Backcountry Forum
Backpacking & Hiking Gear

Backcountry Forum
Our long-time Sponsor - the leading source for ultralite/lightweight outdoor gear
 
 
 

Amazon.com
Backpacking Forums
---- Our Gear Store ----
The Lightweight Gear Store
 
 WINTER CAMPING 

Shelters
Bivy Bags
Sleeping Bags
Sleeping Pads
Snow Sports
Winter Kitchen

 SNOWSPORTS 

Snowshoes
Avalanche Gear
Skins
Hats, Gloves, & Gaiters
Accessories

 ULTRA-LIGHT 

Ultralight Backpacks
Ultralight Bivy Sacks
Ultralight Shelters
Ultralight Tarps
Ultralight Tents
Ultralight Raingear
Ultralight Stoves & Cookware
Ultralight Down Sleeping Bags
Ultralight Synthetic Sleep Bags
Ultralight Apparel


the Titanium Page
WM Extremelite Sleeping Bags

 CAMPING & HIKING 

Backpacks
Tents
Sleeping Bags
Hydration
Kitchen
Accessories

 CLIMBING 

Ropes & Cordage
Protection & Hardware
Carabiners & Quickdraws
Climbing Packs & Bags
Big Wall
Rescue & Industrial

 MEN'S APPAREL 

Jackets
Shirts
Baselayer
Headwear
Gloves
Accessories

 WOMEN'S APPAREL 

Jackets
Shirts
Baselayer
Headwear
Gloves
Accessories

 FOOTWEAR 

Men's Footwear
Women's Footwear

 CLEARANCE 

Backpacks
Mens Apparel
Womens Apparel
Climbing
Footwear
Accessories

 BRANDS 

Black Diamond
Granite Gear
La Sportiva
Osprey
Smartwool

 WAYS TO SHOP 

Sale
Clearance
Top Brands
All Brands

 Backpacking Equipment 

Shelters
BackPacks
Sleeping Bags
Water Treatment
Kitchen
Hydration
Climbing


 Backcountry Gear Clearance

Topic Options
Rate This Topic
#205419 - 03/27/21 04:28 PM Nudging the edge of the hill
arfa Offline
member

Registered: 03/24/21
Posts: 27
Loc: New Zealand
I have not long joined the forum and a part of the reason was age. Now 69. Up until now I have 'made do' with limited money and whatever gear I could make, borrow, find... My last long trip was 6 weeks in the central hills of Sri Lanka. It was a challenge travelling with two younger men. I held up my end but realised that some changes are needed; recalibrating some basic parameters. The easiest front to address is gear and, as a enthusiastic DIY - MYOG person I am looking to make, adapt and experiment with a lot of new stuff. You will likely see me bouncing about various lists with questions and sharing some of my ideas.

I now have a bit more spare $$ and definitely more time - and have no intention of quitting the trail! See you out there smile

Top
#205421 - 03/28/21 09:58 AM Re: Nudging the edge of the hill [Re: arfa]
balzaccom Offline
member

Registered: 04/06/09
Posts: 2232
Loc: Napa, CA
We'd love to hear more about your trip. And there are certainly people here who share your interest in DYI!
_________________________
Check our our website: http://www.backpackthesierra.com/

Or just read a good mystery novel set in the Sierra; https://www.amazon.com/Danger-Falling-Rocks-Paul-Wagner/dp/0984884963

Top
#205434 - 03/29/21 08:22 PM Re: Nudging the edge of the hill [Re: balzaccom]
arfa Offline
member

Registered: 03/24/21
Posts: 27
Loc: New Zealand
Started in Colombo - gladly left there for Kandy where we camped for a couple of night. Train (south then north) to Polannaruwa. As an ex-builder I totally loved the ancient ruins there. Camping in Sri Lanka is not culturally common. Cricket is the most outdoorsy it often gets. There are many paid sites and freedom camping is a very variable experience. Mostly we approached locals and found a patch somewhere (not always requiring exchange). Walking south there are several areas of reserve land. The two guys I was with spoke Sinhala so often we could, after tea and chats and discussion, find agreement on spending the night in the forest or some fallow farm land somewhere - not always in the parks. We wiggled south along back roads and skirted-crossed as much forest as we could. Remember that Sri Lanka is very densely populated so privacy can not be expected. People are curious - and also incredibly generous. After about 3 weeks the weather was closing so we took a few buses and stayed in various 'accomodations' for a week or so. Yala, in the SW is awesome. We stayed in a monastery there for several nights. The weather was great and the countryside easy walking. No elephants to be seen. pity? Nearly a week on the coast (place of a friend of a friend well east of the tourist beaches) camping next to a lagoon. I was told about the crocs on the last day. Fell in the river - with camera attached - but, overall a wonderful trip.

Top
#205457 - 04/03/21 01:42 PM Re: Nudging the edge of the hill [Re: arfa]
balzaccom Offline
member

Registered: 04/06/09
Posts: 2232
Loc: Napa, CA
Sounds like a great adventure!
_________________________
Check our our website: http://www.backpackthesierra.com/

Or just read a good mystery novel set in the Sierra; https://www.amazon.com/Danger-Falling-Rocks-Paul-Wagner/dp/0984884963

Top

Shout Box

Highest Quality Lightweight Down Sleeping Bags
 
Western Mountaineering Sleeping Bags
 
Lite Gear Talk - Featured Topics
Backcountry Discussion - Featured Topics
Make Your Own Gear - Featured Topics
Featured Photos
Spiderco Chaparral Pocketknife
David & Goliath
Also Testing
Trip Report with Photos
Seven Devils, Idaho
Oat Hill Mine Trail 2012
Dark Canyon - Utah
Who's Online
0 registered (), 180 Guests and 0 Spiders online.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Newest Members
Noodles, McCrary, DanyBacky, Rashy Willia, WanderBison
13240 Registered Users
Forum Links
Disclaimer
Policies
Site Links
Backpacking.net
Lightweight Gear Store
Backpacking Book Store
Lightweight Zone
Hiking Essentials

Our long-time Sponsor, BackcountryGear.com - The leading source for ultralite/lightweight outdoor gear:

Backcountry Forum
 

Affiliate Disclaimer: This forum is an affiliate of BackcountryGear.com, Amazon.com, R.E.I. and others. The product links herein are linked to their sites. If you follow these links to make a purchase, we may get a small commission. This is our only source of support for these forums. Thanks.!
 
 

Since 1996 - the Original Backcountry Forum
Copyright © The Lightweight Backpacker & BackcountryForum