Camping and Backpacking GEAR thread

I was carrying another pack strapped sideways across the top. Month to 6 week glacier trips. The shoulder bar to the floor is about 21". I spent 45 years adventuring and working in the climbing and skiing business. The rest of the time I was just goofing off.

 

Did a quick gear layout, planning a socially distant camping, range, and decompression trip to the local National Forest, figured I'd trial run some gear and see what weight was reasonable and what wasn't. I need to add an IFAK but I'm definitely packing everything else and the kitchen sink.

 

Three different types of M&Ms? Love me the peanut and peanut butter ones, but the regular ones are pure “meh” lol

 

Yeah, gotta have some variety. I think I'll eat all of them anyway. That full kit minus one of those gallons weighs 77lbs packed, plus maybe 5-8 worn. Good thing it'll be a short hike.

 

Are you on the younger side? That's a lot of weight. Is this a desert trip or one where water sources are limited? While I love the E-tool and have humped it many miles (military and civilian), I wouldn't take it on a backpacking trip anymore. I've got a nice light spade for that duty.

 

That's...a lot. of course there are good reasons for all the pieces. I certainly wouldn't want to carry that too far. As mentioned above, is water sourcing an issue?

What's that knife? I like the profile

 

Are you hiking or trucking? A bunch of M&Ms, three gallons of water, three different firearms and no apparent food seems a bit weird. From what I see you're missing a lot of stuff and carrying 30lbs too much.

 

Nope, just limited on water purification tools and don't want to rely on fire with how wet the area has been. My Sawyer and iodine have vanished in my move, so I'm making it a training opportunity to try and start acclimating to the weight for future events. E-tool is a test for other trips as well, it won't be my main backpacking cathole tool.

Yes and no, there is natural water around but my purification methods have gotten lost in the move. Thankfully this will be a long drive and a short hike. Knife is a ZT0180, easily one of my favorite knives.

Mostly trucking, not anticipating more than a mile of hike per day. The peanut butter, m&Ms, and goldfish are my go-to 2-3 day food sources. Plenty of calories, easy to pack, no prep. Firearms are there because it's a test trip for all 3, and really I'll probably store the AR+its kit in the truck after day 1 because I just need to do a quick function test to ensure the new buffer system functions, the 22 and P07 will mainline. Definitely missing things, my IFAK and water purification being 2 big ones.

 

Makes sense now, I totally feel the missing gear. Still trying to get my kit back together after a move last fall.

Sweet I'll check it out

 

I was planning a backpacking trip in late spring before the whole COVID issue occurred. So I had, and have since purchased another, Sawyer water filter system. My old MSR pump is gonna get shelved.

 

Going out this weekend chasing bear. Going to do an over night trip. Hopefully get about 3 miles in. Guess there is still a bunch of snow. I'm excited to use my new tipi in the wild! lol I've only set it up a few times in the back yard.

 

Those of you with travel trailers what led string lights do you recommend. Looking for something for a 14' awning that's plastic

 

So, I've got this 50% off on North Face gear deal through the end of the year, so I'm just looking at their stuff to see what's worth buying. The only experience I have are with a couple of older VE-25 tents that were bombproof. Have no idea about the newer stuff. Looking for some summer time, 3 season type gear for backcountry use.

Mostly thinking of getting some loaner gear for my son/son-in-law. Looking at the Prophet 85 pack and a lightweight tent. Maybe a 3 season bag. The summit pants look like a maybe.

Anyone have experience with any decent North Face gear that would be worth buying at 50% off for real use?

 

pro link for military? If so where.
Honestly I’ve heard mountain hardwear tents are better with the pro deal they have.

 

They are giving a 50% discount to healthcare workers through the end of the year. I really wouldn't be looking at their stuff, but for 50% I figure they're bound to have something worth getting.

 

I was looking at their site as well. I know their stuff is great but I've never had any NorthFace stuff. A buddy has a +30 year old down sleeping bag that still works amazingly well.

 

Their stuff is really really heavy for serious backpacking. Some of their clothing, maybe, but their clothes aren't built for lightweight at all either. I had one of their rain jackets years ago and it did a good job but now it's just in the truck because there were so many other lighter and more compact options on the market for backpacking. Just because it's a sale doesn't really mean that it's worth investing in. But if you don't mind larger and heavier gear, then go for it.

 

Yeah, that's what I'm trying to figure out is if anything they have is worth having at 50% off. If so it will be a good deal. At the very least I'll probably get a few jackets for normal wear.

 

Cascade Designs is doing a health care worker discount also. Not sure of the percent off though.
https://www.cascadedesigns.com/health-care-worker-discount.html

 

I own two Northface zero degree mummy bags that we've had since the early 90's and two of their winter jackets. They are all holding up great and I've never had an issue with them. I think it's cool that companies are offering discounts to health care workers. Off topic, the Thunderbirds are doing a flyover salute to our health care workers today in SoCal, I'm looking forward to it.