Category: gear

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Mountain Hardware Scrambler day pack

I’m giving a mixed review to my new $55 day pack:

Weighing only 10 ounces, the ultra-lightweight Mountain Hardwear Scrambler is the perfect approach bag to stash in your pack. Ergonomic S-curve shoulder straps and a removable EVA back panel make the Scrambler comfortable for peak ascents and long day hikes.

Details

* Removable EVA pack panel adds structure to the pack …
* Self-healing, silicon-coated 100D Cordura …
* Front bungee web for external storage and load compression …
* Top access with draw cord closure
* Doubles as sleeping bag stuff sack

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larger image and details on WinterFix

Pros: Weight, size, appearance. I really like the look. (Mine is black.)

For day hiking, actually, it is perfect for me. But for trail running or scrambling, it is too unstable without a hip belt. While running, anything near the top of the pack shifts left and right too much. The straps loosen too easily under vibration. And the position of adjustment buckles rub against my biceps at times.

Other reviews: Trailspace

Durability is a real question mark. It may not last long if I use if I continue to use it for trail running.

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more Parks require bear-proof canisters

From National Park Traveler:

Grand Teton National Park … beginning this Saturday, March 15, all backpackers camping below 10,000 feet in the park’s backcountry will be required to use approved, portable bear-proof canisters for food storage—except at certain designated backcountry campsites where food storage facilities are provided.

Although food canisters are not required for areas above 10,000 feet, proper food storage will still be compulsory in those locations. It doesn’t sound as if rangers will allow you to use the Ursack or UrsaLite food storage systems. …

Bear-Proof Food Canisters Mandatory for Most Backcountry Travel in Grand Teton National Park

Steve Sergeant of the Wildebeat is an expert. In a comment on that post:

Bear-resistant food canisters are also required in most of Sequoia/Kings-Canyon National Park as well. In addition, large areas of wilderness on Forest Service land in the Sierra Nevada also require you to use such canisters.

We explored the history and effectiveness of bear cans in a two-part edition of the WildeBeat:
The Story of Bear Cans, part 1
The Story of Bear Cans, part 2

Personally, I have learned to love my canister. I often take it on hikes even when not required. The extra weight is often worth the convenience.

This is the one I use:

Bear Vault Model BV400 Bear Can

Bear Vault Model BV400 Bear Can

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take a Mcflurry spoon hiking

Currently I’m carrying only a light metal spoon as “cutlery”. (Once in a while I use my Swiss Army Knife in the kitchen, too.) But Mcflurry spoons have done the trick in the past for me.

Another great idea from As The Crow Flies:

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read more – Mcflurry spoon doubles as long handled spoon and tent stake holder

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things white people like – Outdoor Performance Clothes

This blog is going crazy on the interwebs right now:

#87 Outdoor Performance Clothes

… When white people aren’t working, they generally like to wear Outdoor Performance Clothes. …

When you see white people wearing these, it is important that you do not discuss business matters. Instead you should say things like “where did you get that fleece?” and “what’s that thing holding your keys to your shorts?” White people will be more than happy to talk to you about their sustainably produced possessions.

The main reason why white people like these clothes is that it allows them to believe that at any moment they could find themselves with a Thule rack on top of their car headed to a national park. …

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If you plan on spending part of your weekend with a white person, it is strongly recommended that you purchase a jacket or some sort of “high performance” t-shirt, which is like a regular shirt but just a lot more expensive.

things white people like

Faux outdoors people.

What are you going to do?

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more hiking gear innovations

They’re endless.

But here are two posted by Frank in Oz that I’m seriously considering for my Adventure Racing kit. Click through for details.

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Blisters? – Not this time, Sue tries Injinji hiking socks with success – Our Hiking Blog

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Ultralight D-Ring for your pack – Our Hiking Blog

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do you wear a fanny pack?

Tom Mangan started quite the lively discussion in the comments on his Two-Heel Drive blog.

Don’t use the term “fanny pack” in the UK, or “Down Under”. The word “fanny” is rude. (As is the word “root”.)

