Great write-up, really logically organized, and easy to follow. I have most gear from various summits, but this is helping me think through gaps for Wonderland Trail. Thank you!
Regarding your stove: “Its main weakness is wind. “. My solution, which I have used successfully is a 4 inch wide by 18 inch long strip of HEAVY DUTY aluminum foil that weighs some minuscule number of grams. Folded neatly it uses almost no space as well. Probably could even be wrapped around that mini lighter of yours. The difference it makes in water boil speed is quite impressive in the wind.
That’s a really smart solution. I hadn’t considered just making a lightweight foil windscreen, but for a few grams and basically no packed space, it sounds well worth trying. I’ll have to test that out on my next windy trip. Thanks for the tip!
I don't mind carrying a bear can as much as I thought I would. As I ate through the contents, I had room to store the cook system and trash in it. I even used it in a group hike on the Ocean to Lake Trail in Florida, even though there were no bears, because I worried that a large group would attract rodents and raccoons. I'm about to do a hike on a trail with bear boxes at each campground, so I won't use the canister.
No matter the weather, I prefer pants and long sleeves for abrasion and sun and insect protection. That's not how I rolled 30 years ago.
My hikes last for a week or less, and I don't carry the weight of camp shoes.
I have learned to pack earplugs.
Moleskin is worthless. Cloth tape is better.
M!go bottles are a huge upgrade over smartwater bottles, to a far greater extent than I expected. They're easier to clean and fill.
I'm with you on the calorie-dense, uncooked breakfast. For a long time I cooked my breakfasts, and it's usually not worth the time. Even though I make hot coffee.
A nylon pack gets surprisingly heavy in an all-day downpour. We get lots of those in the east. The next pack will probably be Dyneema.
An inflatable pillow beats clothing stuffed in a bag.
Water gathered from waterfalls is surprisingly silty. Take that backwash syringe that comes with the Sawyer Squeeze!
This is exactly the kind of post-hike feedback I was hoping this piece would spark. The earplugs, cloth tape, pillow, and backwash syringe are all great additions, and I’m with you on breakfast. Anything that saves time in the morning without making me miserable is a win. I’m also very curious about Dyneema after getting absolutely humbled by wet gear weight. Thanks for adding your field-tested notes here!
Great write-up, really logically organized, and easy to follow. I have most gear from various summits, but this is helping me think through gaps for Wonderland Trail. Thank you!
Regarding your stove: “Its main weakness is wind. “. My solution, which I have used successfully is a 4 inch wide by 18 inch long strip of HEAVY DUTY aluminum foil that weighs some minuscule number of grams. Folded neatly it uses almost no space as well. Probably could even be wrapped around that mini lighter of yours. The difference it makes in water boil speed is quite impressive in the wind.
That’s a really smart solution. I hadn’t considered just making a lightweight foil windscreen, but for a few grams and basically no packed space, it sounds well worth trying. I’ll have to test that out on my next windy trip. Thanks for the tip!
Things that surprised me:
I don't mind carrying a bear can as much as I thought I would. As I ate through the contents, I had room to store the cook system and trash in it. I even used it in a group hike on the Ocean to Lake Trail in Florida, even though there were no bears, because I worried that a large group would attract rodents and raccoons. I'm about to do a hike on a trail with bear boxes at each campground, so I won't use the canister.
No matter the weather, I prefer pants and long sleeves for abrasion and sun and insect protection. That's not how I rolled 30 years ago.
My hikes last for a week or less, and I don't carry the weight of camp shoes.
I have learned to pack earplugs.
Moleskin is worthless. Cloth tape is better.
M!go bottles are a huge upgrade over smartwater bottles, to a far greater extent than I expected. They're easier to clean and fill.
I'm with you on the calorie-dense, uncooked breakfast. For a long time I cooked my breakfasts, and it's usually not worth the time. Even though I make hot coffee.
A nylon pack gets surprisingly heavy in an all-day downpour. We get lots of those in the east. The next pack will probably be Dyneema.
An inflatable pillow beats clothing stuffed in a bag.
Water gathered from waterfalls is surprisingly silty. Take that backwash syringe that comes with the Sawyer Squeeze!
This is exactly the kind of post-hike feedback I was hoping this piece would spark. The earplugs, cloth tape, pillow, and backwash syringe are all great additions, and I’m with you on breakfast. Anything that saves time in the morning without making me miserable is a win. I’m also very curious about Dyneema after getting absolutely humbled by wet gear weight. Thanks for adding your field-tested notes here!