I have hiked all those except the PCT. Never stepped foot on it even though I've been just about everywhere in Desolation Wilderness, which the PCT runs right through the middle of. But since it bisects it I have been able to do both halves without crossing it. Now that's irony.
Those who expect disappointment are never disappointed.
Mostly Nat. Forest, Nat. Parks (lots of nice choices here in the West), with State lands and city/state Open Space land filling in most of the rest.
Outside of actual camping, my ENO Doublenest has seen use in parks, beaches, events and even a horse barn.
Last edited by Snake; 08-05-2009 at 18:41. Reason: spelling
Anywhere I can, but preferably where there are no people around.I like feeling "remote" when I camp. I hate seeing other people, or being able to hear cars on a nearby road, etc. Mostly state land and private land currently. My front yard when my daughter insists on me throwing up the tent for a weekend.
Broadly, yeah, what you described would fit that definition. Not that you were implying so, but I do want to clarify that I don't simply trudge around with an attitude that I can set up camp everywhere I please, hang where I please, and generally wreak havoc upon private property, shared public spaces, and fragile ecosystems.
I have done a bit of traveling with a backpack/hammock sleep system/bit of food/mandolin and getting to places by rideshare and hitchhiking, so when I end up in a city or town where I don't know anyone or have a place to crash, it's nice to be able to find a secluded area to camp in for free, always adhering as much as I can to leave-no-trace principles. One example: earlier this year I camped down in the woods a mile or so behind a shopping center on the site of an early 1900s glass dump in Austin, TX...lots of cool old bottles down there. The spot had obviously been used -- and abused. So while I went out to rustle up some food my buddy went around and cleaned up lots of trash. I came back and he had gathered up a pile of trash three feet high on a tarp that we found lying around. We dragged as much of it out of the spot as we could, but jeez, it is a shame how folks in our culture will find a way to leave their garbage just about anywhere. Something tells me that attitude wouldn't have flown in the old hobo jungles of yesteryear...
So far in my limited experience I haven't had any problems with stealth camping, but once I was caught in a rainstorm that came quickly and had to set up my tarp in full visibility in a city park. Once the storm died down a little someone came by walking their dog and asked if I was OK. I told 'em "yep!" and that I had just got a bunch of new backpacking equipment and just wanted to try it out in the rain. Worked out fine, but thinking about it now that might not be such a good one to tell to just anybody you run into. I mean, if you're gonna mug me I'll give ya my wallet but please don't take my Blackbird!!!
If I were to be hassled by property owners or other authorities, I'd much rather dialogue with them and kindly pack up camp and move on, rather than get chased down with a shotgun or something!
Oh yeah, best advice for camping in the city and actually SLEEPING -- bring earplugs!!!
Originally Posted by Kankujoe
Almost always in wilderness areas.
I couldn't agree with you more. The wife and I went Car Camping this last weekend spur-of-the-moment and ended up at a very overused group campground. Needless to say, I was extremely dissapointed to find used diapers, bottles, and broken chairs in the creek. I had to filter our ice chest water after seeing we were down stream from the diaper. Oh and the lovely person who spray-painted "TACO" on about a dozen or so large boulders around the water. We didn't see all this untill after we had set up camp and were prepairing for dinner, or we would have hightailed it outta there. We found out later that night that the campground attracts kids of the "FRAT BOY" sect of society. So sad to see something like that.
Those who expect disappointment are never disappointed.
it's areas like that that made me give up improved campgrounds years ago. like I said eairlier, first sign of pavement and I am gone.
I've always been crazy, but it's kept me from going insane. - Waylon Jennings
I hang on crown land and sometimes do some stealth camping in our cities local greenbelt.
Mostly the SHT (superior hiking trail) and then various parks and forests.
The camper formerly known as HikingDad...
Threads like this make me want to cry!
Look at all your options!
Where I live in the UK (Lincolnshire), is mostly flat, featureless, farm land, with a few sporadic spinneys and not much else. Even if you do find somewhere potentially good for camping on, you are not allowed, because someone (mainly anonymous) owns the land and it would be trespassing!
The forests in this country have been mainly destroyed now so it's very hard here, such a shame.
There is one relatively small wooded area where I have found and am allowed to camp in a 1 hour range from me and even then, EVERY night the neighbouring land owner shines a (brighter than the sun) torch over the entire woodland, just at the point where I am almost asleep.
I think it's time to move, there are starting to be far too many things here that I do not like.
Sorry about that, you can carry on now.
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