HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
Newsgroups: rec.backcountry
Subject: Re: New Zealand Macpac Tents
From: jtc@ee.latrobe.edu.au (John Catsoulis)
Date: Mon, 9 Nov 1992 01:48:12 GMT
Organization: Department of Electronic Engineering, La Trobe University

In article <2AFC3F8D.3601@news.service.uci.edu> cheu@venus.its.uci.edu (Kelvin Cheu) writes:

>I've seen some discussions on Macpac tents.  Is there any store in
>the US that sells Macpac products ? I know Macpac also produces
>internal frame packs.

I've been wanting to get a Macpac Minaret tent for the past few months, but
the price has put me off (not that I don't think they are worth it).  Could
anyone in the Land of the Long White Cloud tell me what these cost in NZ?
If it is significantly cheaper, I may try a mail order.

On the subject of other Macpac products...
I've had a Macpac Cascade pack for four years now. It is the most comfortable
pack I used and after lots of very rough treatment is still showing no signs
of wear. Highly recommended.

jc

-- 
________________________________________________________________________________
___                    ________Timing________       John Catsoulis,
   \__________________/   is everything.            Electronic Engineering,
____________           ______________________       La Trobe University,        
            \_________/                             Bundoora  3083  Australia.
From: rob@cygnus.com (Rob Savoye)
Newsgroups: rec.backcountry
Subject: Re: Rainbow Gathering
Date: 10 Nov 92 21:40:33 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: Cygnus Support -- +1 415 322 3811
In-reply-to: dencisco@eos.arc.nasa.gov's message of Fri, 6 Nov 1992 17:37:13 GMT

In article <1992Nov6.173713.3365@eos.arc.nasa.gov> dencisco@eos.arc.nasa.gov (David Paul Encisco) writes:

   How unfortunate! I once came across one of these gatherings
   in the Big Sur area (of course they were camped around the hot
   springs). I thought I had walked into the filming of the
   Last Temptation of Crist...the sequel! Four days later I had
   looped back to the spot where I had seen them last; they had
   since hiked out, and the place was trashed. I just despise large
   groups of backpackers, whether it be Rainbowers, Sierra Clubbers,
   or the Boy Scouts. People who travel in packs "tend" to be very
   destructive.


I'd wonder about this. The main reason the gatherings continue to
happen is because they clean up very well. I've checked in on several
previous gathering sites, and usually there was no way to tell that
they had ever happened. I've personally worked on a clean up crew
once. The effort they put into restoring the area is impressive. I
speaking of the nat'l gathering, I can't vouch for any of the
regionals.

	- rob -
Newsgroups: rec.backcountry
From: marks@ssdevo.enet.dec.com (Randy Marks)
Subject: Re: REI Cyclops Bivy Bag
Organization: Digital Equipment Corp. - Colorado Springs
Distribution: na
Date: Sat, 14 Nov 1992 00:25:40 GMT


In article <186@melasvca.merl.com>, shaun@ca.merl.com (Shaun Wilkinson MPU) writes...
> 
>I'm going to buy a Bivy Bag and I think that my choice
>is the REI Cyclops bag. For those of you who are not

Yes, I've got one.

> 
>1. Do you really use the hood?
Yes.  Especially on cold mornings.  You can remain the warmth of your
bag while brewing up tea in the morning.  Just make sure you plan
ahead the night before so you have your pack and what not within
reach.

>2. If it is raining outside, can you stay
> reasonably dry inside?
I've been fortunate in this regard.  Every time I've used my Cyclops,
it hasn't rained.  Perhaps it is a good luck charm.

> 
>3. Is it useful to get the insect netting for the hood itself?
Yes, most definitely.

	Randy Marks
(UUCP)	                {decvax,ucbvax,allegra}!decwrl!ssdevo.enet!marks
(INTERNET)              marks@ssdevo.enet.dec.com
(domain-based INTERNET) marks%ssdevo.enet@decwrl.dec.com
..........................................................................
	"No man's life, liberty, or property is safe
	while the legislature is in session."
..........................................................................
From: puck@Aardvark.Rain.COM (Priscilla Bates)
Newsgroups: rec.backcountry
Subject: light synthetic bags
Summary: light synthetic bag
Date: 11 Nov 92 07:02:48 GMT
Organization: Steve's UNIX System, Portland, Oregon

If you want a great light weight synthetic bag, I would suggest the Sierra
Designs Firelight -15 mummy. It's just 4lbs. 9oz. While the jury is still out
over just how long - i.e., durable - Lite Loft is, it is the lightest
synthetic around, with the possible exception of Prima Loft. Check it
out. 

