Black Packing Light
  • Sections
  • Today’s Features
  • Subscribe
  • Sign In
  • Subscribe
  • Home
  • Email Newsletter
  • Membership Info
  • Articles
    • Recent Features
    • Gear Reviews
    • State of the Market Reports
    • Gear Guides
    • Gear Lists
    • Skills & Techniques
    • MYOG
    • Science, Technology & Testing
    • Stories
    • Calendar
  • Education
    • Podcast
    • Webinars
    • Masterclasses
    • Online Courses
    • Guided Treks
    • Education Portal
  • Forums
    • Forum Index
    • Recent Forum Posts
    • Gear Forums
    • Gear Swap (Buy/Sell)
  • Gear Recommendations
  • Gear Deals

Backpacking Light

Pack less. Be more.

JCH

Profile picture of JCH
active 9 hours, 31 minutes ago
  • Profile
  • Forums
  • Topics Started
  • Replies Created
  • Engagements
  • Favorites

Forum Replies Created

Viewing 25 posts - 1 through 25 (of 2,156 total)
1 2 3 … 85 86 87 →
Forums are supported by our merchant partners (disclosure)
REI (Coupons) • ZPacks • Hyperlite • Patagonia • Arc'teryx • RBTR • Drop • Backcountry • Feathered Friends • CampSaver • Gaia • Mountain Hardwear
Gear Deals • Gear Search
Login to post (Basic Membership required)
  • Author
    Posts
  • Jan 6, 2021 at 3:54 pm #3692441
    JCH
    BPL Member

    @pastyj-2-2

    I am formally digging the Dark Forest.

    Jan 6, 2021 at 2:54 pm #3692423
    JCH
    BPL Member

    @pastyj-2-2

    I’m kinda digging the “Dark Forest” :)

    Were I buying, I might have to go there.

    Jan 6, 2021 at 7:29 am #3692360
    JCH
    BPL Member

    @pastyj-2-2

    “On BPL, you can just click on their profile and see what other kinds of posts they’ve had for how long and get a good sense of them as a BPL community member.”

    I cannot count how many times doing this has informed my decision to engage or not. Very few reliable, honest people suddenly become crooks.  Very rarely an unusually devastating economic, medical or emotional event causes someone to do so, but my experience is that scammers tend to quickly show up and disappear just as quickly…or at least their online identity does.


    @dan-s
    said it well.  Buyer, or in this case trader, beware.

    Jan 3, 2021 at 3:55 pm #3691966
    JCH
    BPL Member

    @pastyj-2-2

    Explaining to one’s wife that one has forgotten the spoons is even worse.
    We made do.

    Ha!  I made do as well…but did not have to explain it to my wife :)

    Jan 3, 2021 at 9:51 am #3691921
    JCH
    BPL Member

    @pastyj-2-2

    Also, I suspect the economics of designing, prototyping, testing, manufacturing, marketing and retailing a “holy grail folding spoon” for gram-retentive UL backpackers (numbering in the low three digits?) is rather…uh…grim.

    We are a small, picky, opinionated group with a surprising dearth of overlapping gear goals…as this thread aptly demonstrates :)

    Jan 3, 2021 at 6:58 am #3691903
    JCH
    BPL Member

    @pastyj-2-2

    …I have zero use for a folding spoon.

    I hear you, but I am not the shiniest car on the lot. I need to create systems that prevent me from screwing up by losing or leaving home key components.  Everything I need to eat packs away in a 130mm Toaks 900 ml pot. That includes the fuel canister, stove, spoon, knife, lighter, hot lips and kitchen towel.  A long spoon would have to go somewhere else.  Or be forgotten.  Discovering you have no way to eat on night 1 of a 5 night trip sucks.

    IOW…a good folding spoon allows me to trick myself into not being (quite so) stupid.

    Jan 2, 2021 at 5:13 pm #3691864
    JCH
    BPL Member

    @pastyj-2-2

    Indeed, that looks outstanding. And of course falls into that frustrating category “if it’s good they’ll quit making it.”

