Tim,
I use a telescope and tripod for viewing and have found that if I tie a sma=
ll rope around the tripod and stretch it under my foot during periods of hi=
gh wind the additional pressure works great to help steady the tripod. I m=
ention this because a mono pod or hiking stick could be stabilized the same=
way with three light ropes or heavy cord tied off using rocks as an anchor=
. Use the ropes in place of the tripod legs to stabilize the rig, the weig=
ht would be supported by the stick. I have hiked in the Grand Canyon and u=
nless you are near a water source it is difficult to find growing plants la=
rge enough to support anything.
I believe that when hiking your gear should have multiple uses or it is not=
worth carrying on your back, A good hiking stick and extra rope would be g=
ood choices in my opinion.
Gerald White Muscatine, IA
----- Original Message ----
From: Tim Nielsen <>
To:
Sent: Sunday, April 29, 2007 10:51:25 PM
Subject: Re: [Nature Recordists] Thanks on backpacking solutions.
This is something that I've been considering giving a try:
It's a combination walking stick and tripod. I'm sure it's quite
heavier than a carbon fiber trekking stick, BUT, it might still be a
workable solution. I imagine you'd want to steady the base a bit
more, perhaps with some rocks, etc. It does seem however like perhaps
a nice dual function item.
http://www.trek- tech.com/
On Apr 29, 2007, at 6:19 PM, geopaul7 wrote:
> Thanks to Greg Simmons, Scott Frazer, and Rich Peet for their
> helpful ideas on ways to
> protect gear on backpacking trips.
>
> First, however, I do not fully understand Rich's idea of sticking a
> hiking stick in the ground
> as a substitute for a tripod. I can visualize screwing the shock
> mount or handle of the
> zeppelin into the top of a hiking stick ( did that with a video
> camera on one trip). But
> then, how would you get the thing steady enough to withstand wind
> if you walk away for
> 45 minutes, which I like to do? Can the legs of a hiking stick be
> steadied enough with
> rocks to do that? I suppose I should experiment. Rich, have you
> actually employed this
> solution? I LOVE the idea of having a hiking stick rather than a
> heavy tripod in my pack.
>
> On the protection for the zeppelin, I will check out Rich's idea
> about the PVC pipe at
> Home Depo, and Scott's idea of a Fed Ex box. Both great ideas.
> Greg's solution is to put
> the wind mount in a day pack and not crush it. This is good too and
> is what I did this past
> weekend and it seemed to work fine.
>
> Greg asks where I am packing. The upcoming trip (a week from
> Thurday) is a four day trip
> into the Grand Canyon. Very sandy and dusty, and at times very
> windy, and weight is at a
> premium. But so too is perfect technique, as the environments can
> be very quiet.
>
> I clumsily took my gear this weekend into Madera canyon--a north
> facing canyon in one of
> the "sky islands" of Southeastern Arizona. I will report on that
> trip later, as I need the
> group's advice on what the limiting factor is for noise in my
> recording system. Recorded
> an Elegant trogon; whipporwhils, Whiskered screech owl, and some
> ambient bird song like
> vireos and grosbeaks and warblers and woodpeckers. Much wind noise,
> and some water
> noise, did not allow me to really test the limits of the MS stereo
> set I assembled some
> years ago and am thinking of upgrading.
>
> The key reflection on this weekend was the profound importance of
> getting to the right
> spot--the right sounding place without people noise or machine
> noise. This is why
> backpacking is important, to me at least. Most of our great sounds
> out here in the arid
> Southwest are in riparian areas or other micro environments, and
> they are often overrun
> with activity -- the type that destroys biodiversity.
>
> I follow the same rule in flyfishing. If you are more than 5 miles
> or so from the trailhead
> on a trout stream, the fishing is usually quite good. If you are at
> the trailhead or within
> easy walking distance, there is too much "fishing pressure" for the
> fishing to be good. I
> therefore need a way to research the location of great sonic
> environments. Perhaps
> somome should start a database.
>
> This is great group and I truly appreciate your patience with my
> questions.
>
> George Paul
>
>
>
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