Don’t use the unfortunate term “waist pack” either, or I’ll laugh at you.

Bum bag? (That may be worse.)

Hip belt? Hip pack? Waist pack?

Fanny Pack with Cell Phone Pocket by Everest

Fanny Pack with Cell Phone Pocket by Everest

I wear one every day. And often two while hiking.

Today I’m wearing the $15 MEC Travel Pocket Waist Pack. (Don’t laugh at me.)

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neoprene socks on the trail

I’ve always been suspicious of “waterproof socks” for hiking:

Seirus Stormsock Waterproof Sock

Seirus Stormsock Waterproof Sock

Crow confirms “they stink”: Waterproof socks: A bad idea

She likes neoprene socks. As do I.

It was an accident that started me wearing neoprene, actually. I took normal hiking footwear and water walking shoes on the West Coast Trail. And ended up wearing my speciality water shoes with neoprene booties for the entire hike. They were so bloody comfortable.

Sure my feet got “wrinkled”. But a quick rinse was enough to remove the sweat. And they dry in seconds.

Consider this option. One example:

Body Glove Flipper Slipper Neoprene Sock

Body Glove Flipper Slipper Neoprene Sock

I don’t wear neoprene on every hike. But my booties were perfect in Paria Canyon.

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which ultralight hiking pack?

Do I deserve a new hiking pack? Lighter than my Granite Gear Virga (photo).

Yes. Because I’m worth it.

But which?

uberlitejpg.pngThe G6 Whisper Ultralight Backpack was designed in response to Ryan Jordan’s desire for a freakishly light, subcompact, overnight pack. The G6 Whisper Ultralight Backpack is a cornerstone of Ryan’s Super-UltraLight Backpacking (overnight backpacking with less than five pounds of gear) strategy. …

The G6 Whisper, at only 3.7 ounces (99 g), is the lightest commercially-available rucksack with enough volume for overnight backpacking by the accomplished ultralight backpacker. With more than 1800 cubic inches (30L) of main packbag capacity, an expandable rear pocket, and a short extension collar, the G6 Whisper Ultralight Backpack provides enough volume for virtually any serious ultralighter out for two or three days, and enough volume for the extraordinarily disciplined ultralight hiker with a very low equipment kit volume to spend several days to a week in the backcountry. …

NO WARRANTY WHATSOEVER IS PROVIDED FOR THIS PRODUCT

Gossamer Gear G6 Whisper “Uberlite” Backpack @ Backpacking Light

What about the GoLite Ion?

The epitome of ultra-lite simplicity, the Ion was designed for ultra-lite fast-packing, summit bids, and adventure travel. Constructed of super durable Dyneema® gridstop fabric and a single watertight zipper at the opening, this top-loader features spacer mesh shoulder straps for comfort, an adjustable sternum strap and webbing hip belt, a hydration tube opening and a haul loop. Extremely compact and a true minimalist piece, the Ion is a featherweight 9 ounces!

ion.jpg

GoLite Product Detail

As the Crow Flies linked to home made gear by Samurai Joe Valesko. He uses cuben fiber.

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Joe Says:

“I carried a single Blast 26 backpack my entire PCT thru-hike (2,663 miles). I carried a base weight of around 5 lbs (gear list), and generally 12-20 lbs with full food and water.

At one point I carried 35 lbs for an 11 day stretch without re-supply through the High Sierras of California. My shoulders weren’t happy about that much weight, but the pack took it like a champ! (Under 20 lbs is a more comfortable weight with frameless packs)

By the end of the five month trip the pack was quite a bit frayed, but still in very usable condition. Not bad for a 3.5 ounce backpack!”

Zpacks.com Ultralight Backpacking Gear

That water bottle side pocket is excessive, don’t you think? Could shave some grams there, Joe.

(Incidentally, Kraig, I recall pooh poohing your suggestion to use an air mattress as the frame of a backpack. But now I do it all the time with my Virga.)

Leave a comment if you have other recommendations. Thanks!