What do you know now, that You wish you knew then?

[jim2]

where to be for sunset is an important consideration for  me . the top off the oak spring cut off  is mighty impressive at sunset .  the red rock in blue creek canyon change colors as the sun sets. as you get closer to  homer wilsons ranch house the the view to the south opens to reveal layer after layer of mountains. if you just want to drive and watch the sunset ,sotol vista has a similar view . burro mesa lights up as the day fades , this is easily seen from the burro spring trail . the window trail is great place to watch the setting sun illuminate the pinnacles in the basin and then casa grande will turn pink . boy i miss the park.  jim2

[RedBuffalo]

My first trip was with my parents.  Dad had us staying in Lajitas because we were taking a river trip out of there on day three.  

Lesson No. 1: Don't stay in Lajitas - the drive in and out each day takes away from the trip.

Lesson No.2: Plan "sections" of the park to maximize your time Big Bending and minimize your time Driving.  We always slice a day in the East, West, and Basin planning a long hike or one short hike in the AM and one in the PM.  I guess that may be obvious, but it was learned.  You certainly don't want to do Boquillas Canyon in the AM and Santa Elena Canyon in the PM....

Lesson No. 3: Don't bother asking the rangers were the rb is - they won't tell you.

Lesson No. 4: Always check your spare tire.  I've had two flat tires in Big Bend.  It was a long drive to Marathon and back to get another spare....

Lesson No. 5: Focus on one activity during your hike - it's hard to be the everything person.  For example: I either Video or take Stills - I don't do both very well.  Video seems better at mid day than still photography.  Stills are always better in the morning and late afternoon.  

Lesson No. 6: Drink at least 16oz of water before you set out on your hike.

Lesson No. 7: If you don't have a polarizer filter for your SLR / DSLR buy one - you'll have richer blues in your sky.

Lesson No.8:  While shooting sunsets and sunrises don't forget to look behind you - sometimes the best images are opposite the sun.

[SHANEA]

Lesson No. 4: Always check your spare tire.  I've had two flat tires in Big Bend.  It was a long drive to Marathon and back to get another spare....

Carry two spare tires if possible, nothing worse than "burning a day of exploring BIBE" by having to explore for a spare tire or a fix.

[Undertaker]

As a appraiser/realtor, go by you local real estate store and buy the cheap 20-30 dollar combo lock box and instead of carrying keys to be lost have second set to car locked in the lock box on the car/truck itself and make sure everyone knows the combination that is traveling with you and where you locked/hide the lock box, this way everyone can gain access to the vehicle including the dummie that lost his keys (personal experience) :oops:  :oops:

PS: I do this on all my cars and all my sons do same, lock box is cheaper that locksmith.  8)

[RichardM]

As a appraiser/realtor, go by you local real estate store and buy the cheap 20-30 dollar combo lock box and instead of carrying keys to be lost have second set to car locked in the lock box on the car/truck itself and make sure everyone knows the combination that is traveling with you and where you locked/hide the lock box, this way everyone can gain access to the vehicle including the dummie that lost his keys (personal experience) :oops:  :oops:

PS: I do this on all my cars and all my sons do same, lock box is cheaper that locksmith.  8)

Good idea.  I've also seen (but not used) a HitchSafe, for those with 2" hitches.

I've used the old fashioned "magnetic box under the bumper" technique, but not in a while.

[Undertaker]

Also a good idea Richard, both cheaper than locksmith or window.  8)

[01ACRViper]

the old fashioned metal box under the car works for me, though my jeep has plastic bumpers, so i have to hide it way underneath somewhere :lol:

i thought to myself when i bought it, i'll most likely never need it, but then again i'm an idiot, so i got it. i was at talley #2 on my december trip, getting ready to climb Mariscal Canyon, and on my final check before closing and locking the doors, i looked right at the keys laying in clear view on the front seat and slammed the door :roll: i panicked for 2 seconds before i realized i had the spare. THEN i panicked again when i couldn't find the box. i thought it had rattelled off with all the rough roads i had been on, but it was just buried under 3 inches of crappy river road clay.

always have a spare :lol:

[SHANEA]

On-Star to unlock doors.

oops, what if I don't have cell service  

[elhombre]

Buy a camel back and never walk away from your tent with out it.  Especially when you go to dig a hole.  You will always have TP, shovel, water, food, and cardboard camera so while pooping :x  and you see something off in the distance,  you can go explore it.

[SHANEA]

Buy a camel back

10-4 to that on the camelbacks, only problem I've found is that you consume tons of water w/o realizing it and all of a sudden you are sucking on air.  There needs to be "some kind" of an easy indicator to see what your water level is.  Maybe I'll invent one.  :lol:

[jeffblaylock]

There needs to be "some kind" of an easy indicator to see what your water level is.

You mean you can't tell just by the change in weight on your back?!?!

[SHANEA]

There needs to be "some kind" of an easy indicator to see what your water level is.

You mean you can't tell just by the change in weight on your back?!?!

Yea  :lol:  that's why I care an "emergency" bottle of water to hopefully get me back to camp.  

I figure I need to design a camel back so that when you get low on water, all of a sudden a small device will "release" citric acid or something into the water so that "you know" you are sucking it dry.  

[txrounder]

Hey Shane, we talked about this on the Casa Grande descent and I have been thinking about it since.
Just had a light bulb go off..I will try something tonight!! Back soon with more details.

[txrounder]

Ok Shane(and other CamelBackers) here it is.
Before filling your Camelback, slip in a ziplock bag (of whatever size is appropriate for you and your CB) full of water and then proceed to fill. A sharp WHACK on the bag will release your "reserve" when you notice that familiar sucking gurgle. A bit of your favorite "beverage base powder" added to the baggie will quickly let you know you have succeded and also warn you of a "premature emission". This has undergone extentensive lab testing in my living room last night! Field trials are awaiting(I smell a road trip) And no, the  baggie does not seem to cause any "clogging" problem, but due to the marvelous NASA technology, it does take a real WHACK to release(sometimes bursting a seam rather than unzipping!)
Now about the patent rights............

It still does not "take the place" of a spare water bottle, just a convenience.

[Casa Grande]

Ok Shane(and other CamelBackers) here it is.
Before filling your Camelback, slip in a ziplock bag (of whatever size is appropriate for you and your CB) full of water and then proceed to fill. A sharp WHACK on the bag will release your "reserve" when you notice that familiar sucking gurgle. A bit of your favorite "beverage base powder" added to the baggie will quickly let you know you have succeded and also warn you of a "premature emission". This has undergone extentensive lab testing in my living room last night! Field trials are awaiting(I smell a road trip) And no, the  baggie does not seem to cause any "clogging" problem, but due to the marvelous NASA technology, it does take a real WHACK to release(sometimes bursting a seam rather than unzipping!)
Now about the patent rights............

It still does not "take the place" of a spare water bottle, just a convenience.

great idea!