From: donehoo@strobe.ATC.Olivetti.Com
Newsgroups: rec.backcountry
Subject: Backpacking Loser/Winners (long)
Date: 2 Sep 92 22:46:23 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: Olivetti ATC; Cupertino CA, USA


After a few years of backpacking, and after 180 miles of the John Muir Trail
this last summer, I have gone through quite a few items: some were winners,
and some losers. Now, I admit I am somewhat an equipment junkie, but I only
stay with what works, and the rest gets tossed out. Recently, I have finally
settled on the base setup of my equipment needs, I don't expect to change
TOO much in the future, and I thought others out there might like to hear
about my conclusions on various items. So here it is, a list of winners and
losers (for me anyway), and if this does not interest you, hit "n" now.

JANSPORT DENALI [winner]. Even when the hip belt broke near Mammoth 50 miles
along the JMT, this pack is still a winner. Maybe it had something to do
with the fact when I went into town, a local store (following Jansport policy)
unconditionally replaced the belt, no charge. Also it has something to
do with the fact that it makes very heavy loads very easy to carry. When
the load gets up and over 60 LBS, your hips do take a beating on long
trips, but that may be true for all packs, I don't know. Anyway, after
loading and trying out my internal North Face Shockwave [the jury is still
out on this one], then transferring the same load to the Denali, the load
seemed at least 10 lbs lighter! Also, I like lots of pockets and the fact
it does not collapse into a heap when unloaded: it think of it as a portable
easy access cupboard. Everything is real handy. If I find an internal
this comfortable and accessible, I will buy it. The DANA stuff comes close...

NORTH FACE VERSATECH SUPERLITE LONG 0 DEGREE BAG [winner] I have yet to be
cold or anywhere near cold in this bag. Most of the time it is unzipped
in spots to keep me cool, except on the rare very cold night. Even then,
I have yet to zip and cinch it up entirely. 

REI SYNTH SQUARE PILLOW [winner] Whatever it is called, it is less than a
foot square, and is a great pillow. I compress it with the bag so it
takes up no extra room. I also had a pillowcase made for it so I don't
have to wash the pillow as much, just the pillowcase.

NORTH FACE TADPOLE NHP TENT [winner] This may not be the perfect tent, but
I have had alot of fun with it, and it is very easy to use and set up. It is
a bit small for two people, but it can be done 'cause I have seen it done. I
had to sew in some loops to hang lights from, and I have to keep waterproofing
the seams. As a friend pointed out after we spent yet another wet night
in which some water did manage to get in, the rainfly has too many seams
to possibly leak from: they should find some way to eliminate the top seams
in the fly. One morning I woke up with the tent in a small lake of water: 
nothing came in through the bathtub bottom, but water was dripping slowly 
from the fly seam, some of which ended up in the tent. Keep a towl handy 
on rainy nights and stay on top of the seam sealing. I also got the
FOOTPRINT bottom protector, and it really saves time in the morning:
you just flip the tent over in the sun in the morning with the FOOTPRINT
still attached, and in most cases only the FOOTPRINT will be wet. You
don't have to find a tree or rock to dry the Footprint on (just find
one for your wet rainfly ;-() , and when it is dry, chances are so will
be your tent. I also bring a very small tarp to fit the vestibule area
because I like having a clean area to set things just outside the tent
door, but you may feel you do not need this.  

THERMAREST LITE FULL LENGTH [winner] It is not worth saving a few bucks
buying the economy foam/cell bulky pads. Nothing is going to be as 
comfortable as your bed at home, put this pad helps. If you really need
comfort, get the standard, but I can't really tell the difference between
the pads when sleeping on them. I like the less bulk and weight of the lite, 
but it really does not amount to much.

CANDLE LANTERN (any kind) [loser] Others have success with these, but even
though I have a very nice fancy expensive version of this thing, it just
does not work for me. You have to keep it clean, never bump it (impossible!),
and naturally carry it. It keeps going out on me in my tent, and I keep
bashing into it, rendering it useless for a time. Too much trouble.

PETZL MICRO HEADLAMP and TEKNA FLASHLIGHT [winner] I used to carry these
two AND a mag flash and candle lantern! Now these two are all I need.
The headlamp uses are many and obvious. The Tekna, a kind that is no
longer available (my brother had lousy luck with it and in frustration
gave it to me: I fixed it and have been using it ever since), and is
an area illuminating flash with a beam too. It took the place of the
candle lantern in use. A great multi-purpose flash. Too bad they are
not available anymore (to my knowledge).

MSR WHISPERLITE STOVE [winner] This thing has been discussed to death here,
so I don't have to sing the praises of this reliable little stove.

MARINE PRIMER ALCOHOL and SQUEEZE BOTTLE [winner] Saves fuel, and keeps
your stove clean.

BIC STYLE LIGHTER [winner] Better than matches, even though you should
have them in reserve. Keep it dry or it won't work. Use a sandwich bag.

NIKE WATERSOCKS [winner] Mine are wearing out. Used for camp shoes, but
best of all for fording streams (and swimming). They are VERY light!
Remember to bring a stuffsack to put your boots in for when you are fording.
If the sack is waterproof, it will protect your boots somewhat if you
go for an accidental swim.

THREE SECTION SKI (WALKING) POLE [winner] Speaking of fording streams
(which makes me VERY nervous!) this pole serves as a third leg as well
as a walking staff.

