Backpacking and Gear Talk

[MStudt]

I like it so far, longest trip I've used it on was 4 days. Most weight I've had in it was ~31 lb and carried fine. It's pretty light but that Gossamer Gorilla is really light! I prefer the desert and needed a little more room for water. I probably should've looked further into a larger Gossamer but wanted something I had tried on at the store, etc.

So where's your next long distance hike in 3 years, or is that under wraps right now?

I was back and forth between the Gossamer Mariposa and the Gorilla. The biggest thing was that I already have a 60L pack, and I'll carry over 30lbs with that large of a pack.

Who really knows what'll happen in 3 years. I know we plan on heading to Florida right off the bat to thru-paddle the 99 Mile Wilderness Waterway. We paddled there a few years, and said that we would go back for that. Besides that we plan on heading to Alaska for a bit, but no time line as to when. We talked about doing the PCT, and that is still a possibility.

I think we'll just drive, hike, and do whatever we can for as long as we can.

 

[MStudt]

We're thinking about heading out to Colorado this Christmas/New Years for some snow fun [MENTION=91673]MtnT4R[/MENTION]. What kind of recommendations can you make?

 

[MtnT4R]

We're thinking about heading out to Colorado this Christmas/New Years for some snow fun [MENTION=91673]MtnT4R[/MENTION]. What kind of recommendations can you make?

Nice choice!
What sort of snow fun are we talkin, are you guys into skiing/snowboarding, or are you more interested in snowmobiling, snowshoeing, touring, etc?

Do you have an idea where you want to visit? There's killer skiing all over, from way down south at Wolf Creek and Telluride all the way up through Crested Butte, Vail, and Steamboat Springs of course. I specialize mostly in the Vail and Summit County area.

 

[MStudt]

Nice choice!
What sort of snow fun are we talkin, are you guys into skiing/snowboarding, or are you more interested in snowmobiling, snowshoeing, touring, etc?

Do you have an idea where you want to visit? There's killer skiing all over, from way down south at Wolf Creek and Telluride all the way up through Crested Butte, Vail, and Steamboat Springs of course. I specialize mostly in the Vail and Summit County area.

Thinking more a long the lines of back country skiing/camping. Not really sure on the area as of yet, but open to suggestions.

 

[MtnT4R]

Thinking more a long the lines of back country skiing/camping. Not really sure on the area as of yet, but open to suggestions.

Ok great, because resort skiing over the xmas holidays is a reeeaaal pain in the rear. Have you ever heard of the 10th Mountain hut system? You need to book way in advance(like right now) but there are somewhere around 30 huts all over the place, in some incredible locations. You can ski to all of them, but some are a bit more of a haul than others:

10th Mountain Division Hut Association

 

[MStudt]

Ok great, because resort skiing over the xmas holidays is a reeeaaal pain in the rear. Have you ever heard of the 10th Mountain hut system? You need to book way in advance(like right now) but there are somewhere around 30 huts all over the place, in some incredible locations. You can ski to all of them, but some are a bit more of a haul than others:

10th Mountain Division Hut Association

I've looked into those huts before. Most of them are pretty full at this point already for that time of the year. We've been needing to get our 4 season tent back out, and this is going to be the year. We're trying to decide between Colorado, or something in Yellowstone.

 

[MtnT4R]

I've looked into those huts before. Most of them are pretty full at this point already for that time of the year. We've been needing to get our 4 season tent back out, and this is going to be the year. We're trying to decide between Colorado, or something in Yellowstone.

When we aren't skiing resort-access sidecountry, we usually do day trips or use the hut system because not everyone in our group has appropriate winter camp gear, but this is a great resource for CO:

Backcountry Skiing COLORADO Guide | Skiing The Backcountry

I'm headed back to Yellowstone this fall to spend a week in the park, but ski touring for a few days sounds like Heaven. I'm interested in hearing how your plans come together for this winter

 

[CO-4R]

The routes around the 10th mountain huts are killer! I've spent a ton of time there. Even if the huts are booked there's plenty of camping spots. Check out the area around Homestake Peak!

Pack: Cilogear 60L Worksack
Shelter: Depends on where I am, tarps/tents/bivy
Sleep System: Again depends. Have bags ranging from 30 to -30

 

[MStudt]

We're back at it already. We've been itching to get back out on the trail, and this past weekend was our first time out since they finishing the AT. With our new gear it seems like we're flying down the trail. Over the next few months we're going to be hiking the Ozark Trail one section at a time. Had a great time out this past weekend, and saw a few other backpackers out. We did get some interesting looks from other when they saw how small our packs were.

Here's the first section from Onondaga Cave to Harmon Spring (mile 0-22).

 

[blkhwk]

We've also switched out our bags for top quilts. I'm pretty excited about getting them in, and they should start showing up next week. They seem to be the way to go now, and a lot of people are switching over.

How are the top quilts holding up for you? I'm undecided about spending the money on a sleeping bag.