Priscilla Bates
puck@aardvark.rain.com
From: ed@titipu.resun.com (Edward Reid)
Newsgroups: rec.backcountry
Subject: Re: A Seat with a View (Re: Snowy Sierra Nevada)
Date: Wed, 4 Nov 92 21:37:33 EST(-0500)
Organization: Accuracy, Ltd.
Reply-To: ed@titipu.resun.com (Edward Reid)
X-Mailer: uAccess - Macintosh Release: 1.6v0

watson@pioneer.arc.nasa.gov (John S. Watson - FSC) writes:
> It always amazes me that most the rest of people on the flight
> are totally oblivious to what is going on outside.  
> You pay $200 dollars to fly somewhere, and you ignore the view?
> Maybe they've flown so often that it is old hat to them.

Old hat can be a problem.  Also, even those who don't care about the view
sometimes ask for a window seat so they don't have someone crawling over them.

> Anyone else have some good tips for finding the best view?

Don't fly in the eastern US in the summer.  The ubiquitous haze ruins all
views, unless you are lucky enough to hit thunderstorms, which are spectacular
at 30,000'.

Don't fly at night. ;-)

Think ahead of time about which side of the plane you want to be on.  Usually
it doesn't matter as far as ground features are concerned, but I don't like
having the sun in my eyes.  So my travel agent has notes like "window seat
opposite the sun, not over the wing".  Takes a lot of explaining when I have
to deal with a new agent, which is a good reason for sticking with one small
agency.  You have to insist on this sort of explicit seat choice; it's easier
for them just to put in "window" and let the computer balance the load, but
they can choose any available seat.

It was much easier ten years ago; just show up early at the airport and you
had your choice of seats.  Except when you had a tight connection; that spoiled
the second flight.  Now you have to book early, find out when the seating
assignments are available, and get your seats as early as possible.  In the
last year or two I've had more trouble getting good seats.  A six-leg trip
this summer, booked a month in advance, I couldn't get a single window seat
the entire trip.  Even in the off-season, planes are fuller than they used
to be.  One of the side effects of deregulation.  Cheaper tickets but more
competition for good seats.

Don't ignore those sitting with you, though.  I've learned a lot about what
I'm watching from people sitting next to me who knew the area.

> And don't you wish you could get the airlines to keep the windows 
> cleaned better?

Actually, I wish they would clean them less.  Or at least learn how to clean
them without scratching them.  The scratches are worse than the dirt.  I've
sat by windows so pitted that I basically couldn't see the gorgeous views
I knew were outside.  So that's another tip: fly 767s instead of DC9s.

Edward Reid  (8*}>
  eel:   ed@titipu.resun.com  or  nosc.mil!titipu.resun.com!ed
  snail: PO Box 378/Greensboro FL 32330
Newsgroups: rec.backcountry
From: deaton@saturn.sdsu.edu (Ed Deaton)
Subject: Re: Rustic cabins in the Sierra?
Organization: San Diego State University, College of Sciences
X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.1 PL6]
Distribution: ca
Date: Thu, 12 Nov 1992 00:15:37 GMT

The cabins at Giant Forest in Sequoia are still there.  I still stay in
them.  The cost is up from $10.00 though.  

Ed Deaton

Newsgroups: rec.backcountry
From: jahn@guinness.Idbsu.EDU (Greg Jahn)
Subject: Re: Abbey bashing.  Was: Trip rpt: SE Utah 4wd vacation, part 3/4
Reply-To: jahn@guinness.idbsu.edu
Organization: BSU - Data Center
Distribution: na
Date: Tue, 10 Nov 1992 21:15:05 GMT

In article <1992Nov10.185820.25091@news.uiowa.edu>,
 donath@herky.cs.uiowa.edu (Matt Donath) writes: 
|>Could someone please explain to me why Abbey is revered for Desert Solitaire?
|>As far as I can remember, he does the following things in the book:
  [ ... ]
|>book.  I remember being sorely disappointed in it.  In fact, about the
|>only thing I agreed with Abbey on was his dislike of cars in the
|>National Parks.

