haha good on ya Wrongturn. Representing all the joes
haha good on ya Wrongturn. Representing all the joes
The great thing about this trip, is I won't be humping 500 packs or 400-500 tents. We agreed to leave the technicool stuff out of my pack.
In all seriousness the WM bag will be the most expensive thing on me, which isn't with the general game plan of this trip, but there are so many sleeping bags and well I like mine.
This entire trip is to get an idea of how viable it is to gather a Moderate priced UL gear loadout which works day after day on a long hike. We all know people like me who are OCD gram weenies. We as a market spend thousands of dollars over the years sometimes hundreds at a time to cut maybe 1-2 ounces, problem is not many potential thruhikers have hiked alot before they decide to do this trip, or are willing to drop that kind of cash to get into the SUL category.
Basically we're looking to find a good solid setup of lightweight but also affordable gear. For example I found out I'll be testing a Osprey Exos 46 size medium. Thats 2800 cubic inches at 2.5lbs. Pack is under 200 dollars. Now granted a person could go with a ULA Circuit for 2.5 pounds and have 3600 cui, but alot of people are gearing up at their local REI not Brians website or the few distributors that carry his gear.
Alot of DIY guys out there making water filters, but I'm not big on the whole dip and gravity filter setups out there. So far I've made a simple setup that took 14 dollars to make without the filter. 2L Platypus, and a cap/ hydration lineout. I stop unscrew the regular cap, throw on the hydration line out cap with clean line already attached to it. connect to pump and I'm filling straight to my Platypus. Filling my Gatorade is as easy as dropping the cap in the bottle and pumping. Simple and 9oz total with filter.
I need some suggestions on stove options. I have pocket rockets, alcohol stoves, esbit tabs stoves........ I know the pocket rocket will work on a day to day hike especially during the summer. I have to take a stove as your not going to meet many thrus who aren't. I'm thinking pocket rocket for the commonality of it on the trail, but at the same time I'd like to try alcohol on a long hike.
Not the guy to ask for Directions.
Actually, I think the Pocket Rocket is in the minority on the Trail (AT, anyway). The vast majority of hikers still on the Trail after Hot Springs were carrying alcohol stoves. They have really caught on. Me, I'm weird. Got my Rocket in my Pocket.
Sounds like a great time and what an excuse to go for a walk. Jealous in Denver.
Trust nobody!
My personal favorite stoves are the Caldera Cone and the Caldera Keg from the nice folks at Trail Designs, sold by TinMan at AntiGravity Gear. I've had the Keg since last summer and it's the lightest and most efficient stove setup I've ever used.
"If you play a Nicleback song backwards, you'll hear messages from the devil. Even worse, if you play it forward, you'll hear Nickleback." - Dave Grohl
Hooch were you using that setup at the winter hang? I remember someone using a cone. Mom got me a couple Evernew pots for my birthday this weekend. So once I get back home for spring break I'll check them out and figure out what my plan of attack will be. 1ounce of fuel gives me boiling water with the cobalt. So figuring a at most 7 day resupply I'll carry 10 ounces of fuel. Liking the cone idea though. 2Q made me one for my starlyte, but the starlyte really isnt stable enough for my unsteady hands. Great stove just to small for me. I'm glad ya'll are saying alcohol though, I want to really get down and dirty on this hike as far as gear. I'm open for suggestions on things to take.
Not the guy to ask for Directions.
I have mixed results with getting the starlyte to boil water. Simmering its great, boiling not so much in less than ideal situations. The cobalt on the other hand is a torch.
Not the guy to ask for Directions.
Did you have any luck with the Heiny Pots and Fancy Feast stoves I sent out? I can boil 2 cups of water with just a little more than 0.5 oz of fuel easily.
Adam
I did Adam thanks a ton. The fancy feasts are awesome. Actually I gave one setup to my dad after I wrapped some wick cord around the pot to get him away from his Whisperlite. I'm going to take a Heini and Fancy Feast on my trip next weekend.
Not the guy to ask for Directions.
I am glad you are going to get to play with them. Stoves are weird. You kind of keep searching until you find "THE ONE". It seems like "THE ONE" is different for everyone. Some people swear by stoves that I just personally dont like and visa versa of course.. The nice thing about these fancy feast stoves are that they are so cheap that if you dont like them you can just bestow some trail magic upon someone that might have a crazy heavy setup and might appreciate the lightened load.
Adam
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