Ryan Jordan’s SUL Winter Challenge

[Graeme Finley]

Given the limited duration of the trip, is a Princton Tec Eos necessary as a headlamp? A Black Diamond Ion would save over two ounces. It doesn’t have all the flexibility of the Eos, and only has a 15 hour battery life, but it’s significantly lighter.

[John S.]

It’s something to think about for sure. I was figuring he might need something more since we are to plan for a winter storm. Maybe a brighter headlamp wouldn’t help in a white out…I haven’t been there. What do others think?

[Bob Gabbart]

I’m going to throw out the disclaimer that I have not done any winter camping. But I figured I would throw in my thoughts on the current gear list and give a new one. The changes are based on gear list posted above, the winter checklist, Ryan’s SUL article, and other reading. None of this is based on experience ;) Here are my critiques:

1. The Arc X is not warm enough, so I added the Arc Expedition
2. The WM Flight Vest is not warm enough so I added the Rab Neutrino
3. The VB liner would not allow him to use his parka as part of the sleep system so I took it out and added the VB Jacket that he want to try out.
4. I took out all the stuff sacks except for one for the essentials
5. I took out the beanie because the parka has a hood and gave him a balaclava with his worn items.
6. I have him using the Vapor Mitts as his primary (and only) gloves
7. The cookpot seems small for melting snow so I gave him the 2L pot
8. Took out the 2 Nalgenes and gave him one 3L wide mouth Nalgene canteene
9. Added in sun glasses
10. The EOS is too heavy so I replaced with the Ion
11. Added water treatment.
12. Switched to a lighter Esbit stove. Also note that the original list did not include the empty weight of the cansiter.
13. Change the organization of the list to include the extra clothing with the Shelter/Sleep system.
14. Took out the lighter and storm matches and added the 0.3oz box of matches in a ziplock that he had in his SUL article.
15. A map is not included in his SUL article so I left it out here as well. He can go somewhere he knows really well.

Here it is:

Clothing
10.0 RBH Designs Proto VB Jacket
01.5 Outdoor Research PowerStretch Balaclava
03.0 Nike Spandex Running Short Tights
18.0 Arc’Teryx Gamma MX
04.0 Bozeman Mountain Works FeatherLite Vapor Mitts

Footwear
02.0 Smartwool Lightweight Wool Liner Socks
03.0 RBH Designs Vapor-Thrm Fleece Socks
24.0 Montrail Susitna II XCR Trail Running Shoes
16.0 Forty Below Custom 2mm Neoprene Overboots
35.0 Northern Lites Elites Snowshoes

Other Items Worn / Carried
01.0 Fox 40 Mini Whistle, AirCode Plus lanyard
01.3 Suunto X6
05.4 Stix Pro Carbon Fiber Trekking Poles

116.5 ounces
Total worn or carried 7.28 pounds

Shelter/Sleep/Extra Clothing
21.0 Arc Expedition
04.0 Vapor NANO Bivy
03.0 Gossamer Gear NightLight Torso (Cut down by 0.7 oz)
05.0 Gossamer Gear ThinLight 3/8″ (Cut down by 0.3 oz)
05.75 SnowClaw Backcountry Snow Shovel
19.45 Rab Neutrino Quantum Down Jacket
01.8 Possum Down Socks

Pack
03.7 Gossamer Gear G6 Whisper

Cook/Hydration
05.9 Antigravity Gear 2 Qt. Hard Anodized Pot w/ Lid
00.4 Backpacking Light Titanium Mini-Spork
00.3 Box of wooden matches in Ziploc
02.8 Nalgene Wide-Mouth Cantene 3 L
00.2 Plastic grocery bag
01.3 Esbit Folding Wing Stove
01.1 Aqua Mira repackged in eyedropper bottles, mixing cap

Essentials
01.1 Black Diamond Ion Headlamp
01.0 Blister & minor would care supplies
00.5 TP: 4″x4″ blue shop towel squares – 1 / day
00.5 Sunglasses
00.5 Alcohol hand gel in small bottle
00.5 Small stuff sack to organize essentials

79.8 ounces
Total Packed 4.99 pounds

[Jim Colten]

I’ve used esbit on solo “shoulder season” trips (cold temps but pre-snowfall) for a few years but no way I’d plan on using esbit to melt snow.

