I didn't try to be an ultralight fag on purpose but it turned out all the gear I need for a 3-4 night backpacking trip fits in a 40-45L backpack, so I'm looking at options for backpacks in that range. Currently using this Gossamer Gear 42L pack and it's okay so far, but does anybody have other suggestions for mid-sized packs?

What is the most hardcore hobby and why is it cave diving?

Life after 30 is a slow-motion suicide without family. It's all the negatives of getting old; watching your friends drift away as they start their own families, your parents and siblings getting old and die, watching everything in your life slowly putter out as the magic fades; without any of the positives of things like family or community to shore you up. Everything rots away and you're left with the bleakness of oblivion, no hope of anything continuing. Anyone who has experienced considerable ageing among his family members (or already in himself), knows how blackpilling it is. It's really rough, once people pass their early 50s (or sometimes even sooner) you start to notice the slip-ups, forgetfulness, the declining of fine motor skills, the difficulties understanding new information. Human existence is a tragedy, there are so few years that you are allowed with full mental and physical strength. Your peak years are mostly wasted with education, where you have barely any control over your own life, because you have little to no money nor autonomy. Add to that the time spent sleeping, working, hygiene, housework, shopping, appointments, visits to the workshop - what do we have left? Everyone who has to work for a living basically leads a precarious existence, regardless of whether they are a simple worker or a well-paid employee. Before they have built up a comfortable fortune and a well established understanding of the world, the body goes downhill.

Do you like exploring caves? What sort of caves have you been in?

> be me
> Practice charting time.
> take a lot of time taking measurements around my basement.
> Take measurements back to charting table.
> Absolutely fucked.
> Repeat measurements repeat charting.
> Still fucked.
> Drop pen in frustration
> North changes.
> That was several hours of my life.

can anyone recommend a good pair of hiking boots? price doesn't really matter, i'm just trying to get a decent pair of boots that won't bust a hole straight through the bottom like my last pair (my walking posture is fine)

Any TN anons out there?
Know any good /out/ spots in the great volunteer state?
Personally I am looking for some spots in Eastern TN in the Nooga area, want to go on a day hike, camp overnight and do some plinking. Was thinking of the pocket wilderness in Dayton, but idk their rules on guns and camping overnight.

Anyone else been having fun getting out in the mountains?

I love extreme sports and orienteering but I also love gardening. I saw this doc on extreme gardening and want to get involved. Anybody do this? Apparently it started in Norway:
https://youtu.be/-JaxFQR0V7c?si=5iqD3rA3mCg9B5no

Is there anything I should know to deal with winter conditions hiking? I've never been hiking with a significant amount of snow or ice, but am planning to do some in January in the Appalachians around VA, WV, MD, and/or PA.