Some Good Cottage Gear Manufactures

After reading Andrews book, I have been doing some more gear research.

Here are some good site to checkout:

Zpacks - We know they are good for tarps, but I have just purchase their large cuben dry bag, cuben fiber rain Jacket (review coming) and Vargo tent pegs.

Suluk46 - Checkout their 85gram bug bivy. Cuben fiber bottom - With a full body mesh screen top.

Oookworks - A British cottage manufacturer who makes bug bivys for Trailstar (and other) tarps. Sean will also customise for you. Looks like a great option for those who new to customise a little - don't we all :-)

Mountain Laural Designs - They now have the Solo Trailstar. I have the two man, but I like the solo in cuben - dam I already have a Hexamid. 

Six Moons -Meteor Biv. I like the concept of having it 50/50 on top - mesh and fabric.You can also download a pattern for MYOG. My daughter has just finished a commercial sewing course - hope for cut price gear yet! 

CAMP - Their G Comp gloves look very tempting. I love the idea of the wind stopper "flip-over".

Andrew's Book Has Arrived

Andrew Skurka's book has arrived. It is published by National Geographic - some good cred there! I have scanned the total book and read a number of chapters of specific gear interest. It is 215 pages of great info. This book is a valuable source of information for any experienced ultra-lighter and a must for those venturing into the lightweight world.

Apart from tools and techniques on gear, clothing and navigation, there is a comprehensive section on sample gear kits (gear lists for various climate conditions and locations (US based). Andrew completes each section with his "How 2" and also "Skurka's Picks" - wonderful nuggets of information.

It's a full colour book and Andrew has done a fabulous design job - the layout is very user friendly. For $US19.95 it is an essential book for your hiking library. Go to www.andrewskurka.com to order. 

Andrew's New Book

For all you gear freaks Andrew Skurka's gear book has been finally released.

 

I had an advanced ebook version and it was very good. I have ordered the book and should take delivery any day. I will post my review.

In the meantime, for all you impatient little pups that can't wait, go to  http://andrewskurka.com/ to order

Just thought I would load up some pictures of my Hexamid Solo with new bug net (from my Christmas trip in the South Island of NZ).  It's quite cozy. If buying, suggest you go for the new Hexamid Plus with built in netting (if you are in bug infested area). Then, also buy Joe's bath tub cuben ground sheet  Or, if just tarp, use a bivy bag with face net (as I use to) with polypro ground sheet. May go back to this for more elbow room.

Nelson Lakes Christmas Trip Photos

I've finally loaded a selection of pictures of the ATC Christmas trip I lead - Click on one of the gallery pictures to the right to see the "Nelson Lakes" album in Picasa. Enjoy and comment

Jetboil Sol Ti

My new Jetboil SOL Ti has just completed a 12 day hiking shake-down in the Nelson Lakes area. Gosh, these stoves are marvelous! Prior to this I was using a 900ml Evernew pot and MSR Rocket stove. Backpackinglight has a good weight comparison report on the Jetboil (but you must subscribe - well worth it), 
I discarded the cup and all up weight was 265grams - It boils 800mls in 2 minutes! Almost half the time of my MSR Rocket. The gas savings are incredible. Plus the bonus of efficient operation in the wind.
I took a 385g MSR gas canister for the 12 day trip and had about a third of the canister left over.
The Jetboil website states a 110g canister will boil 17 liters of water. I am basically boiling 300mls at breakfast (instant Backcountry porridge) and in the evening 500 for soup, 300 for freeze dried meal and 500 for tea/coffee. So let's round up to 2 liters a day - so for an 8 day trip I can easily get away with a 110 can of gas. This is confirmed from my 12 day trip with larger canister.
The 110 canister can also packs inside the cup, making the overall package very small - good for small liter light weight pack.
I also like the self ignition switch - no fiddling with matches/lighter. However, if I was solo, I would take waterproof matches.
One complaint - the handle is useless - however, because of insulation cover, you can hold the pot with your hands. I am going to cut my handle off.
If you are using the bigger 385g canister in huts, you could leave the canister support triangle at home. However, the canister support is a must if using the 110g canister, or larger one in un-level outdoor settings.

Hexamid Bug Net

Just back from 12 day trip in the Nelson Lakes area - In at Hamilton River and out at Lake Rotoiti via 6 passes/saddles.
The Hexamid performed well. here's are some photos

East Sabine River

In the rain at Lake Thompson

Camped near Moss Pass footbridge

Moss Pass Footbridge camp