new pg

4/4/2012 9:53:33 AM

NO ONE READS THE LAST POST

Quote :

"^ can you rent any tent they sell? even if they don't, i suppose you could try out the different sizes and styles (3-man vs 4-man, vestibules, number of doors, etc) i'd never return something i'd broken/damaged (like dogs' nails poking holes), but i'd most definitely return something that didn't work out good point, though, i didn't think about renting something first to see how one likes it in an unrelated matter, has anyone ever used the sawyer water filtration systems? i just bought both the squeeze (http://www.rei.com/product/837824/sawyer-squeeze-water-filter) and inline (http://www.rei.com/product/801824/sawyer-3-way-inline-water-filter) for $50/each after the coupon and tax (if you didn't know, you can use the coupon up to 8 different times) i like the idea of the squeeze system, but i was hoping i could actually make the inline version work the same way since it comes with adapters and could be more flexible (though i suspect that won't be the case) advantages - only 3oz - smaller - no mechanics to break - almost 50% price of cheapest pump filters - "1 million gallons" guarantee - lower operational cost disadvantages - difficult to fill bags from slow/shallow water sources (fixed with a small siphon bulb pump like http://www.harborfreight.com/fluid-siphon-pump-93290.html for $6) - can't replace filter itself (but new unit costs same as replacement for pumps and this lasts longer) - can't allow to freeze (might damage membrane...keep it in your tent)"

4/4/2012 10:18:47 AM

Dakota, the older dog, does fantastic. She is so laid back and a dream to travel with. I've camped in a borrowed tent with her in the past, and she did great. Kaiser, the pup, is going to be a high drive dog, but once he is older and learns "place" or "settle" I'm hoping he won't be too much trouble to camp with.

Under $200 was my budget for the tent, since I don't own any other camping supplies. At all. lol

Thanks for the recommendations ref the tent!

Now...what about places to go??

4/4/2012 10:36:12 AM

Quote :

"in an unrelated matter, has anyone ever used the sawyer water filtration systems? i just bought both the squeeze (http://www.rei.com/product/837824/sawyer-squeeze-water-filter) and inline (http://www.rei.com/product/801824/sawyer-3-way-inline-water-filter) for $50/each after the coupon and tax (if you didn't know, you can use the coupon up to 8 different times)"

I've not heard of anyone having good long-term experiences with inline filters. They create more resistance to sucking the water out of your bag, and just become kind of a pain in the ass.

That said, I've seen a bunch made into hanging water filters with good results. We had one of these donated for testing during one of our longer trips so you get the idea. I generally don't do much filtering, but this one was easy as hell to use http://www.rei.com/product/813799/platypus-gravityworks-water-filter You can rig up something similar for nothing.

4/4/2012 10:54:36 AM

To add to quagmire02's tent recommendations from the last page, I also suggest the REI Hoodoo 3 http://www.rei.com/product/799121/rei-hoodoo-3-tent-09-special-buy $152 AC

I'm 6'3, and it's large enough for me + two other people or me + person + dog with room to spare. The front vestibule is large enough to put a pack in and still be able to enter/exit the tent. It's pretty much the same as the Axis 4, but 13 sqft smaller and 3 lbs lighter.

REI only has a couple of different size tents for rent. If you call your local store up they can tell you which specific models they carry.


I saw an ad for the Sawyer squeeze in Backpacking magazine, and it looks pretty nice if it works without any problems. My problem is I can just imagine the bag busting at some point. Sure, just take it back to REI if that happens, but I'd hate to be caught without a filter if I was counting on being able to refill. I haven't had any problems with my MSR Sweetwater filter, and it's only $30 more.

4/4/2012 11:09:28 AM

^ I use the MSR miniworks ex...14 oz (ceramic), but that thing pumps well and is easy to clean. Love it. I had a steripen die out on me on day 4 on a 10 day App Trail hike...wasn't happy

4/4/2012 1:09:25 PM

I still think the Platypus GravityWorks is the best water filter system especially if you're in a group and not everyone wants to carry a filter.

http://www.rei.com/product/813799/platypus-gravityworks-water-filter

4/4/2012 1:28:02 PM

Can you really use the REI 20% off 1 item member coupon more than once?!?!?!

4/4/2012 2:49:26 PM

I thought you could only use it once.

4/4/2012 2:56:51 PM

You can use it 1x for REI and 1x for REI Outlet.