BTW, are wood fires considered out of bounds for this?

[kevin davidson]

Impressive work but some caveats—
It makes no sense to use just a VB on just the torso inside the bag— moisture generated by the body will just find ways to the bag by other paths.
You would need VB pants to make it work.
A nano VBL at 2 oz. would be far more effective and it would give Dr. Jordan the added measure of warmth to use the lighter Arc X. The lighter bag will work in a snow cave. Adding the nano bivy in addition gives protection from to the bag from dripping,etc. as well as giving him an increased margin of comfort w/ the lighter bag. All for much lighter than the VB shirt.

I think the lighter W.M. flight jacket ( but not vest) in conjunction with his other layers will suffice and be lighter than the Rab jacket. You are otherwise light in the clothing dept. Baselayer is completely missing. A light softshell top should be considered.
The Gamma MX is referring to the Arcteryx softshell pants?

You are neglecting Snowproof clothing for digging out a snow cave in— potentially a very wet and chilly enterprise. W/B hardshells are great for this and work well w/ layering systems.

The Esbit is going to be hardpressed to melt snow in a 2 liter pot. Need a different solution.

Mitts only is a bad move –at least a liner is required for tasks that require hand dexterity as well as hand protection.

More nitpicky– need a candle for snow cave warmth, atmosphere and illumination. Could use 2 Photon Freedom lights for less then 1/2 the weight of the Ion. Aquamira not needed for this kind of trip.
A 2nd pair of the same liner socks Ryan will be tromping around in under the VB sox would be more versatile–the Possum Down sox are pretty much just useful as sleeping/around camp sox.

Nice to have a list that contains more than just the base weight items. One can begin to compute what the skinout weight could be.

Jim– i think wood fires above timberline are unconscionable.

[Jim Colten]

Jim– i think wood fires above timberline are unconscionable.

No argument there … I didn’t cue into above treeline as being part of the deal. Living 1000 miles from the nearest treeline makes it easy to forget about that factor.

[kevin davidson]

And I agree with you about an Esbit stove not really being suited for a winter trip.
What would JC do?

---

sorry, I could not resist :-)>

[Bob Gabbart]

Kevin,

The reason the base layer and shell are missing is that if you look back earlier in this thread, you will see that Ryan suggested using the RBH prototype jacket to be used as the SOLE layer during activity and then having a parka to add when stopping — a 2 layer winter clothing system. Why not give it a spin? The jacket would provide protection from the snow when digging a cave and it doesn’t count toward the base pack weight because he would always be wearing it.

About the parka, I have a WM Flight. I would be freezing in a Flight Jacket at 0 degrees when standing around. We should try to fit in the warmer parka.

If the Arc X is warm enough in a snow cave, then we get back 5 ounces and can add VB pants or the liner, the extra socks, and the candle. Also, note that the list above includes the nano bivy.

Any suggestions for cooking? It would be nice to not use a cansiter stove.

[kevin davidson]

The Flight would be warm enough as part of a layering system as would RJ’s hooded version of the Cocoon pullover. I personally use a Cocoon or a micropuff over a midweight merino baselayer and under a W/B shell or over my lighter softshell jacket and I’m good sitting around in the teens.

Is experimenting with the RBH VB shirt on a multi-day trip appropriate? I would field test it on a day trip or 2 before commiting to it. It’s one thing being on the bleeding edge of product development, another being on the frostbitten edge. However I know Ryan is capable of extreme gear testing as witness RJ w/ the Vapor Mitts—
“We had the privilege of testing RBH’s flagship product, the Polarguard 3D-insulated Vapor Mitts (Figure 1). During an Arctic cold front that passed through Montana this winter, we were pleased to test the mitts during a front-porch bivouac at 27 °F — below zero. I donned an expedition down jacket, slid into a winter-strength down sleeping bag, and cinched it up around my armpits so that my hands and arms would remain free. I slept on a closed cell foam pad and sealed myself up in a Pertex Endurance bivy sack. Thus, the only insulation between the skin of my fingers and hands and the brisk outside air was that provided by the Vapor Mitts. I lasted about six hours in the cold before the ice on my face mask began to interfere with my breathing, so I called it a night. However, the Vapor Mitts kept my fingers comfortable and they never went numb or even felt cold.”

