DVD's on the Trail

“Has anyone thought about trying to take a portable DVD player along with them? Might be good for an overnighter on a warm night without rain in the forecast....”

“Backpacker magazine had an article about flat panel packable surround sound speakers. Dont forget those, you don't want to miss the "theater" effect while watching a good flick.”

“For solo trips, I don't think anyone would mind. ;)”

“I took a buddy out backpacking for his first time a few months back. He actually tried to bring a DVD player AND some video games. I threatened to kick his ass, he left it in the truck.”

“Someone will argue that it disturbs the wilderness, even on a solo trip...”

“I once had a ranger ask me to his cabin for a movie on Isle Royale. Does that count?”

“To watch or make?”

“I dont think I would take it unless I knew the weather would be good, and I definitly wouldnt take it in a big group where it might offend someone.”

“Seeing as I declined, we'll never know.”

“It has a headphone jack, so it could be used without disturbing almost anyone...except maybe yoourself if it was a crappy movie”

“This is the stupidest idea of all time.”

“Well to each their own, but one of the major reasons I bacpac is to get a way from the damn telephone and tv.”

“AMEN Chili!”

“...and the computer and all the trolls.”

“On group trips, the entertainment value is in interacting with the other hikers. I haven't been on a solo backpack in a long time, but I might try it again sometime. I don't think I'd take a DVD player along though because of weight issues. I might take an issue of Analog though.”

“AMEN chili and Artex!”

“I always carry a book on a solo trip.”

“Oh...data point. The "Hiker Interaction Entertainment Factor" is doubled when you have Tango and walkindude on the same hike...lol...”

“I always carry a book on a solo trip."
chili36
03:34:30 PM
01/08/04

And a jonny pot.”

“Oh...data point. The "Hiker Interaction Entertainment Factor" is doubled when you have Tango and walkindude on the same hike...lol..."
bitpusher
03:35:53 PM

You should have been on the Ocala trip last year with tango and Crazy Mike! ;)”

“I carry music on the trail and I feel that if you carry it and keep the noise to yourself go for it. There is a problem with keeping dampness out electronics though. Don't take nothin' on the trail that you can't stand to see broken too.”

“I try to forget things like that when I am backpacking but hey thats just me!


8)”

“I have to agree with Chili..

I get away to be alone with nature and I don't think God created DVD's.”

“No doubt!


8)”

“I should go ahead and point out that if anything, its more likely to be used for car camping, and with as many solo trips as I get stuck going on, it would be a nice gadget for the occasional bedtime entertainment. Between work and school, I almost never watch TV at home, so for me it's not exactly the humdrum that most people are trying to escape, but I also wouldn't want to make it a habit.”

“Yeah, I hate my 55" WS HDTV. Well, my wife does anyway.”

“I think the troll just jumped the shark.”

“Whats the sense of backpacking if you take a DVD? How do you hear the howls, barks, hoots, chirps, squeaks, etc?

I backpack top get away from all the noise and clutter thats around.

When I want music I go to a concert.”

“Great thread Fonsie! I am bewildered by people whos heads spin around on the subject of music and dvds on the trail.

As for dvds for car camping...I have a dvd player, and vcr, and a 20" tv, and a fridge, and a microwave, and sterio, and a full bathroom, and...”

“Why do you need a DVD player/gameboy/CD player in the backcountry?”

“To each their own, just keep it away from my camp, oh and the animals that it would disturb. To me there is no better entertainment on a solo hike than listening to the nighttime sounds and looking at the stars. Oh, drinking a big mug o tea.”

“"Why do you need a DVD player/gameboy/CD player in the backcountry?"

I only take some music. Music is one of the most important things in my life. It is not some type of burden that reminds me of the world off the trail. It enhances my experiences. I can hear a certain piece of music that I listened to on the trail and it’s like I’m right back there. I have a strong connection between senses and memories. The big question is, does this make me less of a hiker or mean that I enjoy the outdoor experience any less than someone who doesn’t enjoy music on the trail? Am I somehow less of a purist or does it mean that I’m weak somehow? That’s the $5 question.”

“If you could tolerate the weight and use the headphones and hide in your tent with it, I wouldn't care what you brought. I think it'd be rude to sit around a campfire and try to watch a movie though.

On a solo trip - do what ya want.

My son's scout troop always has to be reminded of the "No electronics on campouts" rule. It's funny to see the groans.”

“"To each their own, just keep it away from my camp, oh and the animals that it would disturb."

I always camp away from others and keep the volume way low. But then again, my music disturbs the critters and campers far, far, far less than my snorring.”

“I think the first DVD Fonsie should watch in the backcountry is Blairwitch.”

“good point Nigal... As I said before, it seems that everyone has this etched into their heads that it's not real backpacking....I am just trying to stress the point that its something that would be used only in very specific circumstances. Also, everyone alludes to this being the type of thing that you need to get away from when backpacking, but its not entirely so for me. I work and go to school full time, so I have precious little time or energy to do things like watch movies or TV. Most of my off days are spent either hiking OR watching movies, and this would be a great way for both. Also, because I spend many nights in my tent concentrating on what Im studying for a test instead of the sounds around me, does that mean Im less of a backpacker, or should I be given credit for even trying to juggle the 2?”

“Fonsie, you've gotta realize that the outside is like church to some people, and that your bringing a piece of electronic equipment into their church is offensive to them, even if you're the only one there.

I say, do what you want to as long as you don't disturb anybody else. If other people don't like the fact that you've got a DVD player in backcountry when they're not even there to be disturbed by it, then that's their problem. You're not responsible for their neuroses.”

“My ex girfriend watched BLair witch the night before her first trip....scared the SH** outta her”

“good point Bit....and Ive never realized what a resemblance Linda Blair and my mother had till just now....”

“Oh, like bit never takes the mini radio with the earpiece into church to catch the start of a ball game!”

“Well, I don't...

Of course, no radio station down here carries Cub games...”

“Cubs fan huh? At least we know what you’re praying for!”

“Steve Bartman's death in a fiery car accident? lol....”

“I must confess, I sometimes take a very small radio with headphones.
But it's just for weather reports, I swear!!! ;)”

“my friend had a small mp3 player with her when we were on the famous "switchbacks" on Whitney, and she just blew up the mtn.

I mentioned this to my boss and received an IPOD for xmas!

Thing is, I don't have enough music on my computer and I haven't had the time to download...so there it sits, still in its cute little square box!”

“Some programs will allow you to burn right from a CD to the player. My Mini Disk is pretty fast because it can take the music off the CD at the same time it's burning.”

“Sony watchman. I would never take it onthe trail, but, I will take it when I'm traveling adn use it in the car, but


I will be in the backcountry of Death Valley on Super Bowl sunday, and if the eagles are in the superbowl...I guarantee, I'll have it with me for the game while eating supper and sucking down brews that I pack in. So, if this offends you, stay away from this trip.”

“you're gonna suck down bros that you pack in? i AM offended”