RANTEX [winner] The very word strikes terror (and a little scoffing) into
the hearts of some friends (inside joke). Hey, I am fair skinned and prone
to skin irritations! These things are hemroidal and vaginal wipes that come
in little packages. In a pinch you can use them to wash (underarm pits) with.
Mostly you will want to use them to avoid rashes and such. Get the picture?

BRUTE DEODERANT STICK [loser] While we are on the subject... I tried this and
ditched it first chance. What a reek!! I would rather smell BO! When you are
out there a few days, your nose really starts working, and something like this
is just overpowering. Try something unscented. Sample sized.

BANANA BOAT SUNBLOCK 29 [winner] Great protection, nice smell.

MERRELL VENTURE BOOTS [loser] They are very comfortable, but after less than
a year they are a mess. They don't make them any more, and I wonder why.
Right. So I am back looking for comfortable sturdy boots. Drag.

SUNDOG CAMERA POUCH [winner] My camera has been tossed and dropped many
times, but the SUNDOG protected it.

OLYMPUS TWIN CAMERA [winner] Very light, two lenses, weather resistant,
and takes super sharp pictures as good as SLRs.

REI LIGHTWEIGHT M.T.S. THERMAL WEAR CREWNECK AND BOTTOMS [winner] The shirts
I wear to bed and hike in. The bottoms (1 pair) are usually for bed. You
can wash them and have them dry by morning.

THOR-LO HIKING SOCKS (with a pair of wick socks) [winner] Great thick
sturdy comfortable socks. But like all socks of this type, they take
forever to dry. Maybe a little faster than wool, but not much faster....

SLING-LITE CHAIR [winner] My favorite toy! An 18 ounce chair with
a back-rest and head-rest! I LOVE it!!! This thing is great!! Fits
perfectly on my pack and a breeze to set up and use. About 80 bucks,
but worth every ounce! Once in a while they advertise in the back of
BACKPACKER magazine. You HAVE to check this thing out! (Thanks for the
tip, Micki!)

PUR WATERFILTER [winner] The only downside is the difficulty of removing
the filter element, and the taste/smell, which is very slight. The last
can be fixed by adding their carbon filtering element ($20). The filter
(main) element lasts a LONG time, longer than they advertise. Its life can 
be lengthened by removing the plunger and bottom and carefully scrubbing
the filter. It will work like new if you do. In any case, this is the
most effortless and fastest filter going, and a breeze to use. Well
worth the money.

GERBER LST MICRO KNIFE [winner] Small, sharp, light, great for opening
all those food packages. Almost weightless. Very handy.

A-16 WATERBAG [winner] Any bag of this type will come in handy. I tore
apart my old First-Need and now use the pump and some rubber hose to fill
the waterbag completely up. Hang the full bag on a tree, and you have
water for cooking, washing hands and dishes, even showering if you use
the shower nozzle. Very handy if the water source is far away.

REI FOLDING WASH BASIN [winner] How can you leave without it?? This thing
is too useful. Wash your hair in it, wash your clothes in it, use it for
a bucket, transport your washed clothes to the clothes line with it...
Best of all, it is only 1 or 2 ounces, and it folds flat.

VASQUE BOOTS [loser] For me at least. Broke in wrong, caused me knee pain,
I blistered everywhere, and they fell apart.

REI ACCORDION 1 QUART BOTTLE [winner] Collapses down to a small size,
expands for those extra water loads when filtering. After a time they
spring leaks, but what do you want for $2??

FIRST NEED WATER FILTER [loser] Ok, some people like them. I hated mine,
and from what I hear, not all are made the same. All I know is that it
was too much exercise to use, it took too long to filter, it is bulky,
and it created tensions as to "whos turn is it to filter?" Better to
use the pump part with the A-16 waterbag as explained above.

REI APT MESH LONG SLEEVE SHIRT [winner] The only place I could find
a long sleeve mesh shirt. Very cool.

FLEECE GLOVES [winner] If you get up at 5:30 am like I do (in july
anyway), you had better have some warm light gloves that give you some
dexterity for breakfast chores.

Well, thats about it. I could go on about other minor things, peculiar
personal things, or just stuff I feel just so-so about. (Such as bear
line, lycra, glasses, watches, and so on) But I will draw the line at this
point. I hope if you read this far you found this interesting, and
maybe even gave you a few new ideas. Yes, these are all my ideas (with
some other individual help as noted), and I am not representing anyone
but myself. All comments, public or private, are welcome.

Next time, I will let you all know about a "new" way I have discovered
for hanging your bear line. Thanks for your indulgence.
					-D.W.Donehoo
+----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| "Bully! Bully!" - T. Roosevelt with John Muir at Glacier Point       |
+----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| "The mountains are calling me, and I must go."   John Muir           |
+----------------------------------------------------------------------+
|"Man has got astray out of his orbit, or away from the ends for which |
| he was created." John Muir.                                          |
+----------------------------------------------------------------------+
"Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow
into you as sunshone flows into trees. The winds will blow their own
freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off
like autumn leaves."    JOHN MUIR
+----------------------------------------------------------------------+
"I only went out for a walk, but resolved to stay till sunset, for going
out, I found, was really going in."  John Muir
+----------------------------------------------------------------------+
Newsgroups: rec.backcountry