If The RBH shirt is long enough to cover a pair of VB pants it might work for digging out a snow cave (?)and together w/ the VB sox could be used inside the bag. You add up the collective weight–don’t be so tied into base weight alone. Comfort wise, I would rather have merino or capilene against my skin and don’t relish the idea of working hard even in the low temps. being considered, wearing a VB suit.

I chopped wood one winter in such conditions and tried a variety of clothing systems for the job, including wearing a Stephenson VB suit. I was warm but wet using it, and eventually chilled. The classic metablolic stabilization that is supposed to occur w/ VBs did not happen. The most comfortable ensemble I tried was wearing wool (Filson—pre-merino days)–I know, so trad. The VB suit concept also underwhelmed me on some winter mtneering trips. VB’s have always worked best for me as a VBL in a bag in appropriately low enough temperatures. In fact they are a winter must-have in my kit.

In Winter I have always used a canister or white gas stove but then I ‘m almost never solo in Winter so it is the lightest solution for 2 or more. I own esbit and alcohol stoves but do not consider them practical for the Winter use I would subject them to— melting snow and making lots of hot soups and beverages.

[Bob Gabbart]

Kevin,

OK, I made the change you suggested.

1. We got rid of the RBH jacket
2. Added the NANO sleeping bag VB liner
3. Added a windshirt and baselayer
4. Added possumdown gloves and moved the mitts to the extra clothing
5. Got rid of the Esbit and added a Vargo Jet Ti and the weight of an empty cansiter
7. Got rid of the Ion and added a Photon Freedom
8. I moved the sun glasses to the worn section because I figure he’ll be wearing them all day.
9. Got rid of the stuff sack for the essentials, he can put them in the kangaroo pocket.
10. Got rid of the Arc Expedition and added back the Arc X
11. Got rid of the Rab Neutrino and added the Cocoon (glad it’s not me hanging out in the Cocoon at 0 degrees :) )
12. Added DriDucks rain suit for protection when building the shelter
13. Got rid of the lid on the pot (my scale read 1.75oz for the lid) and added a 0.25 oz foil lid
14. Got rid of the Aqua Mira – But wouldn’t he save fuel by treating the melted water instead of boiling it?
15. Got rid of the PossumDown socks and added the liner socks.

Clothing
06.00 Smartwool Aero Long Sleeve Crew
02.50 Montane Aero Wind Shirt
01.50 Outdoor Research PowerStretch Balaclava
03.00 Nike Spandex Running Short Tights
18.00 Arc’Teryx Gamma MX
01.20 PossumDown Gloves

Footwear
02.00 Smartwool Lightweight Wool Liner Socks
03.00 RBH Designs Vapor-Thrm Fleece Socks
24.00 Montrail Susitna II XCR Trail Running Shoes
16.00 Forty Below Custom 2mm Neoprene Overboots
35.00 Northern Lites Elites Snowshoes

Other Items Worn / Carried
01.00 Fox 40 Mini Whistle, AirCode Plus lanyard
01.30 Suunto X6
05.40 Stix Pro Carbon Fiber Trekking Poles
00.50 Sunglasses

103.70 ounces
Total worn or carried 6.48 pounds

Shelter/Sleep/Extra Clothing
16.00 BMW Arc X
04.00 BMW Vapor NANO Bivy
02.00 BMW NANO Sleeping Bag VB Liner
03.00 Gossamer Gear NightLight Torso (Cut down by 0.7 oz)
05.00 Gossamer Gear ThinLight 3/8″ (Cut down by 0.3 oz)
05.75 SnowClaw Backcountry Snow Shovel

09.00 BMW Cocoon Pullover
02.00 Smartwool Lightweight Wool Liner Socks
04.00 BMW FeatherLite Vapor Mitts
04.80 DriDucks Micropore Jacket (size S)
03.70 DriDucks Micropore Pants (size M)

Pack
03.70 Gossamer Gear G6 Whisper

Cook/Hydration
04.25 Antigravity Gear 2 Qt. Hard Anodized Pot (No lid)
00.25 Foil lid
00.40 Backpacking Light Titanium Mini-Spork
00.30 Box of wooden matches in Ziploc
02.80 Nalgene Wide-Mouth Cantene 3 L
00.20 Plastic grocery bag
02.70 Vargo Jet Ti
04.00 Weight of empty MSR cansiter

Essentials
00.22 Photom Freedom Micro LED Light
01.00 Blister & minor would care supplies
00.50 TP: 4″x4″ blue shop towel squares – 1 / day
00.50 Alcohol hand gel in small bottle

80.07 ounces
Total base pack weight 5.00 pounds

[kevin davidson]

Wow, Bob–between you and John typing out these lists…. kudos. Meir? nevermind.

