Camping and Backpacking GEAR thread

Hey there buddy!

 

Well my ZPacks stuff arrived....

They sent the wrong pack. I ordered the Arc Haul Zip and they sent the regular Arc Haul. After going over it, it's basically the same thing except no front panel zipper to access inside the pack. I decided I didn't really want the zipper feature since I see it as a weakness. I'm just going to keep the pack that they sent and just deal with a top loader. I already have that now with my Osprey pack, so it's no biggie. Plus, I saved another 3.5oz! The pack is so sick, and it's so damn light but still a huge 60 liters.

The kilt is badass, BTW. Goes on fast and fits good. I'll be a big crinkly trail fairy but I don't give 2 shits about it!

The Solplex single tent is insanely light and packs up so small. Stupid small.

Here's the tent next to my JetBoil Flash:




And the pack (big bear canister already inside). I bought the multipack to use as a pack lid. I like to keep quick access items up there like headlamp, permits, first aid, multitool, etc:

 

Dig it all man!!

 

Hell yeah, man. I am jelly.

I just ordered a Backcountry Bed. Sierra Trading Post had the 800-fill 30 degree model for $200 after a sale price plus a 20% off coupon. I couldn't pass it up. They aren't super duper light, but I actually dropped my sleep system weight by about 14 ounces. I dig it.

I will probably buy a quilt at some point later as well.

 

14oz is always a good drop. Nice.

 

Man, that pack really does look pretty slick, Seabass. I was looking at the ULA Circuit recently which looks like a pretty similar design.

 

I remember seeing info about this pack a while back, and it looks like the have the first run of them available now. They are supposed to start full time production in spring of 2017. The design is pretty interesting, but also not too dissimilar from a ULA pack.

https://sierradesigns.com/flex-capacitor/

 

Looks like a great time. I would love to hear more about your trip.

 

Oh, be careful what you ask for, lol. I'll post a few more photos later today and tell a bit more about the trip.

 

I considered ULA packs actually. However, they are over a full pound heavier than any of the ZPacks packs and they have a load rating up to 35# where the Arc Haul is rated up to 40#. The Circuit has about 6 extra liters of total volume, but they count things like the hip belt pockets in that which the Arc Haul doesn't. I added 2 hip belt pouches so my total volume is more than the Circuit now. For an extra $50, I felt that the ZPacks was worth the extra weight carrying and also being so much lighter. ZPacks has some great pack attachments that you can add on for convenience, too.

Similar here, where the Flex Capacitor is a pound heavier than ZPacks and has a slightly less max weight capacity. Side pockets look narrow, there's no mesh outer pouch on the front, and there are lots of buckles you have to contend with, making it less simple to get into it in a pinch.

 

My recent hike down into the Grand Canyon began on the South Kaibab trail. I'd been told that the hike down was as bad as the hike up, and they weren't lying. Your feet and knees really take a pounding. The park service has put timbers across the trail (I'm sure it was to guard against erosion) which made a series of steps. But, the steps are not evenly spaced or the same drop off, so it's hard to get into a rhythm. Here's one of the major descents. You can see the switchbacks as you descend.

 

I did a quick test setup of the new camo ZPacks Solplex tent this morning. Check it out. Fits me just right, and I'm 6'1" and it gives me plenty of head/foot room when laying down. I can sit upright in the center, but that's it. It pitched really taught, too. It's going to be a perfect 1 person shelter for me and my pack. My new pad fits perfectly in the bathtub floor and keeps it spread out, too.

 

Looking down into the Grand Canyon is pretty impressive, but once you start down into, you're overwhelmed with the sheer size. Here's a shot going down. You begin to see everything from a different vantage point. I probably should have posted this shot first.

 

You share the paths with mules as they go up and down. You can see how uneven the path is when you look to the right side of the bottom photo. At the top you see that sometimes it was easier to walk beside the main trail.

 

Looks like a awesome trip! I have yet to see it. Also need to visit Yellowstone one of these days!

 

Does a UL pack really matter when your carrying 30-40 lbs? Too me it seems like a extra pound or two would be worth it for better suspension and durability?

 

UL packs were designed for people who carry lighter weights, usually <20# base weight (no food/water yet) and <30# full weight (food/water included) or less.

 

Continuing Saga of Grand Canyon - as you can imagine, the further we got into the trek down, the less pictures I took. Somewhere between the bathroom toward the top, and the Tonto Trail junction, we came across a lady who was suffering from dehydration. She and her adult daughter had no business being on the trail, particularly that far down, between 3 and 4 miles. One of the guys with me is a retired fireman/paramedic. He gave her his bottle of Gatorade, to try to replenish her eloctrolytes, which meant that he would later run a little short. Sure enough, somewhere past the Tipoff and in sight of the Black Bidge, it hit him. I hustled to the bottom with the intent of getting water and taking it back to him. I got to the Bright Angel campground, dropped my pack, filled my bottles and was about to head up, with one of the rangers, when we met him entering the campground. He'd gotten a little rest and a second wind and was able to come down on his own. Here's a photo of Bright Angel Campground, taken from the bridge on the way up to Phantom Ranch. As I mentioned earlier, we were so tired, that once we'd eaten a little, we just put our ground cloths down and slept in the open. We did that all 3 nights. It was great!

 

As @Seabass said, it's for lighter loads. I too have lightened up to sub 30# and usually less than 25# (total) for summer.

As for ULA packs, it's an incredible pack and I'd love to own one but try as I might, they just don't ride right on me.

 

All non-adjustable packs can be expected to fit a little bit differently. Its very individual in that regard. I did three trips this Summer with a Hyperlite 3400 SouthWest and I like it a lot. Partly because they have a size, Tall, that's between a Large and an XL, with a long torso but a Med-Lge hipbelt. Fits me so well I barely know its there. For Summer use, up high, I'm carrying 22-28 lbs for 4-5 days including food, fuel and 1-2 liters of water.