Category Archives: Gear

A Quick Gear Review – (mostly things I’m having issues with)

By RonUlrich | Published May 10, 2012

http://www.rutalocura.com/trekking_poles.html
Yana Poles by Rutalocura.com – Even though they sponsored me and you may feel i have a biased opinion, I want you to know I TRULY LOVE THESE POLES.  They’re so incredibly light weight and strong.  When I’m not using them but don’t want to stash them away, I can rest them lightly in my hands and hike on as though I’m not holding anything at all.  A lot of people have commented on them, some seem to think they’re not adjustable by their look, but they are, easily so, and THEY ARE WONDERFUL !

http://www.ospreypacks.com/en/product/superlight/exos_58
My Osprey Pack, purchased at Mountain Gear in Spokane, WA is a great design.  I love so many things about it, although it’s falling apart.  The back support has fallen out 3 times now, and is NOT easy to fix.  The lower frame wears on the hip belt pockets and has worn holes in them.  The ‘cargo’ compartment that sits on top has two adjustable straps to cinch it down, one came loose and the other is on the verge of.  This all said, it’s not just my pack, it’s many Osprey packs out here that are having many of the same issues.

Osprey has an unconditional guarantee to fix or replace the pack.  I called them about a replacement at mile 210 and didn’t receive a reply until I was out of service at KickOff.  The reply (although I explained that I was a PCT thru-hiker and had limited time to work out the problem) was generic, “call and speak to anyone and we’ll help you with your problem”.  Repeated calls, repeated voice mails, no contact – On to Big Bear.  From Big Bear Lake I finally reached a person, not voice mail.  I had to purchase a new pack, they’ll refund my money when they receive the damaged one, yet I have to pay for shipping the pack back.  I don’t think this was part of my financial plan – It’s a design flaw and I don’t feel I should have to cover such costs.  If I were to be able to drive to a retailer, I would be able to swap it out for free.

Well Osprey, I’m using your pack for the inteded purpose of backpacking… I’m sorry I don’t have a vehicle at my disposal – I don’t feel the cost should be mine.  I chose my pack after seeing several other hikers use it in the ’11 season on the PCT, I’m sure word of the many faulty Osprey packs on the PCT will reach next years hikers, I wish you had a better policy.

http://www.mountaingear.com/webstore//Gear/Camping–hiking/Nomad-7M-Solar-Panel/_/R-115335P.htm
Goal Zero Nomad 7 solar panel.  I used this minimally prior to the PCT.  Several other people out here have the smaller version of the same product.  I haven’t been able to charge my phone or the attached battery pack for weeks.  I called the company today.  They’re sending a replacement, free of charge, to my next resupply point, and I just need to send the non-operational panel back to them.  This is the kind of service I want to encounter.  Fantastic, and thank you, Goal Zero for understanding the I don’t have a disposable income and my time in towns are very limited.

http://www.seatosummit.com/products/display/22
My Sea To Summit Silk sleeping bag liner works wonders (thanks Karen for the recommendation) It greatly increases the warmth of my bag.  Although after just 4 uses, a hole aprox 2 ft long appeared where the seams connect.  I called Sea To Summit from Big Bear – They’re replacing it and covering the cost to return the damaged one.  Thank you Sea To Summit for realizing what an inconvenience it can be to find a retailer.

http://www.rei.com/product/781685/la-sportiva-wildcat-trail-running-shoes-mens
I LOVE these shoes.  I was worried they’d be too light weight.  I DID go with the size larger than I normally wear to make room for foot swelling.  They’re light and airy and I’m pretty darn happy with them, as my feet stay pretty dry.  I had hoped to get a minimum of 400 miles out of them, preferably 500 (the estimate of most trail runners on the PCT.) I intended to order a pair in Wrightwood and have the new ones sent to mile 470 ish, but the day prior to Wrightwood, around mile 350 the sides started splitting on the shoes. =-(  Duct tape wouldn’t quite do what would be necessary to hold them together AND keep rocks out (with a huge climb ahead).  So I had to overnight shoes to Wrightwood.  I’m glad I had that $25 dividend to pay for shipping.  This was a difficult purchase, but hopefully my feet will be happy.

Also posted in May 2012, Training & Hiking - kinda stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Prince and the Pinecone… My Ultralight Sleep System

By RonUlrich | Published January 11, 2012

Sleep system?  who needs and entire sleep system for camping?  From Desert floor to Forester Pass @ 13,153 Ft i elevation, I’ll be dealing with all sorts of temperatures.  I’ve used everything from just my sleeping bag, to a cheap-o blue foam sleeping pad from Wal-Mart, to a deluxe ExPed air mattress with integrated headrest, and not to mention my backpacking pillow, that, in the world of backpacking, is HUGE.  Without a good nights sleep, hiking is rough.  Saving money, I didn’t buy a new sleeping bag, I kept the REI Lumen 25* bag (the 25* refers to the temperature at which you could theoretically be comfortable in while using the bag).  Since I returned my Christmas Present  of Trekking Poles, that I decided against, but in turn ended up with a SPONSOR !!! http://rutalocura.com/trekking_poles.html  I was able to purchase the ExPed SynMat UL 7 air mattress, as well as the Therm-A-Rest Z-Lite Sleeping pad.  Although it looks like it’s going to be a low snow year, I’ll purchased a Sea To Summit Silk Sleeping Bag Liner as well.  The liner increases the temp rating by 10*.

