Norcal Spotted and BS Thread

I don't who all here is a diehard skier/snowboarder, but if you are, or even if you like to take the occasional stroll down the greens. I made a thread. Hopefully it can be useful.

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/northern-california/301000-norcal-skiing-bs-thread.html

 

It's an insulated one.

I've camped at Hope Valley in near freezing temps. Also out near Quincy and at Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest.

Something about the Exped's that is not true for the Thermarest is the inflation method. The Exped uses a hand pump which helps keep moisture out of the mattress. Recall that to inflate the Thermarest, you have to blow it up which traps some moisture in the mattress-maybe not a big deal but something to consider.

I also have a "winter" mattress from Mountain Hardware-it's thick and as long as you stay on it, it's warm. It's about twice the packed size as the Thermarest. Which is another thing, the Exped packs pretty well for it's performance.

 

Black Single Cab with a TW sticker just now at Watt and Folsom in Sacramento

 

Spotted yesterday on 101 SB in San Rafael, 1730 ish.

White 2nd gen, lift, bronze wheels, big SCS sticker in back window... Clean truck. I threw up some horns, but then realized I was driving the lowly commuter car, and then felt shame.

 

lol, i know that feel

 

Yeah I saw that hand pump thing in one of their videos. I hadn't thought about the moisture, though! That's a good idea...
How durable is it? The thermarest that I have is pretty tough and my parent's have old orange ones from the 80's or something that still work perfectly. Mine packs down to about a 5"x10" cylinder, how's the Exped one do? Definitely considering one of these as my next one when my current one wears out.

 

No less durable than the Thermarest. Both go flat if you puncture them and both use patches to fix them. I can't remember the packed size but the Exped site says 6x11. The mattress is 26x78.

 

If you check out exped.com's website, you can actually see the dimensions and R-Value specs of the sleeping pad. Ian's Synmat 7 LW (the largest one) rolls up to 6"x11", has an R-Value of 4.9, and is 38oz plus it's incredibly comfortable w/ the way they put int their microfiber fill which is "welded" to the top and bottom of the pad. The sausage nature of the pad gives additional valleys to trap heat between yourself and the pad also giving a place for moisture to pass through.

When I go backpacking, I actually like my Therm a Rest Neo-Air All Season. They actually sell a battery powered inflator that uses AA batteries which is pretty neat. It deflates completely flat, but has an R-Value of 4.9. It even rolls up to 4.75"x8" and at 19oz, it's super light.

However for car camping, I have the previous model Therm a Rest DreamTime XL with an R-Value of 9. It has a BaseCamp Pad (which is similar in design to Exped's SIM pads) with open cell foam on the top, and a velvet/microfiber cover on top. It's super soft and totally warm.

Have you tried using the mylar coated bubble wrap insulation as a base for your sleeping pad? I've heard it works pretty well.

I've also been reading about folks doing a lot more hot tenting these days with Titanium Wood Stoves

http://seekoutside.com/products/wood-stoves/

Keep your tent at 70 degrees all night with a single wall. keep it balmy in the 80s and 90s with a double wall.

 

I'm going to be driving my truck in the Placerville Christmas Parade on Dec 1. I HAVE TO get my BHLM done by then. I have all the supplies, but I'll admit I'm a little bit scared. LOL No reason to be though, so I'll just Get Er Done!

 

Woot woot. Vin came by and dropped my wheels off! They are incredible, can't wait till I can afford to get some tires for them

 

Paging Brian. Come in Brian. He's a BHLM expert if I'm remembering correctly. Also, why are you driving your truck in the parade? Going to have santa sit in the bed?

 

For the observatory. So many people don't know we have one, and my wife came up with the parade idea. The lead docents are thrilled with the idea. I'm borrowing a friend's trailer that I'll be pulling.

 

There's an observatory?

 

Ooo. I'll see if I can swing by for it then.

 

There's an observatory? I have been to Pville hella times never knew there was an observatory. Thought it was gold mining/hangtown/apple hill...

 

Right behind the college. Communityobservatory.com

 

speaking of apple hill, the gf keeps bitching about me taking here there. So ill be up that way very soon.

 

Brian is TDY in Florida for a month... lol. Just a heads up

 

No pie better than French Apple pie from Kids Inc. The Delfinos sell their pies year round now at the gas station there on Carson Rd too.