Help me spend $350 wisely

Sounds like you pretty much have everything you need. Perhaps spend the money on a trip instead of gear and go someplace different than where you usually go.

Haha, lifting weights and hiking are my main hobbies and travel isn’t an issue just not sure if there any other big ticket items worth investing in right now…

Looks like you have a very nice kit.  If you pack is comfortable I would stick with what you have and spend the money of food / fuel for more trips.

Vortex Diamondback HD 8×42 binoculars ($220), Sibley Guide to Birds ($30), Fisher Bullet Space Pen with clip ($25), a Moleskine Classic notebook ($15), an annual membership to the National Audubon Society ($50 level), and a pint of something citrus-tinged at your local pub after your first day out birding ($10 including tip).

Hi Kevin,

Spending those $350 on peace-of-mind for your loved-ones and your own safety would be my choice.

The inReach Mini  costs exactly $350. It allows you to send AND receive text message to phones, email-addresses and other inReach devices (which is handy when meeting up in the wilderness). It would complement your kit very well and come in especially handy when going solo in conditions that stretch your prior comfort zone.

Stay safe!

Manfred

Manfred is smart and practical.

I was about to suggest a beginner’s plein air painting package for $350 if becoming a birder doesn’t suit you.  We might never have known Claude Monet’s name if he spent all his money on Zpacks tents instead of paint and canvas…

Thanks, I have been considering that. Do you need to purchase a monthly subscription plan too?

The only thing stopping me is where I backpack is typically never more than a few hours away from roads or civilization, it’s wilderness but not true wilderness so to speak and trails are well defined. It’s something to think about though..

<p style=”text-align: left;”>I would not be looking to ADD unnecessary things into my pack to carry.. a chair is nice to have though.. that is one item i usually carry now and for the most part.. it gets used plenty.  If you are comfortable with your existing gear then really no need to spend money there.. unless you are itching to spend that money..lol. you could always play and experiment with new packs? The quilt is always a good idea too.. or….. not sure how you feel about hammocks???  Would open up a whole new experience for you and you could spend that $350 quickly too!!</p>

Actually.. now that i saw what Manfred posted.. Wisner is correct!! He is smart and practical,  lol.  The Garmin is a great idea. It gives my family somewhat peace of mind that we can text and be in touch.. especially when i go out solo. Also.. when i bring any of my kids out with me.. godforbid something happens to me.. i know they can use it for help to be rescued!

You are welcome Kevin,

A plan is needed indeed to make the inReach Mini work. As the inReach Mini is currently $50 off at REI you would have money left for that too :)

Have a look at the subscription pricing here. With a so-called ‘Freedom Plan’ you pay only when you use it (you activate (for at least 30 days) and deactivate whenever you want to). The safety version of a Freedom plan is $15 for a month. In order to enroll your inReach in a Freedom plan you need to pay a one-time fee of $25. Right now you could buy the inReach Mini for $300, enroll it for $25 and pay for 1 month of use $15.

Best Regards,

Manfred

A word of wisdom… if you have a GPS with 2-way communication, make sure you set clear expectations about it’s use with who you’re checking in to.

I used it for my R2R hike last fall. I bought the inReach Mini as some extra “assurance” for my wife that I was OK. I checked in at the start of each section of hike and also when I got to camp. Finishing the hike (as in I’m out of the canyon, but still in the area in which reception was spotty), I called my wife that evening and then set up camp at Mather Campground. I didn’t call her the next morning and went about the day. I finally got cell service late afternoon only to receive an ONSLAUGHT of text messages from her. She was hysterical when I called her.

She had ended up calling Garmin to see if they could track me, which they couldn’t, because my GPS was off to conserve battery. Needless to say she was LIVID for a week, thinking I fell off a cliff. So, she made me return it and said I was never going on another guys trip again.

If you think that might be your wife/SO/other’s reaction if you don’t check in, be warned :)

Besides that, I’d consider a UL camp chair. They are REALLY NICE in my opinion, especially when you can’t have a camp fire. It’s nice if you’re hiking with a group and creates a communal atmosphere, but not necessary if you’re going solo and cooking just outside your rain fly. Some would argue a camp chair isn’t ultralight. True, there are lighter options (like a sit pad), but my goodness do I love the chair. I took my Helinox Chair Zero (18 oz), and my hiking partner took his REI Flexlite Air (16 oz). For the 2 ounces, I’d go with the Zero. I thought the Zero was a little more sturdy, but it is slightly more expensive. I’d check around for a sale.

A Tenkara fishing rod!

Beer for a year? ;)

Christian

I sat on the porch one day with my wife sending and receiving messages from the Garmin to and from her phone.  She could see that this is NOT a cell phone.  Long return time for messages, difficult typing, demonstrating turning it off and on to simulate it being off while moving, sitting under a dense tree, etc.  Otherwise, she and everyone else would assume it works just like a cell phone.  And she learned than no one could text me on the Garmin unless i had texted them in the past 2 weeks.  Fortunately, she had spend long stretches in very remote Central America using occasional satellite internet 20 years ago, so slow and intermittent connections were understood.  And, in my “leaving the trailhead” text from the device, I state that it might be hours or days until I respond, just as a reminder.  Hopefully, you can get a second chance. Good luck

I second the In-Reach Mini. I have a SPOT beacon B/C I usually hunt and backpack solo, but would like an In-Reach Mini for its better reception and versatility.

That kind in “insurance” for you and your party and assurance for loved ones at home is well worth it.

The Inreach mini is a great idea, however if you can find one used a little cheaper, I can vouch for the helinox chair zero… That thing is GOLD for me. One pound and super comfy for me at 6’2″ 185lbs

Thanks, I think I’m gonna go with a nice 40 degree quilt for milder weather, will complement my 20 and eventually will be getting a 0 degree bag for winter use. I might have enough for a chair as well..

Good to know! Thank you

Thank you for the recommendation!

That’s a pretty funny story man, lol.. Hey, thanks for the advice and chair recommendations..

A puppy to keep you company on solo trips.  Including vaccinations and several months of food. No negotiations about when to stop for lunch or where to camp, and they’re always in a great mood.

Haha, thanks for the humor and solid recommendations everyone. I was able to cross two wish list items off my list. I’m getting a used Garmin InReach Mini for a great price and a Thermarest Vesper 45 ..

Glad to hear you got both – inReach and quilt. Enjoy your coming backpacking trips!