Mountainsmith Carbonite Pro Hiking Poles

Update 9-7-13:  Did the New Hampshire section of the Appalachian Trail over 12 days, and I absolutely wore out my Carbonite pole tips and wrist straps.  The tips were worn to the plastic.  The tips are not field replaceable, so I will be contacting Mountainsmith on repair.  My partner's Lekis held up just fine.  I don't know that I can recommend for long distance use.

Update 9-10-12:  Just finished a week backpacking trip in the Wyoming mountains. Poles worked great.  One modification I did make before the trip was to trim down the mud baskets.   I trimmed them from about 3" in diameter to about 2".  The basket had a ridge, so I trimmed at this ridge.  Love the new size.  

The wrist straps worked great and were comfortable.  The shafts held firm and never had a collapse.  Held up just fine.  Very happy with them.

I love hiking poles, but hate spending serious bucks on things the are so easy to break.  I thought I found the best compromise in the Mountainsmith Pyrite 7075.  Stronger aluminum than the Walmart poles, yet still real cheap.  I've hike with them a lot, but had several gripes with them:
1. They are heavy!  Strong but heavy.
2. The mud baskets screw on, and I've now lost two of them on hikes.
3. The wrist straps are the nylon buckle types used on Walmart poles.

Getting ready for a week long trip, I've decided to upgrade my poles.  I just got a pair of Mountainsmith Carbonlite Pro sticks.  These are 9 oz lighter, and have a neoprene-lined wrist strap that adjusts at the grip instead of with a buckle.  The baskets have an updated two-pin twist-lock design to stop them from falling off.  The grips themselves are cork.  Best of all they cost about half of Lekis... About $50.
Can't wait to give them a try!  1.2lb

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Stoic Wraith Shell - Wind and Light Rain Shirt

 9-7-13 Update:  Backcountry no longer sells their Stoic brand.  This product is discontinued.  I think I would replace it with a Montbell Tachyon.

11-17-12 Update: After several trips with my Wraith windshirt, I love it.  I bring it as my rain jacket when the forcast doesn't call for much rain.  Others have said it will keep you dry for an hour in rain.  I believe it.  I bring an umbrella that would help out in a driving rain.  My only complaint is the narrow sleeves that would make it hard to fit over my Nano Puff.  I still bring my Frogg Togg jacket if I need protection over my Nano Puff or expect an all day rain. 

Just got in my new Stoic Wraith Windshirt from backcountry.com  Looks great.  They are eliminating a 2011 color for $27  at about 2.5 oz.  Actual weight is 73g or 2.55oz for the XL
www.backpacker.com/gear-zone-gear-review-stoic-wraith-rain-jacket/gear/15792

3-19 Update:  After a week on the AT with the Stoic windshirt, I have to say I love it.  Light, packs into the zipper pocket.  Only improvement is to waterproof the seams to use as a rain jacket as well. (I added a post on seam sealing sil-nylon.)  The sleeves are a little long, but no big deal

Specs:  www.backcountry.com/stoic-wraith-shell-mens

The weather-shunning Stoic Wraith Jacket is so small, lightweight, and easy to smuggle, your trail-running partners will think you conjured it out of thin air. Weighing in at a mere 2.5-ounces and small enough to fit in a pocket, the Wraith Jacket puts an end to soggy days on the trail.

• DWR finish repels light moisture
• 3-D Ergonomic fit moves with you, not against you
• Small and light enough to fit in a pocket

Material:

 

nylon 

Fabric Waterproof Rating:

 

water-resistant 

Hood:

 

yes, full-time 

Fit:

 

athletic 

Pockets:

 

1 front zip 

Weight:

 

2.5 oz 

Recommended Use:

 

trail running, hiking, going ultralight 

Manufacturer Warranty:

 

lifetime 

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Using GaiaGPS While Backpacking

I used GaiaGPS again on another backpacking trip.  On this test I turned on tracking, and tried to save waypoints at trail junctions and campsites.  I tried to record a voice memo to describe the point.  While reviewing these points at home, I discovered that you can save a picture as a waypoint.  This would be a better way to remind you of the point after the hike.  Cool feature.  I did post a feature request to add voice memo functionality to both waypoints and photos to help further document the point quickly while hiking.

GaiaGPS is a keeper!

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Backpacking with an iPhone 5

This is a continuation of the iPhone 4 as a GPS post.

My goal is to eliminate all electronics except for my iPhone 5. This past weekend was my first "beta" test. The functionality I was replacing was:

1. Eliminate my Garmin eTrex. Functionality includes
A. Importing a saved track in .gpx format.
B. import topo maps around the track to be used offline.
C. Create waypoints at points of interest.
D. Save the track of the hike (if power permits)
E. 20 hrs battery life with 2 lithium AA.
F. Get sunrise sunset data
2. Eliminate my camera
A. Would like geotagging and accurate time stamping of photos
B. would like image stabilization.
C. Low light capability
D. Panorama photo capability
3. Eliminate separate phone
4. Eliminate music device.