4/4/2012 3:06:28 PM

That's what I thought but quagmire02 above said

Quote :

" (if you didn't know, you can use the coupon up to 8 different times)"

And then a quick google search found this message board with people reporting they used it more than once online when making separate orders... I'm kind of scared to try this.
http://www.mountainproject.com/v/rei-20-off-coupon-available-now/107513033#a_107522335

4/4/2012 3:20:03 PM

Well...I would feel kind of bad doing this, but I'm a sickly moral person, especially since REI is co-op and I'm already getting back 10% at the end of the year anyway.

4/4/2012 3:32:32 PM

Quote :

"You can use it 1x for REI and 1x for REI Outlet."

Quote :

"And then a quick google search found this message board with people reporting they used it more than once online when making separate orders... I'm kind of scared to try this."

it was a CSR with REI that told me i could use it 8 times...i found out because i wanted to cancel an order but wanted to use the coupon again and so i called to see if they could reset it or something

i don't go out of my way to use it all 8 times, but in a case like this where i want to try two similar products (that they don't carry in the store) and i know i'm going to return one of them...it's like i'm only using it once

Quote :

"Well...I would feel kind of bad doing this, but I'm a sickly moral person, especially since REI is co-op and I'm already getting back 10% at the end of the year anyway."

i'm fairly certain you don't get 10% back on the item you used a coupon for...furthermore, there are a fair number of exclusions:

Quote :

"Excludes REI-OUTLET.com and sale/clearance items (prices ending in $._9 or $._3), items discounted 15% or more, gift cards, REI Adventures trips, REI Outdoor School classes and outings, sales tax, postage, mounting, engraving, labor, rental fees and membership fee."

[Edited on April 4, 2012 at 3:41 PM. Reason : the coupon falls under "items discounted 15% or more" or so i understand]

4/4/2012 3:39:45 PM

Let me rephrase...sickly moral due to the fact that I have scenarios in my head of being admonished for trying to use a coupon multiple times on freeze dried icecream.

4/4/2012 3:45:16 PM

There are only 2 items I want right now that are expensive enough to use with the 20% off coupon, but I was surprised because I figured the coupon would be tracked by the membership number. I was there last night buying a relatively inexpensive item and the cashier asked me if I had used the coupon yet, and I told her I was going to save it for something else. It seems like if it was meant to be used more than once she would have told me so...

PS The new Cary location is nice - seems to be more spacious at least. Poor Borders

4/4/2012 4:20:50 PM

^^^ not sure where you got those exclusions from but they're not the correct ones for the REWARDS20 member coupon

http://www.rei.com/promotions/member-rewards-coupon.html

Quote :

" Offer valid 3/22/12 9pm PT – 4/15/12 11:59pm PT. Coupon (or coupon code) must be presented at time of purchase. Online and phone customers must use code "REWARDS20" to receive this discount. Offer valid for 20% off one full-price or sale or clearance item (prices ending in $._3 or $._9) at REI.com, 1-800-426-4840 and REI stores. Offer also valid for 20% off one item from REI-OUTLET.com. Offer valid on all REI-OUTLET.com categories except bicycles. Offer not valid at REI Adventures or REI Outdoor School. REI membership is required at checkout. Not a member? You can join for a one-time $20 fee during checkout. Offer not valid on special orders, package discounts, prior purchases, REI gift cards, REI e-gift cards, passes and tickets, gift boxes, memberships, shop services, rentals. Offer valid on Novara bicycles only; all other bicycle brands are excluded. Offer not valid on hard-shell boats or stand up paddleboards, any item with GPS technology, phones or personal locator beacons. Offer not valid on skis, boots or bindings; snowboards, boots or bindings. Offer is limited to stock on hand and backorderable items, is nontransferable and is not redeemable for cash. Merchandise purchased with this offer is not eligible for the REI member refund. Offer may not be combined with any other discount or offer. Limit one coupon per customer. To order by phone, call 1-800-426-4840 Mon. through Sun., 4am through 11pm PT. Cashier instruction: Apply 20% line discount to the highest full-price, sale or clearance item. Please refer to exclusions. "

Besides the specific products that are explicitly excluded, it'll work for any priced item

4/4/2012 4:22:27 PM

^ i think you misunderstood...i know you can use the coupon on virtually anything, but i'm saying that i don't think you'll get a 10% dividend for the cost of the item you use the coupon with

make sense?

