Camping and Backpacking GEAR thread

Tops Fieldcraft, best fixed blade I've ever owned honestly, link below. Kydex sheath. Worth the money.

http://www.bladehq.com/item--TOPS-Knives-BOB-Brothers-of--17691

 

Oooh that is nice.

 

.. I like knives..

 

talked to the ranger in bishop and they advise against going to Blue Lake this weekend. Anyone have recommendations on anywhere else we can go for 2 nights? something about 10mi round trip.

 

I love that hike. Haven't done it in years though. My mom used to carry my ass up McAfee every other weekend before I could walk. That place has a lot of sentimental value for me. How were the crowds? It gets so crazy up there now at The Knob and DT. Amazing photos!

 

McAfee was busy as hell with backpackers and day hikers even with the rain and low clouds (200yd vis up there). Tinker wasn't nearly as bad but still some people around. North Mountain we had to ourselves except for a few MTN bikers. And Dragons Tooth to 311 was fairly quiet except for a few SOBO thru hikers.

 

I didn't want to spend a ton on a fixed blade, so I ended up ordering a Boker Magnum Elk Hunter.

https://www.boker.de/us/fixed-blade-knife/magnum/hunting-outdoor-knife/02GL683.html

 

I hear that.

My outdoor beaters are Mora knives. I have a beautiful bushcraft blade but it's too nice.

I use a Mora or my BK14 first. Mora is my main user because the scandi grind is one of the best for outdoor use and is also the easiest to sharpen.

$12.

 

Used the new Arcteryx boots on a week long trip and I am extremely happy with them!

I crossed multiple streams that were a few inches deep and walked on wet spongy alpine and my feet stayed dry the entire time. i was curious if they would catch water in between the boot and liner but that was never an issue. They fit pretty snug and whatever water made it between the shell ran out through a mesh type drain. It almost feels like a wading sock and boot.

They are one of the most comfortable boots I've worn and definitely the lightest. I don't know what they weight but I doubt the pair weighs 2lbs, probably just a little over 1lb to be honest.

They are not a hardcore hiking boot though. I put them to the test and found that out. They are too soft for steep side hilling, both the shell and the sole. They'd be fine for most people but if you like to get up on the mean stuff I'd recommend something different.

 

Just found this picture on my work computer. Garnett Lake out of Devils Postpile in Mammoth, CA. Beautiful hike to a gorgeous lake. Camped right off the John Muir Trail, so got to meet a bunch of interesting folks while we were up there. This is also the trip, and the spot where I proposed to my wife after she caught us a few trout for dinner. Locked that one up real quick!

 

Great pic and story!

 

I would have made a reference to my gear but I think that's for another day.

 

I'm actually in the market for a new pair of boots. I'm definitely going to take a look at these. Thanks for the great write up!

 

Anyone have a lightweight pan that doesn't have steep or 90* walls. All the ones I've seen are too deep for what I want. I have a pot for deep stuff.

 

I like axes... see Gransfors Bruks.

 

How big? REI has a couple as well as snow peak.

 

About 9" or so. Snow Peaks that I found came in a kit and was pretty squared off. Link to anything better would be great. Snow peak is what I have for a pot and mug so wouldn't mind Ti again, however I worry about Ti in a pan simply because of the nature of pan cooking often leaving much of the metal without food on it and it's a bigger surface to heat so not opposed to other materials.

 

Yeah they are pretty square, I saw them before but they might have been their pans or plates or whatever they are?

What about a jet boil pan. I perfer a handle that folds under or into the pan but these aren't bad. I'll look for the REI pan but they probably don't make it anymore? Mine is probably 20 years old.

 

Jet boil is the best I've seen for diameter and rounded edge so far. I'm just not sold on the ridge ring on the bottom.

I wonder if I could take it off ha. Just seems like dead weight and taking up space to me.

 

LaSportia Miura are my favorite.