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And dogs are probably a close 2nd. In all my years of woods tramping I have never carried out of fear of anything specific but more as a force of habit and as an extension of my outdoor interests BUT I have dumped two dogs and drawn down on a few over the years. As far as meth heads are concerned while they are no doubt found more frequently than in years past my experience is they seem to stay close to their dilapidated vehicle camps relatively close to town (for commuting), aren't around long and typically don't interface with anyone they see in the woods as they know most people who are out in the woods driving pickups, Jeeps etc. are probably armed - but I still accelerate a bit if I find myself passing by one of their camps - which around here are few and far between.I know most of you guys can't see anything east of I5 but snakes account for many more injuries in the west than Bear.
Putting everyone down? Not at all. Trying to prevent the inevitable path any thread with the word 'bear' usually takes- nothing short of A-10 Warthog air support can stop a bear....I think that all of the suggestions are good ones, except the guy putting everyone down because his REI pants lack belt loops...
BTW, what is up with all the comments about chest rigs being good for backpacking? What are ya'll packin, daypacks? For hiking yes, for backpacking I never left home w/o a full rig 75lb pack and a revolver in a nylon holster on the packbelt. Two day trips to a whole week, nothing more. Anything up around the shoulder straps or in the front (my packs had a chest strap for the extra weight capacity) would have been way to uncomfortable.
I'm looking for a stronger caliber like 40 and 45. I like revolvers, but I don't want to carry one. I know several people who have gotten into those "mythical" firefights and even have a boot camp buddy who was killed after boot camp in a robbery. Bad bubblegum happens to real people and I don't think its a fairy tale that it might happen to me or the people close to me. While I don't expect to get into a firefight with other humans they do happen. There are enough gunshots that go off in north Salem at night to keep me cautious enough to want to still retain some urban combat features in whatever I'm carrying. It's become much more common for me to not have the chance to switch out weapons. I'm also unwilling to leave a firearm in my car after having one get stolen from it.
The worst incidents I've had with wildlife have been water moccasins, wild dogs, cougar, and hyenas (while overseas). The incidents have made me believe that if I need to defend myself, it'll probably be a surprise. I like 9mm and I'm willing to carry it even in the woods as long as I'm with another armed person. But I spend a lot of time by myself up in the mountains and while not the smartest thing, its what I enjoy. If I'm responding to a surprise attack, while alone, I hope that I'll have the chance to get at least 1 shot off before I'm killed. I want that 1 shot to effective. Even if the only real performance difference is psychological...
Okay okay, the tone I assumed was off. I suppose I was just unaware that hiking pants lack suck a practical feature such as belt loops. I didn't want to assume the OP was going hiking in sweats either, and assumed he would have belt loops. Thought maybe it was an REI gimmic to save weight or something. I'm still boggled by the concept of pants without belt loops...Putting everyone down? Not at all. Trying to prevent the inevitable path any thread with the word 'bear' usually takes- nothing short of A-10 Warthog air support can stop a bear....
As well as trying to prevent the OP from spending money on a Ruger Alaskan that is too heavy for long hikes....
Yah, I converted my old Nambu Type 94 to handle that round. The recoil was unmanageable.The "answer" invariably devolves to the .338 Lapua Magnum.
yea, it was a short walkies.. carrying a .338 Lapua Magnum'll do that
I can almost guarantee it will be a surprise.The incidents have made me believe that if I need to defend myself, it'll probably be a surprise. I like 9mm and I'm willing to carry it even in the woods as long as I'm with another armed person. But I spend a lot of time by myself up in the mountains and while not the smartest thing, its what I enjoy. If I'm responding to a surprise attack, while alone, I hope that I'll have the chance to get at least 1 shot off before I'm killed. I want that 1 shot to effective. Even if the only real performance difference is psychological...
so is my barcalounger but what about OP?! shameI dont know... my Hillpeoplegear chest pack is comfortable with a pack on.
I couldn't imagine backpacking with a 75lb pack, forget about the gun. I can go about 5 days with about a 30lb load, what in the world are you carrying?
Starvin Marvin uses a toenail to..dont follow a stream downhill... that will get you killed out here.
It's not about weight at all, it's about the way a properly fitted pack will ride. Most of us assume that a pack belt should ride in about the same place as our pants belt (I did), until you have someone knowledgeable fit you for a pack. A properly fitted pack will ride just above a pants belt; so imagine what happens if you're wearing a pack belt and a sturdy leather belt- fat pinch! Seriously, even if you're thin it hurts. My hiking pants have a very thin belt that's built in to the pants (something has to keep them up!) but it's not going to support a handgun.Okay okay, the tone I assumed was off. I suppose I was just unaware that hiking pants lack suck a practical feature such as belt loops. I didn't want to assume the OP was going hiking in sweats either, and assumed he would have belt loops. Thought maybe it was an REI gimmic to save weight or something. I'm still boggled by the concept of pants without belt loops...
I'm just going to say that belt loops are an awesome feature and I refuse to buy pants without them, with the exception of pajamas.
I couldn't imagine backpacking with a 75lb pack, forget about the gun. I can go about 5 days with about a 30lb load, what in the world are you carrying?
@druiseeker
Nothing wrong or stupid being alone in the mountains - I do it several times per year. Your biggest danger is injury like a badly twisted ankle or broken bones, which is why I bring a trauma kit, splints, etc - whether for use on myself or someone else. Last time I was up in Goat Rocks, fell on Old Snowy and tore some ligaments. Popped 4 ibuprofen, packed my sock with snow and hiked out anyway.