4/4/2012 4:25:48 PM

ah, sorry, I probably did. Yes, the 10% dividend definitely doesn't apply to whatever item you apply the coupon to. The website will warn you of that at checkout, and your store receipt will have an asterisk next to it with a note near the bottom saying the item is excluded.

4/4/2012 4:31:08 PM

that's why i don't feel bad using it a couple of times...you're only effectively getting a 10% "real" discount

4/4/2012 4:59:57 PM

A little backpacking/snowshoeing trip last weekend, well 2-weekends ago.

10th Mountain Hut Division in Colorado, this is the trail to Betty Bear Hut at 11,400ft.
http://www.huts.org/The_Huts/bettybear.html

About 6 miles each way. Approx. 5.5 hours up, 3 hours down. Typically you have to reserve a year in advance.
























[Edited on April 5, 2012 at 12:30 AM. Reason : .]

4/5/2012 12:26:33 AM

Jealous. I need to make it out west.

First trip of the season. Doing a Linville Gorge loop the weekend of the 21st (before camping permits are required).

http://peterhikes.blogspot.com/2009/06/linville-gorge-north-carolinas-deepest.html

http://www.trimbleoutdoors.com/ViewTrip/379572

Anyone attempted this? From what I've heard blazes are scarce and it's really easy to get lost. All the more fun!

4/9/2012 1:56:47 PM

^ i've done the gorge...three?...times in the past 2 years

got "lost" 2 of those 3 times

by "lost" i mean that we thought we were on the right path, but we hadn't seen any blazes for a while...knowing the direction we needed to go and guesstimating landmarks, we just cut through (usually down) the forest and ended up where we wanted to be, more or less

i'd argue that it's difficult to get truly lost, but easy enough to lose sight of the correct path

4/9/2012 2:26:59 PM

Thanks! Yeah that's what I thought. I'll have a GPS with waypoints from that site just in case. I'm hoping it isn't too hot. My friend did it last April and it was in the 90's (record breaking). If the weather in 2 weeks is what it's like now (50s/60s during day and 30s/40s at night) it'll be PERFECT.

4/9/2012 2:34:34 PM

okay, we all know alcohol stoves are inferior in many ways...this isn't debatable: alcohol is more expensive, heavier, and contains less energy per ounce than every other common fuel (isobutane, gasoline, white gas/naphtha)

but since you can make the stoves at home, they're usually cheaper and lighter (though inherently more fragile and prone to working poorly due to inconsistent construction)

i'm not posting to start the argument again, however...in fact, i'm posting about my intent to make my own alcohol stove that will (successfully) burn isopropyl alcohol - which is significantly cheaper than denatured, heet, and everclear - without the characteristic soot

i'm not going to pretend that i'm especially inventive...jonfong57 on youtube (http://www.youtube.com/user/jonfong57) demonstrates a bunch of alcohol stove designs and started "flat cat gear" to sell his iso-clean stove (http://flatcatgear.com/zencart/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=20)...between that and the super cat (http://jwbasecamp.com/Articles/SuperCat/index.html) design, i'm hoping to turn a 3oz cat food can into a stove that will burn iso effectively and efficiently...without spending $25 on it

i'll take pictures and post back...unless i get lazy and don't do it and/or it doesn't work



[Edited on April 13, 2012 at 8:40 AM. Reason : image]

4/13/2012 8:40:08 AM

Can't live without my Jetboil now. The fact that I can walk around while I hold the stove is genius.

4/13/2012 9:35:16 AM

Yea, Jetboils are awesome, plain and simple.

4/13/2012 10:40:27 AM

New JetBoil is 1.8 liter titanium model. Great for multiple people. Weighs like 12 ounces for everything.

4/13/2012 11:13:31 AM

Anybody used or actually seen one of these in person?

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/boilerwerks_backcountry_boiler.html

Also, I just got this baby...



Found it online for 265 instead of the 370 or whatever most places like REI want. I only had to pay 30 bucks out of pocket after I used my NCAA Mens Tourney Bracket winnings. Woot

[Edited on April 13, 2012 at 3:12 PM. Reason : a]

4/13/2012 3:11:02 PM

jeebus...that sucker's more than a pound by all reports

i'm looking forward to trying out my 3oz sawyer that cost $50

[Edited on April 13, 2012 at 3:22 PM. Reason : .]

4/13/2012 3:22:01 PM

Quote :

"Anybody used or actually seen one of these in person? http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/boilerwerks_backcountry_boiler.html"

No appears to be heavier and slower than the Jetboil. Cheaper I guess.

