BACKPACKING GEAR YOU WANT SANTA TO BRING

I got the Garmin In reach while it was on sale, but I’m hoping for some micro spikes for a January Grand Canyon trip, a last minute permit acceptance for said trip, or maybe some nice merino wool layers from my father in law….

Thanks Santa!

Good topic. I’m debating between a warmer quilt or one of those new seamless Mont-Bell down-huggers. I find myself sleeping colder in recent years.

The parents-in-law are always looking for ideas so during REI’s recent 20% off one item sale, I finally added a 1.3-liter titanium pot to my quiver.  I have several solo-trip pots and several group-sized heat-exchanger ones, but nothing optimal for a 2-person trip.  So I picked one up for $53-20%=$42.

ZPacks Pocket tarp

Patagonia Nano Puff jacket

Mountain Hardwear Aspect 2 Person Tent

Djedi

WELL, Boys and Girls, my wife just ordered my choice, Amazon’s “Tofern” white goose down (700 fill) full side zip pants.

Yeah, they maybe only 700 fill but hey, side zip, size Large for $93. (plus shipping) is pretty good for an item I’ll use infrequently.

I got size Large B/C I want them mainly for zipping over my fleece lined winter pants when in camp. They are supposed to have a DWR but when I get them I’ll spray them with REVIVEX DWR jut to be sure.

I realize they are made in China but lately I’ve had very good experience with high quality Chinese trim parts for my 2019 CX-5 and a nice Fire Maple Blade 2 remote canister stove for my grandsons.

Nothing, actually, since I have all the backpacking gear I need. But I wouldn’t mind a Tacoma TRD Off-Road 4×4, if Santa is feeling particularly generous…

A vaccine, now please, so I can go further afield to play! And time, more time to get out there.

Absent that, I am doing well on gear swap lately. That’s good because we don’t do gifts in our family anyway. I could use a new pair of classic skis; recent purchase suggestions welcome. It’s not backpacking but I have incorporated advice on BPL into my backcountry ski trips.

My needs (they don’t exist, so Santa’s gotta make ’em in his workshop):

• lightweight, calf-length, durable gaiters that weigh less than 4 oz.
• a DCF tarp that actually pitches drum-tight regardless of the configuration
• a piezo ignition that never, ever fails under any conditions, first click always.
• better pandemic DIY haircut youtube videos.
• a Venn diagram featuring a larger common area of relational normality, social and environmental justice, and economic progress.

Yeah, I know, it’s asking for a lot…

…with the gaiters?

Is that 4 oz each, or for the pair?

For the pair. I’m using OR Rocky Mountain High Gaiters right now, 6.5 oz/pr. I go through about a pair a season. Microspikes, crampons, ski edges…

I want him to bring an REI Flash 55 in medium black and a new headlamp.

I helped him out a little to make sure he would get it right.

I think the only things I need are some more socks – I seem to wear through them every year, and perhaps a new headlamp.  I’ve been using the same Mammot S-Lite for years as it’s been one of the lightest lights I can find that uses a regular battery (single AA), but the elastic band is starting to go.

My beloved RailRiders Eco Mesh pants are starting to get quite thin and full of holes, particularly on the seat, but I think with some duct tape I can get one more year out of them. Also my well used OR Sunrunner hat ripped this year (fabric weakened by UV exposure?) but I’m hoping some duct tape fixes that too.   I bought both those items in 2010 gearing up for my first trip out west (JMT) and they have a lot of miles and memories in them.

A few months ago I did buy myself a Gore H5 Shakedry shell on clearance so I guess that counts.

Santa brought me some stuff a bit early. He gave me 4 new pair of Smartwool merino boxer briefs, which he dropped off at REI for me to pick up. I did that yesterday before I hit my favorite open space to pester the geese and ducks for a couple of hours, taking advantage of a 55* F day before last night’s snow storm. Santa is also sending me a couple of flannel shirts which should make it to my mailbox within a week.

I’m thinking of hitting my local Whole Foods tomorrow to see if they have a TG meal packaged up for me to enjoy on Thursday.

I want a pair of Hoka Stinson’s that I can regift for my boyfriend so that I don’t have to buy them myself.

I want a piece of DCF that is large enough to make a beak like they used to make for Hexamids. I want it for my pocket tarp. I have made a lot of doors and I have a good one made with tyvek so I think I can use it as a pattern. (I didn’t want the pocket tarp with doors because a) I don’t like zippers and b) I don’t usually need a door. Just sometimes.)

I want to retire. Can Santa bring me that? If I retired right now I would not have enough money for anything. I would have less than $1000 a month. Where is Andrew Yang when you need him?

A re-issue of the BPL Thorofare clothing.  My last pair of pants is just about done.

Seen on a small lawn sign today:

Pro tip – Bring up politics at Thanksgiving.

Save $$ on Christmas presents.

I’ve already bought presents. Maybe I’ll bring up politics anyway.

Santa: You know which spreadsheet my wish list lives in. Anything there would be good. Keep scrolling. Keep scrolling. It’s OK, just don’t hurt him too much …

Oh – you mean backpacking stuff?

Feathered Friends Tanager sleeping bag
My trusty WM Megalite is giving up the ghost after ~20 years. Time to move on to something warmer and lighter, and quilts aren’t my thing. Will I like a hoodless, zipless bag? That’s why it’s on my Santa list.

Hammock Gear WanderLuxe kit for hammock camping
I’ve been hammock-curious for a few years. Adventure Alan really loves this new setup, complete with a DCF tarp, so it must be good:

— Rex

I would really like a lightweight raincoat that doesn’t wear out in a season.

I pretty much have everything I need.  That Locus DCF eVent tent looks sweet.
Since idester was reaching out for a new Toyota Tacoma, I’ll reach out for a Winnebaco Revel.  The Revel would be the ultimate trailhead vehicle at only $185k.