Slowly trying to get together UL gear as I stray away from way to rugged (read: heavy) backpacking. Main focus is extended hikes in the Sierras with girlfriend, but also jaunts into the Mohave and northern california (Lassen, Trinity, redwoods, lost coast, etc). I'm putting down some of my thoughts and i'm hoping to hear from anyone on what worked for them, suggestions, ideas, etc. Thanks for taking the time to take a look!
WATER PURIFICATION
– Tring to decide between the mÃœV and SteriPEN Adventurer.
weight price H2O/charge
mÃœV 2.4 oz $50 12-20L
SteriPEN Adventurer
3.6 oz $100 100L
-Just from looking at the spec-sheet, the SteriPEN seems like the way to go… But the thing about the mÃœV is that you can charge if off of just about anything. The manufacturer claims that you can get 15 charges off of a D battery, which should correspond to about 2 charges off of a AA. So at best, the weight per liters of water treated is about the same when carrying extra AA's for the mÃœV. Still, the attractiveness in the mÃœV is in its flexibility. I've heard some things about its contruction in the first batch, and it doesn't have the proven track record so that is of concern.
-While neither of these are truly SUL, I think the fact that I don't have to carry water for the 4hrs while its being treated (for crypto) will pay for itself. Does anyone have either of these devices and feel strongly one way or the other? I'm really split between the two, but i'll probably go for the SteriPEN because it seems more bulletproof. I also want to carry a chemical solution as backup. I think I want to go with aquamira tablets, I like the idea of blister packets. Any suggestions? Just want to stay as far away from iodine as possible!
problem – don't want to have to carry batteries with me. Will have aquamira tabs for backup.
COOKING
– Going to be doing to 'freezer bag' thing for two people. I'm looking at the $13 'MK3CHA – AntiGravityGear 3 Cup Hard Anodized Cook Pot'. It weighs 3.8 oz with lid, and the pot gripper is 1.2 oz. At most we'd need 3 cups of hot water for meals, but typically 2 cups. I'm hoping the pot will be ok to boil almost 3 cups at a time… or would it be worth it to get the 2 quart pot (5.9 oz)? I'll also be making 2 insulating pouches for the freezer bags out of taped up reflectix (mylar coating bubblewrap) insulation. Thinking about using the FireLite SUL Long Handled Titanium Spoons, or similar plastic ones if I can find them.
– I'm going to be using a homemade alcohol soda can stove. Pressurized jet (screw in center) type with top and side jets, as well as a 3" diam windscreen (with holes punched out for ventilation) that will double as pot stand. Will be using a mini-bic lighter. Stove/windscreen should be under 1 oz.
– Think I want to use the Nalgene Cantene Water Bottle (3L, Wide Mouth) for storage potential on long stretches, refilling the vitamin water bottle on the shoulder strap holder.
Trying to find a good solution to keep the mosquitos off me while under the tarp. Will be using sleeping bag solo or 2 person quilt with the girlfriend, so bug protection is important and I don't think those little bug nets that fit over the top of the sleeping bag will work for 2 people in a quilt. I really like tyvek as a ground sheet, so I think i'm going to sew up a tyvek bathtup with a netting pyramid that clips to the underside of the tarp. Does anyone have any suggestions on alternatives or experience?
Really having a hard time trying to find a good LED headlight. I'm still using an old AA incandescent headlight thats incredibly heavy and inefficient. I also have a small photon-type LED light but really dislike the difficulty in constantly squeezing it. Any reccomended LED headlamp, possibly one that either clips to hat or has a headstrap (but being able to switch between the two would be the bomb!!) thats not $50 and that lasts a while? Mainly just need something for setting up camp or packing up early, so it wouldn't need to be anything super high powered. Night time hiking would be rare.
Planning on carrying one canister (bearikade if I can afford it!) as well as a ursack for trash/ish and for resupply before extended sections outside of the canister-req zones…