First of all for the record, I think it's healthy to do and allow
hero bashing, particularly of one's own particular idols.

But the thing is, in this fiercely politically correct era, if I
ever encountered someone who was entirely 'correct' I'm sure I'd
either find them offensive or boring.  I doubt Abbey either wanted
nor cared to be a hero, he was a human being, mostly flesh and
blood (and a bit alcohol in the blood stream), and I think he 
was pretty honest about that ... I can respect that much more than
the foolish consistency of the all too common close-minded and 
judgemental liberal.  Gee, anyone care to comment?   :)

Nothing personal, Matt, I mean these comments in a more general way.
And besides ... back in the 50's or 60's, whenever that was written,
hell, I think almost everyone was acting like that.

--
Greg Jahn Boise State Univ.|>>>>>>>Official Disclaimer <<<<<<<<<<<<
/ jahn@guinness.idbsu.edu /|" Only the names here are fictitious.
/ dosjahn@idbsu.bitnet    /|  The story, unfortunately, is
/ (208)385-3891.thephone  /|  absolutely true. " - Joseph Brodesky

Newsgroups: rec.backcountry
From: viviana@igor.tamri.com (Vivian Aldridge)
Subject: Re: Rustic cabins in the Sierra?
Organization: Toshiba America MRI Inc, S. San Francisco, CA.
Distribution: ca
Date: Tue, 10 Nov 92 21:55:01 GMT


Hi again,
I was told that info on rustic cabins could be found in FAQ part 13.
However, I can not find the FAQ (I looked in news.answers.) 
Do any of you kind souls have a copy yo can email me?

Thank-you!
Vivian

viviana@tamri.com
From: AS.MSW@forsythe.stanford.edu (Marc Whitney)
Newsgroups: rec.backcountry
Subject: Re: Survey on Firearms carried while skiing (serious survey)
Date: 12 Nov 92 23:00:12 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: Stanford University
NNTP-Posting-Host: morrow.stanford.edu

In article <1992Nov12.220429.2063@nas.nasa.gov>,
eugene@wilbur.nas.nasa.gov (Eugene N. Miya) writes:
>
>>Are some folks really so uptight that they feel the need to arm themselves
>>against fellow skiers?
>
>The answer appears to be yes (from two years ago as well).
>I'm only interested in the degree.  So far, I HAVE received multiple
>additional yes-es.   I will watch for another week. I am interested in trends.
>It appears we have one.
>
>        More yes-es?  Come along.  We're not turning you in, it's just a
>        head (I mean hand) count.

Someone's OD'd on James Bond flicks if you ask me!


-- Marc Whitney
From: becky@humboldt.kent.edu (Becky Roethlisberger)
Newsgroups: rec.backcountry
Subject: Re: Light & Warm Synthetic Bag: PARADOX?
Date: 11 Nov 92 02:06:28 GMT
Distribution: na
Organization: Kent State University

In article <1992Nov10.165557.18938@cbnewsl.cb.att.com>, bohack@cbnewsl.cb.att.com (edward.e.harstead) writes:
|> In article <1992Nov9.211958.4905@dartvax.dartmouth.edu> Gen.M.Kanai@dartmouth.edu (Gen M. Kanai) writes:
|> >
|> >I am looking for a light and warm synthetic sleeping bag, and I think
|> >that this might be a paradox.  Everyone knows that down is light,
|> >compactable and warm, but sucks when wet.  
|> 

Down more than sucks when it gets wet - it becomes useless, and that is not a 
chance I am willing to take when I'm a long way from nowhere.  I have found the
new synthetic bags to be as suitable as down for all of my trips and feel a lot
more confident in their ability to keep me warm even when they are wet (this comes
from more than one personal experience).

