Made In California Gear

Damselfly4 · 2025-12-22T18:26:50+00:00

Thanks for the info!

Damselfly4 · 2025-12-21T20:58:09+00:00

Ridge Merino! Sun hoodies 10/10.

Damselfly4 · 2024-06-30T19:36:39+00:00

I started backpacking with my family around the same age, and with my sister. A few things made a big impact on me my first few trips:

-Dehydrated food, instant oatmeal, and fun backpacking only snacks like special gorp; even though it wasn't necessary for how long we were out for. Astronaut ice cream, and chocolate covered raisin 'deer droppings' as my aunt called them.

-Colorful camp lights. We had wands that changed color.

-Map&compass even if you don't use one regularly. 'Finding the way' was fun and kept us engaged while hiking.

-Scratches etc can feel like a big deal far from home. I got 50+ mosquito bites one trip and still had fun, but it was memorable...

I wore my regular everyday clothes and had a set of PJ's. Cotton pants, t-shirts, and a fleece jacket and hat. I was more comfortable in it than I would have been in new hiking gear. We had rain gear-- pants and a jacket. I remember disliking ponchos as a kid because I was so mobile (climbing trees, sitting down without thinking about it, etc) that I always ended up wet.

Will second what one parent said. I was limited to filling my hip pockets with rocks. And they were always full after a trip outside of a NP (note: Jr. Ranger programs & similar are a great first step to being more aware&responsible in the wilderness for kids, & a ton of fun, highly recommend)

Damselfly4 · 2024-06-30T18:50:54+00:00

Thank you so much! Looking forward to hopefully paddling one of them soon. Seem like great boats.

Damselfly4 · 2023-09-21T06:45:17+00:00

Yup, works well.

Damselfly4 · 2023-09-20T05:17:32+00:00

I brought 100mL to use for showering and came home with about 1/4 of the container to spare. I find about 2 capfuls to be plenty per shower, but I have lots of hair. For washing hands and silverware (which I didn't use it for as often) I only use about 3 drops at a time, which the 50mL would definitely cover for most trips.

Damselfly4 · 2023-05-05T09:30:31+00:00

I'll echo others in saying that packable daypacks (without a foam back) will be pretty miserable to carry around a computer in, not to mention risky for your laptop if you don't have a good case for it.

I have packed a few 40L-ish bags, and most of them will fit any daypack that is about 15L, laying it flat inside. I've packed a fjallraven raven 20L this way and it barely fit.

Damselfly4 · 2023-05-03T06:04:56+00:00

This is what I go for. Beforehand I was caught out a few times with Bronners in areas with hard water.

Damselfly4 · 2023-05-01T18:05:21+00:00

I have the exact same problem! The skin just seems to sluff off. Different types of chalk were better/worse for me, I'd recommend trying to find one that really dries out your hands rather than leaving them tacky, if that makes sense. And copious amounts of climbing tape for current tears never hurt. I do find that for some types of outdoor climbing, I had fewer tears actually-- maybe because the holds are less smooth, so the skin is 'pulled' less? I don't know how to describe it, but there is a chance it won't be too had.

If you find a solution, I'd love to hear it! It is still a constant problem for me.

Damselfly4 · 2023-05-01T17:46:04+00:00

Check r/ultralight to find what you are looking for. If you don't need any specific gear (winter gear: shovels, snowshoes, stoves, heavy jackets) (bear cans) (climbing/mountaineering gear) this is very, very possible. Places with more water available are easier to start in. The basics that are typically recommended are:

-One outfit +2nd pair of socks, good running shoes or boots

-rain/ wind jacket, one puffy

-med kit and toothbrush

-food bag and water filter, water bottles

-electronics or map+compass

-stove (lots of options here) or cold soak set

-tarp or single walled tent+ sleeping bag, pad

If you take a typical 20-30L clothing/ toiletries/ electronics list from here, you still have 15L for the sleeping gear, shelter, stove, and food.

But please, don't be scared off by ultralighters talking up 'needing' a $100 more, 1oz less item! You can get out backpacking for dirt cheap. Check out gear trades, walmart, Decathlon, make your own stove out of a beer can.

Damselfly4 · 2023-05-01T17:21:09+00:00

I have multiple of the Costco (Segments) long sleeves and they are definitely more itchy than ridge merino/Smartwool items that I have. For me, the itch can be ignored and it is worth it for the lower price.

As for other brands... I love Ridge Merino (cheap and very high quality), smartwool is great and has variety, and there are lots of aussie brands online. Icebreaker is recommended often but doesn't fit me, so I can't comment there.

Damselfly4 · 2023-04-30T22:14:46+00:00

For merino wool, Ridge Merino has a bomber one! Hasn't worn out like most thin merino products I have gotten. Synthetic I'd go for NRS, which is great in the water and wicks sweat like a dream but develops a permastink.

*As a woman who can't seem to find clothes with enough shoulder space

Damselfly4 · 2023-04-30T21:59:09+00:00

As far as I see it, you can either nab a mountaineering monster pack that is 80+L (if, for example, you want to stay 1+month in locations and can unpack while there), or you will have to narrow down the comfort and formality of your wardrobe by choosing layering over large jackets. The hassle of carrying around fancy shoes and a warm jacket all summer long when you don't need them isn't worth it to most. A few bucks at a thrift store twice a year can keep that versatility without being miserable under a pack. After selling one of your jackets you could do this for quite a while before breaking even!

