Firearm/Knife on your backpacking trips?

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Y'know, I'm curious about this too. I was considering travelling to Europe for a couple of weeks if I get a scholarship for which I applied. It'd only be for two weeks (three max) and my instincts tell me no, but... is it common?
 
I would carry a large knife or a gun not for the wildlife, but for the hicks. My dad got knocked out and robbed while doing a several day hiking trip in California.
 
NLB2 said:
Where are you going?
What backpack?
How much weight?
What footwear?
How far?
Click to expand...

Shennodoah backcountry
REI Mars (5100cu inch)
About 35-40lbs
Basic trail hiker boots
About 12+ miles of hike to destination

What does this have to do about my inquiry of people who carry a weapon or not on a backpack journey?
 
Jim Bowie said:
Y'know, I'm curious about this too. I was considering travelling to Europe for a couple of weeks if I get a scholarship for which I applied. It'd only be for two weeks (three max) and my instincts tell me no, but... is it common?
Click to expand...
Knife is all cool in Europe but don't even think of carrying a firearm, especially through customs.
 
You should always have a sturdy knife with you. A gun is up to your better judgement, if you think risk>weight then carry one. Make sure you understand how to use it and basic firearm safety.
 
I pack my Glock G17 9mm ever since I saw this movie.

mm10.Blair-Witch.jpg
 
How do you get a knife through the airport? I doubt they'd let you take it with you, even if it were for backpacking safety, and I doubly doubt that they have knife stores available right when you get out of Heathrow.
 
Chony said:
I would carry a large knife or a gun not for the wildlife, but for the hicks. My dad got knocked out and robbed while doing a several day hiking trip in California.
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just knocked out and robbed? Is he sure thats all they did to him?
 
i know in the US everyone likes to be armed, but other countries take a very dim view of carrying weapons.

Jim, i wouldn't carry a concealed weapon in Europe, you are more likely to get more grief from the authorities than any likely trouble you think it might help you with.
 
Okay, final question. For those who do carry arms for outdoor recreation (backpack, camp, hike etc)- has there every been a time when you thought of resorting it's use? Also, what for...wildanimal, UFO, psycho woodsman, etc?
 
I carry a pistol on overnighters in the back country by myself but I've never used it for anything. Just make sure you have it all legal and stuff. I have a CWP (concealed weapon permit). Saves a lot of hassle if you are ever stopped by a cop for whatever reason.
 
A few years ago, my friend and I would go hiking in the local hills often. I would carry a very large fixed blade knife in a sheath on my belt, and secured around my leg at the bottom. I also carried pepper spray for wild animals. There was one time where several suspicious looking people were stopped on the trail ahead of us. I was a little nervous, and I'm glad I had my knife, but nothing happened. Of course, if they were really criminals, they might have had guns, and my knife would have been pretty much useless. I'd much rather have a firearm, a Colt .357 magnum plus a few speedloaders would do nicely, but you can't do that here in California.
 
How do you get a knife through the airport? I doubt they'd let you take it with you, even if it were for backpacking safety, and I doubly doubt that they have knife stores available right when you get out of Heathrow.
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Put it in your luggage, not in your carry on, and it'll be fine.

I once tried to bring a sword on a plane, naively thinking it'd be okay since it was dull and couldn't even bruise anyone, but the Dutch airport security weren't too happy about that, though they were still very polite about it.
 
Yamaha98 said:
Okay, final question. For those who do carry arms for outdoor recreation (backpack, camp, hike etc)- has there every been a time when you thought of resorting it's use? Also, what for...wildanimal, UFO, psycho woodsman, etc?
Click to expand...

I always have a rifle with me at my family's cabin in Alaska. A bear was chasing my mom up from the beach one day, I was a few seconds away from shooting it, thankfully my dog chased it off.
 
Yamaha98 said:
Shennodoah backcountry
REI Mars (5100cu inch)
About 35-40lbs
Basic trail hiker boots
About 12+ miles of hike to destination

What does this have to do about my inquiry of people who carry a weapon or not on a backpack journey?
Click to expand...
Ah, fuck it.
You don't need anything.

12 miles? Run the downhills and you'll do it in two hours easily.

Knives always come in handy, btw.
 
Jim Bowie said:
Y'know, I'm curious about this too. I was considering travelling to Europe for a couple of weeks if I get a scholarship for which I applied. It'd only be for two weeks (three max) and my instincts tell me no, but... is it common?
Click to expand...

:lol
 
I was wondering the same stuff, I have plans this summer to do a lot of camping/hiking/canoeing. So I was curious about the same subject. We have a 3 day canoe trip in July, Canoeing all day, stopping @ night, camping, then starting back @ it in the morning.

or should I just
Rambo%20First%20Blood.jpg

Rambo It.
 
A good knife is always an essential backpacking tool, but I'm not sure I understand all this discussion about firearms. Deep woods hiking for a long period? Hunting? Sure. But just for general protection on a couple day or single day hike?!? What the fuck are people going to these rural areas for if they're that anxious about harm?
 
If you're an American who is seriously contemplating carrying firearms around while travelling in Europe, then you can just stay in America as that is the only good place for you.
 
AltogetherAndrews said:
If you're an American who is seriously contemplating carrying firearms around while travelling in Europe, then you can just stay in America as that is the only good place for you.
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What? You must not have seen Hostel, then :b
 
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