Head Case Survivalists

[VPI]

Another possibly limited interested topic, but I know a few here spend time hiking/camping and I am trying to get into it and looking for a repository of the best products, etc. and tips on overnight, multi-day, etc. backpacking trips. So far I only have the backpack Gregory Baltoro 75, a spork, a fire kit, various Busse knives and Vapur collapsible water bottles.

 

What are you guys packing and using on your hiking trips?

[grawk]

i posted a link to a tarp in the what did buy thread you might find interesting.

 

All the camping gear I have is either 25 years old, designed for a big family, or both.

 

For a cook stove, I'd look at MSR and Jetboil.  I'd probably use an aeropress for coffee, and some hand coffee grinder...

[VPI]

Yeah I went and looked at the tarp/tent thing.  Not sure I will have those walking sticks.

 

I think REI has both of those stoves, plus some Ti cooking pots that I will pick up.

 

No need for coffee so no worries there.

[grawk]

you can always get tent poles to use with the tarp.  Still not going to beat the weight.

[tyrion]

I was doing mostly rucking which requires more weight, not less so my packs are heavier than the typical hiking/backpacking pack.  My 26 liter GR1 weighs in at 3.20 pounds.  I would like to do some backpacking or slack packing (multi day trip but nights spent in hotel, no camping) trips including something with Peter out west. Having shoulder surgery in November so hoping it will allow me to get back to carrying some weight on my shoulders.  I have the same water bottles, a Source Bladder, first aid kits.  When we hike with elevation, we use aluminum hiking sticks with cork handles.  They were great when we were in Oregon and the Adirondacks.

[nikongod]

If its any help, I am more a fan of MSR stoves - the ability to cook with a standard pot (without buying an adapter thingy) is pretty sweet. I like isobutane stoves when possible - they are simple to use, pretty much zero-maintenance, and usually a touch (or more) lighter than liquid fuel. The downsides are that liquid fuel is more readily available, and works better in the cold. 

 

If you plan to fly with the stove things get kind of iffy. Liquid fuel is easier to find when you land, but TSA loves to "confiscate" liquid fuel stoves. 

 

I like tents for starting out because of simpler set up. But tarps are SOOOOOO much lighter and better ventilated. 

 

Do not skip the sleeping-pad when you start looking at sleeping stuff. This is very important for warmth in addition to comfort. 

Edited October 7, 2014 by nikongod

[VPI]

Good info.  I was actually looking at Thermarest pads and some lightweight tents/bags to start with.

 

A lot of the videos I am seeing have people using denatured alcohol as a stove source, not sure if that is because they want easier transport or something to do with the cook systems they use.

[nikongod]

 

A lot of the videos I am seeing have people using denatured alcohol as a stove source, not sure if that is because they want easier transport or something to do with the cook systems they use.

 

The stoves themselves are very light, the fuel can be bought at just about any hardware store, alcohol is a renewable resource which keeps the hippies happy, they have no (essential*) moving parts, and there is VERY little residue/smell. They are also easy to build with a soda can**, which fuels a lot of "look at what I built" posts & videos. 

 

The downsides are that the stoves just aren't as hot as pressurized fuel stoves, alcohol burns with a "clear" flame in daylight which is a bit of a safety concern, and the energy density of alcohol is lower than fossil fuels. 

 

I'm on the fence. For shorter trips in warmer weather alcohol makes sense. Although alcohol will almost always light, I get tired of waiting for it to heat water in the cold. If you need more than a few days-worth of fuel, or are cooking for more than 2 people what you save in the stove gets offset by the worse energy density of alcohols compared to isobutane or fossil fuel. 

 

* Some commercial alcohol stoves have a little damper-paddle-thingy to control the flame. If it gets lost the stove still works.

 

**Soda can stoves are prone to getting squashed if you pack them wrong, so be careful there. 

[guzziguy]

If you really want to go light, check out Ray-Way products.

 

With lots of help from a friend, I made one of their sleeping quilt kits.  I like it much more than any sleeping bag I've ever had.

[HeadphoneAddict]

Here in CO we pretty much stick with 3 season tents and mummy sleeping bags, as opposed to tarps and sleeping quilts. The weather can change so quickly that the extra protection and warmth might be needed in the middle of summer at high altitude.

 

Our family has been using things like Sayer squeezable water filters, MSR pocket rocket compressed gas stoves, and 2lb REI sleeping bags with Thermarest pads, and a 4lb REI Half-Dome T2 Plus 2-man tent.  My son's Osprey internal frame backpack is about 65L and pretty light, with a life-time warranty. So even with him being somewhat out of shape he manages the boy scout backpacking trips just fine while helping to carry some younger scout's extra gear too.

[The Monkey]

No intention of camping but like gear.  Please send me your newsletter.

[tyrion]

I like gear and camping, so I'm in for whatever Jeff plans, with Peter as our guide but only if Edwood joins us. I know Jp is in.

[VPI]

Colin tells me hiking in his area is the best he has seen, and he is an almost Eagle Scout.

[VPI]

No intention of camping but like gear.  Please send me your newsletter.

 

Dinny, the toys seem to be abundant.  I now have a Ti Spork, how have I lived all this time without a Ti Spork?

[n_maher]

Which spork? Amazon has one I've almost bought...

[VPI]

Snow Peak

[acidbasement]

I'm not a gear guy when it comes to camping (not even doing any backcountry camping now that I have little kids), but I like fire.  I've found a good way to make firestarters at home is to fill a cardboard egg carton with wood shavings, then pour in paraffin wax.  Wait for it to set and cut the whole thing up so you have 12 little easily-combustible paper cups full of paraffin and wood.  It's a cheap and easy way to get a fire going when the wood is a bit damp.

[VPI]

That is a great tip.  It seems like most of the places I have looked at have fire bans going most of the year so I am not sure when I will be able to practice starting a fire with the new toys.

 

I am actually looking at a smaller 50L bag of the UL variety to play with now as well, maybe an Osprey of some sort?

[nikongod]

This thread makes me want to build an alcohol stove. Or a bunch, as the case may be. 

 

Some people at work drink RedBull, so I should have an adequate supply of smallish cans soon. 

[VPI]

I bought the Pocket Rocket to start off with.  The JetBoil Flash stove was the one I was most impressed with so I am not sure I will stick with the Pocket Rocket but it is a start.  

[nikongod]

I completed "designing" and "built" the alcohol stove with the Red bull can. 

 

I did not make a base for it, which is probably (absolutely) important if I actually want to boil water with it... Maybe I have some bricks sitting around I could use. 

 

I am debating actually drinking a beer from an aluminum can to obtain a sturdier can for different designs. 

[Iron_Dreamer]

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.

Edited October 10, 2014 by Iron_Dreamer

[Wmcmanus]

Jeff, your query is quite broad. Where do your priorities lie...

 

He just likes buying cool shit.  I think he said it quite well.  

[VPI]

I think I will primarily be on the Appalachian Trail in Virginia and points south for my early attempts.  My plan is to buy all the cool toys that are pretty much trail universal at first and buy specific stuff for specific trips as needed.

 

I am probably around 70% lightweight and 30% comfort at this point.  That might change dramatically to 165% lightweight 295% comfort after my first real hike.

[VPI]

I completed "designing" and "built" the alcohol stove with the Red bull can. 

 

I did not make a base for it, which is probably (absolutely) important if I actually want to boil water with it... Maybe I have some bricks sitting around I could use. 

 

I am debating actually drinking a beer from an aluminum can to obtain a sturdier can for different designs. 

 

Pictures Please