[at-l] Gear list II - lots of questions!

[askowronek at mindspring.com (amy)]

On Tuesday, November 11, 2003, at 05:18  PM, Kelly Whitman wrote:

>
> I want a larger tarp than the one the Hennessy comes with.  I'm tall 
> so I'm going to be hanging the hammock a little higher for it to be 
> comfortable for me to stand up in the slit, and I want a fly that 
> comes down closer to the ground for added privacy and protection from 
> gusty rain.  Does that sound reasonable, Hennessy users?

Yes and no.  It will come down closer to the ground, but be sure you 
can set it
up so it does that while still letting air in to the hammock.

> I haven't worked out the weight of the taco yet, but wouldn't it be 
> lighter than a 3/4 Thermarest?  I can't use shelters, and I can't 
> sleep on the ground, thus the Hennessy + taco.

I hear ya.  I slept in shelter two nights in a row this year and it 
about killed me.
One night it was a "no camping" area, the next I couldn't find anywhere 
to hang
the hammock - lots of brush, boulders, few trees.  I swore after the 
second night
that I'd sleep in my hammock no matter how far I had to walk to find a 
site.
I hate waking up on the shelter floor in great pain.

>> Get a Lexan spoon
>
> What is a Lexan spoon?

Very lightweight durable plastic-type spoon.  Check out REI online.

>
>>> coffee filters
>>
>> For what?  you plan on drinking coffee a lot?
>
> They're for filtering murky water (I don't like coffee).

You could use a bandana for that.

>
>>> silk bag liner
>>
>> Don't carry this.  Everything is going to get dirty.  Just be 
>> prepared to wash your sleeping bag once or twice during your hike.
>
> It's actually for added warmth, not to keep the bag clean, although 
> considering how difficult it is to clean a down sleeping bag, and the 
> possibility of ruining a $450 bag, helping keep it clean is just an 
> added bonus.

I opted against the silk liner because I get all twisted up in that 
kind of thing.
Try the silk liner/sleeping bag combo in the hammock and see how it 
feels for you.
Me, I keep it simple with a down quilt.

>> Nah, carry a cheap plastic lighter.
>
> Am I the only person who gets burned thumbs from lighters?

Except during "Freebird", I don't have a problem with them.

>
>
>> Get a Petzel Zipka or Tikka.  Some folks get by with a key chain 
>> light but I llike a head lamp for night hiking.
>
> Yeah, I haven't decided about this, yet.  I was thinking of one of 
> those keychain ones because they're strong and ultralightweight, but 
> they might not be strong enough for night hiking, and given my (lack 
> of) sleep pattern, I may end up doing some night hiking.  What is the 
> lightest weight available in a head lamp?

The black diamond something or other.  I picked one up this year.  The 
light
was pitiful, though.  Much prefer my zipka.  A decent outdoors store 
should have
several so you can compare and contrast.

> What about tweezers for tick removal?  (I really don't like the idea 
> of ticks, can you tell?  lol)  I was going to get that Swiss army card 
> knife kit that's the size of a credit card.  Has anyone hiked with 
> this?   Likes, dislikes?
>

My tiny knife has tweezers, scissors, knife, and toothpick.  The 
tweezers are a little
floppy.  I actually prefer to use a knife for tick removal.

I looked at the swiss army card but didn't see the advantage over the 
folding knife.
FWIW, mine hangs on a lanyard around my neck with my photon light in 
the evening,
so I always have both on hand.

> I didn't want to carry camp clothes.  I just recently added them to 
> the list because I'm concerned about having to sleep in rain-drenched 
> clothes, especially in cold weather.  Bike shorts are pretty light.  
> Amy suggested a silk shirt, that's a good idea since they're so 
> lightweight.  I can sew, so maybe I'll just make myself a top and 
> shorts out of silk to sleep in.

So jealous.  I must learn to sew one of these days.

>>> boiled wool mittens (still looking for these)
>> Why boiled wool mittens?
>
> Extremely warm, light, and durable.  If there's something better, I'm 
> definitely open to suggestions.  There seems to be a mitten vs. glove 
> debate and I'm not really sure which side I come down on.

The thing with mittens is it's hard to do anything with them on.  
Naturally, as soon
as I put them on I need to get out my hankie, look at my map, adjust my 
straps,
or a million other tasks which want my fingers.

>
>>> alcohol wipes
>>
>> I think the wipes are extra weight and trash.  Why no just carry 
>> purel?
>
> Um... well, they're better for cleaning certain areas.  Purel seems to 
> just spread stuff around while wiping gets it off, plus they can be 
> used on boo-boos, and used ones can help start a cooking fire.

Have you read "How to Shit in the Woods"?

>
>> Get one of the lightweight rigid cases.  If your glasses are riding 
>> in your pack,
> there is a very good chance they'll get mangled.
>
> I was going to stuff them in a sock and put them in my cooking pot.

That could work.  Keep in mind you'll be fussing with them every time 
you need your
pot.
>> You might like to carry a small carabiner or two, which is convenient 
>> for hanging
> food and other items.
>
> What is a carabiner?

Formerly climbing gear, now used by everybody and their dog.  It's
kind of clip.  Look at this example:  http://tinyurl.com/um2c



>
>> Balaclava, man.  What good's a warm head when you have a cold
> neck?
>
> Do you need things like that if you have a bag that closes all around 
> your head until just your face is showing?  I'm not crazy about 
> sleeping with something over my mouth and nose.  Maybe that's an 
> asthma thing.

Doesn't asthma react poorly to really cold air?  I thought it 
constricted the airway.

The balaclava has an advantage over hats in bags in that it will stay 
on where
a hat might fall off in your sleep.  Also, you don't have to put it 
over your mouth.


-amy