2010 Backpacking Light Staff Picks

Love my "The One" tent!
Really love my AGPs by Titanium Goat!!
And finally, I sleep extremely well on my Neo-Air mattress by Thermarest!!!

As suggested, I am leaving it at three items although there are several other items I could mention that make life sweet on the trail.

I knew it!
Lightweight backpacking geeks are really closet calculator geeks, too!!
I have a 41CV with all the accessories, including tape reader (museum quality) and use daily my 17B II. But I find myself using an Iphone app, Fast Figures, more often, got to be able to triangulate those baselines out in the field, don't you know! (and read that latest novel, watch the latest movies and listen to my tunes.)
Ah, the joys of geekdom.

I gave up my calculator after HS calculus (last math class of my life), and haven't owned one since.

This is far and away the best staff picks yet. Well done. Some points:

-Had a high maintenance GF in college who loved Tigi products. She also got 150 dollar haircuts.

-Ryan (or anyone else), how do the 212s wear compared to an "average" trail shoe. They sound great, but I'm sick of killing shoes in a few months.

-Roger, IMNSHO the best stuff you've written for this site, ever. Wollemi sounds like it'd be worth the plane tickets.

My three (in order):

Alpacka Yukon Yak with deck
MYOG packs
Tenkara Amago

Well, all of those comments must mean its a great tool. Lord knows how long I resisted learning to use one, but now that I have spent the time, its difficult to use anything else. And the build quality is supreme as another noted. Don't carry one in my pack, I'm not that nerdy, but kinda wished I was! BTW all, great list above. The Caldera Keg made the list again. I guess I should get one.

LOL – Maia on Beano. First the face licking and now blowing kisses!

My 2010 picks: Winter beard, wool socks, and Stratocaster

"and give me a one-hour massage to boot."

Ah, nothing like a good massage. I get an hour-and-a-half massage every other Thursday night – been going to the same therapist for about 6 years now. The massages and my monthly chiropractic appointment keep these old bones moving.

My 2010 favorites in no particular order – My cuben quilts from Tim Marshall, my cuben hammock tarp from Lawson Kline, and my week-long trek in Wyoming with a few BPLers (my first backpacking trip in the west!).

It sounds like a turbo version of parts of Arizona's Mogollan Rim, or (less so) some of the rare Southern Utah slots with enough ground water to create in canyon jungles.

Places where even 20 ft contour intervals do you little good!

I take it there are some canyoning routes in Wollemi?

> I take it there are some canyoning routes in Wollemi?
Funny you should mention that!

Yes, some of the world's best wet canyoning country is to be found in a narrow belt running down the W side of Wollemi. The sandstone rock there is especially hard, and the slots can be very narrow – two feet wide would be normal. You can be several abseils from the surface in places. For many canyons you need not just two full-length abseil ropes but some flotation as well, as you may be swimming for an hour or two in very cold water.

Of course, if it rains you have to get out very fast. I have seen big and small canyons go up 6' to 10' in a couple of hours. And yes, people have died in them as a result.

Sue at the junction of Crayfish Canyon and Claustral Canyon. The latter is very high grade – three longish abseils from deep water and/or into deep water. You just about need a headlamp.

This is Wollongambee canyon, which in fine weather is long but fairly easy – but it can be cold! Doing both parts will take a full day.

Cheers

I haven't tried gps lite so I can't give you a good comparison, but I use MotionX GPS and am completely satisfied with it.

Thanks for the app suggestions, I'm looking into them.

I don't think anyone mentioned journaling. I have an old Palm folding bluetooth keyboard that I use with the iphone for journaling. I like to be able to make notes, lists and journal entries that I can then post directly from the phone when I find reception. At 8 ounces, it's a severe weight penalty, but I understand there are much lighter ones now.

I certainly agree that with calculator apps available, a smartphone is a better choice than a stand alone calculator.

By the way, Star Walk computes sunris/set. No need for an extra app.

I want the Caldera Fissure!!!

I have to admit to being totally mystified as to why anyone would take a 4 oz calculator on a backpacking trip. And this from a guy who has exhorted me to not take a GPS or Cell Phone or First Aid kit beyond a band-aid and a few ibuprofen tabs. (On any early Star Trek episode, the android brain would start to emanate smoke about now :)

The HP-21 was a my daily carry through college.

It would be handy to take a circular slide rule along if you just gotta do a DIRT calculation or trig out that nav problem.

My one piece of gear that is irreplaceable is my custom made full grain leather boots. Made by John Calden of Estes Park, they are not light but they are on my feet 365 days a year and they ARE my feet.
I'd also say the ICEBOX but you know my bias. I'll have to thank Doug though, for taking the ICEBOX and the igloos to heart. A honest and compelling review, indeed.