My wife and I are slowly building up our gear. I was using Lowepro photosport to carry my camera but walking with the extra weight of clothes and other items put a lot of strain on my shoulders. Now I'm looking at the Kelty 65 pack.

 

[MStudt]

How are the top quilts holding up for you? I'm undecided about spending the money on a sleeping bag.

My wife and I are slowly building up our gear. I was using Lowepro photosport to carry my camera but walking with the extra weight of clothes and other items put a lot of strain on my shoulders. Now I'm looking at the Kelty 65 pack.

One thing that I'm now a true believer in is that lighter is better. I think we've just about got everything fine tuned now for us.

The quilts are amazing, and most likely the best investment we've made. I was a bit skeptical about them at first since I've been so used to sleeping bags. The one thing that I hate about sleeping is not being to find any light weight rectangle bags. I can't stand the restrictions that come with a mummy bag since I'm a side, and stomach sleeping. With the it's basically just a blanket, so it's key to have a good sleeping pad.

 

[KidVermicious]

I borrowed one of these last time I was out - I will have one. Super comfy, super warm, and surprisingly light.

 

[MStudt]

I borrowed one of these last time I was out - I will have one. Super comfy, super warm, and surprisingly light.

We've been using the Big Agnes Insulated Air Core pads for some time now, and they're great as well. We recently tried using a Therm-a-rest since they're a bit lighter, but they're no where close to being as comfortable. I'm too old to be sleeping on those thin pieces of foam that so many people use.

 

[DannyLlama]

I'll give you a couple of items.

1. Vasque boots are crap, and Vasque doesn't stand behind their warranty. Their boots started falling apart within 3 days of hitting trail, and we each went through 3 pairs of them.
.

I just bought one of their boots from REI, used it a few times and it's a very fine boot.

What is your choice of boot?

 

[MStudt]

I just bought one of their boots from REI, used it a few times and it's a very fine boot.

What is your choice of boot?

Don't get me wrong, Vasque does have good boots. They're ready to wear out of the box, and can handle long days from day 1. However, I don't feel that they hold up when it comes to getting some serious miles from them.

I'm looking into my next boots now, and I'll most likely go with Salewa or Asolo. I've had Asolo in the past, and I loved the boots. My wife has had Salewa's in the past, and loved them as well. I'll also be sticking with lows or trail runners this time around.

A lot depends on how much weight I'm carrying. In winter with more weight in the pack I'll be in low boots. The rest of the year I'm in trail runners since the weight is so much less.

 

[blkhwk]

Don't get me wrong, Vasque does have good boots. They're ready to wear out of the box, and can handle long days from day 1. However, I don't feel that they hold up when it comes to getting some serious miles from them.

I'm looking into my next boots now, and I'll most likely go with Salewa or Asolo. I've had Asolo in the past, and I loved the boots. My wife has had Salewa's in the past, and loved them as well. I'll also be sticking with lows or trail runners this time around.

A lot depends on how much weight I'm carrying. In winter with more weight in the pack I'll be in low boots. The rest of the year I'm in trail runners since the weight is so much less.

Just broke in my new pair of Salomon Speedcross 3 on a day hike last weekend. They were awesome on the trail and gripped everything with ease but, my feet were feeling tired and a little sore when done. I will continue to use these for day hikes and get a low cut true hiking shoe for multi-day trips. I've been eyeing the Oboz Firebrand II.

 

[9494runner]

Salewa fire tail evo 2.0 mid height are, hands down, the best boot I have owned. 8 - 15 miles a day on the JMT segment we did this summer and not a single day of sore/tired feet. I had about 15 miles on the break in before we started our segment :trophy:

Thermarest pro plus is my go too

I rock a slightly heavy but very spacious mountain hardware drifter 3

 

[MStudt]

Salewa fire tail evo 2.0 mid height are, hands down, the best boot I have owned. 8 - 15 miles a day on the JMT segment we did this summer and not a single day of sore/tired feet. I had about 15 miles on the break in before we started our segment :trophy:

Thermarest pro plus is my go too

I rock a slightly heavy but very spacious mountain hardware drifter 3

I'm deciding between the Wildfire EVO and the Wildfire Pro right now.

 

[DannyLlama]

Don't get me wrong, Vasque does have good boots. They're ready to wear out of the box, and can handle long days from day 1. However, I don't feel that they hold up when it comes to getting some serious miles from them.

I'm looking into my next boots now, and I'll most likely go with Salewa or Asolo. I've had Asolo in the past, and I loved the boots. My wife has had Salewa's in the past, and loved them as well. I'll also be sticking with lows or trail runners this time around.

A lot depends on how much weight I'm carrying. In winter with more weight in the pack I'll be in low boots. The rest of the year I'm in trail runners since the weight is so much less.

Good info, thanks!! I SUB'd to this thread, I'll check back in a few years when i break my Vasque's. I looked up Asolo, they look pretty solid.

 

[tornado_chase_hike]

I've very happy with the durability and comfort of my Lowa hiking boots. They look a little scuffed after a year of use, but there is absolutely nothing wrong with them. My wife is a big fan of her Asolo boots as well.