brought one for day-hikes. Just showed up and did whatever and maybe stopped at a public water fountain on the way out. I don't want them to be uncomfortable, this isn't a "back in my day, we suffered, and we liked it" sort of post. I should have had water for more of those activities (well, not baseball, it's not a real sport sorrynotsorryyouknowit'strue). I just wish they had a little more perspective on when we really need to stock up on provisions for an excursion and would not add a 10 minute delay to a trip that should take 30 minutes.