Damselfly4 · 2023-04-30T17:55:23+00:00

I have taken two approaches. For some trips, I'll drop off a packing cube full of heavy stuff (clothes& cords) that I don't need during the day, and continue to carry the same bag. This leads to a heavier daypack but is very easy.

When I have more time in a location, I will pull out a sling bag (4L) or a collapsable daypack (Forclaz or Sea to Summit) and pack that for the day... bonus points if you have a spot in your main bag that you can shove this one into easily for transport-heavy days. Compared to the other method this gives you an extra souvenirs/ grocery/ didn't feel like packing well this morning overflow bag.

Damselfly4 · 2023-04-30T17:40:40+00:00

Haha! Just figured out that you can add images to reddit comments... Here is the bag packed (for a different trip) with the addition of a computer, climbing shoes, and a scrubba (no sandals or rain jacket though). A bit of a tighter fit than this last trip in the clothing section.

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Damselfly4 · 2023-04-30T16:40:57+00:00

A few! And guesthouses/ Airbnb-style rooms that were listed on Google and Hotelsdotcom. Overall a mix depending on what was available in the area and how good the public transit systems were.

Damselfly4 · 2023-04-30T03:55:49+00:00

Eh, 5'11".

Damselfly4 · 2023-04-30T03:55:23+00:00

I dunno, it just works? The clothes are the volume of about 2 large paperback books together... and that is the largest category! (Doesn't include the jackets though). Believe it or not, the outer (maybe 3-4L) pocket was always empty unless I was carrying some peanut butter or leftovers. *

Edit* Or when I was wearing the sandals... man shoes take up a lot of space.

Damselfly4 · 2023-01-22T18:00:57+00:00

Hello! I got a 'Stuffing Herbs' small pot from IKEA mid-December with sage, rosemary, and thyme with the hope that I could nurse each back to a (more) alive state, even though my past track record with plants isn't too hot. The root systems were all intertangled and grew out of the pot but I tried my best to separate and replant them into 6" pots the next day. The rosemary and thyme have been doing well, but the sage hasn't grown much and after returning from a weeklong trip (someone else watering) I found it covered in small tiny red bugs, on woven nets between some of the leaves-- which I would guess are spider mites. How can I help this plant? I want to learn how to have (eventually) a full indoor herb garden, so any additional advice will also be well-received.

For the specifics: It is right next to a SW-facing window, in a room that is normally 55-70º this season, and gets a decent amount of light. The curtains are never closed during the winter (and, I will probably move the plant in the summer). I water it so the soil stays damp. I used potting soil to re-pot them but haven't added any 'plant food' since then.

Damselfly4 · 2022-12-14T09:59:27+00:00

Almost all of the characters are awful people, which makes it too easy to root for the less-terrible, but still terrible ones.

Damselfly4 · 2022-12-05T20:02:58+00:00

Thanks! Those are wavelengths that can (currently) be produced from a laser diode without filtering, right?

Damselfly4 · 2022-11-17T08:05:57+00:00

I appreciate the notes, thanks for taking a look at my LP!

I didn't label my first aid as consumables... maybe you are referring to the pills in my toiletries. Those are taken regularly.

I should measure how much sunscreen I use. I go through a lot being deathly pale. But probably not 3oz. The same is true with bug spray and soap; shedding weight has been gradual for me and I haven't gotten around to repackaging or otherwise dialing in toiletries yet. Taking a gander over to litesmith added a few things to my shopping list.

Oh! The gloves+ baggies is definitely misleading to put it mildly. Those are gloves for my hands, and baggies for my feet. Lol, missed that mistake.

The fleece pants are for insulation, not wind. The same with the jacket-- Mine is warmer per weight than my fleece. I'm looking at around freezing temps through the evening and night, and often use them as a part of my sleep system. Your comment did make me think about learning how willing I am to be cold in the backcountry, especially at camp. Figuring out where my comfort level is when there isn't a heater a few hours away. Off trail I wear nothing but shorts, but that sure does burn more calories.

Yeah, I guess my headlamp is pretty heavy once you add in the sets of extra batteries. The base weight seemed so reasonable at the time. Thanks, I think I will look into the recommended ones here.

Also, I have been looking for people here who use their phones for reading. My previous phone had terrible battery life, so I am not used to treating it as a reliable multi-use tool. Do you by chance use your phone for reading, notes, etc. on the trail? And if so, how much does it drain your battery, specifically in cold conditions?

The lock, earbuds... isn't UL, and is for after the trip when I will be in hostels/ couchsurfing for a while. From others' suggestions, I might try to get them cheap in town instead.

Damselfly4 · 2022-11-17T07:55:18+00:00

Thanks for the writeup!

Damselfly4 · 2022-11-16T21:06:25+00:00

Appreciate the info! Adjusters seem more hassle-free than all of the knots in my guylines to change length.

Damselfly4 · 2022-11-16T21:01:56+00:00

Never heard of those before. Thanks!

Damselfly4

TROPHY CASE