I am surprised that no one has mentioned MOONSTONE when responding to this
posting - as far as I know they are the only company to have had bags approved by
the American Alpine Institute.  I like the OPTIMA XL, the new models are made with
LITE LOFT and are very light and compressable (about 2 lbs 13 oz for the regular).
The OPTIMA is good to about 15 F, but with the AC liner (ADVANCED CONCEPT) it
goes to about 0 F.  (The MAXIMA XL is good to about -5 F and I think it also has 
a liner that extends the rating by "up to 25 degrees").

If you're still stuck on down, MOONSTONE makes those bags too (available with or
without GORE-TEX) and has a couple models approved by the American Alpine
Institute.  I've been out in as cold as -20 F (where there is virtually no liquid
water), and this is about the only time I think a down bag is an almost safe bet.

For a general, all around bag, the safest and most comfortable route
to take is synthetic fill - it's easy to care for, compressable, light, less
expensive than down, and is reliable even when wet.  As for the choice of brand, I
just don't think you can beat the quality of a MOONSTONE (LITE LOFT bags have 
shaped hoods, optional liners, vertical side seams, shoulder yokes, draft tubes,
variable thickness insulation and locking zippers - there are probably other 
features too, but these are the ones most important to me).  It surprises me that
so many people cling tight to down in this age of modern technology.
From: diverson@phys.ksu.edu (David Iverson)
Newsgroups: rec.backcountry
Subject: How does cheese keep (was Lunches and Snacks...)
Date: 5 Nov 1992 18:53:55 GMT
Organization: Kansas State University
NNTP-Posting-Host: bose.phys.ksu.edu


Here's a good topic for discussion (which somebody else asked about).

How well does your cheese keep?

My experience is as follows:

Monteray Jack lasts forever  (14 days in summer couldn't kill it)

Cheddar seperates into oil and glob after about 7 hot days.

Mozzerella gets kinda funky (sorry, best description I can think of) if you
keep it over (about) 95 degrees for any length of time.

This is for taking the cheese out in small shrink-wrapped containers (like
from the store) so that any given block only gets exposed for about 2 days
before it's eaten.

If the temp is in the mid 40's everything keeps great.

If the temp is below freezing you better hope you aren't counting on
breaking up that big economy-size brick of cheese you brought along.
(You can't even throw it at marauding bears, they're all sleeping).

Does this match up with your experience?  How about other types of cheese?
I haven't tried Muenster or Havarti or Colby because I've been afraid they'd
die quickly.

-David Iverson



--
diverson@phys.ksu.edu
From: alpope@skids.Eng.Sun.COM (Alan L. Pope)
Newsgroups: rec.backcountry
Subject: Re: How does cheese keep (was Lunches and Snacks...)
Date: 5 Nov 92 13:15:58 GMT
Organization: Sun Microsystems
Distribution: world
Reply-To: alpope@skids.Eng.Sun.COM
NNTP-Posting-Host: skids.eng.sun.com

Cheese Half Life in the BC during hot weather is related to moisture content:

	Cottage Cheese may last three hours.
	Parmesan (brick) lasts a month.

---
Have me in the strong loneliness
	of sunless cliffs
And of grey waters.

Be in me as the moods of the bleak winds
	and not as transient things are--
		gaiety of flowers.

May the gods think kindly of us,
	may the shadowy flowers
		of Orcus remember thee
in days here after.
Doria -- Ezra Pound 		Alan Pope <alan.pope@Eng.Sun.COM>

From: ajs@hpfcso.FC.HP.COM (Alan Silverstein)
Date: Tue, 10 Nov 1992 19:41:55 GMT
Subject: Re: Camping in Hawaii
Organization: Hewlett-Packard, Fort Collins, CO, USA
Newsgroups: rec.backcountry

> As far as penalties, don't worry.  Police are very easy-going, downright
> lazy if you don't hassle them.  Even if you do hassle them.

What about the feral pigs, however?  Some of the aforementioned police
woke me up in the middle of the night at Mauna Kea State Park -- I was
sleeping on the asphalt in a corner of the lot next to my car on a dark,
foggy night.  The cops didn't hassle me, but they warned me my life was
in danger if I didn't sleep in my car or in a cabin.  Apparently feral
pigs are everywhere below timberline, although they avoid civilization.

> ...Mauna Kea state park on the Big Island has been taken over by the
> military for an indefinite time...

