Cuben Fiber Jacket and Pants

Just back from the Hump Ridge Track - Had two hours of very heavy rain climbing to Okaka Hut - the Cuben Rain Jacket (127gms) and pants (48gms) were great. I know I reported this after my Fiordland trip, but thought you'd like to see a pic of yours truly on Stag Point. I am now known as the "Grey Ghost" :-)
PS: The pack is my MLD Burn 

Cuben Fiber

Hosting Joe and Sheryl from Zpacks gave me some great insights into cuben fiber. This is the only material Joe uses. I am convinced it is the way of the future in outdoor gear. I am now totally cuben! Note spelling with "e" not "a" so I haven't turned into a commie rum drinker yet!

To help you understand this fabric's pros and cons check out Jacob's blog at http://hikeitlikeit.com/2012/cuben-fiber-roundup/

Super Ultralight Tarp

Ok, I draw the line here. Check out GOLD Tarps. Can you imagine parked under one of these above the bush line in NZ? This is Polycro folks. I've used it for a groundsheet, but a tarp, that's brave!

Joe and Sheryl - Zpacks Owners Finish TA

Yahoo and a big congrats to Joe and Sheryl. They finished the Te Araroa trail today. They are now pigging out on oysters and beer in Bluff :-) Well done guys, 120 days and the length of NZ - 3054Ks. Jez, that's 25ks a day, pretty good going. This was Sheryl's first full long distance through hike - didn't she do well. They fly to Auckland on Saturday. I will pick them up and deliver them back to AKL International airport on Sunday for the flight home. Now what do I throw on the BBQ on Saturday night?

Hexamid Twin

I recently sold my SilNylon Trailstar tarp - a tough decision. This tarp is bullet proof, but in bug areas one needed to use a bivy bag with mesh face cover. I used the 185 gram MLD Superlight. A great bivy bag. But when traveling with two you had to rely on your partner to take some bug protection. The inner bug tent for the trailstar (made by Oookworks and Bear Paw) is too heavy. I would recommend the Trailstar in .75 cuben - but bug protection and ground sheet remains the weight compromise. You could use the option cuben floor on the Superlight biv but then you are in a claustrophobic space inside a bivy bag. So, having great success with the Hexamid fully screened solo, I went for the Hexamid Twin. To give it NZ robustness I got the team at Zpacks to make this (like my solo) out of .75 cuben (not standard .51). Enjoy the slid show. See more at Zpacks.com

Ben Nevis trip

Lee and I just spent 3 days climbing Ben Nevis (Richmond Range - Nelson) and traversing along ridge to link up to the Te Araroa Trail on Mt Ellis Saddle then down to Wairau Hwy via Hunters, Porters and red Hills Huts. We camped both nights, firstly at the saddle on track intersect with Mt Ellis and Right wairoa tracks and then Maitland River - site of old hut. Great weather, fabulous country. A lot of up and down and ridge scrambling - Loved it - really recommend.
Enjoy the photos

Update Joe Valesko Te Araroa Hike

Just heard from Joe - He and Sheryl are at Hamner Springs today doing a resupply before attacking Harpers Pass. I guess next update will come in a week when they arrive at Arthur's Pass.

When Sheryl was pulling out (now continuing) Joe had an Olive Hexamid Solo tent w/ beak, and a Regular width, Long Length, -7C sleeping bag shipped to me for him to continue solo. If you live in NZ and want either of these great items call or email me (0274 500 552 rob@assess.co.nz). A great opportunity to save on freight and GST.