Ok, we've established the fact that I'm not a minimalist or a lightweight backpacker, preferring some creature comforts and opting for affordable, but quality name-brand gear. After putting together the generic list of everything I could possibly need as shown in the previous blog, I spent hours (enjoyable) researching what makes and models of everything on the list, focusing first on the main items, the big ticket stuff. I also relied heavily on my colleague Dave Miller, who between his own gear (quite a variety of choices for many items on a checklist) and the gear that he maintains for his son's Ranger Boys group, has experience with a lot of the current technology and major brands. FYI - Dave is a great nature photographer and has a web site with some great photo sets at http://www.baoutdoors.com/. My favorite sets are the Firefall at Horsetail Fall and the poppies in Merced River Canyon Wildflowers, but there's tons of other really good stuff here as well. Check it out.
Here's what I bought. I list the prices just to show that you can always find bargains at well under normal retail prices.
Main Items
Backpack - Kelty Redcloud 5600 (6 lbs.) - I wanted a pack that I could use for trips of a up to a week or maybe even a little longer, so it needed to be fairly large. At 5600 cubic inches (a little over 90L as many packs are measured), the Redcloud qualified. I wanted lots of individual pockets, especially on the outside, for storage, organization and quick access for whatever item might be needed at a moment's notice without having to unpack all of the inside contents to get to something - plus a separate sleeping bag compartment. And, a pack that allowed access to the inside from places other than the top. As I talked to outfitters and read reviews, it was clear that I should look for a pack with a hip belt that has the strength and stiffness, yet flexibility to comfortably support whatever load I might be carrying. Finally, I wanted a decent brand at the best price possible. Kelty is a good, sturdy, reliable, middle-of-the-road manufacturer that has been around forever.
List Price and REI Price - $199. I paid $131.08, including shipping and sales tax. Incredible deal. Going into this hobby, I thought my pack would be much more expensive.
Here's the Kelty product link. http://www.kelty.com/p-22-red-cloud-5600.aspx
If you go to this link, there's a really nice video demonstration and review of the pack. http://www.backcountryedge.com/video-Kelty-Red-Cloud-5600.aspx
Tent - REI Half Dome 2 (5 lbs., 11 oz.) - I love to sleep outside, but tents are often necessary to keep off moisture and mosquitos. The Half Dome is one of the most popular backpacking tents ever made, and considered by many (including Backpacker Magazine) to be one of the best bargains as well. 2 person, 3 season tent with 2 large vestibules (with the rain fly) for storing boots, clothes, packs, etc. just outside, and separate openings on either side of the tent. Not the lightest tent, but not the heaviest either. The payoff though is the inside spaciousness. Don't forget the tent footprint to preserve the bottom of the tent from the elements.Normal REI Price - $179. I paid $119. Waited for one of REI's big sales, happens maybe twice a year on this item. Got the footprint at that sale as well, $16, down from $24.50. I'm glad I got the '09 model, because the 2010 version has an extra pole in the center, and has met with some unfavorable reviews. I'll have my son Ethan help me set it up for the first time in the back yard next weekend when he come home from college cuz he's better at figuring that stuff out than I am.
At some point I will also get a bivy of some type to cut down on the weight. They come in everything from bivy sacks favored by rock climbers, to poncho/tarp cover combinations, all the way up to something more akin to a tiny single person bivy tent. You'll even see some of the old style tube tents used as bivys occasionally. Below are some links to various bivy photos.
http://www.campmor.com/the-north-face-backpack-bivy-2009.shtml?source=GAN&cm_mmc=GAN-_-Google%20Product%20Listing%20Ads-_-Primary-_-
http://www.thenorthface.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=207&langId=-1&partNumber=ADXN&cm_mmc=ShoppingPortals-_-Froogle-_-Product_Terms-_-Flight_Bivy
http://www.prolitegear.com/alpinlite-microburst-poncho-tent.html
http://www.campmor.com/the-north-face-backpack-bivy-2009.shtml?source=GAN&cm_mmc=GAN-_-Google%20Product%20Listing%20Ads-_-Primary-_-
http://www.thenorthface.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=207&langId=-1&partNumber=ADXN&cm_mmc=ShoppingPortals-_-Froogle-_-Product_Terms-_-Flight_Bivy
http://www.prolitegear.com/alpinlite-microburst-poncho-tent.html
Sleeping Bag - Sierra Designs Arrow Rock +30 Long (2 lb., 9 oz) - I wanted a 3 season down sleeping bag (as opposed to fiberfill for size and weight) with at least 600 fill. Most of the good brands were up around $250-$300 for their 30 degree bags, but I lucked out on this one by getting it at steepandcheap.com for $124 (normally $239), a sort of web-based QVC where an item pops up on your screen (via a widget) and you usually have just seconds to beat the other buyers around the world to the small quantity they have. Reviews on the product are very good, especially on the comfort and flexibility (not binding) front, and the only complaint I have before using it is about the color, kind of a bright orange. Comes with both a stuff sack and a cloth storage bag.
http://www.sierradesigns.com/p-34-arrow-rock-30.aspx
If I plan to backpack into October and beyond, at some point I'll need a warmer sleeping bag. The arrow Rock +15 looks like a good deal in that category as well.
