Posts by njzk2
The single most important piece of equipement you need is a good reference on the hiking trails around where you live. Read it through, pick a few that you want to do. Those books usually give you ...
Cooking or not, being able to heat water can be very useful in many cases. A basic alcohol stove, a little fuel, and a fireproof cup will weight less than 200g and fit all in the cup, so that's no...
Use warmer water to begin with (even hot. possibly tea if you don't like drinking hot water) Use a thermos or an bottle insulation sleeve (typically made of neoprene, it will help a bottle stay wa...
Several peaks on the north shore have broad 360 views that should include nice sunrise views. For example, Holyburn in Cypress, First Pump on the way to Mt Seymour. Winter conditions for both are...
Timing is key. A lot of times, your outdoor activity will involve more intense parts (for example, going up is more intense than going down). Remove a layer before starting an intense activity, p...
I find that whenever I have to perform fine manipulation that require removing my gloves, in those temperatures (even up to -20 or -15), I feel my hand cool down really fast to the point of hurting...
The needle size depends on the size of the thread. With that material, you would possibly use MARA 50 (Tex 60) to get strong seams, but you can also use a Tex 40, which is already plenty strong. I...
On reason why the Bison costs less is simply because it has less down. At 8oz for 35$, that's not a big difference though. The bison is warmer because it is more snug. The semi-rect shape of the C...
A few points on your kit: you can get rid of the folding chair. what is the use of the brewberry flask? the underblanket seems overkill compared to the sleeping bag. your towel is huge your backp...
I am seam-sealing a tent made from silpoly with silicone sealant (generic 100% silicone, couln't find any silnet around me). The fabric is very slippery, much more than regular polyester fabric or...
I carry an Opinel #8 carbon (that's 8.5cm, ~3.34 inches for you) when hiking, and sometimes also when not hiking. Here is why: It is a good quality knife. The design hasn't changed in decades, it...
(I realize my vocabulary about those things in english is very limited. Please edit if I use the wrong words) My understanding of how that works is that the outrigger displaces the amount of force...
I'll answer anecdotally. I started lowering the weight of my pack by - weighting stuff I put in, - considering whether I need each item or if it could be replaced, - considering that some cottage ...
In a nutshell: when the weather goes bad, pressure drops, your perceived altitude increases when the weather clears, pressure rises, your perceived altitude decreases Using a precise topographi...
I would recommend starting by making a list of the gear you'll need, not forgetting anything. (Note separately fuel, water and food as the amount will change, consider if you'll be carrying water o...
That's one gigantic backpack! Let's look at it item by item: Tent: Your hillberg is pretty light by several standards, but indeed far from ultralight. Of course the Big agnes is lighter, and the...
For the characteristics of the pads you selected, here is what I can say: Weight Crucial when backpacking. 1lbs 1oz (740g) is on the heavy side, but still doable. 2.5 lbs (1140g) is enormous. I...
I usually take a container for the pad that is large enough so I can store it easily. When hiking, I don't exactly want to spend 15 minutes crushing my pad into its pack in the morning. So measure...
If you find that: The avalanche risk is close to null (listen to reports, ask professionals, don't take any chances) You have the necessary equipment and you can carry it (you'll have to carry mo...
Pads have several measurable characteristics that may be important for you when you make a decision: Weight. How much you carry is important if you actually carry it. Weights ranges from ~250g to...
I would add one suggestion to the other answers: Since you are coming back by the same way, you can cache your food on the way up. The first day will be heavy, but the weight will go down much fa...
First-in = Last-out. In order: Sleeping bag Those three more or less together, the heavier pieces closer to the back Sleeping pad (if fits in the backpack) Camp clothes Tent Camp stuff, mostl...
Disclaimer: I never got lost in the forest. Before leaving Tell someone where you are going, when, with whom, what is your expected itinerary when they should expect you, and when they should st...
If there is a lot of puff where you plan to use it, consider a pair of snowshoes (which you can totally use with snowboard boots, just make sure the snowshoe straps are long enough). Most backcount...
I would add an extra insulation layer for the morning. A light down or synthetic jacket would help you warm up when you get out of bed. Don't wear cotton pants. Not only will they keep you cold if...
