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  1. #1
    New Member thinkpol's Avatar
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    Newbie questions from HammockForums' newest member!

    Primary uses will be for 3-4 day trips to Yosemite, JMT, Joshua Tree, 2+ week PCT section hikes as well as the full PCT next year. I've learned a lot lurking here the past week or so but would like some practical advice.
    I am trying to keep my base pack weight below 8lbs. From my experience a good nights sleep makes your day on the trail more enjoyable and gives me much more endurance (would like to keep 25mi/day pace). I'm sick of the aches and pains (knee, hip, back) of ground sleeping that I've been subjected to throughout my time in the military and ready to RELAX, at least at night!

    [Sleep/Shelter]
    Blackbird Single 1.1 (17oz)
    Yeti UQ (10oz?)
    MacCat Standard Spinn (8oz?)
    Nunatak Arc Specialist (17oz)
    4x Carbon Fiber Ti-Goat Stakes (.88 oz)
    Suspension?

    [Other Gear]
    Patagonia Capalene 3 tops and bottoms (5.8 and 4.8oz)
    ULA Conduit (20oz)


    I've read a bit about the "Whoopie Sling Suspension". About how much does this weigh?
    I realize I can go lighter with the pack but I would rather not sacrifice durability in this category.

    Will there be durability issues with the single 1.1? I was also considering getting the double layered 1.1 to put a GG thinlight in between.

    Will I need a Down Insulating jacket layer? I've never felt the need for anything like this in the military, while keeping active thin fleece baselayers were always enough. I don't plan on bringing rain pants. Are there any jackets out there that can/should be used for not only a rain jacket but a windjacket (concerned about breathability)?

  2. #2
    Senior Member
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    Welcome to the forum! Nice to see another Blackbirder heading for the high Sierra.

    Adding the bear canister will jigger with your base weight, but it will absolutely necessary. The Bearikade has the best ratio of can weight to volume. You will also need water treatment and kitchen kit, yes?

    I was on the JMT from Yosemite to Reds Meadow last week. We had freezing temps, 50 mph wind, and snow. I really wanted my down jacket and rain pants. You won't be active all day, especially if the weather is pelting you to the point that you can hardly stay upright. I suggest at least a MacCat Deluxe for better coverage. Also consider that you may be forced to ground if you are alpine or subalpine - my solution was a NeoAir which worked just as well in the hammock. Foam 3/4 length pad would be a good pack frame, sit pad and emergency ground pad for you, as well as extra insulation with the quilt in the hammock.

  3. #3
    New Member thinkpol's Avatar
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    For the kitchen set:
    Platypus 4L Tank (3.6)
    Platypus 2L Bottle (1.3)
    In addition to these I'll pick up Sports Drink bottles as I need them

    Caldera Keg GVP (2.6)
    I don't drink coffee, cider, etc. Will just use to heat up/rehydrate the vacuum sealed dehydrated meals I make at home (will eat inside the bag). Possibly some MH meals if I feel lazy.

    Sea To Summit Alpha Light spoon (.2 oz)
    Aqua Mira in BPL containers (.6 oz)

    I may go with the Nunatak Arc AT 3/4 Length (8oz) for use with the Nunatak Skaha Down Sweater (8.5 oz) which would both replace the 17oz Specialist. Would wear a polar buff (want to bring 1 normal and 1 polar).

    Adventure Medical Ultralight First Aid Kit (.9 oz stock), would switch some stuff out of here, probably get some Giardia treatment, some Band-Aid Advanced Healing Blister (love these).


    Misc (necessary): Sunscreen, Deet, Baking Soda, 1/2 Toothbrush, Chapstick
    Don't know which rain jacket/wind jacket I want to go with (Houdini?). Might get some lightweight rain chaps (MLD?).

  4. #4
    Senior Member gargoyle's Avatar
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    Mountain weather is ever changing, keep your options wide open. Include a extra warm layer, the down jacket would be great item. Packs light and small, yet provides good insulating value. lori just posted a trail report where one of the guys in her party didn't bring long pants. The weather got cold and windy and he suffered.

    Where and when you hike are the main deciding factors of course, so, to each there own on what keeps you warm.
    A good breathable rain coat or poncho with pants are a good layer as well for keeping dry and warm. Lots of options as far as brands. But when I'm active I sweat alot and I don't know if there is a all in one fabric that doesn't hold the vapor I produce. So far a poncho has been the best for me, since it allows more airflow.

    As far as durability of your 1.1 BB, from what I've read here they do fine. Treated with respect as any piece of gear, i.e. no sparks or sharp objects or dragging on the ground it should hold up nicely. I don't own one, but I've heard nothing but good things here. Someday I'll call brandon.

    The weight of your whoopie depends on overall length that you make it and what kind of rope you use, so thats a variable that can't be answered. Most rope suppliers online give weight per foot or yard of thier rope. amsteel blue seems popular here for whoopieshttp://www.samsonrope.com/index.cfm?rope=192 This chart displays what your looking for.

    Welcome to the Forum.
    Ambulo tua ambulo.

  5. #5
    New Member thinkpol's Avatar
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    Are the bear canisters required by NPS? I could go with the Ursack if I didn't think there'd be any trees for the "PCT method" of hanging foodsacks.
    Any opinions on the MacCat Spinn VS Sil?
    Last edited by thinkpol; 08-09-2009 at 18:59.

  6. #6
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    SIBBG approved Canisters are mandatory over the majority of the JMT and all over Yosemite. Go here and scroll down to click on the map of canister required regions in the Sierras. I know someone who was escorted out of the wilderness when he was caught hanging food instead of using a can.

    Spinnaker is lighter but noisier than silnylon.

    The Arc AT is only rated for 40 degrees - you will FREEZE without more insulation than that. I would suggest a 25F rated quilt at minimum in the high Sierra, in summertime. For a couple more ounces than the Specialist you could have a JRB 3 season quilt for less money - mine has taken me below freezing and been consistently warm, and I am a cold sleeper.
    Last edited by lori; 08-09-2009 at 19:32.

  7. #7
    Senior Member Mule's Avatar
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    Don't forget, you must carry out all waste. Yes. ALL waste while in Yosemite or Mount Whitney, and in between you must carry out your toilet paper. That's what turned me off about going last year.
    Predictions are risky, especially when it comes to the future.

  8. #8
    Senior Member
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mule View Post
    Don't forget, you must carry out all waste. Yes. ALL waste while in Yosemite or Mount Whitney, and in between you must carry out your toilet paper. That's what turned me off about going last year.
    NO, actually, that's just Mt Whitney - Yosemite just wants you to carry out the TP, and bury the poo. Whitney wants you to take the wag bag and carry out the poo too. Your trash does need to go in the bear can as well - couple of ziploc freezer bags for me, every trip.

  9. #9
    Senior Member Mule's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by lori View Post
    NO, actually, that's just Mt Whitney - Yosemite just wants you to carry out the TP, and bury the poo. Whitney wants you to take the wag bag and carry out the poo too. Your trash does need to go in the bear can as well - couple of ziploc freezer bags for me, every trip.
    Glad to hear that.
    Predictions are risky, especially when it comes to the future.

  10. #10
    New Member thinkpol's Avatar
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    Lori - I guess you're right about the Arc AT, for some reason I thought it said it would be rated down much lower if you wore the Down Jacket on top and that the 40 degree rating was if you just used it alone.

    Does JRB make something that is the equivalent to the Yeti? (3/4 UQ)

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