GGG X Photos and words
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What an incredible weekend at GGG X! It was wonderful to see many old friends and make new ones. Connected at very deep levels that totally surprised me. Had some amazingly meaningful and heartfelt conversations about love, relationships, spirituality, the oneness and interconnectedness of all things in the Universe. Truly beautiful, as was the weather and Henry Coe State Park. Haven’t felt so deeply connected to friends in many years, and truly looking forward to seeing everyone again next year, if not sooner!
Thanks Ken, you have created a wonderful legacy of friendships and community. Namaste.
Thank YOU Ken.
So much to say and so many wonderful people…maybe at a later date I will write something.
For now…I took all of 8 pictures this weekend and 4 of them are of this batch of caribou italian sausage that came all the way from Alaska with David. . So incredibly good. Thank you!
February 16-18th 2018
10th Annual Gathering of Gear Geeks (GGG X)
Henry Coe State Park
//www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=561
//coepark.net/pineridgeassociation/
Manzanita Point Group Camp Sites 4 & 5.
Temperatures 69F Day Time & 39F Night Time
$8 per day parking fee…parking at lower parking lot
0.25 to 0.5 mile side trail to Ranger’s Station to avoid walking on the road
An easy hike to the Ranger’s Station with some tree cover
Ranger Station/Visitor’s Center for Parking and Camping Permits
Great weather and a three day weekend….long line inside to get parking permit
It was a very mild winter day….for California. Sadly, no rainfall in weeks. Perhaps the start of another drought after 2017’s massive rainfalls that formally ended a 5 year drought. Felt like we have skipped winter this year. President’s day weekend. Many boy scouts on the trail, lot of backpackers, trail runners, and day hikers heading out into a beautiful weekend.
Jeremy and Steve at the Vistor’s Center
I had dropped Jeremy off at the Vistor’s Center with our packs and Met Steve from Idaho in the parking lot. Steve had driven out to visit family in the East Bay and decided to come out to the GGG.
Out on the trail and moving quickly to leave a large group of traditional backpackers who were behind us
Turning onto the Fire Road….easy traveling
Wild Pig Traps…seen these many times before. Never a pig in them…sometimes a small child or wayward backpacker.
Each Group Campsite was allowed one to two “support vehicles to drive on these roads to haul in water, firewood, and other supplies
Jeremy and Steve Getting to Know Each Other
A Sign of good things to Come
A Sign with LED Lights Built In for those arriving at Night
Rolling into One of the Two Campsites….essentially and Upper and Lower Campsite.
This was the Upper Campsite….the Lower Campsite has typically designated for families and is quieter
Jeremy’s New Zpacks Duplex Tent 21.0 oz Shelter
//zpacks.com/shelter/duplex.shtml
This shelter was one of the most popular ones at the GGG and is often used by thru hikers on the AT.
It might be the gold standard for two person tents in terms of being lightweight and waterproof.
Six Moon Designs Lunar Duo 41.0 oz Shelter
//www.sixmoondesigns.com/collections/tents/products/lunar-duo-explorer
Steve’s Green Lunar Duo
Another Zpacks Duplex
Hammock with Underquilt
(If anyone can identify this setup, please let me know as I know nothing about hammocks)
Zpacks Backpacking with crap loads of stuff hanging off if it
The Beauty and Flexibility of a Big Ass Tarp
A Well Thought Out and Planned Trip
Thanks to Ken T for taking the time and effort over these past 10 years with organizing the GGGs.
I believe that this will be the last year that Ken will be doing this….because of YOU, Ken, so many friendships and good memories have been made. I know that you have not done this alone and that many generous BPL members have contributed money, time, and supplies to make this happen. That said…in many ways, you have become the face of the GGGs.
Black Diamond Firstlight 2 Person Tent 3 lbs 5 oz
We all are doing it wrong…screw Ultralight…how about Ultra Comfortable
A Number of Families Came Out to the GGG, as they have every year.
Zpacks Hexamid Solo 15.4 Oz
//zpacks.com/shelter/hexamid.shtml
Rear View of the Hexamid Solo
Katadyn BeFree 2.0 oz Water Filter fitted to a HydraPak Seeker Water Bottle
//www.katadyn.com/us/us/31462-8018006-katadyn-befree-1.0L_usa-
//hydrapak.com/shop/water-storage/
The BeFree Water Filter has been an impressive new challenger to the Sawyer Squeeze and Mini Filters. The BeFree seems to address the main complaint with the Sawyer filters in that they can be slow to filter water. The BeFree filter has an amazing rate of flow that is easily doubles that of the Sawyer filters. The downside of the BeFree is that there is no manufacture’s recommended way to back flush the filter in the event that it is completely clogged. Early models had problems with the welded seems of the soft sided flash breaking. To Katadyn’s credit, they have increased their warranty of their flask and offer free replacements. The BeFree is an amazing new product that has a lot of potential in the future. Looking forward to seeing version 2.0.