New functionality I'd lIke to add includes:
- voice memos with time stamp to annotate waypoints
- offline blogging of trail journal
- kindle book reading capability.

So I ordered a iPhone 5 with AT&T service that uses a SIM card, as recommended by the Adventure Alan's excellent post on the subject that can be found here:http://www.adventurealan.com/iphone4gps.htm
The secret to battery life is to disable the all radios in the phone except for the GPS. The only way to disable the phone short of jail breaking, is to put a SIM password on the SIM. When you power down the phone, and restart it, it asks for your SIM password. If you click OK instead of Unlock, the phone is disabled, but the GPS still works. (If you wondered, airplane mode disables all radios AND gps)

Get Needed Apps
1. Gaia GPS - (guy-yah) Adventure Alan recommended this, and he was right. Best GPS app with offline cached capabilities and open source maps.
2. Maplets - this doesn't always help, but maplets has "specialized" maps done by parks and other government services. Can be helpful
3. Camera - native app - has panorama capability
4. Voice Memos - native app
5. Camera+ - has image stabilization, and other editing features.
6. Kindle - book reading app.
7. BlogPress - offline blogging app.

Prepping the phone for backcountry use
Upload track into Gaia GPS. Click the track in saved, click the share button, and click "show on map". Try both the USGS and Open Cycle Maps to see which will better suit needs. I found OCM often shows existing trails better, but is in metric elevations. Once you pick your map, go to saved, highlight track, share, and click "download maps for track". Now they are cached for offline use.  See http://www.gaiagps.com/wiki/downloadmapsalongtrack

Long push power button, and swipe to turn off phone. Power back up and click OK to keep SIM locked.

Turn all radios off, except location services: Bluetooth, Wifi, push notifications, etc. google on how to maximize phone battery for help on this.

In my last trip, I found I used 35% of the battery using the GPS and camera regularly. Be sure to background Gaia before sleeping the phone by hitting the home button.

In the next post, I will detail usage of Gaia GPS app, and each of the other recommended apps.

-=Dan=-

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How I Pack My Backpack

I did an 8-day backpacking trip in Wyoming, and learned the limits of my Osprey Exos 58.  Yes, I got everything in it, but it was tight.  My packing procedure is as follows:

I put a trash compactor bag into the body of my pack.  My sleeping bag gets packed in a SilNylon Nano Dry bag (I have a post about this sack) and pushed to the bottom.  Next I drop in clothes I will not be wearing during the day.  These I keep in Ziplocs to organize and keep dry in my tarp.

Next I drop in my Nano Puff jacket and down jacket, and long underwear top.  I then goose neck the trash compactor bag and close with a velcro ziploc.  I put my down jacket along the outside so is can put my stove, mug, etc closer to my back.  They sit outside the bag to avoid food smell contamination.

On my Wyoming trip, we had to carry a bear can since we were above the tree line, so it goes in next.  Finally, trash and overflow items go in a bear bag I strapped in under the top flap/pocket of my pack.  8 days of food was more than the bear can could hold, so I started with 2 days of food in the bear bag.  We had trees for the first few days so no problem.  Later in the trip I put my smellables and trash bag in the bear bag and put it on boulders and shrubs that would keep it away from chipmunks, marmots, and other "mini-bears".

My tarp and stakes go in my front "Stuff it" pocket with my umbrella.  All the typically wet stuff is outside the pack.  The Exos also has vertical side pockets.  I put my rain gear in here since I can get it without opening my backpack.  The other vertical side pocket holds my fuel, water funnel, and two 2L Platypus jugs.

The rest of my miscellaneous stuff goes in the top pocket.   I try to not lot it get to heavy, but my 1st aid kit, foot kit, headlamp, etc goes there.

I'll take more pictures on my October camping trip and update this post.

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Rain Gear and Hiking with an Umbrella

Backpacking in the rain is always a drudgery.  Hiking up a hill while a whitewater rush flows down the trail and over your boots. Yuck. So you try to carry enough gear to make rain bearable, but not weight you down on a sunny day.  A tough balancing act.  The combo I've come to is:

1. Put all my dry stuff in a trash compactor bag inside my pack.  I close it with a velcro tie-wrap.  Pack covers never seem to keep my pack dry, so now I just keep my dry gear dry (including sleeping bag).

2. I carry a Frogg Toggs ProAction jacket, as the "Tyvek" doesn't feel clammy and is lightweight (11oz) and $25.  Unfortunately, it doesn't  pack very small.  I may replace it with a DryDucks jacket when it wears out (only 6 oz)
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/driducks_rain_gear.html

3. I carry an Eagle Creek Nimbus SL umbrella.  This was a  tough call since it weighs 5.5 oz.  However, I find that it is perfect for off and on showers, and around camp.  Great for getting in an out of the tent in the rain.

