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Tent or Bivy?
- Joedabaker
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- Lowell_Skoog
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The newer 3/4 length thermarests are very nice. I prefer thermarests to foam pads because they are more comfortable and packable, although slightly heavier. Use your pack as your pad under your feet.
The last things you'll want for those lightweight overnights are a light down bag and a cartridge stove with a small pot. I did a shakedown overnighter at Rainier a couple months ago where I easily got my tent, pad, 1-lb. sleeping bag and small cookset in my normal daypack. What a pleasure!
Here's a picture showing how compact some of this modern gear is. The pot was selected because the cartridge stove fits inside perfectly. I haven't weighed it, but the whole kit must weigh less than six pounds.
<br><br>Wow, I sure let myself get distracted this morning! Back to work...
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- gregL
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- Paul Belitz
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- gregL
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- Joedabaker
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<br>Thanks for the link Lowell! I always need another gear site. I looked at the First light and it was one of my first choices. I was concerned with the condensation and no windows, plus extra costs for all the add-ons. <br>The down bag is also on the list since what degree bag do you find that works well. I am under the assumtion/fear that the bag will get wet from condensation and make the trip a wash. On the cartridge stove my concerns were that it would not be as effective in upper elevations and produce(s) enough heat, plus considering how much fuel to carry along?<br><br>My drawback on the Bibler was that the target is mainly spring tour and the tent poles are my ski poles-would I need to break down the tent to ski?!<br><br>I really like the Mega Light for a fast tent design (cost 200 something), but I am uncertain of the airyness of that style. Other thoughts include-Well if I get the Mega Light I need a floor, and if I camp in the warmer lower areas I will need a bug shield which all add to weight and costs.<br><br>I like Pauls response in reguard to suffocation in a bivy-I can relate.<br>Greg those car payments get in the way of some great purchases.<br><br>Costs factor to making a good decisions, so I do not have a quiver like everything else just for an infrequently used item.<br>Thanks for that responses-<br>Joewe had considerable condensation inside the tent during our second night out, when the fog and mist moved in. down bag and a cartridge stove with a small pot.
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- Lowell_Skoog
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- zenom
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<br><br>You're friend should send it back to Black Diamond if it's not performing as advertised.<br><br>I have the BD Lighthouse. I've used it a few times in heavy rains and it was fine. Condensation is more of a real problem than leaking like a sieve. I'm very happy with mine and actually got rid of my heavier and bulkier Integral Designs, which also collects condensation but the fuzzy inner liner hides it. <br><br><br>The EPIC tents are somewhat strange, but I know a guy who has one, and he says in rain the thing leaks like a sieve. Might be ok in the snow...<br><br>
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- curmudgeon
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- Jeff Huber
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<br>Wow, is that pack very durable? I looked at it yesterday in a store, I'm afraid I'd shred it rapidly.Granite Gear (Vapor Trail) pack (32 oz). Great!! Has all the ties I need, carries skis diagonal of A-frame, 3200 CC, skis well.
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- gregL
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- Paul Belitz
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<br>Seconded. Best pack on the market, by far. And it carries leaps and bounds better than my internal-frame Arc'teryx Khamsin 62. <br><br>Wild Things deserves to be more popular. I strongly urge everybody to go to Pro Mountain Sports and buy one. Today. ;DMust contradict.<br><br>I consider the Wild Things Icesac to be both super-light and very durable. I've been using it for pretty much all my trips since March and it's showing no signs of wear. I think it will last me more than one season, and it is good for trips ranging from day trips to as long as I'll go. <br>
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- Jeff Huber
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Packs are one item that I'm currently willing to accept several onces of more weight (within reason) for increased durability and easier organization. Skis/boots/bindings I'm more weight conscience about -- you know how the saying goes, a lb on your feet is 1,000lbs on your back (or something like that :-)).
Maybe the next trend in ultralight gear will be disposable packs, intended for just one use? 8)
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- Sam Avaiusini
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<br>Yes Lowell, but the last time I checked, you weren't getting any slower either <br><br>I believe it's good to have a quiver of everything! This way, you can choose the right tool for the job "almost" every time. I say "almost" because there will always be those times where you choose something and then realize something else would have done better AFTER you're already out there...<br>Just make sure you don't spend more time acquiring gear than you do using it.<br>I keep looking for lighter gear because I'm not getting any younger!
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- Joedabaker
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- OldHouseMan
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<br><br>I agree. I have three tents that I rotate between. A Sierra Designs two person, similar to this one www.sierradesigns.com/tents.display.php?id=67 , Sierra Designs one person www.sierradesigns.com/tents.display.php?id=45 and a Black Diamond Lightsabre www.bdel.com/gear/lightsabre.php <br><br>I think with most of the Sierra Designs stuff you can use the rain fly and ground cloth as a shelter and leave the tent at home. At least this is what I do with mine. I have put both of these through a lot and could recomend both.<br><br>I can't really say much about the BD Bivy other than it is very lite and packs down to the size of a Nalgene bottle. I have only used it once on a very dry and warm night. It is made out of the same stuff the LiteHouse is made of that Lowell spoke about earlier. Before I purchased it I was kind of leery about getting it because I was not sure how it would hold up in the rain. So in the show room we got a bucket of water and dumped it over the bivy and it seemed to do alright. I will have to test it in the back yard in the rain to see how it really holds up. <br><br>This is what I use for a mattress www.thermarest.com/product_detail.aspx?pID=41&cID=1 I originally got it for my girlfriend to use, as I have always used a foam mattress because I would never use one of those sissy blow up mattresses.<br>After using the "sissy mattress" I will never go back to a foam mattress except for more insulation. this thing is sooooooo comfy and warm. I used to use a 3/4 length but now it's full length. Maybe I'm just wimping out.<br><br>Aaron<br><br><br>I believe it's good to have a quiver of everything! This way, you can choose the right tool for the job "almost" every time. I say "almost" because there will always be those times where you choose something and then realize something else would have done better AFTER you're already out there...<br>Just make sure you don't spend more time acquiring gear than you do using it.<br>
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- Jeff Huber
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