Camping and Backpacking GEAR thread

I would note that keeping your jacket/sleeping bag packed will degrade the insulating material over time. Those should be kept loosely in a bag/container or hung in a closet.

For 2-3 season the stove should be good to go but when temps begin to approach 32f butane fuel will quit working. Butane's boiling point is about 32f, and isobutane's is about 11f. In a butane/isobutane mix the lighter isobutane (which makes up a relatively small proportion of the canister's fuel) will get burned off first and so a full canister will work for a little while in temps down to about 15f. Mountain weather is always unpredictable and not being able to get a hot meal bc of a temp drop is not fun.

 

Also I have a Osprey 34l pack. And even with a packed down sleeping bag. It takes up over half the bag space. Doesn’t leave much room. 34l is basically the size of a jansport backpack. I set mine up as an easy day hike and possibly emergency gtfo bag

 

Yeah I’m tracking not to leave the down/insulated bags and jackets compressed for too long. I keep my bags in a mesh sleeping bag storage bag when not going out.

But thanks for the information on fuel! It was news to me.

 

Im hoping I can make it work don’t really want to get a larger pack as I already have a 50L and 58L

 

FWIW I've got an Osprey Archeon 45 that I use for the purpose you're describing. Making it work in a ~35L is difficult but there are definitely people who make it happen. If your jackets/bag are high quality 750-900 fill power down they'll compress super small and that may get you most of the way to making it work. The fleece may not make the cut as it doesn't compress at all and provides a small amount of warmth compared to its size and weight. Maybe replace that in the pack with a down vest.

 

My bag is a Nemo 15° 650 down bag. I can get it small. But still the room it takes. I’m looking for a 50-60l for 1-3day trips that I’m capable of.

 

I've been using a Kelty Trekker 65 external frame pack for the last 15 years. It's pretty old school and a little on the heavy side but it is very comfortable, keeps a little airflow on your back, is virtually indestructible, and you can always lash lighter items to the exposed lower frame when packing for longer trips. https://www.kelty.com/trekker-65/ I used almost the same pack when I was a kid so maybe it's just nostalgia but I'll keep using mine until something better (for me) comes along.

 

Guess I could just use my 50L for my needs. And I have a 58L that I use for a weekend backcountry hiking trip.

 

Just got the OR Helium gaiters. Excited to try them out!

 

Spent this past freezing weekend backpacking on the Sheltowee Trace Trail in Kentucky. Started out north of Red River Gorge Saturday, finishing in the gorge Sunday. 32 miles slipping and sliding in the ice and snow. Got down to 15° Saturday night, had to sleep with my water and fuel canister. Used a 28° Mountain Hardware down bag combined with a 50° Enlightened Equipment synthetic quilt, was enough with cloths on in bag.

 

Did you celebrate at Miguel's Pizza?

 

No, should have though. Eaten there many times in the past.

 

At least you know what you are missing.

 

Recently picked up the Toaks alcohol stove stand and it does just barely fit the Stanley French Press

 

If you are searching for youth sleeping mats these are on sale. I grabbed a pair, one for the boy and another for me to try out as part of my ultralight setup. Lots of others on discount as well but these are nearly half off.

https://www.campsaver.com/klymit-static-v-junior-sleeping-pad.html

 

I've used 3/4 length pads many times in the past, saves on weight and bulk. I place my empty backpack at my feet and rest them on the pack. On short trips I like to carry my Nemo Tensor reg wide inflatable, my luxury item.

 

Some Trangia porn...I bit the bullet when the black 25 series came back in stock.
The lid of the simmer ring has changed and while the actung can't be seen in the pic it is barely visible in person.

 

Another amazing hack for the Stanley Two Cup Cookset
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0hlf5LIEEY

 

@ETAV8R Thanks for posting this. This is a huge space saver vs carrying loose mugs that don't nest. I'm going to pick up a set and do this hack.

 

He's got a ton of hacks for this cookset. It's so versatile.