4. Red Ledge Thunderlight Rain Pants.  Only carry these if its going to be cold AND a possibility of rain.  I hate to be cold.  8.9oz and $30

5. Nitrile Gloves.  Rain gloves for less than $1 per pair.  Free from your local medical provider!

Hiking with an Umbrella

I got interested in hiking with an umbrella after reading an article on BackpackingLight on the subject.  Seemed like a good idea, but I didn't like the price.  However, I found a recommendation for the Eagle Creek Nimbus SL.  The product description lies, however.  It's 5.5oz not 3.5, but otherwise a good umbrella.  Some reviewers complained about the clip that holds it open, and I can see why.  Not very secure.  But if you are careful and don't force anything it works fine.  Is cost $15 and can be found here:
http://outlet.altrec.com/eagle-creek/nimbus-sl-travel-umbrella

A forum thread on umbrella use from BackpackingLight can be found here: http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=9799

Also, a good umbrella article from same source: https://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/backpacking_and_hiking_with_an_umbrella

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Make a Packing List @ GearGrams

I've been using a great website for maintaining my packing list.  It's an awesome flash-based website that allows printing lists, downloading spreadsheets, and reporting by category.  Awesome.  You have to give it a try...  www.geargrams.com.

You can also post your packing list.  Here's my list for my last warm weather AT hike: http://www.geargrams.com/list?id=6646

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MontBell Alpine Light Down Jacket

I hiked the AT from Fontana Dam to Clingman's Dome last October.  Snowed the day before we hit the trail, and got down into the 30's each evening with stiff winds.  I brought the warmest lightweight jacket I own, my Patagonia Nano Puff Jacket.  I froze.  I love my Nano Puff, but it wasn't enough jacket.  I've fixed this problem.  This winter I bought the MontBell Alpine Light Down Jacket.

MontBell Alpine Light Down Jacket

When looking for an affordable down jacket, I narrowed my choices to either it or the Marmot Zeus.  Both are currently about $105 at backcountry.com.  I was able to find a slightly used MontBell Alpine Light at gearswap.com for some additional savings!  The owner said he has owned both and prefers the MontBell.  Several reviews I read said the same thing.  Only issue I saw in reviews was that the MontBell ran a little small, thus I chose the XL (I'm 6.0 x 205lb)

So I'm the owner of an almost new MontBell Alpine Light Jacket.  I will try it out this August when I hike the Wind River Range in Wyoming.  Will update with my findings.

Here's the specs:

Mont-Bell created the Alpine Light Down Jacket for backcountry explorers who want insulation and compressibility. The combination of ballistic nylon and premium 800-fill goose down means the Alpine Light is both warm and durable so you don't have to worry about wrecking this shell when you're really roughing it. You also won't have to worry about uneven insulation or down bunching thanks to cross-stitching.

Material:

 

ripstop nylon 

Insulation:

 

800-fill down 

Venting:

 

none 

Hood:

 

no 

Weight:

 

(medium) 11.5 oz 

Recommended Use:

 

cold weather, casual 

Manufacturer Warranty:

 

lifetime

Note: My size Extra-Large (XL) weighs 16.0 oz.

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Sea to Summit SilNylon Nano Drybag

6/13/12 Update: I did a three day, 35mile AT hike using my new Ultra-sil Nano sleeping bag stuff sack.  Worked great!  It is very thin however, so I wouldn't want to stuff anything that isn't soft.  I'm happy with it, but don't know the long term ruggedness of it. We will see.  Will do an 80 mile hike in August which will give it a better test.

---

I was using a standard 20L Sea to Summit Silnylon Drybag for stuffing my REI Halo 25 down sleeping bag and Cocoon silk liner.   The sack was way to big.  Mice got into my bear bag, so I'm using the 20L for my bear bag and ordered a 13L Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Nano Dry Sack for my sleeping bag.  www.seatosummit.com/products/display/170  This new sack is  1.0oz vs. 1.4oz for the standard Ultra-Sil Dry Sack.  Most of the weight is lost the the rolltop band and buckle.  A really nice looking sack!  I think the 13 liter will make my bag be longer and narrower which will fit my backpack better.

I use a Cocoon slik liner since I sleep in a tarp with no screens.  The silk allows me to lay outside my sleeping bag without worrying about bugs.  Also keeps my sleeping bag clean... to state of obvious.
http://www.rei.com/product/708744/cocoon-silk-mummy-liner

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AT Hostel Review: Standing Bear Farms Hostel

Wow.  Very different place.  Convenient location just down the road the AT crosses leaving Davenport Gap heading east.

• Very basic bunkhouse.  Some had foam rubber cushions without a vinyl cover... Funky smell.  
• Pit toilet without TP.  No TP?  Really?
• Honor system pay system. Very well equipped commissary.
• Kitchen available, but no breakfast OR COFFEE in the morning.  No Coffee?
• Didn't try the showers, but I understand they were the best part of the stay.
• They have a washer and drier, but didn't try them.  
• Curtis was not around, so missed the opportunity to interact with this colorful character.

OVERALL:
Stop for the supplies, camp on the trail.

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