Lets see if this works

[Alex Herron]

Alright so of course once you become comfortable with a system you need to see if you can go lighter right? haha
Tell me what y'all think of this setup for the following conditions:

I have already nit picked ounces I am more curious about my gear being adequate so I have listed no weights

Traveling solo
CT trail in early october
Great lakes area in july http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Cloche_Silhouette_Trail
(I know enough about the high and low desert but I will be going there too)
Curious most about the great lakes area because I am in no way familiar with bug situation, water crossing, amount of cold rain etc…

Shelter

Hexamid plus without beak
Changing it up from the duo mid. i had the hex amid solo reg before and found it inadequate.

Stakes are mini hedgehogs for not super strained positions and big easton stakes for crucial points.

Polycro with bug netting
the bug netting is that 3 oz pyramid thing sold at REI, I torn between this and a bivy, the wasatch would basically be a wash, or the one I own is a 4 oz heavier system

Sleep system

GG GVP pad, with 1/8 thin light
Just ordered this pad, which is basically a klymit inertia without the head part. Haven't tried it out yet but excited because nears piss me off because of how the push up on my back. I am hoping to try and use this and the thin light as adequate framing for the backpack. We will see.

EE 20 deg rev 750 fp
Hopefully this coupled with the GVP pad isn't an issue because of the holes in the pad. I hope the thin light will remedy this, or I might be investing in a packs quilt ;) I have found that the phantom fabric is not terribly wind resistant either. So if I stuck with this quilt I may have to use a bivy bag.

Packing

MLD prophet (standard)
just ordered this and am anxiously awaiting it. This will be my second attempt at a frameless, I chopped up a jam a little too much and realized the shoulder straps are crap on that thing. Again, hopefully I can get a good fit with the pad and thin light. I imagine I could just not stuff the quilt or down jacket to get the pack to be a little more rigid.

Liner-trashbag, we will see how this works with the frame, usually I use dry bags for individual things

Water

Sawyer mini
Smart water bottles, off brand made of phet plastic

CLOTHING

Wicking layers:
TOP:OR ECHO 2 LS
Bottom: Montbell Xero lightweight
Don't like wool or odors so this seems to be the best bet

Insulating
Modified MH nitrous hooded

Shells
Dynamo wind pants
Helium rain jacket
Tumalo rain pants (when area requires them)

Socks
Smartwool PHD Times 2

Gloves
Montbell rain gloves
UA glove liners

Trekking
ALum 120 z poles, or non at all and bringing CF pole for hex

Shoes
Altra lone peak 2.0s
OR sparkplug gaiters

Head
Foldable sun visor
Buff
Poly carb glasses

Miscellaneous

Firstaid
Blisterpak
Ibuprofen
Tweezers
Gauze
Sterile pads
Butterfly patches
Sunblock

Navigation
Compass
smartphone
maps

External battery/solar panel
I like to read off my phone as well as navigate primarily with it because its quicker and easier! Extra battery life is helpful when exceeding 3 days.

Also will be carrying an ACR beacon at the request of loved ones.

Let me know if you think this will work down to a little below freezing, in the areas listed above, and whether the pad and pack frame situation is going to not work!!

Any other insight is appreciated
Thanks!

[Eli Zabielski]

Hey Alex,

You've obviously done your research to get to this point.

For the Colorado Trail in October, I think it's going to depend where you are if this is actually going to be a warm enough system. Sleeping with a torso pad is a great way to save weight but I find it sucks when it's below 30 degrees outside. I use a GG Nightlight with my Prophet under my legs and the ground starts to get really cold and uncomfortable. Not sure if your thinlight is full length or not. I think a full length Neoair is preferable in cold conditions, but it's a lot of money.

I don't think you'll need the bugnetting for Colorado, especially in October.

A solar panel probably won't won't be worth it for hiking in the trees. You really need nice long days and sun exposure for it to be worth the weight. Most PCT hikers seem to ditch theirs after they get done with the desert because it takes too long to get a meaningful charge after that.

Cheers,
Eli

[Alex Herron]

Thanks for the reply Eli,
I have found this to be true as well regarding the torso length pads. Its a full length thin light that I hope to provide the necessary leg insulation. If GVP air pad doesn't work I will most likely use a torso ridge rest or the gg nightlight.

October I don't expect a bug problem in colorado but maybe one in july in canada!

The solar panel is that 3 oz bushnell one that is basically an external battery because the solar panels are basically crap. Thought the half of an oz was worth maybe pretending to be able to charge the ex battery further in the sun but is still a decent external battery for the weight.

Best of luck on the PCT this year!

[Chad B]

Have you weighed the GVP pad? I am curious on the weight, sans stuff sack and repair kit. Would also be interested in your thoughts once you have slept on it a couple times.

[Alex Herron]

My impressions:
CRAZY SMALL, weighs in accordance with the weight listed on line.

HOWEVER, the GVP pad was supposed to be a change up from the neoair and not protrude into my back. Unfortunately, the pad has two tubes that still do this when laying on ones back and the thickness is laughable compared to the neoair.

I will be looking into a way to get my feet elevated and make the torso xlite work. Or use a full length :(

If you still want to give it a try I wouldn't mind shipping mine to you haha otherwise I will be returning it since I haven't used it outside at all.

[Chad B]

In all honesty, when I first saw the GVP pad I thought it was pretty ridiculous. I really have a dislike for inflatable pads in general but of course, the small packed size and low weight caught my eye. In temps 35* and above, I use a pretty small cut down Z-Lite pad with dimensions similar to the GVP. I'm a side sleeper and really only require minimal padding for my shoulder and hip. I'm not relying on it for much insulation, just padding. Now, for temps below 50*, I use a bag, not quilt. That is what really made me think about the GVP; using it inside a sleeping bag. I've been curious about it for a while now but I'm not paying $78, I think that's a bit high for what it is. Sorry to slightly derail your thread but I've just not encountered anyone else who has seen one in person.

[Author]

Posts