I would like to hear from Ryan on this list as well
as one that is RBH VB centric.

With this list, I would probably go heavier on the baselayer (mediumweight) and go for a hooded Cocoon ( which the esteemed publisher owns) .
Perhaps back to a 1Liter pot.

Guys–don’t cave so easily on the VB question based just on my experiences. What do the VB proponents think?

[kevin davidson]

For the sake of arguement—
Clothing (worn)
11.00 Icebreaker Bodyfit 260 L/S Tech Top
(10.00) (RBH prototype VB Shirt)
06.10Dropstoppers Micropore Jacket (size M/L)
01.50 Outdoor Research PowerStretch Balaclava
03.00 Nike Spandex Running Short Tights
18.00 Arc’Teryx Gamma MX Softshell Pants
01.20 PossumDown Gloves
04.00 BMW FeatherLite Vapor Mitts
Footwear
01.50 Smartwool Lightweight Wool Liner Socks
03.00 RBH Designs Vapor-Thrm Fleece Socks
24.00 Montrail Susitna II XCR Trail Running Shoes
16.00 Forty Below Custom 2mm Neoprene Overboots
35.00 Northern Lites Elites Snowshoes

Other Items Worn / Carried
01.00 Fox 40 Mini Whistle, AirCode Plus lanyard
01.80 Suunto X6
05.40 Stix Pro Carbon Fiber Trekking Poles
00.50 Sunglasses

133.00 ounces
Total worn 8.3 pounds

Shelter/Sleep/Extra Clothing
16.00 BMW Arc X
04.00 BMW Vapor NANO Bivy
02.00 BMW NANO Sleeping Bag VB Liner
03.00 Gossamer Gear NightLight Torso (Cut down by 0.7 oz)
05.00 Gossamer Gear ThinLight 3/8″ (Cut down by 0.3 oz)
05.75 SnowClaw Backcountry Snow Shovel

09.00 BMW Cocoon hooded Pullover
01.50 Smartwool Lightweight Wool Liner Socks

04.50 Golite Reed Pants(size M)

Pack
03.70 Gossamer Gear G6 Whisper

Cook/Hydration
02.45 Trangia 1 L. SaucePan (No lid)
00.20 Foil lid
00.40 Backpacking Light Titanium Mini-Spork
01.50 Firestarter (candle)/ matches in Ziploc
02.80 Nalgene Wide-Mouth Cantene 3 L
00.20 Plastic grocery bag
02.70 Vargo Jet Ti
04.00 Weight of empty MSR cansiter

Essentials
00.44 Photom Freedom Micro LED Light (2)
01.00 Blister & minor wound care supplies
00.50 TP: 4″x4″ blue shop towel squares – 1 / day
00.50 Alcohol hand gel in small bottle

71.14 ounces
Total base pack weight 4.44 pounds

[Michael Martin]

Nice List, Kevin and Bob!

I’ve got a couple of questions, concerns, and suggestions to stir into the pot….

I’m worried that the clothing system will be kind of an on/off system as far as exertion goes. The windshirt/PS balaclava will keep him warm if he’s moving fast; the cocoon will work for rest breaks. But there is no middle ground. I’d like to see a Beanie added and/or change the windshirt to a hooded one like a Marmot Ion. Well, on second thought there is that Driducks Jacket…
[comments?]

How do you envision the cocoon used in conjunction with the VBL in the sleep system? I’m guessing that you intend the cocoon hood as primary head-warmth layer in the sleep system. But would that mean that it must be worn, rather than draped, and put it inside the VBL?

I suggest that a Reynolds Mylar Roasting bag be used for food storage instead of the grocery bag — waterproof, more durable, no real weight penalty.