Mountain Laurel Designs Cuben Tarp possible discontinued 4.5-5.5 oz solo tarp
//mountainlaureldesigns.com/product/mld-grace-tarp/
Gossamer Gear The One 21.0 oz Cuben Shelter
//www.gossamergear.com/products/the-one
Nick G say s of his shelter, “Six Moons Design Cuben Deschutes. Weight was under 8 ounces when I got it. I added eight LineLoc3 and 3mm guylines and the weight is a fraction over 9 ounces excluding stakes.”
//www.sixmoondesigns.com/collections/tarps/products/deschutes
Terra Nova Solar Photon 2
//www.terra-nova.co.uk/tents-and-spares/all-tents/
I wasn’t able to find any information on this tent. Perhaps it is an old, discontinued model?
Debbie’s DIY Silnylon Floorless Tent inspired by the Zpacks Duplex & Hexamid
Front Door Tie Out
Color Coded Side Tie Outs to Help Determine Orientation of the Front Doors
Opposite Side Tie Out
Six Moon Designs
Debbie Checking Out Someone’s Zpacks Altaplex Tent 17.9 oz
//zpacks.com/shelter/altaplex.shtml
Side and Rear View of Tie Outs
Debbie Standing Next to Altaplex to Show Height/Scale of the Tent
Zpacks Hexamid Solo?
//zpacks.com/shelter/hexamid.shtml
Rear View
Bike Trailer
We have always had a few bike packers at the GGG
REI 2 Person Tent: Dash 2 at 2 lbs 7 oz
//www.rei.com/product/862419/rei-co-op-dash-2-tent
Kicking Back with Style and Ease
Note: Silver Box on the ground is an oven that was used to bake cheesy bread and other tasty things
Another Hammock Camp
Kat’s Seek Outside BT2 ( Beyond Timberline 2), 25 oz
A review of the BT2
//bedrockandparadox.com/2015/03/30/the-mid-ive-been-looking-for/
Ken T’s Hilleberg Enan Tent 2 lbs 2 oz
View of the Inner Shelter
Ken likes this tent for being double walled with great wind/weather resistance with vents at the foot end to allow for good airflow
//us.hilleberg.com/EN/tent/yellow-label-tents/enan/
Ken’s MLD SoloMid XL 17.0 oz
//mountainlaureldesigns.com/product/solomid-xl/
Ken was nice enough to bring out his SoloMid XL for me to check out. I have been long fascinated by its relatively small footprint, easy of pitching without having to use many guylines, for bomber protection in really windy and rainy situations. Being able to sit upright in your shelter while in a storm beats being “trapped” under a tarp with only being able to lay on your side, stomach, or on your back. That gets old after a few hours.
Side View….pinning the bottom edges to the ground makes for an easy setup
Rear View
I have a feeling that I will eventually get one of these when faced with a trip with strong winds and heavy rain. Essentially, 4 season capable and using standard hiking poles to pitch.
Ken’s MLD DuoMid 18..0 oz
//mountainlaureldesigns.com/product/duomid/
Ken loves his DuoMid. For only 1 oz more than the Solo XL, you gain a lot more interior space. Plenty of room to lay out and spread your gear around. If you have the door pulled back, you can cook inside your shelter. Hard to argue for only 1 more oz.
Rear View
MLD Cuben Patrol Shelter/Tarp 8 oz
//mountainlaureldesigns.com/product/patrol-tarp-shelter/
This is another shelter that has intrigued me. Paired with the 6.5 oz Bug Bivy or the 7.0 oz Bug Bivy 2, you can have complete protection from bugs and bad weather for 14.5 to 15.0 oz.
//mountainlaureldesigns.com/product/mld-bug-bivy/
//mountainlaureldesigns.com/product/bug-bivy-2/
With the beak front end, it provides additional protection from rain that a normal tarp would not be able to. What is not pictured is the closed end of the foot end of the shelter, which when the whole shelter is pitched low, provides near bomber protection.
Hammock Tarp
Another Hammock with Tarp and ENO Underquilt
//www.eaglesnestoutfittersinc.com/shop/hammock-insulation/
Another Hammock Setup
Main Table for Gathering
Over the years, Ken has developed a good working relationship with the Staff/Rangers at Henry Coe State Park. He let’s them know when we are coming months in advance. The group, as a whole, makes a point of leaving the sites in good shape, if not in better shape than we found it. Extra money that has Ken has raised in the past has been donated to the Park.
