Skurka and Sierra Designs team up for gear

My understanding is that he is working on a two pole, four season design, so I don't think that was it.

That thing you saw yesterday was the "Mid" in question. We did not talk about it specifically because it is a prototype, and candidly a poorly performing prototype, and we are still debating the best design approach, with my opinion being that the design shown yesterday is somewhat pedestrian, and offers little benefit over existing shelters on the market.

Skurka and I share a passion for the modular approach that can convert elegantly for different seasons and conditions: I actually created a similar shelter called the Malcontent when I was doing Enlightened Gear (not to be confused with Enlightened Equipment that makes quilts today). But we are far, very far IMO, from having anything I would call great.

So stay tuned…..

Michael, during the presentation yesterday (and I asked a question about it) you recommended for 'bomb proof' to seam seal the tensegrity elite. Do you recommend just sealing the interior seams or both interior and exterior? Does it matter? Thanks!

Kevin

btw – Awesome presentation and viewer interaction!

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/enlightened_malcontent_tent_system_1.html#.VOeZ1fnF98E

KP. It does not matter, and in the end you will probably end up sealing some outside seams, and some on the inside. The goal is to block all the holes one way or another. Generally, if you can do the INSIDE it will be better, because it avoids problems with the lap-felled seam where you can fill the holes, where water can go into the side, find the hole, and still make it through. On mine, I ran seam grip into the "felled" (not sure I am using the term right) part of the seam on the outside. But on the outside, it keeps the threads from soaking up water, and protects them from abrasion and adds more strength. Doing both the inside and the outside would be great, but would add too much weight.

My gosh, I can't believe it has been 10 years since the Malcontent. Looking back at it, I am feeling pretty proud; I think this shelter was ahead of its time….

Some of us DO need to get laid.

But… all in all seriousness. I only got to see the one event (not live) with Andrew and thought it was well done. This is the future of customer interaction and I'm glad you are embracing it.

I'm not in need of a shelter but if I were I'd try one of your flavors. I agree for the most part with your design goals and direction. The tent/tarp thing looks perfect for most of my needs (3-season – PNW backpacking).

I'd never use it with the flap up. I hike typically until it is near dark and camp. I don't spend a lot of time gazing at the stars… just snoring at them. I'd much rather have the top buttoned down so that if weather changes (does that happen?) I won't have to monkey with it in the night.

I really like the ventilation in your designs. An awning is a great idea for 99% of conditions we face. I personally don't use a vestibule. I pull all my gear in the tent for the most part when I'm using a tent so I'd never miss it.

Overall… well done. Wish I had an excuse to buy one.

Craig:

Last thng I want is to "hot this up" anymore, but Skurka and I were emailing and I wanted to share these comments about these lists on his site. His tone is also a bit hot, since some comments on this thread are clearly pretty hurtful to someone who prides himself on being honest and transparent. But it does answer your question as to why, so I wanted to share……

"What's the fuss about me removing from my website gear lists that are terribly outdated? I would pity anyone who replicated my actual gear list from my 2008 Sierra High Route hike. A hard-sided bear canister in a 50L frameless pack? That sucked. A knit polyester shirt and short running shorts during peak mosquito season? That sucked even more. Kahtoola crampons? Totally useless. Not to mention, probably half the gear on that list is no longer available, and specs would be hard to dig up online. With the "recommended" gear list that I posted, readers benefit from 6 additional years of personal experience, plus knowledge that I have gained from running 50+ guided trips. The recommended list also includes detailed explanations for my selections and convenient product links. The newer list is so superior that I'm in total shock that someone is bitching about it and that they also have the nerve to suggest perverse intent. He should be thanking me instead for making his SHR trip better than mine was."

Go Andrew! He has to learn to not pay attention to some of the dumb things people say (including me) when they post too quickly or are uninformed.

From what i can assess, hes an incredible hiker, and a great human being, and very intelligent as well.

But there is no ultimate gear item, or list. It is very individual.

Reading some of his blogs, he has admitted to making mistakes that most newbies wouldnt. Such as not having raingear or long sleeved clothing.

If his reccomendations were the cats meow, we would all carry golite jams and they would still be in business.

Obviously not so.

I hope to see some fresh gear ideas, and i hope he gets rich.

"What's the fuss about me removing from my website gear lists that are terribly outdated?"

There is no fuss. He should get used to being viewed with suspicion in the public though. We are conditioned not to trust people who have a financial stake when giving advice. That is a reasonable suspicion to have no matter how "unbiased" someone.

In terms of the Internet forums. They are all pretty much the same. It is easy to rip off a zinger when you are not face to face. It won't change anytime soon but this is generally a good group. Like any hobbyist forum we are a little nuts and it shows.

I don't agree with this:

"He should get used to being viewed with suspicion in the public though."

No one should or needs to be viewed with suspicion unless they prove to be doing something that merits such a view. I'm NOT advocating being naive but to label someone as being suspicious because you are in the public venue is self limiting. How about instead viewing someone who has a good track record and shows consistent evidence of being a positive, contributing, self motivating person with a better positive perspective?
I speak from personal experience. It takes b*lls to go out in public, live, or film or any other broadcasted media. I'm a former Director of many such performance venues, I know what it takes to do this. Andrew Skurka doesn't have to do anything for SD or us the backpacking/outdoor public, yet he chose to do so, paid or not. He doesn't have to offer us any of his extensive expertise online, yet he does, AND he makes himself available to his audience AND responds in a timely manner. Criticizing and throwing out imagined motives is just not NICE IMHO. And using the excuse that we are "particular" is not valid.

http://andrewskurka.com/2015/is-it-wrong-to-profit-from-your-passion-not-at-all/

Seems like an all right dude to me.

Many of you blew this out of proportion for Craig. He simply asked why the gear lists USED ON SPECIFIC TRIPS were changed with available gear. Not sure if the question was answered or not but nobody questioned if Skurka was an "all right dude" as explained by Ian.

Typical BPL.

Just read his blog post, very good.

I have emailed Andrew a couple of times on different topic and not only did he read and answer the emails but he asked follow up questions resulting in another round of emails. That impressed me as much as any of his trips.

Had I known "seems like an all right dude" would have evoked such a response, well I probably would have rephrased it to "Andrew seems like a very nice gentleman."

In other news, reading comprehension in America has reached an all time low…

Oh Ian, how droll.

Dave,

The sun is shining. Put together a new cook kit this morning. My kid had a great hockey game today. Heading over to visit my parents and wish my dad a happy birthday. Just found out my wife was promoted at her hospital.

If you want to get pissy over a bunch of 1s and 0s on your computer screen, knock yourself out. Just understand that will be a solo adventure for yourself.

Have a super duper day.

nm

What a nasty, petty place this is getting to be.

:)

I wrote this sentence way back in 2009..just a wee bit of sarcasm
.

"
"Real hikers do not write books, make gear, sell photographs, get sponsored by outdoor companies, give talks or benefit in any way, shape or form from their passion. All real hikers with any talent for the above do for free. If you are a real hiker with any kind of talent that may relate to the outdoors, consider finding a meaningless cubicle job that does not make use of your passion. If someone is fortunate enough to make a living out of their passion, they are not a real hiker. Make fun of them anonymously on the Internet! Remember..don’t HYOH (or earn your own living)…HMHDI!"

Google Hike My Hike Damn It. The author is a real jerk, I hear, though….

NM

"In other news, reading comprehension in America has reached an all time low…"

:)

whadda sayen?