That's a water filter? Still have to manually pump it? I'm spoiled by my Playtapus gravity filter.

4/13/2012 3:36:53 PM

Yea, its a heavy bastard. I just got it today. Its built like a tank so I wont complain. The big selling point for me was the fact that the cartridge is good for something like 13,000 gallons of water before you have to replace it. Seeing as most filters need their cartridge replaced every 300 gallons or so, in the end (many, many many moons from now) this one is cheaper.

The boilerwerks thing is actually pretty cool from what Ive been able to find out about it. Because of the way it is designed, it superheats the water quickly and you dont have to carry fuel since it can burn small sticks to heat it. He came up with a sleeve that would hold liquid fuel too and you could use that if you wanted to camp somewhere with no wood around. The guy that designed it (from what Ive been able to find out through the company website) was a engineering student up here in Pittsburgh.

[Edited on April 13, 2012 at 3:53 PM. Reason : a]

4/13/2012 3:50:58 PM

I like the Platypus gravity filter a lot more after using it for a week on trail and finally getting it to backflush properly.

4/13/2012 3:55:12 PM

Yeah you gotta backflush it. It's great for multiple people though. Just fill it up and hang it on a tree. No pumping involved.

4/13/2012 4:01:17 PM

I think just because it was new, it was being grumpy and wouldn't backflush. I'd save a liter (out of the three) and attempt to reverse the flow, but it would just barely trickle or sometimes not do anything. None of my water every had visible particles, so it couldn't have been clogged. But by the end of the trip and when I got home to clean it, it backflushed nicely and restored my confidence in it again.

4/13/2012 5:11:28 PM

i've got about $50 in rei dividends, plus the 20% coupon, & i'm going to rei tomorrow. what should i get? i can't decide

4/13/2012 5:59:34 PM

Going tomorrow as well. Need some cookware and possibly a doggy backpack.

Leads me to my next question. Does anyone backpack with dogs? I guess it's all dependent on how well trained the dog is. Does North Carolina have regulations on dogs in parks for hiking? I guess just any areas of concern.

My friend might bring his Australian shepherd next weekend to the Gorge with us. Very well behaved dog.

4/13/2012 6:07:16 PM

submitted a backcountry lottery application for Glacier NP in late August this afternoon - 1500 applications received so far

^ it varies depending upon what entity manages the park, I've seen dogs at Linville in the past, and National Forests don't really restrict dogs on trails, but National Parks typically do

4/13/2012 6:22:24 PM

i've always kinda wanted one of those jetboil systems. i could get the zip & only have to pay like $10. any pros or cons to these things?

4/13/2012 6:31:39 PM

I have the Jetboil Sol Ti and love love love love love it! I combine that with the freezer bag cooking method and never have to worry about cleaning it out!
http://www.amazon.com/Jetboil-Titanium-Cooking-System-Sand/dp/B004RA03LK

4/13/2012 6:48:10 PM

Quote :

"The big selling point for me was the fact that the cartridge is good for something like 13,000 gallons of water before you have to replace it. Seeing as most filters need their cartridge replaced every 300 gallons or so, in the end (many, many many moons from now) this one is cheaper."

the sawyer has a fiber membrane with a "million gallon guarantee"

4/13/2012 6:54:52 PM

^^that one is out of my price range.

4/13/2012 10:27:06 PM

Anyone ever consider using 0.3 Micron Synthetic Filter Discs? They are pretty cheap and a homemade setup could be rigged (say out of PVC) to accomodate 90mm filter discs for water filtration. Application can range from a "home" system (filtering large quantities) or a handheld system with a hand held syphon pump, like the Katadyn Pocket.

4/14/2012 12:02:08 AM

^ link? on a whim, i googled and found a place that sells what (i think) you're talking about: http://www.mycosupply.com/cgi-bin/shopper.cgi?preadd=action&key=SFDI01

they're nearly a buck each (if not more after shipping)...i only keep bringing up the sawyer because of the great reviews, but it IS only $50 (right now with 20% coupon) and will last longer than any other filter you could buy...it's also light and ready to be used

4/14/2012 10:16:53 AM

^ Yeah... That was actually one of the links I put in my favorites and the one I'll likely purchase from. Other options I've saved:

http://everythingmushrooms.com/cultivation-tools/canning-jars-and-accessories/synthetic-filter-discs-wide-mouth-90mm-one-dozen/

http://www.fungi.com/tools/airfilters.html

(Cautions not for Food Canning, but the purpose of these filters are for filtering out elements, not sterilization, so I suppose it'll accomplish its intended purpose).

