Category Archives: Equipment

The Search for the Perfect Pack

Posted on March 4, 2014 by

If you have been here before there is a major 2018 update at the bottom, otherwise read on! For me, especially for the desert and the occasional heavier loads This piece is as much about the decision making process, what … Continue reading →

Posted in Equipment | Tagged , , , , , , | 11 Comments

The Hayduke Trail Planning, Preparation and Equipment Notes

Posted on November 24, 2012 by

Planning info and resources for the Oct. 2012 hike We used several sources for planning information including the The Hayduke Trail book which is good but a bit maddening in that the route is only described in an east to … Continue reading →

Posted in Equipment | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

The Bivy Condensation Conundrum

Posted on July 4, 2011 by

I love sleeping outside under the stars and when I first started backpacking, a lot, it was mostly in the desert and drier West.  We would just roll the bags out on a ground sheet and all was good.  If … Continue reading →

Posted in Equipment | Tagged , , | 22 Comments

Stoves through the years

Posted on August 31, 2010 by

I have used and been around a lot of backpacking stoves over the years but have only put my money down on six.  The five shown here are the ones I have left, the sixth was a very early Primus … Continue reading →

Posted in Equipment | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Sleeping Bags and sleep systems through the years

Posted on August 31, 2010 by

My first real sleeping bag was Army surplus, filled with feathers and down (more feathers than down it seemed) with some kind of cotton/poplin shell, stuffed fairly small but weighed like 8 pounds. But for $20 it was a vast … Continue reading →

Posted in Equipment | Tagged , , , | 20 Comments

Packs through the years

Posted on August 31, 2010 by

I have owned nine packs over the years, shown in the pictures below. The second picture is from 1973, camping at a trail head at Big Bend National Park. It shows my first three packs in use, as I was … Continue reading →

Posted in Equipment | Tagged | Leave a comment

Current thoughts on Sleeping Pads

Posted on August 30, 2010 by

Maybe the perfect sleeping pad set up (at least for me)!  Lightweight, comfortable, warm and durable.  Read on. Sleeping pads have undergone lots of changes over the years. Part of it is new technology, part is the search for more comfort as we … Continue reading →

Posted in Equipment | Tagged | 7 Comments