    Just like every trail runner I have ever loved :(

    Jan 2, 2021 at 9:50 am #3691794
    JCH
    BPL Member

    @pastyj-2-2

    To each his own.  I find the plastic MSR folding utensils both too flimsy and too small.  My current precious is the Optimus long folding TI spoon which, sadly, appears to no longer be made.

    Jan 2, 2021 at 9:33 am #3691793
    JCH
    BPL Member

    @pastyj-2-2

    What @bradmacmt said.  I suggest any parka/jacket Montbell makes that suits your fancy. I currently own the Alpine Light parka, Plasma 1000 parka and UL down pants…love them all. Have owned several others over the past 2 decades and loved every one, replacing them only as I learned more about myself and honed my cold-weather skills.

    The MB down guide has proven to be dead accurate and invaluable for helping select the right piece.

    Dec 30, 2020 at 5:14 pm #3691438
    JCH
    BPL Member

    @pastyj-2-2

    “My God, just drink the Tequila in neat shots!”

    The solution to so many of life’s minor problems :)

    Dec 28, 2020 at 7:23 am #3691071
    JCH
    BPL Member

    @pastyj-2-2

    “Wow, straight dehydrated cheddar?  Is that possible to replicate at home?”

    Certainly worth a try…seems like you could dehydrate if you can keep from simply melting it.

    Dec 24, 2020 at 3:13 pm #3690737
    JCH
    BPL Member

    @pastyj-2-2

    I second everything Mark said about the Patagonia Thermal Weight Capilene Hoody!  Best mid-layer I ever bought.

    Soto Windmaster stove paired with a Toaks 130 cm 900ml Ti pot.  Boils 16 oz of water in less than 90 sec.

    Zpacks Duplex.  Going on 5 years and still love it every trip I take.

    Nemo Tensor Insulated UL LW pad.  A luxury I grant myself…replaced a LW Neoair…not going back.  Pair with the Med UL Schnozzel doing double duty as pack liner.

    Nitecore NU25. Just so light, bright and convenient.

    DIY CF Trekking poles w/Gossamer Gear Kork-o-Lon handles. 4.3 oz each.  Perfection.

    Dec 24, 2020 at 7:56 am #3690683
    JCH
    BPL Member

    @pastyj-2-2

    Just gonna throw this out there, but *maybe* caloric density is not the best metric by which to judge a backpacking food.  I would put palatability very high, if not top, on the list…doesn’t matter how many calories it has if you can’t stand to eat it for days on end.  Second would be nutrition…too much fat is not good. Natural fats (nuts) is good.  Third might be longevity.  That huge cache of rancid bars is not going to help much on day 5, or 10.

    Personally, I would rather carry a little more food weight and eat “real” food.  Cereals, nuts (butters?), dried fruit, preserved meats and cheeses.  Then again, if my usual trip parameters are very different than the OP’s, my preferences may not be valid.

    Dec 21, 2020 at 6:25 am #3690041
    JCH
    BPL Member

    @pastyj-2-2

    Okay…that makes more sense.  I hadn’t thought of it that way.  Sucks to have stock off the floor during a 3 day “decontamination”.

    I didn’t notice whether the fitting rooms in our local REI were closed, but people were trying on outerwear while standing at the racks so…in our case it would seem a very porous protection protocol at best.

    Dec 21, 2020 at 5:12 am #3690034
    JCH
    BPL Member

    @pastyj-2-2

    Sooooo…If you return the jacket, does REI think you did so not having tried it on?  No in-store try-on seems a rather silly rule.  FYI, there does not seem to be that rule in my local REI (FL).

    Sorry for having nothing to add re: your question :)

    Dec 16, 2020 at 8:13 am #3689312
    JCH
    BPL Member

    @pastyj-2-2

    Wow…what a start to the trip!

    Thanks again Matt and Brad.  I’m now feeling pretty good about taking this decision.

    Dec 16, 2020 at 5:52 am #3689297
    JCH
    BPL Member

    @pastyj-2-2

    Thanks Matt – the emergency poncho is a great idea…dunno why I didn’t think of that.  Looks like I will be packing the DriDucks for this season and hoping it can become a “permanent” solution.

    Dec 15, 2020 at 5:22 pm #3689225
    JCH
    BPL Member

    @pastyj-2-2

    New question: would anyone trust a DriDucks jacket in an all-day, or multi-day rain situation?

