Fenix Head Touch

I have been a great supporter of Petzl headlamps. But I have discovered Fenix a new headlamp supplier - Light in weight and very bright in power. Although battery power may be compromised at full power, the light still has great illumination at 50% power or lower. You can alter power over three levels. It takes one AAA battery. The website gives you good "burn" power.
Here's a photo of the LD01 - size comparison with a pen and on my peak hat.
It is designed to work with a baseball hat, or as I now use, a "golf visor",
In short, it is light, bright and cheap at around $US28

Kaweka Queens Birthday Trip

Just back from 3 days in the Kaweka Forest Park - Lots of wind, clag and showers. We had intended to go up Makahu Spur, but one gaze at the tops on Saturday morning put paid to that.
We stayed low and headed for Middle Hill Hut. On Sunday we headed off to Makino hut and on Monday down to Te Puia Lodge and out by noon.
A nice soak in the hot pools and at 2pm we were off home, arriving in Auckland at around 7.45pm.
A great weekend with the usual excellent company of the Auckland Tramping Club.
Thanks Lee for another great trip,  thanks Sally for being a good "housewife" and Dennis for translating my Aussie into English (in joke!).
Gear:
I took my ULA Conduit Pack - a little beauty for three to 4 day trips  (It's now called the CDT).

I also took my Macpac Adventure 300 bag as I was expecting to tarp under constant rain - didn't - My Western Mountaineering HighLite would have been better and 255 grams lighter!

Photos:  Rob and Dennis on fire wood duty at Middle Hill Hut and Rob,Sally and Dennis at Kaweka Flats Biv.

Kooka Bay Matt Update

I used my Kooka Bay Matt (see earlier post) over Easter W/E tramp.

It worked well. I thought I might get a lot of slippage from the base of my MLD Superlight Biv, but suprisingly little.

This mat is very comfortable, but I struggled with the pillow options - If using gear in stuff sack or bladder wrapped in gear, it is not high enough if used off the end of the matt. If you put it on the matt it shortens the length too much.

I have opted for the Montbell pillow used at the top end of the matt. 

I think the matt could be a little wider as I toss around a lot. Bender does do custom makes for no, or little extra cost. Check his website.  

All in all I am please with the craftsmanship and sleeping comfort.

Trailstar Tarp

I needed a two person biv for my upcoming 20 day John Muir Trail hike. I opted for the Trailstar. A bit heavier, but a ton of room and 300 grams per person is acceptable for such a bullet proof shelter! All up weight is about 600 gram with titanium pegs. I thought Ron's guidelines were a bit over-kill, but I will probably stay with them?

I don't use the stuff sack preferring to stuff the tarp in my pack loose to use all spare spaces. I do the same with my bivy bag with sleeping bag inside. Of course I use a plastic pack inner (check-out Gossamer Gear's pack liners).
 
I can write heaps about this fantastic tarp, but I think Colin Ibbotson's review says it all. Check it out at http://www.andyhowell.info/Colin-Ibbotson/Trailstar-review.html

Here are some photos - I was surprised at the tautness of the pitch. Silnylon usually sags when wet, but a night of heavy rain and it still was as tight as a drum in the morning. We also had very strong winds and with the "bum" pitched to the wind this shelter was incredibly stable - hardly a flap!

I am very please with this tarps performance and give it a 5 star. I will report more after my Kaweka trip over Queens Birthday W/E 

MLD Superlight Biv

This is the bivy used by Andrew Skurka on his incredible 4700mi Alaska -Yukon Expedition. Cost is $US159 but there are extras and freight. The price is still great value.

The top Fabric is Momentum DWR, 20dX20d nylon taffeta. The eVENT foot box end panel for added breath ability and waterproofness. Bottom Fabric is Silnylon or you can opt for Cuben Fiber that will cost an extra $US60 but oh so light!

I ordered large ($US25 more) as I have a two inch Kooka Bay mattress. This makes the biv a bit too big but the extra space is OK and adds only 22 grams to the weight.

This is my third bivy and I am thrilled with the quality and weight. I ordered the full screen hood. This works well if you have a hook to lift this off your face.

The only negative is with the Trailstar tarp the hooks sewn into the seams don't align above the bivy hood (more forward) see photo, and don't "pitch" enough of your face. I think this inconvenience is more than compensated by the other factors - weight and quality.

Check-out  more details and photos at http://www.mountainlaureldesigns.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=22&products_id=30

Trailstar Tarp & Superlight Biv

I have just received my Trailstar Tarp and Superlight Biv from Ron at MLD - the gear looks fabulous - well made.

I am seam sealing this weekend (if rain stops!) and taking both pieces of gear off on a 4 day hike with the Auckland Tramping Club next weekend (Easter).

I will report performance and post photos in two weeks.

Food Planning Using Pounds Per Person Per Day

I'd like to share an article with you. I really enjoyed the information in here from Backpacking Light - How to go light with your food and eat well. I am averaging about 680 grams a day. This is a little higher. For the metric people (the rest of us in the world!) an ounce equals 28.35 grams - Enjoy!

Food Planning Using Pounds Per Person Per Day @ Backpacking Light