In the desert, I’ll likely only need the Z-Lite and sleeping bag, but the air mattress will be needed to better insulate my body from the frozen ground in the Sierra Nevadas, and surely in the North Cascades.

Sleep System: Z-Lite, SynMat UL 700, Lumen bag, Sea to Summit Silk Liner

REI Lumen 25* Sleeping Bag – 2 lbs 15 oz  – Already owned, retails @ $149.
Therm-A-Rest Z-Lite Foam Sleeping Pad – 14 oz – $39.95
ExPed SynMat UL 7 – 16.2 oz – $123.97 (on sale)
Sea To Summit Silk Liner – 4.8 oz. $64.95

Silk Liner inside of Sleeping bag, on inflatable SynMat and Foam Z-Lite

I purchased all but the sleeping bag at http://www.mountaingear.com/ Their only store is down in Spokane, but they’re a major on line retailer.  I can’t say enough about the FANTASTIC customer service I get from them, not only on line, but in the store.  The people there are knowledgeable, and Extremely friendly.  I had rather hoped they would sponsor me, but that hasn’t happened yet.  The staff at the store seems to be rooting for me though.  They put up with all of my questions, and after countless hours of searching for gear on line, I like to walk around and just ‘touch stuff’ and try it on… they put up with that too. LOL.

So here it is, all stacked up with me cozy inside… Thanks Helena – She sent along this feathery ensemble for me to wear when i’m needing a break from dresses… Good call… I think you’re as goofy as I am.

Also posted in January 2012, You might wanna read this - kinda stuff | 1 Comment

Tent Modification

By RonUlrich | Published November 15, 2011

A few weeks back, I had to send in my Six Moon Designs – “Trekker” Tent back to repair a seam separation.  I noticed it a while back, but wasn’t willing to give up my tent until it was too cold to want to hike.  The seam held up through an insane wind storm at Mt. St. Helen, which was very reassuring.  After using heavier tents, I’m still skeptical of the durability of such a lightweight fabric on my Trekker.  Only time will tell.  It’s still crazy to me, just how light this tent is.

In the email I sent prior, offering to pay for the seam, since i didn’t return it right away, I also asked them what they thought about me adding a loop to the top of the tent. I use my trekking poles to hold up the tent, but the more i read, the more I understand that a huge majority of hikers that carry poles, end up with broken poles.  So what happens if one breaks, then I’m out of luck for pitching the tent until i’m in a town to purchase  a new pole.  I suppose i could borrow one if I end up camping near others, but that’s not always going to be an option.

I’m not sure if i saw this on another website, another tent, or if I just dreamed up the idea, but it seemed like a good idea to have a loop on top of the tent, so i could use a rope to suspend the peak from a tree, then stake out the corners.  Again, I offered to pay for this modification, when they said they could do that for me.

In just a week, I sent off the tent, and had it back in my hands with the fix and alteration complete.  I’m so impressed with the service received from these backpacking companies.  It’s fantastic.  So… the seams and loop have been seam-sealed, it’s packed away, and ready for my treck to begin… I’m so ready for this !!!

 

Also posted in November 2011 | Leave a comment

A food ?WHAT?

By RonUlrich | Published November 11, 2011

It’s a food cozy !  Since I can’t waste fuel simmering and boiling noodles and such, I use a food cozy to continue cooking my food.  Take a look at this little video and it’ll explain a few things.

it\’s a food cozy!

Also posted in October 2011 | Leave a comment

Pack Purchased !

By RonUlrich | Published November 8, 2011

One less thing to worry about. I mentioned last week that I was looking at the Osprey Exos.  Well, I bought it.

Friday after recording the interview with KYRS radio in Spokane, I stopped by Mountain Gear ( http://www.mountaingear.com/ ) to try on the larger size pack.  Two weeks ago I checked out the 46 liter, and felt that the 58 liter might better suit me if I end up having to remove a gown at some point.  This pack would offer a little extra room and the wire frame seems best suited if (ugh… the thought…) I carry a heavy WET gown in my pack.

So the bank account is down $225, but that’s one less thing to debate over and worry about.  I LOVE IT !  Check it out here

http://www.mountaingear.com/pages/product/product.asp/imanf/Osprey/idesc/Exos+58+Backpack/Store/MG/item/214465/N/0

And a word about Mountain Gear – FANTASTIC !  I stop in somewhat often to talk to the staff here about anything from gear options, to good places to hike.  The service is out of this world.  (and i’m NOT just saying that because it’d be awesome to have them as a sponsor… I TRULY value their service !! ) So if you’re a local, stop in and check them out.
I spent an hour and a half walking around with the pack on, discussing and trying on hard shells, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, the works… Excellent service makes all the difference to me, and this is the place to find it.

 

Also posted in November 2011 | Leave a comment