REI Passages 3 Tent? 6 lbs 3 oz
//www.rei.com/product/128686/rei-co-op-passage-3-tent
2008 MLD Soul Side Zip in eVent in Wide with 2.0 Silnylon Floor 13.0 oz
//mountainlaureldesigns.com/product/event-soul-bivy/
Ron’s Bivy has served me well for 10 years now and it hardly shows any signs of wear and tear. I know that I could replace it with a 7.0 oz Superlight Bivy, but given how well my Soul Side Zip is built and how roomy it is, I am loathed to give it up. Besides, banana yellow with a bright green floor is just cool…hehehe.
//mountainlaureldesigns.com/product/mld-superlight-solo-bivy/
Home Sweet Home
Ebike….why work hard when you don’t have to?
Manfred’s caribou sausage and Alaskan Salmon….a truly special and generous treat
One of the things that is great about the GGGs is that people have been generous in hiking in extra food and drink to share with others. As I have said, some of the best people that I have met have been on the trail and at the GGG.
Flavorful Goodness
Beautifully Ghetto BeFree & Milk Jug Gravity Filter for in Camp
Trail Designs Caldera Keg F-Stove with Zelph’s Stoveworks Starlyte Burner with Green Lid Alcohol Stove. Gotta love the Starlyte Stove. Well made, crazy light, and material inside the filter prevents your alcohol from spilling, no primer pan needed….all for $12 plus shipping.
//www.traildesigns.com/products/caldera-keg-f-stove-system
//www.woodgaz-stove.com/starlyte-burner-with-lid.php
Who is the Axe/Hatchet Murderer in the group?
Alcohol Stove Burn Off Competition
Close up of the Caldera Cone System
You Know you are a Gear Geek when you are excited to watch water boil
We have Steam!
Actually the Caldera Cone lost the event, only because there was a failure to get the alcohol stove quickly lit
Priming the DIY Ikea Kitchen Utensil Holder for the Wood Burn Off
Port Hole was cut at the bottom on the side to allow wood to be feed into the stove, such as a long stick.
The legs and pot supports were purchased from a company that seems to have made these legs for this very purpose?
David Gardner ? measuring out equal portions of water to the contestants
Digital Scale for the water
Side Port in use with long sticks to allow constant feeding of the fire. As the sticks burn, just keep sliding more of the stick into the fire vs. having to feed the fire through the top with chunks of wood.
Feeding the Beast
Burn it and they will come…watch it burn
Debbie Mixing Muffin Mix
Steam Baking
Moist Muffin Goodness
Rare and Prized Cup made by Craig W and given away as gifts at the 9th Annual GGG
//backpackinglight.com/forums/topic/9th-annual-bay-area-g-g-g/
Debbie’s Famous BPL/GGG Brownies….not the Medical Type of Brownies
Debbie has become a bit famous for her brownies, which is a tradition of her own making. She brought out a large box of brownies with her while coming out just for the day. They were a hit and she has been generously hauling in a large box each year.
The Little People
Danny from Massdrop enjoying the GGG with his family
Danny is living the dream…working for MassDrop collaborating with outdoor gear manufactures and working in their UL Department to bring great deals on gear voted/requested by the community.
Dinner Time
A new generation of BPLers
MSR Pocket Rocket version 1.0
A Warm Glow
Luci Solar & Inflatable LED Lantern 4.4 oz
//mpowerd.com/products?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIw8iCptu72QIVB5F-Ch2crAmhEAAYASABEgLUtPD_BwE
This was a pretty cool stand out product for me that I had never seen before. Light weight, solar (so no need for batteries), waterproof, and it put out a good amount of light
Clear Plastic Version of the Luci Light
Family Time
Red Night’s Glow
Good Conversations in the Night
And Beer
Dinner & A Show with Kat!
Kat hauled in a small projector and a sheet to act as a movie screen for her wilderness camera presentation of the various animals that she has captured out where she works and lives in the Santa Cruz Mountains?
One of many amazing photos and videos of local wildlife
Over many years Kat has captured an impressive array of photos of mountain lions, eagles, foxes, deer, and other creatures with these infrared and motion detection cameras that she attaches to trees along the wilderness trails.
Captive Audience
Kat gave a wonderful presentation that she personally narrated and had some background music to certain scenes. It really was an entertaining and educational experience. There were humorous moments seeing families of deer, foxes, mountain lions, and more playing around water holes and each other. Other moments caught the animals hunting stalking prey.
Just One of the Many Reasons to Come Out and Make New Friends
Kat Giving Her Presentation
My understanding is that Kat gives this presentation at a park/camp that is near where she lives and she sells photos of some of the best shots she has captured over the years.
She has documented many of the animals over the years to the point where she has been able to identify many of them based on physical features such as bites scars or torn ears which act as visual fingerprints.
