Camping and Backpacking GEAR thread

Finally found my wife a lighter pack that fits her perfectly even with 30# test weight. Spent 2 hours doing fittings and decided on the Gregory Jade 38. It fits the BV450 canister, her sleeping bag, clothes sack, sleep pad, and room in the body for some smaller items like our gravity water filter, stove, and fuel. Still leaves the front mesh pouch open, and the entire pack lid compartment for her toiletries and small personal items. She is so thrilled! Since I'm carrying the tent, we could afford to shrink her pack size down by 40 liters. Now to get her to a 20# pack weight for a 6 day trip, which we can do based on food weight.

 

You're too nice! I have to lug all my own shit around. (But I also do solo trips, so I get used to it). Since we both hammock, our gear volume is pretty small and easy enough for us each to carry. On occasion we'll share a bear can but we each own BV450s for solo trips.
Reminds me, I need to go get a permit for this week!

 

She was so miserable in that damn Kelty Coyote 80, and had so much extra room in it. We did share tent weight last year, but now that I'm down 40% in tent weight this year over last, it's not a problem for me to carry it all. She insists on bringing the Helinox chair this year, so she's carrying that 2# all by herself. I'm not beneath sitting on the ground

Where are you getting permits for this time?

 

Probably heading out of Lk Eleanor (above Hetch Hetchy) for a short loop.

 

Nice. There is SO much I have yet to explore in the Sierras. I'll be spending the rest of my life trying to cover every inch that I can.

BTW, this may be more outside of the box for your expertise, but I'm looking for recommended lakes to fish near Mammoth on my "recovery day". Wife will be at the spa all day, and I want to fish. I'll have very capable 4x4, and also a short hike wouldn't be a problem. Any suggestions, if you fish?

 

I use this... It's long but it's detailed!

http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5410679.pdf

 

That's a fantastic resource. Thank you!

 

^^ getting very bad everywhere. People come up and hour from Fresno to just outside Yosemite and just trash it.

 

Just found this thread
I'm out in colorado for the summer. Going to be planning some section hiking on the AT for the spring.
I got an Osprey Atmos AG 65 liter pack for my birthday.
Bought a North Face 20 degree bag from a friend at the beginning of the summer.
Just bought a Klymit static V insulated pad that should be delivered this week.
Next on the list is a Big Agnes Blacktail 2 tent that I'll be ordering at the end of the month when that direct deposit hits. Backpacking is replacing truck mods for a little while until I have a real job. Truck mods are just too much $$$

 

I go back and forth from truck and hiking purchases! So far I just have the Big Agnes rattlesnake sl2 and the Marmot Nanowave 55 (for summer) every paycheck I buy one Item on my REI wish list unless I find it cheaper elsewhere... I need to focus on paying off my debt!

 

@TacoBurrito07 nice gear so far.

Look into the rainbow from www.tarptent.com . It's an awesome tent that weighs something like 36oz, and with carbon poles I believe lighter... they have lighter tents too, just depends on what you want to sacrifice.

I have the double rainbow... only 39oz for 2 person backpack tent... very high quality, sets up quick, and great customer service and priced great considering competition.

 

I'll add:
Find what works for you! (As an avid hammock hanger, I preach about them as often as I can)
But as a former ground dweller, tents are peculiar. I've had a dozen brands. Some I've loved, liked, tolerated or loathed. While Shires tarp tents are an incredible product, they didn't work for me. Heck, even some of my hammocks are fussy and been sold off.

Free standing vs staked. 1 door vs two. Tarp vs body and fly. Poles vs trekking pole setup.
It's all a matter of personal preference, your budget and what you like and dislike.

 

Seriously! I bought some used UCAs at the beginning of the summer but now I'm moving more toward backpacking.

I'll look into that. I have a prodeal on big agnes so I get a pretty sweet deal I don't know about tarp tent though.

Interesting... I have an ENO and I love it for a light nap or reading and just hanging out but I have slept in it a few times while camping but man, I just cannot get comfortable and I do not sleep well. Everyone has their thing.


Also I hiked a 14er the other day (La Plata near Leadville or Twin Lakes, Colorado) with the pack because I hadn't had a chance to use it yet and I wanted to see how it would work out for me. I was carrying almost full weight (minus my tent but I did have the sleeping bag) and it definitely made it hard. First 14er too! Woo! Thankfully, nothing on the AT will be quite that hard.

 

I tested my Peak Designs CapturePro clip with Pro Pad yesterday. Only tested with the baby 50mm lens on, but I really liked it. Couldn't even really feel it was there.

 

A BA pro deal is the shit, use it wisely!! ENO is not the best for backpacking. There's better designs for a good lay. (Yes I said that!)

As for the AT, yes, there's sections just as hard, especially in Maine. The 100 Mile Wilderness is not easy by any means. Nor is the Knife Edge off Baxter Peak.

 

Gotcha. I just haven't really looked into hammocks all that much. Sleeping pad just got delivered this morning to the camp PO box so I'm pumped! Should get it this afternoon!

All I've done on the AT so far is the Grayson Highlands section which was actually unintentional and was just a day hike. I'm pretty excited to get started.

 

I'm excited for ya! New gear! New hikes! It's always exciting! Headed into Yosemite this very minute for a day hike!

 

Anybody have a preference on water purification?

 

I would consider the lightest shelter option possible as tents can be muggy midsummer in the Appalachians. I thru hiked in 1989 and didn't carry a tent at all. If there is weather coming in get up early and put in your miles you can arrive at a shelter and claim a spot. If there isn't rain you can always sleep out. Carry a trash bag for your pack if it is raining. Good luck I am jealous I miss the eastern mountains.lots of opportunities to swim especially in Maine