Iron_Dreamer

Ho jeez!

Many nights of wet, never getting close to or below freezing? I'd probably just get synthetic and not worry about it. For how not-that-low the temps would be, you really just need minimal extra warmth, especially if you don't mind sleeping in a few layers. The quality on the WM bags is just great. My "summer" sleeping bag is this Mountain Hardwear, which is about as warm as it gets for only 1lb (used it down to 20ish with a few layers at 12,500ft). Pretty narrow cut, though: http://www.mountainhardwear.com/mtn-speed-32-regular-OU8519.html

Where're we going? It's a nice time of year in Death Valley That's all I was really saying. It's never going to be what it once was, but at least we can enjoy the memories. The new scene is fine, but there are a lot of agendas floating around out there.

I'll likely be there one way or another. But yes, it is one in a long chain of events in California organized by a new, much more commercially-oriented group of Head-Fiers who have little to no knowledge of the days of yore.

Just pull the SIM. Shouldn't be a problem. If paranoid, just run it in airplane mode.

The only lightweight tents I've seen specific complaints about tearing easily are the Big Agnes Fly Creek Platinum line, which I considered earlier this year, but ended up with a standard Fly Creek model, for only a few ounces more weight, but a more reassuring denier of fabric (and a bit more warmth due to less mesh). Ed's had a BA Copper Spur for years that's held up well to use in some tough, rocky environments here in the southwest. I also have a 4-season mountaineering tent that I have no worries whatsoever about damaging, but it weighs 6-7lbs depending on parts taken, for a 2-person tent!

Which WM bag did you get? I have an Apache, which I've used comfortably down to about 10F in a not-so-warm tent. It's quite an amazingly warm bundle for only 2lbs. WM Bags definitely can outperform their ratings. Concerned about destroying any specific points on tents?

Exactly! Am I nuts for wishing that they'd start Petit in one of the other two?

Come on Giants let's get some offense here!

I'll be there in my Justin costume

Thanks everyone! Giants WS, Colorado scenery and beer, it's been a great birthday!

Definitely, Greg, I'll let you know when I'm back in town.

No, the last one is from the longest lens in my bag at the moment, the Sigma 150 macro Have more to post, and tons more to process, took about 1100 shots in a week. And then there will be the return trip to California!

Jeff, your query is quite broad. Where do your priorities lie (weight vs. comfort vs. fun toys), what sort of places and conditions are you looking to visit? It all can make a huge difference in gear. I have similar big pack, an Arcteryx Altra 75, but I only use it for winter hikes requiring a lot of gear, or times when I take a full DSLR rig with tripod and full camping gear. I did a 7 day trip in thr Sierra earlier this year out of a 50L REI Flash, which weighs 3.5lb less. And I love my REI Stoke 29 for sub 20lb loads.

Amazing that you got to see the whole game at Toronado, Al! I heard the last 10 innings once KNBR started coming in here in Colorado once the sun set. What a game! The belt home run sounded like a real backbreaker for WAS.

A couple of favorites from my trip so far, first from Utah, then Colorado:

Finished converting my Nikon rig to all primes (14-24 excepted) just in time for a Colorado trip with the addition of thr Sigma 35/1.4. Very excited with what this lens looks capable of, and will update with pics in the coming week.

I have the MM20 for my Fuji kit, and it's pretty much perfect for what I need, can hold a body with a couple of lenses, extra batteries, charger, and a few misc tools. Can't beat it for the price!

As well it should be! Between the lens and sensor, it has no excuses for not delivering the goods. It just comes down to the limitation of one focal length, period. I'm getting more used to that with my carry-all camera, the Fuji XE-1+27/2.8, but I do like being able to use it with other lenses when pocketability isn't paramount.

From a tumultuous evening in Yosemite a couple nights ago:

Larry, coming from driving a couple of Honda 4-bangers and a Prius, it's a damn pleasure to drive a car whose engine doesn't need to rev to the sky to have any semblance of power, so I know just what you mean. Welcome to HC Team Subaru! Not quite sure we're as numerous as Team VW/GTI, but we're gaining!

No meters, but blue text!

It was only on a couple of trim levels from '01-'04. It is the best sounding stock system I've heard in a car, but I did have to track down a $59 part from China to be able to add an AUX input.

Some of you saw it on Facebook, but I picked up an '03 Subaru Outback yesterday. Drives fabulously, and got a clean bill of health from the mechanic, so I should be good to go for many years to come on their bulletproof H6/4AT powertrain. And of course, I got the one with McIntosh sound system

Wow, the epic year of death rolls on.