Big thing is making sure the filter is hydrophilic and not hydrophobic, as you want the water to be able to pass through the filter membrane.

So using these filter screens, I was going to design an aparatus that also incorporates activated filter carbon pellets (ie: http://www.amazon.com/Acurel-LLC-Economy-Activated-Pellets/dp/B000YIWT0M/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1334448674&sr=8-3 ). I believe that at a fraction of the cost, I could design a filtering system (both a small scale for portability as well as large scale for those interested in a filtering system at a cabin that depends on backcountry water sources) that is nearly effective as the higher dollar ones, though cosmetically that Katadyn Pocket is badass and mine will definitely look "homemade"


http://www.amazon.com/Sawyer-PointOne-Squeeze-Filter-System/dp/B005EHPVQW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1334449287&sr=8-1

Quote :

"This filter does not remove dissolved solids, including chemicals and heavy metals"

Sawyer is pretty awesome. Aren't heavy metals usually 1-2 microns in size? I figured a .3 micron filter (let a lone a .1 micron sawyer filter) would be able to remove heavy metals.


[Edited on April 14, 2012 at 8:28 PM. Reason : .]

4/14/2012 8:19:59 PM

Quote :

"Sawyer is pretty awesome. Aren't heavy metals usually 1-2 microns in size? I figured a .3 micron filter (let a lone a .1 micron sawyer filter) would be able to remove heavy metals."

you know, i'd like to say i understand this, but i don't...i would have thought so, too

but the CDC says that until you get down to ultrafiltration (around 0.01 microns), you have no effective removal of heavy metals and chemicals (http://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/drinking/travel/household_water_treatment.html) and even then, it's only "low" effectiveness

the fact is that the majority of pocket filters you take backpacking (from the $300+ katadyn to the $50 sawyer) are only microfilters (around 0.1 microns) and are highly effective at removing protozoa, moderating effective at removing bacteria, and ineffective at removing viruses/chemicals

the protozoa are the VAST majority of your concern when drinking stream water because those are the ones that will mess you up...bacteria isn't inherently bad (and will likely not survive your digestive tract except under certain circumstances), viruses don't generally survive well in the environment and so are of little concern, and chemicals/metals are generally only a concern at relatively high concentrations and over a sustained period of time (ie. even a month isn't a big deal in almost all cases)

for $50, i still feel quite "safe" with the sawyer

4/15/2012 8:31:18 AM

Anyone hammock camp? I stop by the section at REI every time I go and am tempted every time.

Assuming you get the hammock and rain/bug cover the weight it practically the same as a tent.

Never thought sleeping in a hammock was comfortable but I may just be doing it wrong.

4/15/2012 4:41:50 PM

^ i do...in fact, doing a 40-miler hammock-only trek on the AT in a couple of weeks

4/15/2012 4:44:55 PM

I got an eno hammock pretty recently but have not bought straps yet. Do you recommend the slap-straps by eno or some other kind? I was wanting to get the pro slap-straps.

4/15/2012 4:46:51 PM

^^pros/cons? I hear people argue weight but only if you don't haul a rain cover and assume it's not going to rain.

Is it more/less comfortable? Back issues? I always hear sleeping on hammocks is bad for your back unless you're sleeping straight.

4/15/2012 4:49:01 PM

Quote :

"o you recommend the slap-straps by eno or some other kind? I was wanting to get the pro slap-straps."

slap straps stretch, but do less damage to the trees...i just use 5mm cord rope that's been doubled over and knots tied (you run the whole thing around the tree and slide the cord through the loop until you get to the knot that meets the length you want)...cord is cheap (like $5) and the straps are pricey

Quote :

"pros/cons? I hear people argue weight but only if you don't haul a rain cover and assume it's not going to rain. Is it more/less comfortable? Back issues? I always hear sleeping on hammocks is bad for your back unless you're sleeping straight."

i know some folks hammock during the winter, but that's not me...i just do warm-weather hammocking...i bring a tent ground cover (whatever alps mountaineering cloth was on sale at the time) and use that as a cover (you can also do tyvek)

i have always been extremely comfortable and never had back issues

4/15/2012 4:56:08 PM