Say what?  You mean the phone, bathrooms, cabins, etc.  there are now
off limits?  Why'd they do that, and when?
From: Gen.M.Kanai@dartmouth.edu (Gen M. Kanai)
Newsgroups: rec.backcountry
Subject: Re: Lowe/North Face/Patagonia, etc...
Date: 6 Nov 92 03:54:21 GMT
Organization: Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH
X-Posted-From: InterNews1.0a5@newshost.dartmouth.edu

Stay away from Mountainsmith's Delta Elite series.  I have heard of
over 10 different *catastrophic* failures.  

I highly reccomend Dana Designs and if you want to drop lots of cash
for a great pack, get a McHale.
From: Gen.M.Kanai@dartmouth.edu (Gen M. Kanai)
Newsgroups: rec.backcountry
Subject: Light & Warm Synthetic Bag: PARADOX?
Date: 9 Nov 92 21:19:58 GMT
Organization: Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH
X-Posted-From: InterNews1.0a5@newshost.dartmouth.edu

I figure this newsgroup is the best place to start.

I am looking for a light and warm synthetic sleeping bag, and I think
that this might be a paradox.  Everyone knows that down is light,
compactable and warm, but sucks when wet.  

I am considering the "Gold-Eck" bags sold by Mountain Tools, but I have
no idea how good they are.  Does anyone on the net have any experience
or heard second or even third hand info on these bags?

My requirements are -20 degrees, long, not necessarily Gore-Tex, but
synthetic and lightweight!  For instance, the North Face Tangerine
Dream is a nice bag, but it weighs 8-9 lbs!  I dont want anything that
heavy or extreme. 

Can anyone tell me what fill they like and why?  Does anyone have a
good idea for me?  How about bivy bags?

thanks in advance, 
Gen.Kanai@Dartmouth.EDU
Newsgroups: rec.backcountry
From: solnorda@dmpe.csiro.au (Chris Solnordal)
Subject: Re: Is Gore-Tex overrated ?
Organization: CSIRO. Div of Mineral and Process Engineering.
Date: Fri, 6 Nov 1992 05:16:38 GMT

Seems to me that different garments have different properties
even though they all claim to be using Gore-Tex technology.
I know nothing about how they're all put together but I do know
this:

My father bought a GT jacket for skiing in Norway, and it was
wonderful there (where the snow is dry), but back in Australia
(where we have lots of rain) it is useless.  I am not sure of
the brand of this jacket.

However, I have a GT jacket that I bought for general walking
backcountry use (in the above-mentioned rain) and have only
got a little wet at the top of the zip (pathetically sealed with 
one of those velcro cover things).  I've been in pouring rain
all day and come out completely dry.  This jacket is made by
Mountain Designs. 

So is it the GT, or is it the way it's used ?

You tell me

Chris.
Newsgroups: rec.backcountry
From: eugene@wilbur.nas.nasa.gov (Eugene N. Miya)
Subject: Re: other bashing.
Organization: NAS, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA
Date: Fri, 13 Nov 92 22:13:19 GMT
Distribution: na

In article <1992Nov13.184234.22193@news.arc.nasa.gov>
watson@pioneer.arc.nasa.gov (John S. Watson - FSC) writes:
>If you don't like the writings of St. Eddie, 
>which backcountry authors do you [the Abbey Bashers especially] 
>think is better (or prefer)?

	Colin Fletcher (just finished Secret Worlds [bashed by a Compuserve
			poster])
	Rachel Carson (bashed all the time by John "LISP" McCarthy in other
			newsgroups)
	Dave Roberts (bashed by light weights)
	Jeff Long (occasionally interesting climbing fiction)
	Art Davidson (2/3 books very impressive)	

	Various things on panel 28.  I'd rather build that up.

>Don't worry, I'm not going to bash any of your choices ...

You should!