I like the Dri-Ducks layers — Wind protection, plus waterproof for snowcave digging. The pants are very fragile, though. They might get cut to shreds working on the snow cave. Maybe Golite Reed pants might be a bit more durable.

I guess he could dig a cook pit for a windscreen. Otherwise we might want to include some foil.

Others on this thread have made a good case for more robust lighting. But, if we’re going to limit Ryan to just a Photon light, how about giving him a second one as a backup?

Best Regards,

-MIke

[kevin davidson]

Good points–will answer tomorrow if somebody doesn’t do it 1st.
Tired—halloween party action has caught up to me–me sleep

[Roger Caffin]

<soapbox>
Why does everyone insist on carting a thundering great heavy Nalgene bottle around? It weighs a ton. Well, 2.8 oz.

I carry one (or two for 2 people) 1.25 L (2.6 pt) PE bottles from fizzy drinks. They last just as well, and weigh 43 gm (1.5 oz) each.

And why the alcohol gel?? What on earth do you do with it? I never carry anything like that.

0.5 oz of paper towel for TP??? Surely genuine TP for two nights would weigh less?

Why 1 oz for a whistle? Is he meant to play tunes? I never carry one. Very few people in Australia ever bother.

5.4 oz for trekking poles??? Hey guys: some of us go out without these things. A recent marketing invention. Free the hands!

5.75 oz for a Snow Claw?? Why? I assume with that raingear he won’t be caving, so why bother? Another recent marketing invention. We just stomp a site down and put up the shelter.

Micropore jacket in a size S? Ah – is Ryan that small, when he’s got some warmth-layers on?

Me, I would scrap the 1 oz of firestarters/matches and take a mini butane lighter. Or add a piezo-ignitor to the stove.

Essentials: since when have blisters been an assumption? If your footwear fits properly yopu don’t get blisters. If you do get blisters, you have the wrong footwear.

Cheers
Roger Caffin
(Yes, I have been ski touring and snow camping for a long time. Foul weather, more often than not.)

[Michael Martin]

Hi Roger-

Welcome to the party!

Roger Caffin writes:

>> Why does everyone insist on carting a thundering great heavy Nalgene bottle around? It weighs a ton. Well, 2.8 oz.

I think the Nalgene “canteen” discussed is a 3L wide mouth collapsable bladder, not a hard-sided bottle.

>> 0.5 oz of paper towel for TP??? Surely genuine TP for two nights would weigh less?

I didn’t catch the TP on the list. Not needed in Winter — snowballs are vastly superior IMHO. Besides, you can’t (or shouldn’t) bury TP in the snow. I don’t know about Montana trail etiquette, but here in enlightened Idaho, if you want a “fresh” Spring, you should dig down to soil, or pack it out. :-O

>> 5.75 oz for a Snow Claw?? Why? I assume with that raingear he won’t be caving, so why bother? Another recent marketing invention. We just stomp a site down and put up the shelter.

We might be crazy, but we actually do expect Ryan to Cave it with that raingear….

Cheers,

-Mike

[kevin davidson]

Roger
-we generally use poles w/ snowshoes, especially in mixed and steep terrain.
-Ryan will have to Cave to use such a light sleeping system in the anticipated low temperature ranges.
-having wide mouthed water bladders is arguable.
-The small micropore jacket is a good point and should be sized up.
-For blisters(if any) he can use duct tape. Even w/ good fitting footwear some of us get blisters and I probably get more of them in the Winter.
-You can’t carry a tune? And Australians don’t care to?;-)
-Butane lighters often have trouble working in extremely cold temps.
-TP is arguable but alcohol hand gel is great for sanitary purposes (like after wiping) .

[kevin davidson]

Martin–I think the beanie isn’t a bad idea but there is the Cocoon hood, the hardshell hood and the balaclava. I’m agnostic about a hooded windshell –in fact if we go Propore, why have a windshell at all? For sleeping, the Cocoon hood would be worn w/ the VBL but the jacket part is not—it becomes the pillow. No insulated garments should be worn within the VBL.
Roasting bag or Gossamer gear’s pack liner would be better than a grocery bag. You are right about the hardshell pants (although they only have to survive 3 days). Yes, there should be 2 photons and that’s been added to my modded list of Bob’s.

