Hey Ion Fans

What sleep system will you be using? Do you have a complete gear list to post?

I hope you follow up with a trip report showing your gear in use. Great job.

Ken, sweet post. I have been packing and unpacking my Ion daily trying to figure it all out. My big issue is that I love my rifgerest much more than my inflatable. I just cant quite get it. I have been trying to do a full five days and know I will get there. I sold My Jam2 and am even selling my backup Jam2(I loved this pack so much and I new Golite would screw it up and make it heaveyer) I have completly outgrown the jam2 and think if they ever came out with one that was between 1500-2000ci it would be golden. Funny how most manufacturers completely skip this size range. Anways Thanks again for the post. Oh, what type of bag is that. I have a purple WM dont know the model but its super warm and squishy. I have been trying to just go with one bag but I think I am going to switch to a 20 degree wm for colder climes and a super light Lafuma for summer. Ali

Thanks for your post Ken, I don't have bear problems where I am but really appreciate the pictures. It seems that with the Ion "fully packed" you will have a very comfortable and lightweight carry. It seems that the shock cord and loops is a great idea. The loops for the shock cord, did you open the seams and insert them or did you sew them to the fabric? I have been thinking that a Gossamer Gear Sit Pad makes an ideal back pad with all the other items packed in front of the pad. How do you intend to make sure that hard object do not stick into your back?

Thanks again for posting

Ken whats up? I was thinking of going to the Lost Coast in April…Do have any possible dates? I just got a Ion- you have to really pack smart to get all your stuff in it. It seem like the Ion can only be used in warm weather only!?!? Let me know when you are possibly going..

-Jay

Ken and Jay,

I'd also be interested in a Lost Coast trip in April. It's been on my to do list for some time. Jay, maybe we can carpool?

Casey

Ken, Nice job with the Ion. I'm a big fan here, its one tough little pack for the money. It looks like you have solved its limitation…no external storage. I've had mine on a 3 day trip and loaded it with as much as 3 liters of water (gear+food+water all on the inside) and the pack worked well, but it was cramped. For me it is just too small to use as my all around pack. I would have to add pockets. I'm with Ali.. if Golite would just add about 500 cu inches and some pockets to carry water this thing would be perfect for me. Your bungee system looks great!

I'm having trouble identifying all your gear so if you have time and can post a gear list, it would be great to see. If not just knowing your sleeping bag would help.

Ali, You might want to consider a GG thinlight 3/8" foam pad instead of a ridgerest for framing the pack. I cut mine to 38" long. I use the tube method and it works extremely well for me.

Jamie

Jamie thanks for the tip on the thinlite. I have thought about it but i'm a bit broken and the pad I have is so cumfy. Currently its trimmed to 20×38 but very thick. If I get the nerve I will add a bungy for the pad.
My dream is to someday walk the world with a tiny pack and my Ukulele singing and playing for anyone who wants to listen. I'm in preperation for a life of poverty. While we are currenty preparing to set off to sail the world I have already commited to walking around the world the day I turn 50. I am in a constant state of down sizing both metally and physically. Ali

Ken,

supremely jealous…nice job! And I love that gear/work table you have with the lamp. Nice set-up, have fun!

Here is what I was able to fit in there.
9.1 Ion size large, hipbelt removed,bungee system added, sternum strap
30 Bareboxer
2.8 SP 600 mug-pack inside canister
1.8 Caldera cone/stove-pack inside canister(just fits height wise)
0.6 BPL long handle spoon
2.5 TP and trowel
3.4 Steripen Adventurer
0.1 MYO water strainer
2.0 Coffee cone with nanoseeum filter
1.8 Bandanas(2)
7.0 essentials in sack,firestarting,first aid e-light,leatherman micra
3.8 Rigging sack stakes extra guyline
9.5 MYO Bivy silnylon bottom,momentum top,and netting
10.2 MYO Tarp silnylon 9'long,7'wide front,6'wide rear
17.4 JRB Stealth Universal quilt(long)
19.0 TR NeoAir lg (no I don't have one yet, just saying)
8.4 MB Down inner lg
1.7 MB Climawool cap
1.6 SW liner gloves
2.6 Darn Tough socks crew height
3.1 GoLite Wisp XL
1.6 Ultrapod
6.2 Olympus 850sw camera
3.2 .5 liter nalgene bottle(it works for me)compass glued on lid
3.1 MSR Dromlite 2 liter
2.6 OR Possum pocket LG
155.1 ounces or 9.69375lbs,4.397011 kilos
I am comfortable to the forties with this system
I am ready for the trip anytime after my neo shows up!

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I just sewed some grossgrain webbing loops to the pack fabric with a tiny box stitch. Has held up well so far. Here is a close up

Thanks for the close up Ken, a job for the coming days.

Ken, I'm a fan of the Ion as well. I just finished my first attempt at adding pockets to mine. You can see that here:

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=19656&skip_to_post=155022#155022

The very first mod I did was to add the bungee to the back. I intended to have them on this version too but completely forgot when I buried my head into sewing the pack back up. I'm going to do a new version soon with stretch mesh pockets, bungee and a small gear pocket inside the lid.

I read that you have the AR style 1L bottle but I'm curious if you carry any water inside the pack?

You mentioned the sleep pad solution – I have a short Prolite 3 that I deflate, roll up and use it as a tube inside the pack. That system works well for me. The width of a standard pad goes to the top of the Ion so you would have trouble fitting your bear canister in I'd think.

Let's keep in touch – I like exchanging ideas with fellow Ion mod'ers.