    I am asking these questions as I admire the breathability and waterproofness of the DriDucks, but fear a failure days away from the opportunity to replace it.  Perhaps this is why 2 feet of duct tape should be part of my kit?

    Dec 15, 2020 at 2:21 pm #3689199
    JCH
    BPL Member

    @pastyj-2-2

    Thank you to everyone for taking the time to offer your input.

    Dec 13, 2020 at 2:49 pm #3688777
    JCH
    BPL Member

    @pastyj-2-2

    “I’m very careful to keep my down products dry.  If I had down products with better DWR, I would be very careful to keep them dry”

    🤣

    Dec 12, 2020 at 3:03 pm #3688578
    JCH
    BPL Member

    @pastyj-2-2

    Since the shoulder strap attachment point is adjustable, maybe get one size larger so you know you can move them up off your shoulders?

    FWIW, I prefer all weight off my shoulders. I’m 6’1” and am very happy with the Med. I have the straps set at their highest point.

    Dec 12, 2020 at 6:33 am #3688494
    JCH
    BPL Member

    @pastyj-2-2

    Interesting that we are getting nearly 180* opposite experiences.

    Ben and Matt – What is your avg pack weight?  Frameless without a belt?  Most/all weight on the hipbelt?

    Sam – What failures (where/how) have you seen and what do you think was the reason?  Shoulder strap abrasion?  Snags on vegetation?

    Dec 4, 2020 at 11:09 am #3687264
    JCH
    BPL Member

    @pastyj-2-2

    Stepping through with a backpack could be problematic.  Could always take it off, throw it over and then step through.

    Dec 3, 2020 at 11:44 am #3687038
    JCH
    BPL Member

    @pastyj-2-2

    30* EE Revelation 750 Duck Down – Use it about 20% of the time…when I’m confident the temps won’t drop below mid 40’s

    10* EE Enigma 800 Goose Down – Use this 80% of the time. Absolutely love everything about it.

    30* Western Mountaineering MegaLite – Never use this anymore after moving to quilts but loved it so dearly that I am keeping it.  Used it mostly with all down shifted to the top when cold, and open like a quilt when warmer.

    Dec 1, 2020 at 5:45 pm #3686770
    JCH
    BPL Member

    @pastyj-2-2

    “Wonder what the price will be?”

    ”My guess is $129.99.”

    Nope.  “$39.99 | $29.99”

  • Author
    Posts
Viewing 25 posts - 1 through 25 (of 2,156 total)
1 2 3 … 85 86 87 →

Subscribe Right Now

Receive new Members-only content, gain access to 2,000+ articles in the archives, and become a part of the most passionate community of backpacking experts in the world.
Subscribe Now
  • Backpacking Gear Reviews
  • Backpacking Skills
  • Backpacking Trips
  • Backpacking & Outdoor News
  • Outdoor Recreation Science & Technology
  • Backpacking Courses, Webinars & Other Events

Follow Us

Get outdoor skills and gear info you can trust.

Download the Backpacking Light Handbook to help you make intelligent decisions about gear, skills, ultralight philosophy, and reducing your pack weight.

Join Now: Support fair and objective product reviews.

Something for everyone: Basic, Premium, and Unlimited Membership options available.

View Subscription Options

More @ Backpacking Light

  • About Us
  • Jobs
  • Advertise with Us
  • Write for Us
  • Submit a Product for Review
  • Diversity Grants
  • Help / Support / Contact
  • Terms & Policies

Call Us

Membership Sales & Support: 406-640-HIKE (406-640-4453) | About

© Copyright 2001-2021 BEARTOOTH MEDIA GROUP, INC. | U.S. Library of Congress Serial Registration ISSN 1537-0364
BACKPACKING LIGHT® and the FEATHER/MOUNTAIN icon are registered trademarks granted for exclusive use to Beartooth Media Group, Inc. Subscribe here.

  • Subscribe
  • Log In
  • My Account
  • Forum Profile
  • Private Messages
  • Newsletters
  • My Course Enrollments
  • Unlimited Membership Portal
  • Help / Support / Contact