--eugene miya, NASA Ames Research Center, eugene@orville.nas.nasa.gov
  Acting Associate Editor, Software and Publication Reviews
  Scientific Programming
  {uunet,mailrus,other gateways}!ames!eugene
Seeking Books to buy:	Bongard, Pattern Recognition
			3 down 1 to go.
From: sgordon@hpindda.cup.hp.com (Shaun Gordon)
Date: Sat, 7 Nov 1992 00:30:47 GMT
Subject: Re: Lunches and Snacks: what do you bring?
Organization: HP Information Networks, Cupertino, CA
Newsgroups: rec.backcountry

graham@cs.montana.edu (Jonathan Graham) writes:

> 	Just wondering what types of items people bring for lunches and
> snacks on hiking trips (>2 nights).  I usually just bring g-bars (granola
> bars) and other similar things being that most lunches are spent on day
> hikes (from the campsite).  I try to avoid things that need cooking for
> lunch beacuse of the fact that on these day hikes I only bring a butt pack
> and camera, no room for my stove.  Thus the two main meals of the day are
> just breakfast and dinner.  I also bring gorp and sometimes summer sausage
> on these hikes, but none of these ever tide me over till dinner.  I am I 
> missing some obvious treat at the freeze dried section like PB & Jelly
> sandwiches, just add water and enjoy!  What kind of lunches do you all
> usually bring?

----------

On our last two outings we brought along flour tortillas instead of bread for
lunch.  You don't have to worry about crushing them, and they easily stayed
fresh for our entire 6 day trip.  They go great with peanut butter and jelly
or by themselves.  We also thought about making quesadillas for dinner since we
always bring along cheese, but we never actually tried it.

-Shaun Gordon
-sgordon@cup.hp.com
Newsgroups: rec.backcountry
From: tad2x@csissun11.ee.Virginia.EDU (Todd Anthony Delong)
Subject: Re: Upper Michigan/Wisconsin backwood Cabin rental??
Reply-To: tad2x@csissun11.ee.Virginia.EDU (Todd Anthony Delong)
Organization: University of Virginia
Distribution: na
Date: Fri, 6 Nov 1992 15:21:28 GMT

In article <1992Nov5.185039.5661@midway.uchicago.edu>, kristian@dwayne
(Kristian Simsarian) writes:
|> 	
|> 	In Virginia there was an organization (Applachian Mountain
|> cabin assoc, Blue ridge chapter - or something like that) that owned
|> some cabins in the mountains (many on state park land).  They would
|> rent them out to members.  Membership was cheap and so was the cabin
|> rental.  Anyone know of anything similar around these parts?

Actually, I'd be interested in knowing more about the organization that
rents
cabins in Virginia.  If anyone has any information, I'd appreciate a
reply.

Thanks.

Todd
Newsgroups: rec.backcountry
From: Jeff Wishnie <jwishnie@taligent.com>
Subject: Re: Lunches and Snacks: what do you bring?
X-Message-Id: <A727E9C45601C1F5@kip-51.taligent.com>
X-Date: Thu, 12 Nov 92 11:00:20 GMT
Organization: Taligent, Inc.
X-Useragent: Nuntius v1.1.1d3
Date: Thu, 12 Nov 1992 19:05:12 GMT

My two favorite lunches:

- Bagels. A good bagel will keep for several days before petrifying, and
even a hard bagel makes a good lunch. I smear on some peanut butter and
chocolate for extra flavor.

- Pita bread and humus. Whole Foods (CA) markets sell powdered humus. Mix
in a little water, stuff in a pita, and you have a great lunch/snack.

 - Jeff
From: alan@elroy.Jpl.Nasa.Gov (Alan S. Mazer)
Newsgroups: rec.backcountry
Subject: Re: backpack on plane
Date: 13 Nov 92 04:24:54 GMT
Organization: Image Analysis Systems Group, JPL

In article <1992Nov13.013040.5819@mtxinu.COM> jon@mtxinu.COM writes:
>A trick I just learned for my last trip:
>
>	Go to an appliance store and get a refridgerator cardboard box.
>	Custom make your own cardboard box for your pack.

I'd say you lucked out.  I'm going to stick with the duffle bag approach.
The duffle bag won't fall apart on the 19th drop onto tarmac.
-- 
 
-- Alan                        # Mountain Dew and doughnuts...
   ..!ames!elroy!alan          # because breakfast is the most important meal
   alan@elroy.jpl.nasa.gov     # of the day.
Newsgroups: rec.backcountry