[Michael Martin]

Kevin writes:

>> the Cocoon hood would be worn w/ the VBL but the jacket part is not—it becomes the pillow.

I haven’t seen a hooded cocoon. Is the hood detachable? Or, is there some kind of quantum/PGD origami that can fold it into a hood and pillow?

>> No insulated garments should be worn within the VBL.

Sure, that’s why I brought it up.

Cheers,

-Mike

[kevin davidson]

I haven’t seen the hooded pullover either, but it’s something that Ryan has mentioned having in the past ( or am I completely loopy–don’t answer that).
I believe that it had a fixed hood and yes, origami would describe it. I’ve done it with my hooded down jackets.

Yes, found in RJ’s article on “Breaking the 5lb. Barrier”–lighter than I thought–9 oz.

[Bob Gabbart]

What if we get rid of the Montane Aero and use the DriDucks insead? Then he doesn’t have to pack the W/B jacket. I have found the DriDucks to be quite comfortable during activity even in warmer temperatures.

We could then replace the DriDucks pants with the GoLite Reed Pants, add a PossumDown Beanie Hat, move the Mitts back to packed, and still weight in at 4.75 pounds. 4.85 with a 2L pot.

If we don’t include the Beanie and leave the Mitts as worn, then we could add the Neutrino instead of the Cocoon.

Also, the weight above for the liner socks is wrong. According to ProLiteGear.com, the Smartwool Liner socks are 1.7 oz in size Large. So medium is probaby 1.5 oz
http://www.prolitegear.com/smartwool_sock_liner_sock_pl.html

[kevin davidson]

Let’s see. We are missing a base layer for the lower body—something LW like Patagonia SW tights or Sahalie tights. Not just for a little warmth but to be worn inside the VBL for comfort (sleeping directly agaainst coated synthetics is a yucky experience).

So, do we really need a 2qt. pot— won’t half that do?
Don’t know about needing heavier Neutrino.

Finally, if Ryan is comfortable w/ this we can (gasp) sub out the Merino baselayer top and use the RBH proto VB shirt thingee w/ only a oz. addition of weight and still use the Nano VBL for sleeping purposes. Unless my earlier postings have scared people off this idea.

[Michael Martin]

Bob writes:

>> What if we get rid of the Montane Aero and use the DriDucks insead?

and Kevin writes:

>> why have a windshell at all?

I can see conditions where you’d want both a windshirt, and the outer driducks layer — Medium activity where the cocoon would be too warm; high activity but windy, etc. One advantage of having both windshirt and Driducks is that the windshirt can be a snug fit to reduce flapping and “bellows effect” heat loss. (The driducks has a very loose cut.)

Kevin suggests:

>> the cocoon jacket becomes a hooded pillow…

I’d love to hear more about this idea Kevin — very clever. Can you post a description and/or photo? I am concerned that this will leave no torso insulation to use with the sleep system and *seems* like a high weight price to pay for a pillow. But, I’m still intrigued…

Kevin writes:

>> We are missing a base layer for the lower body.

Oops, missed that one! Yeah, bare skin against that nano VBL isn’t going to be much fun.

Cheers,

-Mike

[kevin davidson]

>> the cocoon jacket becomes a hooded pillow…

“I’d love to hear more about this idea Kevin — very clever. Can you post a description and/or photo? I am concerned that this will leave no torso insulation to use with the sleep system and *seems* like a high weight price to pay for a pillow. But, I’m still intrigued…”

Sorry, you don’t get torso insulation within the VBL although one can drape clothing between the VBL and the bag.

OK–about the hooded insulated jacket (w/ attached hood) as a pillow–it’s obvious ,once you try it– imagine putting just the hood over your head, rest of jacket is a cape draping on back, fold or roll up ( or put in stuffbag) jacket portion up behind hood –you’re done. I’ve done this on several occasions w/ an old Marmot down sweater to which I sewed on a hood to modify it for colder weather usage.

Incidentally, the Cocoon pullover is the basis for my sleeping pillow on most trips, where I don’t need to use it to extend the temp. range of my bag.
I also think that I should either modify my Cocoon pullover w/ it’s own hood or hope that BMW will eventually release a hooded model.

[John S.]

Like Kevin said, layer the jacket over the vbl for even more loft, both layers of the flight would be alot.

[Author]

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