Stary Red Glow
Campfire Chatter
One of the best parts of the GGGs have been the night time conversations where friends catch up with each other since the last time that they have seen each other. New friendships are made, hiking partners are found for future adventures, and little bits of hard earned wisdom is shared and passed around.
A Familiar Scene
Friends around the Light
I am humbled often when I wander around everyone’s campsites, snapping photos of them and their gear. I am often a silent intruder who captures a moment that they might not even be aware of. Yet, there are many times where I am warmly greeted, if not expected to come visit them. Strangest of all, for me, is that they all seem to know my name and yet I don’t know theirs.
Taking photos, sharing stories….someone shares their cup with me of a shot of whiskey, we laugh and count ourselves to be fortunately to be out in the darkness by the light of a burning canister lantern.
There are times when I tell myself that I don’t want to go to the GGGs. Taking the photos, editing them, sorting them, and taking the time to post them up. All things that I have seen before over these past number of years.
However, when I arrive at each one and I find myself standing in the warm embrace of the darkness of the night, standing with old friends and new acquaintances, I am powerfully reminded that it isn’t about documenting photos of crazy looking lightweight gear.
It is about sharing small moments with people who all share a common bound that is apart of our soul….love of the outdoors and, in this singular moment, sharing that love with others in the collective stories shared. It is of that trip that we took and the harrowing adventures we had that we can laugh about. It is about talking to others who understand why you chose to spend your free time sleeping in the dirt, going without showers, and hiking all day in the middle of no where.
Though it might be hard to explain to others who do not hike or backpacking, here it is all understood and valued.
And this is why I come back year after year…..
Then you wake up next to the homeless guy the next morning
Okay, I thought that I was bad ass with my fancy bivy sack while others slept comfortably in their tents or hammocks….then Cameron shows up cowboy camping in the dirt on a sleeping pad.
Humbled to be reminded that there is ALWAYS someone better, more hardcore, and funnier looking than me.
I love Cameron…he is the only guy I know who went heavier by going ultralight because his first backpacking trip was simply a paper bag full of food from a corner market/gas station and a wool blanket. He didn’t know that he had been invited on a backpacking trip. In typical, Cameron fashion….he just went with it and went on the multi day/week long trip with them….without complaint.
Puff Jacket Morning…..don’t forget to bring your Big Fat Puff Jacket to the GGG as you will be standing around for long periods of time in the night talking to people
Hooded Jackets are the Best
Table Full of Pots and Stoves
MSR Titan Kettle with Insulated Lid
A Warm Head is One with a Cap on It
Sleeping with all my gear….MLD Exodus under my legs, yellow and black fleece pillow case, red goose feet down socks, Katabatic 30F quilt, and Gossomer Gear torso pad and 1/8″ full length thin light pad.
https://goosefeetgear.com/#products
https://katabaticgear.com/shop/palisade-sleeping-bag/
https://www.gossamergear.com/collections/sleeping-pads
Ken T., Steve, and Cameron
Bundled in Warmth
The Shy One
Family Morning Meal
Kat Enjoying a Morning Fire….plenty of extra firewood from the night before
It was a mild night on a winter weekend that was sunny and dry…..you could not have asked for better weather….though we are hoping for rain as this surely has been one of the driest winters on record.
David W….Mr. Puffy Jacket packing it up.
It is because of David that I now make a point of bringing a nice puffy jacket to all the GGGs. With a short 2.5 to 3.0 mile hike into the campsite, why not bring in a bunch of luxuries?
The End of Another GGG….10 years of friendship, community, gear geeking out, and spreading the craziness that is Lightweight Backpacking.
Thank you again Ken T for making this happen and for all the years of your efforts to make this happen.
You are one of the reasons why this community is so strong and thank you for making friendships happen.
Tony
Thanks to Ken for all the GGG years (and the cold soda and the nip of Aberfeldy), Kat for a wonderful presentation, David for the salmon and caribou treats (Manfred gets a shout out for the caribou treats as well) and Greg for showing up so I could finally meet him (and plan a backpacking trip as well with him). It was great catching up with old friends and making new ones, as always. Here are a few shots from a pre-GGG three-day hike around Coe by another GGG (Great Geezer Group): Nick Gatel, Peter Vacco, me, and honorary geezer Paul Magnanti. Coe is a delightful place.
Manfred cutting up the caribou sausage which he then passed around. Like I said…half of my 8 pictures are all about this delicacy here.
And thanks Manfred for the wonderful hike and loaning me one of your hiking poles.
First of all – Thanks Ken!
And thanks to all the others who made this a great gathering.
Food was a frequent topic of discussion and in one of those someone (?) mentioned how wonderful it would be to have a restaurant run by a bunch of “Grandmas”.
Well, here you go –
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