Sleeping Pad - REI Trekker Regular (2 lbs., 8 oz.) - Sleeping pads are designed to provide comfort in the way of padding as well as insulation from the ground for retaining heat. I considered both the REI trekker and some of the Thermarest pads, which were really nice and considered superior, but when REI had the Trekker on sale for $39.95 (from $64.50), I couldn't pass it up. It is self inflating, though a few breaths into the valve top it off nicely.Camp Kitchen:
Stove - Snow Peak Lite Max Stove (2 oz.)- There two popular several stove technologies to chose from, liquid petrolium based stoves and liquified gas cannister stoves. I went with the gas cannister for size, weight and stinkiness reasons, but the other burns hotter and works at lower temperatures (gas cannisters have trouble below freezing). For cold weather outings, I'll need to get one.This one I paid full price for, arond $60. But at 2 oz plus the way it folds up into a tiny bag are what sold me. Reviews were good.
Here is an article that gives you more detail. http://zenstoves.net/StoveChoices.htm#BackpackingStoveTypes
Cookwear - MSR BlackLite Gourmet (23.5 oz.) - Because I plan to fish (and hopefully catch), I wanted a set that came with a frying pan, and 2 pots for meal flexibility if I'm with a group. I can always leave whatever I'm not using at home if I want to travel lighter. Comes with a potgrabber handle, and towels that double as insulation between the non-stick pots when stored. http://www.rei.com/product/768603
If really light is a bigger concern, then aluminum and titanium are better choices, but they are more expensive and harder to clean. Normally was $59.95, I paid $39. It seems to be discontinued for something different, but you can still find them on the internet, and for a real bargain.
Water Filtration - MSR Sweetwater (11 oz.)- Seemed like one of the most popular water filters in use in many other blogs I read, good reviews, and recommended by some REI personnel. Had a 20% off coupon, so it cost around $64 as opposed to $89.95. Supposedly needs cleaning from time to time or it will clog, so I have to learn to do that. I'll take purification tablets as a backup. http://www.rei.com/product/617913
Down Jacket - Marmot Zeus (12 oz.) - 800 fill light down jacket, almost like a down sweater, most experiened backpackers consider a down jacket as an essential item for Sierra trekking any time of year, and so do I. You can get cold weather any time of year up there, and it will keep you comfortable outside the tent at night if you don't have a fire, if slept in it makes your sleeping bag even warmer, and could it even keep you alive in an emergency. There are a number of choices in a light down jacket, such as Montbell and North Face, but the Zeus got better reviews, I liked the baffle design better, and everyone raved about its freedom of movement. Best of all, a good friend bought one and loves it. I can attest to the fact that it is extremely comfortable, and warm for its lightness. I waited until spring to buy this jacket and it was extremely hard to find in Black XL, in fact Zeus jackets of all sizes and colors were scarce. I called the manufacturer who said they had no idea they would sell that many in the product's 1st year, and they wouldn't be shipping them again until July. Found one at Berg's Ski Shop in Eugene, OR (great service by the way) for $128, a good savings off the $160 REI and list price. http://marmot.com/products/zeus_jacket?p=110,170
Still Need to Get or Already Have:
Trekking Poles - I have a really nice Eucalyptus walking stick that works great, but I think I'll eventually need poles. I can borrow my wife's Leki anti-shock poles if she's not on the trip with me.
Bear Container - Required for food storage in Yosemite, and maybe easier than hanging food in other locales.
Got the Bear Vault 500 on 6-26-10. It's pretty big, so if you won't fill it with food and other things such as toothpaste that smell good to a bear, you can use it for storage of other items as well.
GPS - I have a 7 year old Garmin E-Trex that still works pretty well for me. I need to learn to use it better, and since it's a bit dated, I may need a technology upgrade in the future. But I am able to download my routes to Trimble Navigation and Google Earth. Down Vest - Seems like a popular and handy thing to have.
In addition to the big stuff, I got a whole bunch of other cool little stuff that I'll have in the next post.
